Overnight French Toast Casserole is cozy, fruity, and perfect for weekend brunch. Soft brioche and oat topping make it sweet, satisfying, and worth waking up for!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
This is a brief summary of the recipe. Jump to the recipe to get the full details.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Chilling Time
8 hours
Total Time
9 hours 5 minutes
Servings
8 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Calories *
494 kcal per serving
Technique
Cut bread, add custard mixture, add blueberries, sit overnigth
Flavor Profile
Soft brioche with an oat topping studded with blueberries.
* Based on nutrition panel
I liked how the oat-almond topping came together in one bowl, it was just super simple but added so much. Eating this warm with a little powdered sugar last Saturday felt like the perfect slow weekend breakfast.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lauren
I’ve tried a lot of overnight French toast casseroles over the years, but more often than not, they turned out too soggy or rich to enjoy more than a few bites. That’s why for years I opted to use fresh blueberries in desserts like my blueberry galette and moist ricotta blueberry cake recipe instead of breakfast casserole!
But one summer morning, I had a craving for a cozy-but-light breakfast and started tinkering: using less egg, more milk, adding a touch of applesauce. The result was exactly what I think breakfast casserole should be: a blueberry-studded breakfast bake that’s satisfying and lightly sweet, but not too indulgent. Enjoy this easy casserole with my effortless mini pancake blini with salmon and dill to bring a special touch to your Saturday morning!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to customize to your taste. Swap out the blueberries for a different type of berry, or try a different fruit altogether. Or experiment with using different breads, like this classic brioche loaf bread, same-day sourdough bread, or cinnamon swirl bread.
- This dish is easy to make ahead! Simply assemble it a day in advance, then refrigerate overnight and bake it the next day. It’s perfect for busy days when you have overnight guests or want to entertain at a special brunch!
- This casserole’s texture is not too sweet or too indulgent. This recipe strikes the right balance between moist and comforting French toast and light, fruity flavors.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Brioche Bread: Brioche is a special type of enriched bread that’s extra soft and fluffy, which is the perfect choice for this casserole. It brings a wonderful flavor and texture that you won’t get from anything else!
- Fresh Blueberries: A burst of bright fruit really makes this casserole healthy-ish, colorful, and delicious. I recommend using fresh berries, but you can also use frozen blueberries in a pinch, no need to thaw them!
- Maple Syrup: There’s no better breakfast sweetener than this! I add a touch of real maple syrup to both the casserole and the oat topping. Stay away from pancake syrups; they won’t bring the same flavor that you need. For a deeper caramelized note, you can swap the maple syrup for brown sugar in both the custard and topping or add a touch of vanilla extract.
- Rolled Oats: This ingredient is crucial to bring the texture to the casserole topping. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut here, as quick oats will be too fine and steel cut may be too coarse and hard to eat.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- This works beautifully with different fruits. Try other fresh berries like blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries. Alternatively, use half diced peaches and half blueberries for a refreshing summery twist! Don’t forget a touch of whipped cream cheese or melted butter to finish it off!
- Experiment with different bread choices. Swap in sliced homemade brioche loaf, French bread, or these adorable brioche buns. If you don’t want to use brioche, use braided challah, Sally Lunn bread, or this healthy crusty no-knead bread with toasted grains.
- Gluten Free: Try a totally unique (and gluten-free) version by using my gluten free blueberry waffles instead of bread for the casserole.
- Dairy Free: Use dairy-free bread like my classic Italian bread instead of brioche, and use almond milk or oat milk in the casserole. Use oil or melted non-dairy butter in the oat topping.
Professional Tips
- Be sure to cube the bread into bite-sized pieces. Not only does this improve the texture, but it also makes it easier to eat.
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best results. This ensures that the bread soaks up the egg mixture well and gives the final casserole a wonderful texture.
- Check the casserole for doneness by making a small cut in the center; if no egg mixture leaks through, it’s done. If not, cook for 5-10 minutes more and check again.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole
Use these instructions to make the perfect overnight French toast casserole every time! Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare the base layer. Spread the brioche cubes or slices in a single layer in a 9×13-inch pan. Scatter 1 ½ cups of fresh blueberries on top.
Step 2: Make the custard mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, applesauce, maple syrup, almond extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and well combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread and berries. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
Step 3: Make the topping. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together the oat topping ingredients until everything is nicely mixed and clumpy. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread, then finish it off with the remaining ½ cup of blueberries.
Step 4: Bake the casserole. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the center is set and no egg mixture seeps out when you make a small cut in the middle. If the top starts to brown too quickly, just tent it with foil about halfway through.
Step 5: Cool and serve. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving warm with a dusting of powdered sugar, a generous drizzle of maple syrup, and extra blueberries if you’re feeling fancy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you absolutely can prepare this casserole in advance. I recommend refrigerating the casserole for at least 8 hours before baking, or overnight. However, I wouldn’t recommend letting the casserole sit for more than 12 hours or so before baking, or it may get soggy.
Soggy French toast casserole happens when there’s too much moisture. That’s why I’ve used fewer eggs in my recipe than is typical, and also have used just the right amount of milk. In addition, I’ve added a touch of applesauce rather than extra milk or egg, which cuts down on sogginess.
This extra time in the fridge allows the bread to absorb all the moisture from the egg custard mixture that’s been poured over it. This step ensures that the bread has a beautiful texture when it’s baked.
My favorite way to serve this casserole is topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of a few extra berries, and a generous drizzle of maple syrup. Have fun trying it with other fruits, too, like fresh blackberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas! You can also try grating some fresh lemon zest on top right before serving for a bright citrus touch.
Round out your meal with a cup of coffee (obviously) and something savory, like these bite-sized sheet pan omelet roll-ups, sausage patties, or these cute apple bacon cheddar mini breakfast pies.
To store leftover baked casserole, let it cool completely, then tightly cover the pan or place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Yes you can freeze it. Fortunately, this casserole also freezes wonderfully either before or after baking! To freeze before baking, assemble the casserole in a freezer-to-oven safe pan as directed but skip the overnight soak. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to bake, remove the plastic and foil, and bake from frozen at 350°F for 55–60 minutes, or until cooked.
To freeze after baking, let the casserole cool completely, wrap individual portions well, and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
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If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below! I love hearing from you and your comments make my day!
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 1 loaf classic brioche loaf bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups fresh blueberries, divided
- 5 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup applesauce
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the oat topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Spread the brioche cubes in a single layer in a 13×9-inch pan, then sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of blueberries on top.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, applesauce, maple syrup, almond extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until well blended. Pour mixture evenly over bread and blueberries, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- The next day, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Stir the oat topping ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole, then top with the remaining 1/2 cup blueberries.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the casserole is lightly browned on top and is set and baked through. Test it by making a small cut in the center; if no egg mixture leaks through, it’s done. If not, cook for 5-10 minutes more and check again. Cover it with foil as it bakes if it’s getting too dark.
- Serve warm. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, and more fresh blueberries if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!Before You Go
I hope you enjoyed this easy, make-ahead breakfast recipe. Check out our other delicious breakfast and brunch recipes!
I made this for my sister’s engagement party brunch and it was an absolute hit! every single person asked for the recipe! I assembled it the night before which made the morning completely stress-free, and the soft brioche, juicy blueberries, and crunchy oat topping looked stunning on the table. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for a special occasion and I couldn’t have celebrated my sister in a more delicious way!
I liked how the oat-almond topping came together in one bowl, it was just super simple but added so much. Eating this warm with a little powdered sugar last Saturday felt like the perfect slow weekend breakfast.
I really enjoyed this recipe. Also I didn’t have almond extract so I used vanilla. Delicious!
This was so easy to make and is so good. I didn’t have almond extract so I used vanilla.I will be making again. Thanks for the great recipe.
Marcia, so glad you enjoyed! Thank you!
Blueberries and maple syrup do wonders in this recipe, must say it was really innovative and tasty , i tried it too, thanks for sharing it !
Jennifer, so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you!
Looks absolutely delicious!