Favorite Overnight French Toast Bake

This overnight French Toast Bake is a crowd-pleasing breakfast that can be made ahead of time for easy preparation in the morning! It’s served with a delicious streusel topping and maple syrup.

We’re excited for you to try this French toast casserole because it’s something we serve for our families almost every Thanksgiving and Christmas morning.

Best French Toast Casserole

This perfectly tender French toast bake with a sweet crisp topping is on our Christmas morning menu this year (and every year!). A baked french toast casserole is actually something my mother-in-law makes every year for Thanksgiving/Christmas and her recipe inspired this one!

When I asked my mother-in-law where she got her recipe from, she said Pioneer Woman and thus, the inspiration for this French toast casserole recipe toast was born.

Most overnight French toast recipes are made with tons of white sugar, butter, and cream, so I thought I’d get inspired by the flavors in Ree’s recipe and lighten things up a bit without sacrificing flavor.

Healthy Swaps

Like we stated above, we lightened things up by removing the classic french toast bake “custard” and replaced it with better-for-you ingredients that are equally as delicious. Check it!

• cream –> full-fat Greek yogurt
• white sugar –> maple syrup + more spices
• white bread –> sourdough
• AP flour –> white whole wheat flour

I promise these alterations will not affect the flavor of this baked french toast casserole, they will truly enhance them!

Baked French Toast Casserole Ingredients

In this French toast casserole recipe, we used a fresh loaf of sourdough from the bakery, but the normal sandwich sourdough would work as well. Actually, you can use whatever kind of bread you want including white, whole wheat, etc.

Here’s what else you need:

• sourdough bread
• pecans
• eggs
• full-fat Greek yogurt
• maple syrup
• ground cinnamon
• ground nutmeg
• milk (any kind)

Best Streusel Topping

The streusel topping for this easy french toast casserole really makes the recipe! It’s basic and made with 4 ingredients. Here’s what you need:

• white whole wheat flour – option to use AP flour.
• pecans – walnuts would work too!
• brown sugar – feel free to use coconut flour instead.
• butter – coconut oil works just as well, but butter truly tastes better and is what we recommend.

Easy Preparation (step by step)

1. Chop bread: Use a sharp knife to cut sourdough bread into bite-sized pieces around 1 to 1.5-inch chunks. Then, transfer the pieces into a greased casserole dish. Add in chopped pecans and toss.
2. Whisk egg mixture: whisk together eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, milk, and spices. Make sure not to overmix!
3. Combine French toast: pour the egg mixture on top of chopped sourdough and use your hands to press the bread into the liquid making sure that everything is fully submerged and coated.
4. Let sit: Place casserole dish in the fridge and let sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
5. Bake: Cover casserole dish with tin foil and then bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes.
6. Streusel Topping: While the casserole is baking, make the streusel topping. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine. Make sure that your butter isn’t fully melted so that it stays more of a crumble than a paste.
7. Bake again: After 30 minutes, remove from the oven, sprinkle on streusel topping and bake for 15 more minutes or until the center is fully cooked.

Why do I need to let me French toast casserole sit?

The reason why we suggest letting your French toast casserole sit overnight night is so that the bread has time to absorb all of the eggy milk magic! Don’t want to wait that long? Here are 2 options for you:

French Toast Casserole FAQs

Why is my baked French toast soggy?

Your baked French toast is likely soggy because you used too much milk (or dairy). Make sure to have the proper ratio of dairy AND egg so that your French toast isn’t too soggy.

Is French toast bad for you?

Not all Frech toast is bad for you! If you’re looking for a healthier French toast casserole – use a better-for-you bread and swap refined sugars for all-natural sugars when possible.

How do I make French toast bake in the oven?

The basis of French toast bake in the oven is bread, eggs, and milk. From there, you slice your bread into fluffy squares, whisk up your egg mixture, and mix it all together! Most French toast bakes come with a streusel topping, so you’ll add that on top before baking.

How do you make French toast overnight?

Don’t be afraid to prepare your French toast casserole the night before! All you have to do is find a French toast casserole recipe (like this one), prepare it the night before, cover it with saran wrap, and pop it in the fridge the night before. Overnight the bread will suck up all of that moisture and be ready for baking in the morning!

How do you make cinnamon roll French toast bake?

We have a delicious recipe on FFF for Instant Pot Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole that’s made in less than 60 minutes!

Topping Ideas

You are more than welcome to eat your french toast as is, but here are some of my favorite ways to top it:

• maple syrup – this is a give-in and so tasty!
• peanut butter – you may think this sounds weird, but this is how I personally eat my French toast! Try it and let me know what you think.
• yogurt – an easy way to add more protein.
• fresh fruit – any kind of fresh fruit is delicious. Try banana or berries for starters.