This easy Overnight French Toast Casserole is a perfect breakfast for busy mornings or when hosting guests. With its rich custard base and sweet cinnamon crunch topping, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Prep the night before, bake in the morning, and enjoy a stress-free, delicious start to your day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Make-Ahead Magic: Prep it the night before for a no-hassle morning.
2. Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family brunches, holidays, or overnight guests.
3. Decadent Flavor: A combination of creamy custard and a cinnamon-sugar topping.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
• 1 loaf French bread or thick Texas toast (sliced 1 inch thick)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Crunch Topping:
• 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 Tbsp light corn syrup (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prep the Bread:
• Butter or spray a 9”x13” baking dish.
• Arrange the sliced French bread in the dish, overlapping slightly in rows.
- Make the Custard:
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Use a spoon to drizzle some custard between the slices.
• Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare the Topping:
• In a medium bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until smooth and set aside.
- Bake the Casserole:
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Remove the casserole from the fridge and carefully flip each slice of bread to ensure even coating.
• Spread the prepared topping evenly over the bread, like icing a cake. For extra flavor, spread some between the slices if desired.
• Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed and lightly golden.
Serving Suggestions
• Top It Off: Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit.
• Pair It: Complement with crispy bacon, sausage, or a fresh fruit salad for a complete breakfast.
Tips for Success
1. Bread Choice: Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture.
2. Customizable Topping: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
3. Reheating: Leftovers can be reheated in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.
Enjoy this Overnight French Toast Casserole for a delightful breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole is a delicious breakfast that is always such a hit with the family and guests. You make this breakfast casserole the night before so you can enjoy this yummy Baked French Toast in the morning!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 31 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine American
For the Casserole:
- * 1 loaf french bread or thick texas toast
- * 8 eggs
- * 2 cups half and half
- * 1/2 cup milk
- * 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- * 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- * 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Crunch Topping:
- * 1 1/2 sticks butter softened
- * 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- * 1 Tbsp light corn syrup optional
- * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* Prepare a 9″x13″ baking dish by coating the entire inside of the dish with butter or cooking spray. Set aside.
* Slice the French bread, about 1-inch thick. Arrange slices in your prepared baking dish in rows, overlapping the slices. Set aside.
* In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
* Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure they are covered evenly. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices making sure all the slices are completely covered. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
* The next day, preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, carefully flip each piece of bread over to make sure everything is nice and coated with the mixture.
Make the Topping:
* Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine. Spoon the topping on top of the prepared bread slices. Then spread evenly over the bread (like you are icing a cake). You can also spread some of the mixture in between the slices to make sure the entire slice is covered (if you prefer).
* Bake for 35-40 minutes (no need to cover with foil), until puffed and lightly golden.