This Lighter Overnight French Toast Casserole can be made ahead and baked fresh in the morning – serve with berries and maple syrup!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Loaf of bread – brioche, challah and French bread are the best options. Regular sandwich bread will work, but make sure you only soak it for 10 minutes.
- Eggs – use a flax egg for a vegan option.
- Milk – swap out for a dairy-free milk of your choice like coconut or almond milk.
- Maple syrup – you’ll need maple syrup for that authentic French toast flavour but in a pinch, feel free to use honey or brown sugar.
- Cinnamon – try out other flavours like pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg ,vanilla, ginger, cloves, orange or lemon zest.
- Butter – or a butter substitute of your choice.
- Frozen mixed berries – use any blend of berries you like. You could also use fresh berries if you have some on hand.
Toppings
- Icing sugar – leave this off if you don’t have any on hand.
- Maple syrup – honey, almond butter or jam would all be good toppings.
- Fresh berries – use any berries of your choice like strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
How to make French toast casserole
Step 1: Cut the bread into cubes.
Step 2: Whisk the eggs.
Whisk the eggs and milk together, then add the maple syrup and cinnamon.
Step 3: Toss the bread.
Toss the cubes of bread in the egg mixture and let it sit overnight.
Step 4: Grease the dish.
Step 5: Add the bread mixture.
Add the bread to the dish, then drizzle with butter and top with frozen berries.
Step 6: Bake and then serve!
Bake the casserole. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries. Enjoy!
Tips for overnight French toast casserole
Here are some tips to ensure you get the best French toast casserole:
- Use the right bread: I'd recommend using brioche, challah or French bread for the best results.
- Make it ahead of time: Follow the instructions and add everything to the oven-safe dish, then cover the dish in plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge overnight. The next day, all you have to do is drizzle it with butter and frozen berries, then pop it in the oven.
- Add the berries on before baking: Make sure you add the frozen berries over top of the casserole before baking! You can top with fresh fruit after baking, but you'll definitely want to add on the frozen fruit before baking.
- Try different flavours: Swap out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, vanilla, ginger, cloves, orange or lemon zest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brioche, challah and French bread are best for overnight French toast casserole. Brioche soaks up all the liquid while cooking but still maintains its shape, and the outside browns nicely in the oven while the inside is soft and delicate. Challah is very similar to brioche, with a buttery flavour that enhances the taste of the casserole. French bread has a chewier texture so it’s nearly perfect after a longer soaking time.
To make this recipe gluten-free, swap out the regular loaf of bread for your favourite gluten-free bread. To make it dairy-free, substitute the milk for a non-dairy alternative of your choice like almond milk or soy milk, and the butter for margarine or another dairy-free substitute.
If your casserole is soggy, you may not have used the right kind of bread. You should only soak the casserole overnight if you're using brioche, challah or French bread. If you're using regular sandwich bread, limit the soaking time to 10 minutes max.
Add the frozen mixed berries over top before baking. Once the casserole is finished baking, top it with the fresh berries, maple syrup and icing sugar, then serve.
French toast casserole tastes great with bacon, fresh fruit, sausage, eggs or home fries if you're serving a large crowd. You can divide the servings into 12 portions and then have some extra protein or side dishes available to feed everyone. It’s the perfect dish for Christmas morning or big brunches!
Storing and reheating
This baked French toast casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days right in the casserole dish or in glass containers. Reheat it in a toaster oven or conventional oven for 10 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit. You can microwave it for 1 to 2 minutes, just keep in mind that the bread will be soggier – but if you like your French toast softer, then go for it!
Can you freeze French toast casserole?
You can freeze this French toast casserole for 1 to 2 months, but I suggest you freeze it without the berries. They contain too much water and will soak your bread. When you’re ready to enjoy, add the frozen berries over top and reheat the casserole directly from frozen for 30 to 40 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit.
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More make-ahead breakfast ideas
Meal Prep Tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into your leftovers.
- Freeze this recipe sans berries in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
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Lighter Overnight French Toast Casserole {So Easy!}
Ingredients
- 1 loaf bread
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- icing sugar, for topping
- maple syrup, for topping
- 1 cup fresh berries, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut bread into 1-2 inch cubes. Set aside.
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a very large bowl until well mixed. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, stirring well. Add in cubes of bread and toss until combined. Let sit for 5 min or up to 12 hours overnight.
- Grease an 9×13 oven safe dish and add bread to it, then drizzle with butter and top with frozen berries. Bake in the oven for 30 min.
- Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries. Enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Nichole says
Works great with oatmilk!
Taylor Stinson says
That is great to know, thank you!
Candace Wilson says
When preparing this to be frozen, do you let it soak before you freeze it? Also when you are ready to cook it, should it be unthawed before doing so or is ok to cook frozen?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Candace – you can freeze the leftover cooked casserole but not before it has been cooked.
Nicci says
In the notes it says freeze without the berries. So would I cook the dish without the frozen berries?
Taylor Stinson says
Yes, I would recommend that if freezing!
Joyce says
Made this for my grandchildren a couple weeks ago and they absolutely loved it. Of Course I did do brown sugar flower butter topping, did that for the kids but it would still be great without it
Amy says
Can you use wheat bread or would it not be as good?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Amy – I honestly don’t think it would be as good but it just depends on your own personal preference. You can totally use it if you’d like!
Charlie says
Is icing sugar the same thing as confectioners sugar?
Taylor Stinson says
As far as I’m aware, yes it is!
Eryka says
We have made this for the past 3 holidays and are making again this Christmas! We love this recipe for as a part of our big brunches, and its a bonus that the vegetarians can enjoy it too!
Abigail says
Hi, approximately how many cups of bread should I have when making this recipe? Looking forward to making this for Sunday brunch. 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Abigail – it is one loaf of bread. Unfortunately I cannot give out measurements in cups but if I had to guesstimate, it would be about 10-12 cups.
Ginger Clemens says
Followed directions as written but added 1 tsp vanilla and about another half cup of frozen berries. I used regular French bread and let it soak over night. Cooked longer than 30 minutes, til pick came out clean. Served with strawberries and maple syrup. This is absolutely delicious and so much easier than making French toast for 6 people.. I’ll definitely be making this again! Thanks for a great recipe.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Darlene says
Best French Toast ever!! I use Brioche dinner rolls, taste very good.
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you enjoyed 🙂
Darlene P George says
Can you use frozen thawed berries? Perhaps drain the juice if that would help? It is sometimes really difficult finding fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in the winter especially around the holidays. Our family always starts Christmas with a big “Christmas Breakfast”, it’s tradition. Our children and grandchildren would love with those berries it in, with them being their favorites. It looks delicious but I can’t see them getting as excited and wanting to give up something we usually make unless they get the berries with it.
Taylor Stinson says
Yes of course Darlene, you can just use all frozen berries! Defrosting and draining the juices to put on top would be perfect 🙂