Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

French bread: A sturdy loaf that holds up well to soaking overnight, providing a perfect base for the casserole.

Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients together and adding richness to the dish.

Milk: Adds moisture and helps to create a custard-like texture.

Heavy cream: Provides a richer, creamier texture compared to regular milk.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the custard mixture.

Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and enhances the flavor.

Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the custard mixture.

Flour: Used in the topping to create a crumbly texture.

Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy flavor to the topping.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Butter: Adds richness and helps to create a golden, crispy topping.

When preparing the topping for the overnight French toast casserole, ensure the butter is very cold. This helps create a crumbly texture that will bake into a deliciously crisp layer. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This technique ensures even distribution and a perfect golden crust.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and soft, making it an excellent alternative for a custardy casserole.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoon water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free option that still provides a creamy texture.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is another dairy-free alternative that has a neutral flavor and creamy consistency.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is rich and thick, offering a similar texture and a slight coconut flavor.

• heavy cream - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is less rich but still provides a creamy texture.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness and a unique flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar texture and a slightly caramel-like flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar offers a similar sweetness with a hint of maple flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract offers a unique twist with a sweet, rich flavor.

• flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour is a gluten-free option that adds a slightly nutty flavor.

• flour - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour is another gluten-free alternative that provides a similar texture.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm, spicy flavor that complements the dish.

• cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices, adding a complex flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a similar salty flavor with a slightly different mineral content.

• butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine is a non-dairy alternative that offers a similar texture and flavor.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free option that adds a slight coconut flavor and richness.

• To store your overnight French toast casserole, allow it to cool completely after baking. Once cooled, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes.

• For freezing, first ensure the casserole has cooled completely. Wrap the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Alternatively, you can portion the casserole into individual servings and place them in airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

• When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen French toast casserole, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. If reheating individual portions, you can use the microwave, heating in 30-second intervals until warm.

• To maintain the best texture and flavor, avoid refreezing the casserole after it has been thawed and reheated.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover French toast casserole in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil in the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

• For a quicker option, use the microwave. Place a portion of the casserole on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe cover or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you prefer a slightly crispier texture, use a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the pan. Place slices of the casserole in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until warmed through and slightly crispy.

• For an air fryer method, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast casserole pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. This method will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and warm.

• Baking dish: A 9x13-inch dish to hold the bread cubes and egg mixture.

• Large bowl: Used to whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, and vanilla.

• Whisk: Essential for mixing the wet ingredients thoroughly.

• Plastic wrap: To cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

• Medium bowl: For mixing the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

• Pastry cutter: Useful for cutting the butter into the dry topping mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) for baking the casserole.

• Measuring cups: For accurately measuring the milk, cream, sugars, and flour.

• Measuring spoons: For measuring the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.

• Knife: To cut the bread into cubes and the butter into pieces.

• Plastic bag: To store the topping mixture in the fridge overnight.

• Spatula: Helpful for spreading the topping evenly over the bread mixture before baking.

Prep ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread and mix the egg mixture the night before to save time in the morning.

Use a food processor: Quickly mix the topping ingredients in a food processor to achieve coarse crumbs faster.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the milk, cream, and sugars in advance to streamline the process.

Line the baking dish: Use parchment paper to line the baking dish for easier cleanup.

Set reminders: Set a timer to remind you to preheat the oven and to take the casserole out of the fridge.