Easy make-ahead baked French toast casserole is great for a holiday breakfast or brunch. It’s easier to make than regular French toast – no flipping pieces on the stove, just assemble everything in a baking pan the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning!
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A holiday morning without a breakfast casserole is like a day without sunshine, so be sure you have your bases covered this year and make this French toast bake. It’s easy, it tastes just like French toast without the hassle, and it’s the best carby, sweet, baked breakfast dish for Christmas morning, Thanksgiving breakfast, or Easter brunch.
Recipe Highlights
- With this recipe, you skip the stove and combine all of the ingredients in a baking dish the night before and pop it in the oven the following day. It’s similar to a bread pudding but for breakfast. The top is crispy and golden, and the inside is soft and custardy – like French toast, but better because it’s easier to make.
- You only need six ingredients to make an overnight French toast casserole, but it’s easy to customize with other add-ins like nuts and fruit. I love a recipe you can make your own.
- It goes without saying that the scent of cinnamon wafting from the oven in the morning is a serious happy mood-maker. Unless you don’t like cinnamon, in which case might I suggest using nutmeg, cloves, ginger, or allspice? A combo of any of these holiday spices is excellent, too.
Serve this easy French toast casserole warm from the oven with maple syrup and butter for the happiest start to a holiday ever.
What You Need to Make It
- Loaf of French bread – day old bread works great, so leave the loaf out at room temperature so it can dry out. Fresh bread can get soggy when you soak it in the custard.
- Large eggs
- Whole milk – or for a really rich baked French toast, use half and half.
- Vanilla extract
- Light brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
Ingredient FAQs
Sourdough, brioche, Texas toast, and challah are all great options. Just let it dry out a bit (for a day or overnight) before using it for this recipe.
I’ve only tried it with whole milk, but dairy-free milk like almond milk or oat milk should work fine. The French toast may not be as rich, though.
I think chopped nuts like pecans, walnut, or almonds would be great. Sprinkle them over the top before you bake it. You can also add fruit – I think berries like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries would work best. Mix them into the bread cubes when you add the egg and milk mixture.
How to Make Overnight French Toast
Lightly spray a 9×13″ pan with cooking spray. Place the bread cubes in the pan and spread them into an even layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, making sure everything is evenly coated.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the bread.
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Uncover the pan and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until it’s golden brown on top. Serve warm with maple syrup.
What to Serve It With
- Syrup: Warm maple syrup or fruit syrups.
- Butter: Serve some softened unsalted butter on the side so everyone can help themselves.
- Fresh fruit: Add some fresh berries for topping or serve it alongside a fruit salad.
- Garnish: A dusting of powdered sugar would be very nice.
Tuck this French toast casserole recipe away for your next holiday brunch or breakfast. It’s so easy, so delicious, and the best way to kick of a holiday celebration. I hope you love it!
Happy breakfast-making,
More Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes
- Blueberry Bagel Casserole
- Ham and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole
- Breakfast Enchiladas
- Overnight Cinnamon Rolls – recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen
📣 Do you love this recipe? I would love to know! Leave a comment below the recipe along with your recipe star rating.
PrintBaked French Toast Casserole (Make-Ahead)
Easy make-ahead baked French toast casserole is great for a holiday breakfast or brunch. It’s easier to make than regular French toast – no flipping pieces on the stove, just assemble everything in a baking pan the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (16-oz) loaf French bread, cut into one-inch cubes
- 6 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 9×13″ pan with cooking spray. Place the bread cubes in the pan and spread them into an even layer.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Pour the mixture over the bread, making sure everything is evenly coated.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the bread.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Uncover the pan and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until it’s golden brown. Serve warm with maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Calories: 262
- Sugar: 11.2g
- Sodium: 416.7mg
- Fat: 6.4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38.4mg
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 12.3g
- Cholesterol: 144.1mg
Keywords: overnight baked French toast, make-ahead bake French toast, French toast casserole
The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.
Post updated from the archives. First published in December 2015.
Simon says
Thanks for the great recipe! My wife recommended it when I missed this toast while on a business trip. Of course I’m not that good yet, but I’ll do my best 🙂
Diane says
I just stopped by dealsplus and read your delicious recipe!! Yummy! I’m looking forward to the holidays with this recipe in my back pocket! sharing!
April says
Thanks so much, Diane!