Easy French Toast Casserole
This French toast casserole is the perfect way to make breakfast easier! Thick slices of French bread, baked in a creamy egg mixture, and baked until golden brown. Perfect for busy mornings or a weekend brunch!
For someone who isn’t a coffee drinker or a big fan of breakfast food, I sure have a family that love both.
My Pa would drink coffee all day long. Even in the summer, he would drink it at lunch. Seems so strange to me!
And my husband and kids love bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Don’t get me wrong, they are great, but I really only crave them on the weekends.
I eat spaghetti for breakfast, so I guess I’m weird.
I really love a recipe that doesn’t require me standing in front of a pan dipping and cooking single slices of french toast while cooking eggs in another. No one has time for that, for sure!
You too can have a hearty and delicious breakfast with minimal prep and enjoy it with your family instead of standing while everyone else is eating.
Some of my other favorite easy breakfasts are this pancake bacon breakfast casserole, this breakfast bundt cake, and these cherry turnovers. Any of these are perfect for a weekend or fancy enough for Christmas morning.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Bread – I like to use a crusty French bread for some added texture but you can use regular white bread, brioche, or sourdough bread. Honestly you can use any kind of bread you like, but you do want it to be dried out a little.
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How To Make Baked French Toast Casserole
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with Non-stick spray and set aside. Cut French bread into bite sized pieces, and place into prepared pan.
- Combine milk, eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Pour over top of the bread and cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350F and remove covering from the pan. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until done and lightly browned on the top.
- Remove from oven and top with berries, powdered sugar and maple syrup or your favorite toppings! Enjoy!
I love to make this the night before, and pop it in the oven in the morning! It makes the best quick and easy breakfast!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.
How long does it last?
Place in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, heat in the microwave and top with maple syrup or desired toppings.
Can I make this dairy free?
Yes! Swap for your favorite dairy free milk and make sure your bread is dairy free too. Almond milk and oat milk are great choices.
Can I make this in a crock pot?
Sure, you can! Just assemble the french toast in a crockpot dish insert, refrigerate overnight, the place in the slow cooker base and heat cook (high: 2 hrs low: 4 hrs)
Flavor Variations
Looking for a more savory twist? Add up to 2 cups cooked sausage, ham, or bacon before baking.
Want it even richer tasting? Substitute heavy cream or half & half for the milk.
Like your french toast on the sweeter side? Add fruit and toasted pecans and garnish with powdered sugar or your favorite maple syrup.
What is the best bread for french toast?
When picking bread to make French Toast, especially make ahead French Toast, you need to remember two words. Dense & Sturdy.
The breads that have these two characteristics are Challah, French, Sourdough, and Brioche.
They have great flavor and texture on their own and can stand up to being soaked in eggs and milk overnight. That’s what you want. No one likes bread that falls apart or is soggy!
Tips For No Leftovers
- Assemble this the night before (or up to 24 hours) and bake when you wake up for an easier morning.
- Make sure to use dense bread like French, Challah, Brioche, or Sourdough. It will hold together better.
- Check your local bakery because they might sell bread cubes for easier prep.
- Serve this with a fruit salad and some bacon for a full breakfast.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
This overnight French toast casserole recipe is easy to make and better than the regular breakfast out there for sure!
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 10-12 cups cubed French bread
- 2 cups milk or heavy cream
- 8 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with Non-stick spray and set aside.
- Cut French bread into bite sized pieces, and place into prepared pan.
- In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla extract. Pour over top of the French bread.
- Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350F and remove covering from the pan. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until done and lightly browned on the top.
- Remove from oven and top with berries, powdered sugar and maple syrup or your favorite toppings! Enjoy!
Notes
- Assemble this the night before and bake when you wake up for an easier morning.
- Make sure to use dense bread like French, Challah, Broiche, or Sourdough. It will hold together better.
- Serve this with a fruit salad and some bacon for a full breakfast.
Nutrition
(Originally published 08/11/2020 – recipe and photos updated 01/22/24)
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Great breakfast, so easy. I did leave the cinnamon out and it was so yummy!
Made this this morning for the first day of school. Made a crazy day WAY more special!