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Try this delicious Blueberry Overnight French Toast Casserole for your next weekend brunch or holiday. This family favorite is easily assembled the night before then baked in the morning when needed.
Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
Delicious Overnight French Toast Casseroles are a wonderful option for just about any event. It’s perfect for the weekend and terrific served at more formal events like Christmas morning or a baby shower brunch.
If you have house guests, a group of slumber party kiddos, or an office breakfast potluck, this recipe is for you. I bet your mom would love this custardy treat at a special Mother’s Day breakfast. The best part is you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen!
Anybody can make this breakfast casserole and it’s easily halved for smaller gatherings.
Fresh or frozen blueberries
Both frozen and fresh berries work well in this casserole. There’s no need to thaw frozen blueberries first, just layer them in the casserole as you would fresh blueberries. I’m very fond of frozen wild blueberries and they’re easy to find in most grocery stores. Wild blueberries have terrific flavor packed in a tiny little bite.
The casserole pictured here was made with fresh blueberries, with an additional 1 cup added on top after baking. If you use frozen blueberries it will bleed more color from the juices, but it won’t affect the taste. If you’re looking for the prettiest casserole, go with fresh blueberries.
How to serve Overnight French Toast Casserole
Once out of the oven top your baked French Toast Casserole with a few more fresh blueberries and a little powdered sugar.
Serve with maple syrup or a flavored syrup like blueberry for drizzling. We also like to serve this brunch favorite with fresh orange wedges and/or link sausages.
With only a few tablespoons of sugar added to the custard, this brunch casserole is not overly sweet. That leaves more room for syrup and powdered sugar.
For this recipe we use Challah or brioche bread which are a little sweeter than non-enriched breads so there’s no need to add more sugar. If you plan to serve the casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup it will be perfect.
This custardy, filling and satisfying breakfast casserole will always be a family favorite!
Variations, Add-Ins and Tips
- Substitute blackberries or raspberries for the blueberries. However, I recommend using frozen raspberries as they won’t break down as quickly when baked.
- For a sweeter casserole add dollops of blueberry jam throughout the casserole.
- Fold in a few chopped pecans in place of the almonds.
- Be careful when measuring the bread. Too much bread can make the casserole dry.
- Don’t skip the coarse sugar topping. It forms a really nice crust that is delicious and a great contrast to the custardy middle.
Storing leftovers
Wrap leftovers in aluminum foil or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in a warm oven covered in foil. You can also lightly microwave individual pieces on 50% power. You won’t have the crispy top crust but it still tastes delicious.
Blueberry Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound loaf challah bread, or brioche
- 4 cups fresh blueberries, divided
- 8 large eggs
- 3 ½ cups whole milk, or half-and-half
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- zest from 1 lemon
- coarse sugar for topping
- ½ cup sliced almonds, optional
For serving (optional):
- blueberries
- powdered sugar
- maple syrup
Instructions
- Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch pieces. Layer ⅓ of the bread cubes in the prepared pan. Top with 1 cup of blueberries. Repeat with half the remaining bread, then another cup of blueberries. Finally, scatter the remaining bread cubes on top and then 1 more cup of blueberries. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl with a spout, whisk the eggs until blended. Add the milk, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and lemon zest; whisk to combine.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes and blueberries. Cover the casserole with a piece of foil that has been lightly coated with cooking spray (sprayed side down). Place another heavy 13-by-9-inch casserole dish on top of the foil as a weight. Seal the edges of the foil around the top of the pan. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 24.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the top baking dish. Adjust the foil so it’s not sitting on top of the bread and re-seal around the edges. Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature while preheating the oven.
- Bake the casserole, covered, for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with coarse sugar and almonds if using, and continue baking until golden brown, about 25 minutes more. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of blueberries. Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Top each serving with powdered sugar and/or syrup.
- Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe Notes
- Inspired by a recipe on EatingWell.com
- This casserole must rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours, to achieve the desired consistency.
Nutrition
Here are a few more brunch recipes you might like
Finally, for the oatmeal lovers in your family try this Baked Oatmeal Recipe. Make a batch on the weekend and reheat for a healthy breakfast all week!
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Wendy Welch
Made this blueberry overnight French toast and words cannot describe how delicious it is!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Wendy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. We love it too 🙂
Louis
When does one apply a claze? After the first c baking the first time or when at the end of the process?
Tricia Buice
Hi Louis. I didn’t add a glaze to my overnight French toast but if you want to, I would add it after it comes out of the oven and has about 10 minutes to cool. I use powdered sugar and syrup on ours. Hope you enjoy!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
I love overnight breakfast casseroles. They make everyone happy, especially the cook. (Well, at least in my case!) Will add this one to my list!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Abbe – you’re going to love it.
John / Kitchen Riffs
So nice — love the flavors in this. We’ve never served one of these for breakfast but have for dessert at dinner. Gotta try it for breakfast one of these days. 🙂 Anyway, super nice recipe — thanks.
Tricia Buice
A little less sweet than bread pudding but still just as good John. Thanks!
Larry
We love French toast casseroles that are make ahead and this one looks outstanding – love those berries.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Larry!
angiesrecipes
So good and tempting with the maple syrup! I could have this for any meal any time!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – me too!
sue | the view from great island
I definitely want to sleep over at your house Tricia, this looks amazing. I think I could eat the whole pan myself 🙂
Tricia Buice
Even the leftovers are great Sue – my husband loves this stuff 😉
Pam
I love blueberries, and breakfast, and casseroles! So this is a win! Perfect recipe, Tricia, with all the blueberries at the market now. Woo hoo!!!
Tricia Buice
A winner all the way around Pam – thanks so much!
Susan
I love casseroles like this for holidays when time is short and we are so busy. This would be wonderful for an Easter brunch, Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Me too Susan – so easy and delicious!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a pretty breakfast casserole and perfect to be able to make the night before and cook up in the morning. Will be trying this the next time I have a house full!
Tricia Buice
Love the make-ahead casseroles for sure – thanks Jennifer!
Chris Scheuer
I love overnight French toast but adding blueberries and almonds seals the deal for me. This would be so perfect for an Easter or Mother’s Day brunch!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Chris – it’s so easy to make, anybody can do it!