Craving fluffy French toast but short on morning time? This Overnight French Toast Casserole is your hero! Effortlessly prep it the night before, then wake up to a warm, gooey, and irresistible breakfast masterpiece.
Simple ingredients combine for a rich and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or feeding a crowd. Ditch the scramble and embrace the delicious ease of overnight French toast!
There are so many reasons to love this recipe. First of all, it only takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare it.
It is a very frugal recipe and I have been able to use it to use up stale bread, hot dog buns, hamburger buns, etc. and eggs and milk that were about to expire.
I love any recipe that combines things that go bad quickly, so I can use them up before they go stale. I also love this recipe, because it can be prepared the day before and refrigerated until the next morning.
It is perfect for company or house guests, or even for home parties and brunches. You will be able to enjoy your company, while food is cooking rather than being locked in to the kitchen or having to prepare a bunch of stuff before everyone arrives.
It is also a super cheap recipe, and usually all ingredients are on hand at our house.
Take Your Overnight French Toast Casserole to the Next Level: Delicious Add-Ins!
This overnight French toast casserole is a fantastic base recipe, but the beauty lies in its versatility. Here are some delicious add-ins to personalize your casserole and create a flavor explosion:
Fruity Delights:
- Fresh berries: Blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, or a mixed berry medley add a burst of sweetness and freshness.
- Sliced apples or pears: Thinly sliced apples or pears offer a delightful textural contrast and a touch of warm spice when paired with cinnamon.
- Dried fruit: Chopped dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins add pops of tartness and chewy texture.
- Fruit preserves: A swirl of your favorite fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot adds a vibrant layer of sweetness.
Chocolatey Indulgence:
- Chocolate chips: Classic semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate elevate this casserole to a decadent dessert-like breakfast.
- Cocoa powder: For a richer chocolate flavor, whisk a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder into the egg mixture.
- Chocolate sauce: Drizzle a warm chocolate sauce over the top of the finished casserole for an extra indulgent touch.
- Chocolate chunks: Larger chocolate chunks melt into pools of deliciousness throughout the casserole.
Spiced Up Additions:
- Cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a warm and cozy flavor that pairs perfectly with apples, pears, or a simple berry topping.
- Nutmeg: A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- Pumpkin spice: For a fall-inspired twist, incorporate pumpkin pie spice into the egg mixture.
- Almond extract: A splash of almond extract adds a subtle nutty note that complements many fruits and spices.
Savory Surprises:
- Sausage or cooked bacon: For a more savory breakfast casserole, add cooked and crumbled sausage or chopped bacon to the bread mixture.
- Shredded cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of cheeses adds a salty richness to the casserole.
- Chopped herbs: Fresh herbs like chives or parsley add a pop of color and freshness. Consider pairing them with savory ingredients like cheese or sausage.
Bonus Ideas:
- Caramel drizzle: A drizzle of caramel sauce adds a delightful sweet and salty contrast.
- Whipped cream or a dollop of mascarpone: Top your casserole with a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone cheese for an extra luxurious touch.
- Candied nuts: Sprinkle chopped candied nuts like pecans or walnuts on top of the casserole before baking for added texture and sweetness.
Experiment and Have Fun!
With these add-in ideas, the possibilities are endless! Feel free to mix and match different ingredients to create your own unique and personalized overnight French toast casserole masterpiece. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover your favorite flavor combinations!
Recipe for Overnight French Toast Casserole
Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cups butter
- 3 cups cubed bread I prefer white, but have made it with whole wheat – doesn’t taste the same
- 1 cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon or you can substitute with pumpkin spice blend which we do often
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cups syrup depending on taste
Instructions
- Pour melted margarine or butter into a 9×13 baking pan. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and your choice of spice. In a medium bowl, beat together the eggs, milk and vanilla.
- In the bottom of your 9×13 baking dish, layer with the first 6 pieces of bread. Sprinkle half of your brown sugar/spice mixture over the bread. Layer the second half of bread on top of this. See the bottom for instructions on using cubed bread. Pour the egg mixture over all of it, and then sprinkle the remaining brown sugar and spice mix. Take your half cup of syrup and drizzle it all over the top of the casserole.
- USING CUBED BREAD: If you use cubed bread, I recommend putting in half, sprinkling with half the brown sugar/cinnamon mix and then put in the remaining cubes of bread. Pour the egg mixture over the entire thing and then use the rest of the brown sugar/spice mix on top. Syrup can be drizzled over in the same fashion as above.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight. For the record, I have made this a couple of hours before wanting to serve it, and let it refrigerate for only 2-3 hours and that works fine too.
- When you are ready to make it, cover with tin foil, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove the tin foil and continue baking 15 more minutes. The casserole should be browned and set.
- When you are ready to serve, you can sprinkle the top with nuts and/or powdered sugar. Serve with warm syrup and fresh fruit for a yummy breakfast.
can it be frozen and reheated
The only real reason I might not freeze and reheat would be the possibility of the bread getting soggy from thawing out. I have not tried to freeze it, so I actually cannot say. Sorry about that. If you do decide to try freezing it and reheating it, I hope you will come back and share your results so others will know.
Can you add fruit, such as apples?
Yes, I don’t think that would be a bad thing at all. This is really just a jumping off point for all kinds of great ways to make this. I often SERVE this with fruit compote of some kind that I have made, but I bet having it in the toast would be much better.
This is my new favorite breakfast. I make this all the time. Especially for guests.
This is my new favorite breakfast. I make this all the time. Especially for guests.
This is my new favorite breakfast. I make this all the time. Especially for guests.