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French Toast Casserole Recipe is a delicious overnight breakfast casserole. This recipe is simple enough for busy mornings but so delicious that you will want to serve it to guests.

French toast casserole on a white plate with a bowl of strawberries and blueberries
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We just made this delicious overnight French toast casserole recipe the other day for “brinner” (breakfast for dinner) and I almost forgot how good it was. The entire family loved this quick and easy breakfast recipe.

French toast is a staple to make for the holidays. Making the night make it so much to enjoy a warm breakfast with my family. It makes the perfect addition to your Easter Brunch Recipe.

What is Overnight French Toast?

The best French toast casserole is when it is made overnight. The bread is separated in small pieces and placed in a casserole dish. Then a milk mixture consisting of milk, egg, cinnamon and sugar is added to the bread.

This casserole is then placed in the refrigerator and the bread has time to soak up the mixture overnight. Then the casserole is then baked and the best French Toast casserole is made.

Ingredients

Ingredients needed - french bread, eggs, milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variation Ideas

  • Breads – Try using other types of bread. Some ideas include: raisin bread, french bread, Italian bread, texas toast, sour dough bread and more. French toast bake with texas toast is my favorite bread to use.
  • Additions – Add raisins and nuts to the french toast mixture. You can also add in some ham and cheese or sausage or bacon for a savory French toast bake.
  • Drizzle Sauce – Drizzle caramel or chocolate for delicious variation.
  • Add Frosting – Vanilla Buttercream Frosting is amazing on this French toast casserole.
  • Orange – Mix in orange zest for a delicious flavor.

How to Make French Toast Casserole

  • Step 1 – Heat Oven – First preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Step 2 – Prepare Pan – Spray bottom of pan with cooking spray or coat with melted butter.

Step 3 – Cut Bread – Cut the French bread into chunks and spread evenly in a 9×13 pan.

Step 4 – Mix Ingredients – Next, mix together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and salt, and vanilla.

Step 5 – Pour over bread – Pour egg mixture over bread cubes. Mix bread with egg mixture to coat. I find that it works best if I mix with my hands. This ensures that all the bread is coated.

Step 6 – Mix sugar and cinnamon – In a small separate bowl mix together 2 Tablespoons of sugar and 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon.

Step 7 – Top on casserole – Sprinkle this mixture over the entire baking dish until it is gone.

Step 8 – Place in the Fridge – If wanting to eat now, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerate overnight. We love it much better when it sits overnight, but you could cook it immediately.

  • Step 9 – Bake Casserole – The next morning bake the casserole in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes to 45 minutes until golden brown. You can cover with aluminum foil if the bread starts to burn.

Recipe Tips

  • Top with Butter – If you are afraid it may dry out, place a few tabs of butter on top when you bake it.
  • Drizzle Maple Syrup – When serving I have drizzled with maple syrup right before serving, or I have sprinkled with with powdered sugar. Either way is fabulous.
  • Add Brown SugarMix in some brown sugar and cinnamon for a different flavor.
  • Heavy Cream – You can also use some heavy cream in place of milk or do half and half.
  • Whipped CreamServe with Whipped Cream on top.

Everyone will be well fed and your budget will be better as well. Give some of these tips a try!

What is the Best Bread for French Toast?

When choosing the best bread for your overnight French Toast, you want to choose bread that is sturdy. Thinly sliced or really soft bread doesn’t hold and can fall a part when baking.

These are my favorites bread options.

  • French Bread
  • Sourdough Bread
  • Brioche Bread
  • Challah Bread
  • Pullman Loaf
French toast casserole on a white plate with a bowl of strawberries and blueberries

What to Serve with French Toast Bake?

There are many food items that go great with this overnight French toast. Here are some of our favorites:

Add your Favorite Toppings

We love to add different toppings to this French toast bake.

  • Our homemade pancake syrup on top and then sprinkle powdered sugar is a family favorite.
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Sliced Almonds
  • Cinnamon and Sugar
  • Butter
  • Slice Apples
  • Blueberries
  • Pecans

The options are endless as to what to add.

French toast casserole on a white plate with a bowl of strawberries and blueberries

Can you Freeze Overnight French Toast?

Yes, you can freeze Overnight French toast bake. Freezing this French toast bake is easy to do.

  • Prepare the French Toast as indicated in the recipe.
  • Make sure to cover with foil and freeze.
  • When you are ready to bake, thaw overnight in fridge. Cook in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my French Toast Casserole Soggy?

You want the baked French toast casserole to be moist on the inside but have a drier crispier top. If you find that the inside of the French toast casserole is too soggy, try reducing the amount of milk or using a thicker more heartier style of bread.

How to Store Leftover French Toast Casserole

Store leftover French Toast Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat French Toast

Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or the oven depending on how much you have leftover.

More Easy French Toast Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make this French toast casserole overnight recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Overnight French Toast Casserole

4.95 from 94 votes
This Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe is easy to make and perfect when you have old or stale bread. This easy breakfast recipe also freezes great.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Breakfast
Calories 265

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Spray bottom of pan with cooking spray or coat with melted butter. Cut bread into chunks and spread evenly in a 9×13 pan.
  • Mix together eggs, milk, 2 Tablespoons of sugar, salt, and vanilla. Pour over bread. Mix to coat to coat the bread in the mixture.
  • In a small separate bowl mix together 2 Tablespoons of sugar and 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the entire pan.

If wanting to eat now:

  • Cover and place in fridge over night. (you could cook immediately, but it is much better if you let it sit over night) The next morning cook in 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown.

If wanting to freeze:

  • Cover with foil and freeze. When you are ready, thaw overnight in fridge. Cook in 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  

Nutrition Facts

Serving 6g, Calories 265kcal, Carbohydrates 39g, Protein 11g, Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 115mg, Sodium 459mg, Potassium 224mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 14g, Vitamin A 255IU, Calcium 167mg, Iron 2.5mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.95 from 94 votes (87 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    As long as the pan is oven safe and the correct size it should work for this recipe. I would use parchment paper or a non-stick cooking spray on the pan for easy clean up.

  2. Sandi Shields says:

    Can I use a Teflon pan? My glass one is too small ? Would I put parchment paper in the pan?

  3. Apryl says:

    5 stars
    It was a delicious breakfast. I ended up making a double recipe, I have four kids. I put frozen peaches and I used a tablespoon of cinnamon. It was a big hit with the kids and my husband loved it!!

  4. TJ Andrezze says:

    5 stars
    I just love watching and learning all your cooking techniques and tricks.
    Happy holidays!

  5. Sue says:

    Was delicious, I also used cinnamon raisen bread and diced ham. Recieved many compliments

  6. phoebe says:

    5 stars
    one of the best ways make a family have brunch delicious together.

  7. Carrie says:

    Yes, I think that would work great.

  8. lewis Crow says:

    Hi, could I make this in my enameled dutch oven.

  9. Stephanie says:

    5 stars
    My kids love French toast and they loved this. I love how easy it is to make and with 3 children running around it is great. Makes a quick breakfast for all those busy mornings.

  10. Debbie says:

    Good Morning! Merry Christmas! We just finished the casserole and just wow!
    I kinda tweaked a little. I used 1cup heavy cream (had to use it up). Then when it came out of the oven I dolloped honey butter over the top and then crumbled bacon.
    Loved it

  11. Lisa says:

    Iโ€™ve made this recipe several times and I use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

  12. Carrie says:

    Oh wow! That’s a great deal! I hope you enjoy this recipe with them!

  13. Angie says:

    Just picked up some dinner rolls on grocery yesterday for a .25 a pack! Think Iโ€™ll try this with them

  14. Mary Place says:

    Is the cinnamon and sugar topping 1 tablespoon or 1 tewaspoon each? The directions contradict.Making it tonight! Mary

  15. Kc says:

    I make this during the holidays using sweet Hawaiian bread & egg nog. Itโ€™s delish!

  16. Paula says:

    I want to make this! Could you clarify the amount of cinnamon in this recipe. The ingredients list says 1 tsp. But the directions say 1 T. Thanks.

  17. Jennifer says:

    In the instructions it says 1 tablespoon of cinnamon and above in the ingredients it says 1 teaspoon… i was just assembling with the instructions so we will be blasted with cinnamon in the morning

  18. Jana says:

    The ingredients state 1 TEAspoon of cinnamon but the recipe states 1 TABLEspoon. Which amount should be used in this recipe?

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