This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This overnight baked French toast casserole is the ultimate easy breakfast! Soft, custardy bread is baked to perfection and topped with a rich cinnamon praline topping for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish everyone will love.
For more crowd-pleasing breakfast options, try my top-rated waffle recipe or this savory breakfast casserole recipe.
Why you’ll love this overnight baked French toast casserole recipe!
If you’re looking for an easy baked French toast casserole, this recipe is about as simple as it gets. Instead of cooking individual slices, everything is layered into one dish and baked all at once.
It’s perfect for holidays like Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or even a cozy Sunday breakfast. Plus, the hands-off baking time gives you a chance to relax (or sip your coffee!) while it cooks.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Breakfast: You can prep this overnight baked French toast casserole the night before, which makes mornings stress-free—especially for holidays or brunch gatherings.
- Feeds a Crowd Easily: This casserole is baked in one dish, making it ideal for serving a group without standing at the stove flipping slices.
- Soft Inside, Crispy Top: The bread soaks up the custard mixture, creating a soft interior while the topping bakes into a golden, slightly crisp finish.
- Flexible and Foolproof: Whether you bake it right away or let it chill overnight, this recipe turns out delicious every time.
Table of Contents
Ingredients Needed
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Bread Layer
- French bread – The best choice for structure and texture.
- Eggs – Help create that rich, custardy base.
- Half-and-half – Adds creaminess and richness.
- Milk – Balances the custard mixture.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and flavor.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds warm spice.
- Ground nutmeg – Brings a subtle depth of flavor.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
Praline Topping
- Butter – Creates a rich, buttery topping.
- Light brown sugar – Adds sweetness and a caramel-like flavor.
- Chopped pecans – Provide crunch and texture.
- Light corn syrup – Helps create that gooey, praline consistency.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg – Tie the flavors together.
For Serving
- Maple syrup – Optional, but highly recommended!
Variations
- Berry French Toast Casserole: Add fresh blueberries or strawberries between the bread layers.
- Nut-Free Version: Skip the pecans or replace them with oats for texture.
- Extra Sweet: Add a drizzle of icing or powdered sugar on top before serving.
- Different Bread: Try brioche or challah for an even richer flavor.
How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole
- Prepare the bread: Slice the French bread into 1-inch pieces or slices.
- Arrange in pan: Place the bread in a greased 9×13 baking dish, slightly overlapping.
- Mix the custard: Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Pour over bread: Evenly pour the mixture over the bread, making sure everything is coated.
- Chill or bake: Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results, or proceed directly to baking.
- Make the topping: Mix the butter, brown sugar, pecans, corn syrup, and spices until crumbly.
- Add topping: Sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and set.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, then serve warm with maple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
This overnight baked French toast casserole pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, or sausage for a complete breakfast spread.
You can also serve it with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or extra maple syrup for an extra indulgent touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is best made fresh. The longest I would make this ahead of time is overnight, and then I would just follow the simple directions listed below.
Absolutely! Walnuts are a great addition as well to this simple french toast bake!
The best flavor and texture are to enjoy this simple overnight casserole warm. If you’re a fan of leftovers, you can nibble on it cold the next day, but I recommend popping it in the microwave to reheat!
Absolutely. It will still be delicious, though the texture is slightly better if it rests overnight.
More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
Breakfast Casseroles
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Breakfast Casseroles
Brioche French Toast Casserole
Breakfast
Crockpot French Toast
Breakfast Casseroles
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
💌 Love easy recipes? Join my newsletter and get my Top 10 Reader-Favorite Recipes eBook FREE! Sign up here.
Need help with this recipe?
Click the buttons below to summarize it, adjust for diets, swap ingredients, or ask your own questions!
Baked French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Bread Layer
- 1 loaf French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 cup 2 sticks real butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Maple Syrup for serving
Instructions
- Slice French bread into 1-inch each slice.
- Lay slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish, overlapping the slices. (like the picture above)
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together well until blended.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread slices until it is all covered.
- At this point, you will cover with foil and chill overnight in the refrigerator – OR move on to the next directions.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Make the Praline Topping but combining all of the ingredients into a bowl and mixing with a fork.
- Spoon the Praline Topping evenly over the bread
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the bread has “puffed up”
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes and serve topped with maple syrup.
I make this recipe every New Years Day for an annual brunch. I have never managed to bring some home for the next dy breakfast. Always a big hit. A must have to serve with is warm Real MapleSyrup.