There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of cinnamon, vanilla, and bubbling, golden toast baking in the oven. This Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast — ideal for holidays, brunch parties, or lazy Sunday mornings when you want something cozy without all the morning effort. Just prep it the night before, let it soak, and bake it fresh in the morning for a warm, crowd-pleasing dish that feels like a hug on a plate.
This casserole version of French toast became a favorite in our house during the holidays when mornings tend to be hectic and we want breakfast ready with minimal fuss. It’s all the comforting flavor of classic French toast — buttery, custardy, and spiced with cinnamon — baked into one simple, no-flip dish.
If you loved our 7 Secrets to the Best French Toast, you’re going to adore this baked version just as much — maybe more, since it does most of the work while you sleep.
What Makes This Overnight French Toast Casserole So Good?
Using thick-cut brioche or challah gives the dish a soft, luxurious texture, while the custard base (eggs, milk, cream, cinnamon, and vanilla) soaks into the bread overnight for deep, rich flavor. The brown sugar-butter base creates a subtle caramelized bottom, and a crunchy streusel topping adds the perfect contrast.
Whether you’re serving brunch to friends or just feeding a hungry family on a weekend morning, this casserole delivers on both flavor and convenience.
Required Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Plastic wrap or foil
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Fork or pastry cutter for topping
- Oven
Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
Serving: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours (overnight)
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the base:
- 1 loaf (about 14–16 oz) brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing & layering)
For the topping:
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Optional toppings for serving:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Place cubed brioche evenly into the dish.
- Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Assemble and chill: Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Lightly press down to ensure all pieces are soaked. Cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- Make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a fork or your fingers until it forms pea-sized crumbs. Refrigerate separately until ready to bake.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup.
Tips & Substitutions
- Bread swap: French bread or sourdough works if you don’t have brioche.
- Dairy-free: Use almond or oat milk and plant-based butter.
- Extra crunch: Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel.
- Sweeter base: Drizzle caramel sauce or fruit preserves between layers.
Notes
- For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end — watch carefully.
- You can prepare both the casserole and topping 1–2 days in advance for ultimate ease.
- Serve with a side of breakfast sausage or scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
Storage & Meal Planning for Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 325°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions.
- Freezing: You can freeze the fully assembled unbaked casserole (without the streusel topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
- Meal Planning Tip: Add this to your weekend prep and enjoy delicious, low-effort breakfasts throughout the week.
There’s something deeply satisfying about waking up to a warm, bubbling French toast casserole you prepped the night before. It’s fuss-free, flavorful, and perfect for making memories around the table. Whether you’re planning brunch for guests or just want to make weekday mornings easier, this recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again.
Did you try it? Leave a comment and share your twist! And if you’re craving more comfort food, don’t miss our 7 Secrets to the Best French Toast — perfect when you want the skillet classic version.
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1 Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole That Changes Breakfast Forever
This Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast. Prep the night before, bake in the morning, and enjoy a warm, cinnamon-spiced brunch with zero stress.
Ingredients
For the base:
For the topping:
Optional toppings for serving:
Instructions
Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. Place cubed brioche evenly into the dish.
Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Assemble and chill: Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Lightly press down to ensure all pieces are soaked. Cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
Make the streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a fork or your fingers until it forms pea-sized crumbs. Refrigerate separately until ready to bake.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup.
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Plastic wrap or foil
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Fork or pastry cutter for topping
- Oven
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 portion
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 570kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 32.5g50%
- Saturated Fat 18.5g93%
- Cholesterol 240mg80%
- Sodium 540mg23%
- Potassium 315mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 58.5g20%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 31g
- Protein 15g30%
- Vitamin A 1120 IU
- Vitamin C 1 mg
- Calcium 170 mg
- Iron 3.3 mg
- Vitamin D 46 IU
- Vitamin E 1.2 IU
- Vitamin K 10 mcg
- Thiamin 0.3 mg
- Riboflavin 0.42 mg
- Niacin 3.8 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.18 mg
- Folate 95 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.2 mcg
- Biotin 12 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 1.3 mg
- Phosphorus 310 mg
- Iodine 28 mcg
- Magnesium 36 mg
- Zinc 2 mg
- Selenium 30 mcg
- Copper 0.2 mg
- Manganese 0.5 mg
- Chromium 6 mcg
- Molybdenum 14 mcg
- Chloride 530 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end — watch carefully.
- You can prepare both the casserole and topping 1–2 days in advance for ultimate ease.
- Serve with a side of breakfast sausage or scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
