I love this recipe because it’s an overnight breakfast that isn’t a casserole!
Prepare this super easy overnight French toast the night before. Tender eggy bread slices with a cinnamon butter crust are soaked in a quick custard overnight and baked in the morning. Now, even the chef can sleep in!
I love to wake up to the fragrant aroma of baked French toast! Everyone will rush to the kitchen to get a serving of this beautifully baked breakfast treat.
Why We Love Overnight French Toast
- It’s a make ahead breakfast that isn’t a casserole!
- It’s super simple to make. Use any kind of bread and add your fave flavors from nuts to fruit.
- No more flipping separate slices of French toast in the morning while everyone waits for theirs. This breakfast is an easy take French toast for a crowd!
- This is the perfect recipe for everyone to wake up to on the holidays or a birthday, sleepover, or take to a brunch, it’s that easy and elegant!
Serve with a side of fresh Rainbow Fruit Kabobs, or top baked French toast with a generous serving of citrus and berries like this easy Fresh Fruit Salad. Don’t forget the Whipped Cream and warmed maple syrup!
Ingredients and Variations
BREAD This recipe is great for using up older bread, ends, or leftovers. French bread baguettes, challah, and even cubes of raisin bread are great for overnight French toast! Make this DIY Homemade French Bread, cut the slices as wide as you like for perfect slices.
BATTER French toast needs a thick, creamy batter made from eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to make it rich and fluffy. Heavy cream will make a thicker batter and a dairy-free version can be made with oat milk.
SEASONINGS This is the basic recipe, but get creative and replace the plain cinnamon with a homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice made with nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves…so fragrant.
TOPPINGS Walnuts or pecans give overnight French toast a little crunch and a lot of flavors. I use either or both!
How to Make Overnight French Toast
Creamy and delicious overnight French toast is so easy to prepare ahead.
- Use dry bread (or dry in the oven per the recipe below).
- Combine melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar on a large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange bread slices evenly over top.
- Prepare the egg mixture and pour it over the bread (per recipe below).
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and relax!
- Let the pan rest at room temperature for 20 minutes while the oven preheats.
- Bake uncovered, then enjoy!
Serve warm with whipped cream and maple syrup.
PRO TIP: For a ‘stuffed’ overnight French toast, mix your fave berries, or jam with cream cheese and drop it in dollops between the slices of bread before pouring on the egg mixture. Blueberries, strawberries, sliced peaches, or green apples are colorful and delicious ‘stuffers’ or toppings for French toast!
Tips & Tricks
- The best overnight French toast is made with bread that is dried out so it can absorb the batter perfectly!
- Keep leftover overnight French toast covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze before or after baking by wrapping it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for up to 6 weeks. Allow it to thaw completely before baking.
More Breakfast Ideas
Did you make this Easy Overnight French Toast? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Easy Overnight French Toast
Overnight French Toast is the perfect easy breakfast for any morning!
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Before Bed
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Slice bread into 1″ thick slices and let dry on the counter for a couple of hours (or place in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes using caution not to brown the bread).
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Place melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon on a large rimmed baking sheet (mine was 17.5″ x 12.5″). Mix well and spread on the bottom of the pan.
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Arrange bread in the pan over the brown sugar mixture.
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Combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
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Gently pour half of the egg mixture over the bread ensuring all of the bread is soaked. Flip the bread and pour the remaining egg mixture over top.
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Sprinkle with chopped walnuts and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight
Morning time:
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Remove the pan from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 20 minutes
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Bake for 30 minutes ensuring that the french toast doesn’t brown
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Serve with maple syrup and whipped cream
You will see some egg mixture on the pan, the bread will soak it up as it sits overnight.
Any kind of milk can be used in this recipe (including non-dairy).
Calories: 411, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 268mg, Sodium: 441mg, Potassium: 266mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 679IU, Calcium: 137mg, Iron: 3mg
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course Breakfast
Cuisine French
