Name: Overnight French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15oz loaf of challah bread or brioche bread; 1 stick of salted butter; ½ cup brown sugar – packed; 1 tsp of cinnamon; 8 eggs; 1.5 cups milk – I used 2%; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp cinnamon

Take 20 minutes at night to prepare this Overnight French Toast Casserole. Then, in the morning, just bake and enjoy the perfect sweet breakfast!

Above view of a baked french toast casserole in a casserole dish

French toast reimagined in an easy overnight edition

I LOVE french toast but it can be a little time-consuming to make especially if you have a large crowd to feed. Forget flipping bread on the stove and give this baked french toast casserole a try instead.

French toast is all about cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery bread. This overnight french toast casserole recipe was created with all of those familiar flavors in mind.

All you have to do is prep the baked french toast casserole in the evening, let it soak in the fridge overnight, and then bake it when you are ready to eat. Brunch just got a whole lot sweeter (and easier).

Above view of a slice of french toast casserole that was soaked overnight

Kitchen tools

Casserole dish – I use a 9×13 dish
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and measuring spoons
Liquid measuring cup
Whisk
Plastic wrap to refrigerate overnight
Tinfoil for baking

Serving Suggestions

Make this french toast casserole overnight and enjoy it for a weekend breakfast or holiday brunch. It pairs perfectly with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream, or berries.

Breakfast casseroles are the easiest way to cook for a crowd. You can serve this sweet one alongside a savory one like a hash brown breakfast casserole. Then the only thing missing is a delicious cup of coffee or even a mimosa!

Ingredients

Challah bread or brioche bread
Salted butter
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Eggs
Milk
Vanilla extract

Ingredient substitutions

This overnight french toast casserole recipe can also be made gluten-free. Just substitute brioche or challah bread for a gluten-free bread of your choice.

You could also use french bread like a long baguette to make this easy french toast casserole. Just slice the baguette into rounds and arrange them in the baking dish.

Lastly, if you have less time to soak the bread in the egg mixture, you could cut the bread into cubes. The bread cubes will absorb the liquid faster than the full slices. This allows you to have a delicious breakfast in just a few hours instead of overnight.

Step by step assembly of an overnight french toast casserole

How to make this overnight french toast casserole

Step 1: Prepare the casserole ingredients

To begin, melt butter and brown sugar together. Then, mix in 1 tsp of cinnamon and pour the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish and spread into an even layer.

Next, slice bread into 1” thick slices and arrange slices in an even layer in the casserole dish. You may need to slice the bread into smaller pieces and smash them in to create an even layer of bread.

Step 2: Whisk together and let it sit overnight

Next, whisk together all of the wet mixture ingredients until you are left with an even mixture and pour over top of the bread. Then, cover and place in the fridge overnight so the bread can expand as it absorbs the liquid.

Step 3: Bake and enjoy

In the morning, preheat the oven to 400F. Cover the casserole dish with tinfoil and bake covered for 30 minutes.

Then, remove the tinfoil and bake for another 10-15 minutes. The casserole will expand and the top will become golden brown so do not place it too close to the top of the oven.

Once it is done baking, cut this baked french toast casserole into slices and serve with butter and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Side view of a slice of overnight french toast casserole recipe on a serving plate with maple syrup and butter on top

Storage and reheating

Once prepared, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To reheat, warm this baked french toast casserole in the microwave or toaster oven. Serve again with toppings of your choice.

Can i freeze this breakfast casserole?

Yes! I recommend freezing it before baking. You can then bake it directly from frozen. Bake at 350F for 1 hour covered in tinfoil. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes to crisp the top.

If you have a sick friend or know someone who just had a baby, drop off a frozen breakfast casserole and they will be so thankful! Its the perfect change up from the typical lasagna.

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Recipe