Overnight French Toast Breakfast Casserole

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You’ll love this delicious French Toast Breakfast Casserole. It’s a great way to use up bread that’s past its prime, it comes together in a snap, and it’s a HUGE hit with my family.

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Overnight French Toast Breakfast Casserole

The other day, I cooked a double batch of artisan bread and it didn’t turn out that great. I didn’t want to throw it out, so instead, I turned part of it into yummy garlic bread, fed some to my kids {who don’t know better…}, and then used the rest to make this delicious French Toast Breakfast Casserole!

Overnight French Toast Breakfast Casserole

This make ahead French Toast Breakfast Casserole recipe is so great! Throw it together at night before you go to bed, pop it the oven when you roll out of bed, and a half hour later, breakfast is served! You’re welcome.

If you have bread to use up too, I highly recommend this recipe. It’s quick, easy, and really tasty. It’s not that nutritious, but everything in moderation right?! I adapted the recipe I found here.

delicious overnight French Toast Casserole

Ingredients for Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

  • butter
  • brown sugar {I use raw sugar}
  • old bread (use French bread, homemade bread, sourdough bread, or any variety you enjoy)
  • eggs
  • whole milk or heavy cream
  • vanilla extract
  • cinnamon
  • chopped pecans

Let’s make this Overnight French Toast Casserole

The great thing about this casserole is that you can either bake it immediately after assembly, or you can cover and refrigerate over the night. Both options have their merit. If you’re organized the evening before, assembling at night is a great way to simplify busy mornings.

But if you want to make it and cook it right away in the morning, that works too! Totally your call.

cut the bread into thick slices for overnight french toast casserole

To start, slice up a loaf of old bread into thick slices – around 1″ thick. Stale bread really works best in this recipe. It might sound strange, but I promise it’s the truth.

melt butter and add sugar


Melt butter and add sugar, then put the flour brown sugar mix on the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan. place the bread in the pan on top of the butter.

dredge bread in egg mixture


Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl. Then pour egg mixture over bread and make sure to dredge the bread through the mixture. Place bread in baking dish. Now it’s ready to bake. You can do one of two things – bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Side dishes for French toast casserole

Offset the rich custard of the casserole with fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Greek yogurt drizzled with honey plays up the creamy texture. Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage offsets the sweetness of the French toast. Keep it simple, yet delicious.

Baked French toast is yummy and super easy to make ahead of time. You deserve to enjoy your mornings, too.

Looking for more yummy breakfast recipes? Try these!

Bacon Wrapped Egg, Spinach, & Cheese Muffins (freeze very well!)

Eggy Breakfast Muffins (these also freeze very well!)

15 Slow Cooker Breakfast Ideas to Simplify Busy Mornings

Green Smoothies for the Freezer

Here’s the printable recipe for this delicious French Toast Breakfast Casserole

Yield: 8 servings

French Toast Breakfast Casserole

delicious overnight French Toast Casserole

A delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe perfect for the weekend or any special occasion.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar {I use raw sugar}
  • 1 loaf old bread, cut into 1" thick pieces {I used homemade whole wheat artisan bread}
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk, or your choice of percent
  • 1 TBS vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Combine butter and brown sugar and pour it in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Layer the bread on top, overlapping if necessary.
  3. Mix the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon and pour over the bread.
  4. Sprinkle nuts on top.
  5. Cover the baking dish and chill overnight.
  6. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  7. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes or until bubbly and brown.
  8. Let stand for 5-10 minutes.
  9. Serve with maple sugar or favorite syrup {if you'd like - I thought it was great as is, but my hubs and kids liked the extra syrup}.
  10. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 392Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 398mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 4gSugar: 16gProtein: 13g

Nutritional information is not always right.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram tagging @simplifylivelove! I love to see your photos!

This french toast breakfast casserole is absolutely delicious! Assemble it at night before you go to bed and pop it in the oven in the morning! YUM!!

About Michelle Marine

Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.

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6 Comments

  1. I add diced apples and more cinnamon to my toast ( personal preference), but I don’t know i’ve been denying myself the pleasure of pecans. Thanks for sharing your recipe, using nuts

    1. Hi Laura,
      I have not tried to make this and freeze it. It might work. I would be most worried that the bread would end up soggy, but I don’t really know. If you try it, come back and let me know! 🙂

  2. Why not make things heart and vascular healthy ?
    Using plant based ingredients!
    No sugar,salt or oil.
    Can use maple sugar.