What’s better than waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery French toast? This French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast for cozy mornings, holidays, or brunch gatherings! With its soft, custardy inside and golden, caramelized top, it’s a dish that turns simple ingredients into something truly special. Bonus? You can prep it the night before, so mornings stay stress-free and delicious.
If you're looking for other quick and easy breakfast recipes you'll want to check out our sheet pan blueberry pancakes, potato sausage casserole, and our slow cooker southwestern breakfast casserole.
French Toast Casserole Recipe
French Toast Ingredients
- ½ loaf French bread
- 6 eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Easy Overnight Casserole Directions
- Prep Ahead: Cube the French bread into 1-2” pieces.
- Make the Caramel Base: Heat the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until melted. Pour this mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Whisk the Custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste.
- Assemble: Place the bread cubes into the casserole dish over the caramel layer. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, tossing gently to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set. If it’s still soggy, flip parts of it and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Pro Tip: Use less milk for a firmer texture or experiment with different types of bread for added flavor!
This French Toast Casserole is everything you love about classic French toast, made even better by its ease and versatility. Whether it’s a special breakfast or just a way to treat yourself, this recipe guarantees smiles all around. Add your favorite toppings like powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries for the perfect finishing touch!
Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- ½ loaf French bread or more for a larger casserole
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Prep Ahead: Cube the French bread into 1-2” pieces.
- Make the Caramel Base: Heat the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until melted. Pour this mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Whisk the Custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste.
- Assemble: Place the bread cubes into the casserole dish over the caramel layer. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, tossing gently to coat.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set. If it’s still soggy, flip parts of it and bake for another 10-15 minutes.