Berry Overnight French Toast Casserole is the perfect make ahead breakfast or brunch! It's topped with berries, streusel and it's prepped entirely in advance!
8ouncesChallah breadcut into 1" cubes (Brioche, French bread or a loaf of whole grain bread may be substituted)
1 mediumbanana
2cupsmilkregular or dairy free
4largeeggs
2tablespoonsmaple syrupor sweetener of choice
1teaspoonground cinnamon
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
1.5 teaspoonsground cinnamon
1cupmixed berries thawed if frozen
1/2cupchopped pecans
2tablespoonsbrown sugar
2tablespoonsbutter or coconut oilmelted
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the cubed challah bread on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Note: You may skip this step if your bread cubes are stale.
Bake the bread cubes for 5-7 minutes, or until light golden brown and toasted.
Mash the banana in a large bowl.
Add the milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla and ground cinnamon and whisk well to combine.
Place the bread cubes evenly into a greased 8x8" baking dish. Pour the milk mixture over the top of the bread and push the bread down gently to submerge. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove the French toast from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Place the pecans, brown sugar and butter or coconut oil in a small bowl and mix until combined. Pro tip: Prepare the streusel the night before and store in the refrigerator, then sprinkle over the casserole in the morning
Top the French toast casserole with berries, then sprinkle the streusel over the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and puffed in the center. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Notes
Pro tip: Skip toasting the bread and simply cube it and leave it out on a rimmed baking sheet at room temperature until it's stale. Stale bread lacks moisture, which absorbs the liquid better and prevents French toast from becoming soggy.
The streusel may be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Simply sprinkle over the top of the French toast in the morning and bake!
This recipe is easily doubled -- just bake in a 13 x 9" baking dish.
Make this recipe dairy free by using your favorite dairy free milk and substitute the butter in the streusel with melted coconut oil.