This easy overnight breakfast casserole is your new go-to for a no-fuss morning meal! With just 5 basic ingredients, you can throw everything into a baking dish the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and enjoy a warm, comforting breakfast with minimal effort.
It’s the perfect dish for weekends, brunch parties, holidays, sleepovers, or when you’ve got guests staying over. Do the prep the night before and enjoy your morning without rushing around in the kitchen
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 ingredients
- Make-ahead convenience
- Customizable with mix-ins
- Feeds a crowd
- Naturally healthy and can be made vegan, gluten-free, or egg-free
🥖 Ingredients
- 1 lb thick bread, cut into cubes (challah, sourdough, French bread, or brioche)
- 6 cups berries (fresh or thawed from frozen; strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)
- 1⅓ cups applesauce or mashed banana
- ⅔ cup milk of choice
- ⅔ cup egg whites or extra milk (for egg-free)
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ cup maple syrup, honey, or agave for sweetness
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt or cinnamon for extra flavor
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Prep the Bread: If your bread is fresh, let it sit out uncovered for a day or dry it in the oven at 300°F for 15 minutes until slightly stale. This helps it hold up better after soaking.
- Assemble: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add cubed bread in an even layer. In a mixing bowl, whisk together applesauce (or banana), milk, optional egg whites (or more milk), sweetener, and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread.
- Add Fruit: Spread berries evenly over the top.
- Refrigerate: Cover and place in the fridge overnight to soak.
- Bake: In the morning, preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover the pan and bake for 1 hour, or until golden on top and cooked through. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.
🍓 Flavor Variations
- Apple Cinnamon: Use chopped apples instead of berries, and add 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Banana Bread: Use mashed banana instead of applesauce, sliced bananas instead of berries, and a dash of cinnamon.
- Tropical: Replace berries with pineapple, use coconut milk, and add shredded coconut.
- Pumpkin Pie: Sub in canned pumpkin, add pumpkin spice, and omit fruit if desired.
- Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top before baking.
- Cinnamon Roll: Add apples and cinnamon, then drizzle with a simple glaze after baking.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or thaw overnight in the fridge.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Top with:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh fruit
- Coconut whipped cream
Serve warm or cold, on special occasions or lazy weekends. It’s also a fun option for breakfast in bed!
🥣 Nutrition Highlights (Per Serving)
- Under 120 calories per slice
- Up to 7g of protein
- Rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, and iron
- Can be made vegan, gluten-free, low-fat, or refined sugar-free
📌 Save for Later!
This simple, wholesome overnight French toast casserole is a crowd-pleaser that looks impressive but takes just minutes to prep. Whether you’re feeding a family or hosting a brunch, it’s the easiest way to start your day right.