Overnight French Toast Casserole

The Best Make-Ahead Breakfast for Holiday Mornings

There is something so magical about waking up on Christmas morning, Thanksgiving, Easter, or any special holiday and having breakfast already waiting in the refrigerator. Instead of spending the morning in the kitchen while everyone else opens gifts, watches the parade, or enjoys coffee together, this Overnight French Toast Casserole lets you simply pop it in the oven and enjoy a warm, cozy breakfast with your family.

This recipe is rich, creamy, perfectly spiced with cinnamon, and has pockets of sweet cream cheese baked throughout every bite. The best part? It’s incredibly forgiving. Whether you have leftover brioche, hot dog buns, slider buns, or sandwich rolls that need to be used up, this casserole transforms them into something absolutely delicious.

It’s one of my favorite holiday breakfast traditions because all the prep work is done the night before, leaving you with a stress-free morning.

I also love to make Overnight French Toast Casserole when I find myself with an overabundance of bread, hamburger or hot dog buns, rolls, or even bagels. (Such as after a cookout or 4th of July!) It’s the perfect way to use up too much bread or bread past it’s prime.

If you love overnight casserole recipes, try my Holiday Overnight Breakfast Casserole, this Blueberry French Toast Casserole or this crowd pleasing Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or brunch gatherings.
• Assemble the night before for an easy holiday morning.
• Great way to use leftover bread.
• Rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet without being overly sugary.
• Feeds a crowd with very little effort.
• Easy to customize with fruit, nuts, or different breads.

Equipment

• 9×13 Baking Dish- here’s my pink baking dish. I love it! So pretty
• Hand Mixer
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

• 10 cups cubed bread (brioche is wonderful, but use whatever bread you have including hot dog buns, slider buns, or hoagie rolls)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt

For Serving

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries
• Warm maple syrup

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole

Step 1

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the cubed bread.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and smooth.

Step 3

Add the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Mix with an electric mixer until completely smooth.

Step 4

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press the bread down so every piece absorbs the mixture.

Step 5

Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Step 6

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake uncovered for 50–55 minutes until the casserole is puffed and the center is set. If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Step 7

Allow the casserole to cool for about 15 minutes before serving.

Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries and warm maple syrup.

Tips for the Best French Toast Casserole

• Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard best.
• Brioche makes an extra rich casserole, but almost any sturdy bread works.
• Don’t skip pressing the bread into the custard before refrigerating.
• Let the casserole rest after baking so it slices cleanly.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the top before baking.

Easy Variations

• Add fresh blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries.
• Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts.
• Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the bread before adding the custard.
• Add orange zest for a festive holiday flavor.
• Top with a simple maple glaze after baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really make it the night before?

Yes! This recipe is designed for overnight refrigeration, making it perfect for holiday mornings and entertaining.

What bread works best?

Brioche is my favorite because it’s rich and buttery, but challah, French bread, Texas toast, Hawaiian rolls, slider buns, hot dog buns, and hoagie rolls all work beautifully.

Can I freeze it?

Yes. Bake the casserole, cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How do I know when it’s done?

The center should be set and no longer look wet or soggy. A knife inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.

Storage

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 45–60 seconds or warm larger portions in a 325°F oven until heated through.

Holiday Breakfast Ideas

If you’re hosting family for the holidays, serve this Overnight French Toast Casserole with:

• Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage- try my Millionaire Bacon recipe
• Fresh fruit
• Yogurt parfaits- try my homemade Maple Granola
• Scrambled eggs
• Hot coffee or homemade hot chocolate
• Fresh orange juice, holiday mimosas, Christmas Sangria, or Apple Cider Sparkling Sangria

It’s the kind of breakfast that fills the house with the warm smell of cinnamon while everyone enjoys spending time together, instead of rushing around the kitchen trying to get everyone fed! Take one thing off your holiday “to-do” list and make this easy breakfast the day before.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas morning, Easter brunch, Thanksgiving weekend, or simply have a whole lot of bread to use up, this Overnight French Toast Casserole is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to time after time. It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and lets you spend more time making memories with the people you love instead of cooking all morning.

Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes your family’s newest holiday tradition!

More Delicious Breakfast Ideas

• Ham Croissant Breakfast Casserole
• Andouille Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• The Best Banana Bread
• Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake
• Million Dollar Bacon
• Pumpkin Pie French Toast Casserole
• Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal
• Sheet Pan Pancakes
• Overnight Breakfast Casserole
• Apple Cinnamon Donuts