Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole

French toast casserole is a wonderful buttery breakfast treat covered with a sweet praline pecan topping and all with the comforts of cinnamon and nutmeg. This is not your traditional French toast, and after one bite of this wonderful recipe, everyone will be begging for more.

The Perfect Breakfast

But who’s kidding? It’s not only the perfect breakfast, it’s perfect for weekend breakfasts and pretty much an anytime meal. The overnight French toast casserole recipe is definitely my favorite thing to eat in the mornings. You can make it for Mother’s Day (she will love you), Christmas morning (we did that last year, and everyone loved it), or even on busy mornings. It’s a favorite way to get moving.

A Sweet French Toast Breakfast

My friend Beth, who is an absolutely fantastic cook, shared this recipe with me, and boy, am I thankful. I had a hard time putting down my fork after taking a bite. I can safely say this is the best French toast I’ve ever eaten. Beth serves the sweet French toast breakfast dessert around the holidays, and it’s a breakfast you won’t soon forget. And we love those memorable holiday breakfasts.

Add a waffle breakfast sandwich from The Creative Bite to the side of your French toast casserole for a sweet and savory breakfast.

Overnight French Toast Casserole

The overnight French toast casserole is the perfect addition to any holiday morning (who are we kidding? I would eat it every day if I could), and it’s an easy recipe, as well. I made the recipe in the evening, refrigerated it overnight, and pulled it out the next morning to get it ready and into the oven.

During November and December, I’ve shared quite a few recipes, and Beth has contributed several–and they are all delish! She always amazes me with her willingness to help others and her love of cooking. And that girl can cook!

What Ingredients Do I Need For The Easy French Toast Casserole?

• French bread
• Whole eggs
• Half and half
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Salt
• Chopped pecans
• Butter
• Light brown sugar
• Light corn syrup

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

How Do You Make The Baked French Toast Casserole?

1. Slice French bread into one-inch slices and place them into a 9″ x 13″ greased baking dish. Overlap each piece when adding to the dish.
2. In a large bowl, add the eggs and beat.
3. Next, add the half and half, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and mix well.
4. Pour the mixture over the French bread. Lift each piece and spoon the wet mixture over the bread, making sure to cover all of it.
5. Cover with tin foil and place in the refrigerator overnight.
6. The following morning, grab a medium-sized bowl and add the softened butter.
7. Next, add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and cream together.
8. Add the pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.
9. Spread over the French bread and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until the French bread is golden brown.

Some readers like to see the step-by-step instructions, so be sure to follow along if you’d like to.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by slicing the loaf of French bread into one-inch slices and place them into a greased casserole dish.

What Kind Of Bread Is Best?

PRO TIP: Beth suggested getting the French bread at Costco or Walmart because it tends to be a little denser and won’t soak up quite as much of the egg mixture. It’s the best bread to choose for this recipe. You can slice it and add it to the casserole dish like I did, or cut it up and use bread cubes. You can use sourdough bread or Challah bread if you’d like to. They will just taste a little bit different.

Next, add the eggs to a large bowl. Whisk the eggs. Pour the half and half into the bowl and mix well. Whole milk, heavy cream, or two percent will work just as well.

Add the granulated sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl.

Now, add the cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well.

Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Lift the bread and spoon the mixture between each piece. Cover with tin foil or some plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. (If you use plastic wrap, just make sure it doesn’t go in the oven, or it will melt).

This next day French bread is so worth the wait. And you won’t have to do as much work in the morning.

Praline Topping

When you get up the next morning, grab a medium bowl and add the softened butter, light corn syrup, brown sugar, and cream together. If you want to add a little bit of zing, you can add some orange zest to the mixture.

Add the chopped pecans, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and mix well.

Finally, spread the butter mixture over the French toast bread slices and bake for 45 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and toasty. As soon as it’s done baking, it’s ready to serve.

I’m tellin’ ya, this is one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve ever eaten. You will want to make this part of your holiday traditions.

Top with some maple syrup, and you’ve got one decadent breakfast bake. But be sure to make plenty because people will be asking for seconds.

We took a trip to Vermont this year and discovered a maple tree farm that makes pure maple syrup. And a drizzle of maple syrup on your French toast is good stuff.

Here’s the machine that uses reverse osmosis to make pure maple syrup. And it is delish. And the best part? No added sugar at all. Sugarbush Farm is a fun place to visit. Your local grocery store should have some other brands to choose from, as well.

Other Holiday Treats You’ll Love:

• Pecan pie cheesecake bars are another delicious dessert that is perfect for the holidays.
• Praline pecans are easy to make and are on the top of everyone’s wish list.
• Pecan cinnamon roll recipe is another great addition to any breakfast. Plus, there’s no waiting around for dough to rise in this simple recipe.
• How can you go wrong with pecan pie brownies? You can’t. They. Are. Awesome.
• Pecan pie is one of those desserts that is a must at every family holiday gathering. This is my dad’s go-to recipe.
• If you’re looking for another overnight breakfast casserole, hashbrowns, sausage, and egg casserole from Pillsbury will do the trick. And, if you’re on the hunt for more breakfast recipes besides this easy-baked French toast casserole, you can find plenty at Taste of Home.

Easy and Delicious French Toast Casserole Variations

This classic holiday breakfast staple can be easily adapted to add some variety. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe for a busy weekday morning or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, this versatile French toast casserole has you covered.

Here are a few ideas:

• Flavors: Swap out the classic vanilla and cinnamon for a touch of almond extract or a sprinkle of nutmeg for a warm, comforting flavor. Add fresh berries or a dollop of fruit compote for a fruity touch. If you’re feeling adventurous, try savory variations with cheese, herbs, and chopped vegetables.
• Ingredients: Don’t limit yourself to white bread! Experiment with different types like challah, Italian bread, or Texas toast. Day-old bread works perfectly, or you can use leftover croissants or even brioche for a richer flavor.
• Toppings: Go beyond the usual maple syrup and powdered sugar. Try a drizzle of caramel sauce, a whipped cream dollop, or a granola sprinkle for added crunch. Fresh fruit salad is a healthy and refreshing addition, while a streusel topping takes your casserole to the next level.
• Individual Portions: For a personalized touch, prepare individual ramekins of French toast casserole. This makes them ideal for special occasions or portion control.

Tips and Tricks for the Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

• Overnight Sensation: This casserole tastes even better when prepared ahead of time. Simply assemble part of it the night before, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, make the topping and just pop it in the oven for a warm and delicious breakfast.
• Stale Bread Best Friend: Don’t throw away stale bread! It’s perfect for making French toast casserole. The dry texture absorbs the custard mixture beautifully, resulting in a moist and flavorful casserole.
• Mixture Magic: The key to a delicious French toast casserole is a flavorful custard mixture. Use high-quality ingredients like real maple syrup, freshly ground spices, and unsalted butter for the best results.

French Toast Casserole Recipe

French toast casserole is a delicious and easy breakfast dish that will have your family begging for more. The best part is it’s incredibly simple to make and will become a family favorite. It’s a huge hit every time you make it. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for an easy weekday breakfast, this recipe is sure to please. You don’t need to wait for Sunday morning. You can get the recipe now!