Easy and made-from-scratch breakfast recipes like this one bring everyone to the kitchen. If you’re looking for more breakfast or brunch recipes, try Apple Cinnamon Rolls, scrumptious! And you can never go wrong with Buttermilk Pancakes and Pumpkin Scones.

A square slice of french toast casserole coated in a crumble on a plate with a gold fork and the casserole in the background.

Cozy French Toast Casserole

Golden on top and soft in the middle, this overnight French toast casserole brings a little extra comfort to the breakfast table. Each bite has tender bread, warm cinnamon, and sweet vanilla, with a buttery crumble that makes it feel extra special.

The best part? Most of the work happens the night before! Mix up the custard, pour it over the bread, and tuck everything into the refrigerator. Even the crumble topping can be made ahead, so there’s less to do before that first cup of coffee.

Serve it with fresh berries, air fryer scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or quinoa egg scramble for a sweet-and-savory brunch spread. It’s a cozy choice for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or a relaxed weekend breakfast with family.

Overnight French Toast Casserole Ingredients

For the French Toast Casserole

Bread: You will need a 1-pound loaf of challah, cut into 1-inch cubes. Brioche or French bread can also be used.
Eggs: This is the base of the custard.
Milk: Use whole milk for the custard mixture.
Heavy cream: Adds richness to the casserole.
Vanilla extract: A full tablespoon gives the custard plenty of vanilla flavor.
Light brown sugar: Sweetens the custard and complements the cinnamon.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that warm, cozy flavor you expect from French toast.
Salt: A little salt balances the sweetness.
Butter for the baking dish: Grease the dish before adding the bread.

For the Crumble Topping

Flour: Forms the base of the buttery crumble. Use your favorite kind of all-purpose flour.
Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a little molasses flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the topping along with the brown sugar.
Ground cinnamon: Adds another layer of cinnamon flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweet topping.
Unsalted butter: Use cold butter cut into small pieces so you can work it into the dry ingredients.

All of the ingredients needed to make overnight french toast bake.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole

Here are the basic instructions to make overnight French toast casserole. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post with full ingredients and instructions to make it.

Step one is the cut up bread cubes on a cutting board. — **STEP 1:** Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes.

Step two is the bread cubes added to the baking dish — **STEP 2:** Place the cubes into the dish.

Step three is mixing together the wet ingredients, eggs, and the spices. — **STEP 3:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Then whisk the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

Step four is pouring the liquids over the bread cubes. — **STEP 4:** Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Cover and place in the refrigerator.

Step five is cutting the butter into the sugar mixture. — **STEP 5:** In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the butter pieces to the flour mixture. Cover and put in the refrigerator.

Step six is adding the crumble to the bread cubes and baking. — **STEP 6:** When you are ready to bake, preheat the oven. Sprinkle the crumble topping all over the casserole. Bake uncovered.

Cooking Tips and Tricks

Cut the bread into evenly sized cubes. Aim for roughly 1-inch pieces so the bread can soak up the custard evenly.
Keep the topping separate until baking. Follow the overnight prep instructions for both mixtures, but wait until morning to sprinkle the crumble over the bread.
Look beyond the golden topping. Check the center before taking the casserole out of the oven; it should be set, no visibly liquid. If the topping browns before the middle finishes baking, loosely cover the dish with foil.

Recipe Variations

Add a nutty topping. Mix some chopped pecans or walnuts into the crumble before sprinkling it over the casserole.
Try a chocolate chip version. Scatter a handful of mini chocolate chips between the bread cubes before pouring on the custard.
Change up the finishing touches. Serve individual portions with sliced strawberries, blueberries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Above view of a square of french toast casserole on a plate with a fork with a pan of casserole, cinnamon sticks and a towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does French toast casserole have to sit overnight? No! This recipe needs at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, so you can assemble it earlier in the day and bake it later. Refrigerating it overnight is simply a convenient option when you want breakfast prepped before morning.

Can I use a different type of bread? Yes! Challah is used here, but brioche or French bread also work with this recipe. Use a 1-pound loaf and cut it into approximately 1-inch cubes.

How to Store & Reheat

How to store it? Divide leftover casserole into smaller portions and refrigerate in shallow, airtight containers within 2 hours of baking. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. There’s no need to wait for the entire casserole to cool completely on the counter before refrigerating.

How to reheat it? Warm single slices in the microwave for a quick treat, or set individual servings into an oven-safe baking dish, tent with foil, and heat them in the oven. Be sure to check the middle with a food thermometer so it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Keeping the dish covered helps lock in all that moisture while it warms back up!

How to freeze it? For longer storage, freeze the baked casserole in individual portions using airtight freezer-safe containers or tightly wrapped freezer packaging. Use within 2-3 months for best quality, then thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. The freezer guidance for egg dishes applies after baking.