If you love waking up to something truly special that fills your kitchen with the aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, and fresh fruit, then this Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is going to become your new favorite breakfast tradition. It’s a comforting, luscious blend of custardy bread cubes and bursting blueberries baked to golden perfection, offering a wonderful balance of sweet and spice with every bite. Easy to prepare ahead and perfect for sharing with friends or family, this casserole brings that cozy, slow-morning feeling straight to your table without any hassle in the early hours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients for this casserole are simple staples, but when combined, they create a deliciously rich and textured breakfast that’s equal parts fluffy, creamy, and fruity. Each component plays a key role in bringing that iconic French toast flavor to life while adding a lovely depth of color and moisture.
- French bread, 1 loaf (about 10 cups), cubed: The hearty base that soaks up the custard and gives the casserole a perfect, airy texture.
- Blueberries, 2 cups fresh or frozen: Bursting with natural sweetness and a pop of vibrant color throughout.
- Eggs, 8 large: Essential for creating the rich custard that binds everything together.
- Whole milk, 2 cups: Adds creaminess and helps balance the richness of the eggs.
- Heavy cream, 1/2 cup: Boosts the moisture and lends a decadent, velvety feel.
- Granulated sugar, 3/4 cup: Sweetens the custard evenly without overpowering the fruit.
- Brown sugar, 1/4 cup: Adds a warm, caramel note in the custard mix.
- Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon: Brings out the aromatic, sweet undertones that make this dish irresistible.
- Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon: Infuses every bite with cozy spice.
- Ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon: A subtle hint of nutty warmth.
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- All-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (for topping): Forms the base of the crumbly, buttery topping.
- Brown sugar, 1/3 cup (for topping): Provides a lovely caramelized crunch on top.
- Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon (for topping): Adds a final touch of spice to the casserole crust.
- Unsalted butter, 1/4 cup cold and cubed (for topping): Creates that perfect crumbly, golden finish on the bake.
- Powdered sugar (optional): For dusting just before serving to add a little extra sweetness and charm.
- Maple syrup (optional): The classic, luscious drizzle that takes this breakfast over the top.
How to Make Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Blueberries
Start by greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray, ensuring your casserole won’t stick and will slide out cleanly. Layer half of the French bread cubes evenly on the bottom, then sprinkle half of the blueberries over them. Repeat with the remaining bread and blueberries to create a vibrant, layered effect that guarantees blueberries in every bite.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk, heavy cream, both sugars, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and completely combined. This custard is the luscious heart of the casserole, soaking into the bread cubes to make them soft and flavorful overnight. Pour it evenly over the layered bread and blueberries, gently pressing down so every piece absorbs that creamy goodness.
Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. This resting period allows the bread to soak up the custard fully, marrying the flavors and giving you that dreamy texture you expect from a great French toast casserole.
Step 4: Make the Topping and Bake
Before baking, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the crumble topping. Cut in your cold, cubed butter with a fork or pastry cutter until it forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this evenly over the soaked casserole for an irresistible crispy, buttery crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender custardy bread underneath. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes until the center is set and the top turns a gorgeous golden brown.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after baking to make it easier to slice and serve. Optionally dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with pure maple syrup for that perfect finishing touch that brings this comforting dish to life.
How to Serve Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar is perfect to add a delicate sweetness and a beautiful presentation. Fresh blueberries or a sprig of mint can brighten the plate, and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup makes every bite irresistibly indulgent.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with savory sides like crispy bacon or breakfast sausage to balance its sweetness. Fresh fruit salad or a light green salad with a citrus vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast and round out your brunch beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual portions in small ramekins for a charming brunch buffet or layer the casserole in a trifle dish with whipped cream and extra berries for a stunning twist. You can even prepare mini versions using muffin tins for single servings that are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover casserole covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping it chilled prevents the custard from drying out and maintains the integrity of the buttery topping.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover casserole portions wrapped well in foil or airtight containers for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor, making it an easy option for quick future breakfasts.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through and crisp on top again. Alternatively, microwave single servings for 1-2 minutes but note you may lose some of the crunchy topping texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of bread for this casserole?
Absolutely! While French bread is ideal for its sturdy texture, brioche or challah also work beautifully, adding a rich, slightly sweet flavor that complements the blueberry custard wonderfully.
Do I have to use fresh blueberries?
Nope! Frozen blueberries are a great option and can be added to the casserole straight from frozen without thawing, making this dish super convenient year-round.
Can I make this casserole dairy-free?
Yes, simply substitute the whole milk and heavy cream with your favorite plant-based milks like almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative for the topping. The flavors will still shine through beautifully.
Is it possible to make this recipe ahead on the day of serving?
Definitely. Preparing the casserole the night before allows the flavors to meld perfectly and makes your morning stress-free, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself.
How do I get a crispy topping on my casserole?
The key is using cold unsalted butter cut into the flour and sugars to create a crumbly texture before baking. Sprinkle this topping just before baking to ensure it crisps up nicely and adds a delightful contrast to the soft custardy bread underneath.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a breakfast dish that feels both special and effortless, the Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is a must-try. It’s a hands-off, make-ahead delight that fills your home with wonderful smells and your belly with warm, comforting flavors. Trust me, once you try this, it will become your go-to recipe for cozy weekend mornings or effortless holiday brunches. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let this casserole work its magic overnight!
Print
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus overnight chill
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delicious and convenient make-ahead breakfast dish featuring layers of French bread and fresh blueberries soaked in a rich custard, topped with a buttery cinnamon crumb. Perfect for holiday mornings or brunch gatherings, it bakes to a golden perfection and can be served with powdered sugar and maple syrup for extra sweetness.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Custard
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Optional for Serving
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Layer Bread and Blueberries: Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish and sprinkle with blueberries. Top with the remaining bread cubes and additional blueberries to create layers.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread layers, gently pressing down to ensure all pieces absorb the liquid for optimal texture and flavor.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to soak and the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Sprinkle the Topping: Just before baking, evenly sprinkle the prepared crumb topping over the soaked casserole for a crunchy, sweet finish.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes or until the center is set and the top is golden brown, indicating it is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired before serving for added sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Frozen blueberries can be used directly without thawing to save time.
- Add lemon zest to the custard for a bright and fresh citrus flavor.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
