Overnight French Toast Bake is an easy, make-ahead twist on the classic breakfast favorite that will have you jumping out of bed with anticipation!
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Sometimes, I'm in the mood for a leisurely morning and like puttering in the kitchen, making a more hands-on breakfast. But usually, it's a mad rush to get the day going in a somewhat productive manner, so meals like this Overnight French Toast Bake can be a huge time saver!
I totally appreciate recipes that give me a super yummy base meal that can have multiple choices of toppings to please all the members of my family. My personal favorite topping for French toast is powdered sugar, fresh berries, and maple syrup!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple and fast: This meal can be made as needed with only a 30-minute setting needed before baking, or it can be made ahead to sit in the fridge overnight.
- Toppings to please the masses: Like all French toast recipes, this one can be topped with an unlimited variety of toppings, many of which you may already have on hand.
- Delicious leftovers: If you have any leftovers of this dish, save them for later in the week—just reheat them in the microwave or oven for a super easy second meal!
Recipe Ingredients
- Bread, about 1 pound
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Eggs
- Granulated sugar
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Bake
Step 1: Whisk the eggs in a large bowl with milk, cream, and maple syrup.
Step 2: Add the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Step 3: Add the sugar.
Step 4: Mix well!
Step 5: Put the bread pieces in the egg mixture and mix to moisten all pieces.
Step 6: Pour into a buttered dish. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
Step 7: Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.
Step 8: Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! The best bread to use for a French toast bake includes sourdough, brioche, challah, or even baguette. I would avoid fresh bread and prioritize day-old bread.
Save it for another meal or snack! It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for a month. Reheat in the microwave or oven and then add toppings and enjoy.
I love using the air fryer! I have found this reheats to a better texture than when using the microwave. Plus it's a lot faster than waiting for the oven to heat up.
Expert Tips
- How to dry out bread for French toast: Day-old bread is perfect for this recipe. Thicker cuts of bread can be laid out for a day or two to achieve the best consistency for soaking up the French toast liquid.
- Reheating leftovers: I love rewarming my portion in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- My favorite toppings: These are the toppings my family enjoys the most—fresh fruits, maple syrup for drizzling, hot fudge or caramel, and/ or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
What to Serve with French Toast Bake
French toast is totally able to be a meal all on its own, especially once you add the toppings! Our favorite toppings include:
- Fresh fruits
- Maple syrup for drizzling
- Hot fudge or caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar
A side of fruit or fruit juice or adding a protein like sausage or bacon can turn this meal into a complete feast that can even be served for dinner!
How to Freeze & Reheat French Toast Bake
This French toast bake recipe can be frozen after cooking and reheated later.
To freeze: Wrap or place in an airtight bag or container and freeze for up to a month.
To reheat: Place in a glass dish and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cover with foil and reheat in the oven at 350 until heated through.
Reheating can also be done in the microwave or air fryer.
More Breakfast Recipes to Consider
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Overnight French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 9 slices bread, cubed (about 1 inch each, about a pound of bread)
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Butter a 9 x 13 bake dish. (I like to butter the dish as it adds another layer of flavor to the crust that is nice and golden. You can oil instead if you prefer.) Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk, heavy cream, eggs, granulated sugar, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.
- Add the cubed bread into the bowl, gently pressing each piece down so they are all soaking in the egg mixture.
- Pour the bread/egg mixture into the prepared 9 x 13. Spread evenly. Yes, you will have extra liquid, and make sure to pour it all into the prepared dish as well.
- Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight.
- If you refrigerate the casserole for 30 minutes, preheat the oven during this time. If you refrigerate the casserole overnight make sure to take the casserole out of the fridge in the morning while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake for 45 to 48 minutes or until the French Toast is nice and golden on top.
- Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute maple syrup for honey
- The best bread to use for a French Toast bake is sourdough, brioche, challah, or even baguette. I would stay away from fresh bread and prioritize day-old bread. I like using sourdough or a medium-sized baguette. I have noticed that the bread with the most core strength bakes better French Toast.
- Serve this French Toast Bake with fresh fruits, maple syrup for drizzling, hot fudge or caramel sauce, and/ or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- If any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- I love rewarming my portion in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes.
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