Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

French bread: A loaf of French bread, cut into cubes, provides the base for the casserole, soaking up the custard mixture and giving the dish its structure.

Eggs: Large eggs are whisked into the custard mixture, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a rich, creamy texture.

Milk: Milk adds moisture and helps to create the custard that soaks into the bread.

Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and a luxurious texture to the custard mixture.

Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the custard mixture, balancing the flavors.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the dish.

Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the custard, adding a warm, aromatic note.

To ensure your overnight French toast casserole has a perfect texture, make sure to use day-old bread or slightly stale french bread. This helps the bread absorb the custard mixture without becoming too soggy. If your bread is too fresh, you can dry it out by toasting the cubes in the oven at a low temperature for about 10 minutes before assembling the dish.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and soft, making it a great alternative for a custardy texture.

• large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoon water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the casserole.

• large eggs - Substitute with silken tofu: Use ¼ cup of blended silken tofu per egg. It provides a creamy texture and is a good vegan option.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that works well in baking and cooking.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk is creamy and neutral in flavor, making it a good substitute for regular milk.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is thick and rich, providing a similar texture and richness.

• heavy cream - Substitute with cashew cream: Blend soaked cashews with water to create a creamy consistency, perfect for a dairy-free option.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of flavor.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can replace sugar in equal amounts.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar caramel-like flavor and can be used in the same quantity.

• brown sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar provides a unique flavor and can be used as a direct substitute.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a different but complementary flavor to the dish.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract provides a sweet, rich flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

• Allow the casserole to cool completely after baking. This ensures that condensation doesn't form inside the storage container, which can make the bread soggy.

• For short-term storage, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also transfer the casserole to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• If you plan to freeze the casserole, cut it into individual portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped portions in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn and maintains the casserole's texture.

• Label the freezer-safe bag or container with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the casserole has been stored.

• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

• For reheating from frozen, it's best to thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated casserole.

• If you're in a hurry, you can reheat the casserole directly from the freezer. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until heated through. Check periodically to ensure it doesn't overcook.

• For a quicker option, you can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe cover or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Be cautious, as microwaving can sometimes make the bread a bit chewy.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the overnight French toast casserole in an oven-safe dish, cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes until heated through. This method helps retain the casserole's moisture and ensures even reheating.

• For a quicker option, use the microwave. Place a portion of the casserole on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check and continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through. The damp paper towel helps prevent the bread from drying out.

• If you prefer a crispier texture, try reheating in a skillet. Melt a small amount of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a slice of the casserole and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through and slightly crispy.

• For an air fryer method, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place a portion of the casserole in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through. This will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.

• If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place a portion of the casserole on a baking sheet and heat for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This method is great for smaller portions and provides a nice, even heat.

• Baking dish: A 9x13 inch dish to hold and bake the French toast casserole.

• Knife: Used to cut the French bread into cubes.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the bread.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl to whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, and vanilla.

• Whisk: Used to thoroughly mix the wet ingredients.

• Measuring cups: For accurately measuring the milk, cream, and sugars.

• Measuring spoons: For measuring the vanilla extract.

• Plastic wrap: To cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) for baking the casserole.

• Oven mitts: To safely handle the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Prep ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes and measure out the milk, cream, and sugars the night before.

Use a large bowl: Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl to ensure even mixing.

Grease the dish well: Properly greasing the baking dish will make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.

Refrigerate overnight: Letting the casserole sit overnight allows the bread to soak up the custard mixture, saving time in the morning.

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven while you get ready in the morning to save time.