Savory Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

Holiday mornings are usually chaotic, but I’ve found a way to reclaim the peace while still feeding everyone a hot meal.

This Overnight French Toast Casserole lets me do all the work while the house sleeps, so I just wake up and bake.

What Makes This Overnight French Toast Casserole a Keeper for Years to Come

The contrast between the soft, custard-soaked bread and the crisp, buttery streusel topping creates incredible texture in every bite.

You can prep the entire dish in just ten minutes the night before, making it a lifesaver for busy hosting duties.

It feeds a large crowd easily without requiring you to stand over a hot griddle flipping individual slices for an hour.

If you enjoyed this sweet start to the day, my Epic Crispy Glazed Apple Fritters are another crowd-pleaser, or try the Watermelon Pizza with Feta and Basil for a lighter option.

Gathering Your Overnight French Toast Casserole Ingredients

Here is everything you need to pull this cozy breakfast together:

French bread: Use a 16-ounce loaf cut into cubes, and slightly stale bread works best.
Eggs: You will need eight large eggs to create the rich custard base.
Whole milk: This provides the liquid base for the soaking mixture.
Half and half: Adds a creaminess that makes the center rich and satisfying.
Brown sugar: Adds deep molasses flavor to both the custard and the topping.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the egg mixture perfectly.
Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla for the best aromatic flavor.
Cinnamon: Essential for that classic warm spice flavor in the filling and topping.
Sea salt: Balances the sweetness in the dish.
Salted butter: Softened butter creates the perfect crumbly texture for the streusel.

• All-purpose flour: Binds the butter and sugar together for the topping.

My Method for Overnight French Toast Casserole

Let’s get the prep work done so you can relax tomorrow morning:

1. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the cubed bread evenly inside.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, half and half, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
4. Make the topping by mixing softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs, then refrigerate it separately.
5. In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F, sprinkle the topping over the casserole, and bake for 40-50 minutes until golden and set.

My Best Tips for Perfect Overnight French Toast Casserole

Use stale or day-old bread if possible because it absorbs the custard mixture much better without falling apart.

Do not skip the resting time in the fridge, as this allows the Overnight French Toast Casserole to fully soak up the flavors.

If the top starts browning too quickly before the center sets, simply tent a piece of foil over the dish for the last ten minutes.

How I Like to Serve This Overnight French Toast Casserole

I always put a jug of warm maple syrup on the table alongside a bowl of fresh berries to cut through the richness.

A side of savory turkey sausage or crispy hash browns pairs perfectly with this sweet Overnight French Toast Casserole.