Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

Introduction

Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a comforting breakfast treat that combines the rich flavors of ripe bananas and custardy bread. This easy make-ahead recipe delivers a warm, golden casserole perfect for mornings when you want something special with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sourdough or French bread, cut into chunks
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 6-7 medium ripe bananas, chopped
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar (for streusel)
• 1/2 cup salted butter (for streusel)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the chunks of bread with the chopped bananas, mixing gently.
3. Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the egg mixture over the bread and bananas. Stir gently to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
7. Step 7: While baking, prepare the streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and cold butter in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to crumble the butter into the dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole during the last five minutes of baking. Return to oven and bake until the topping is golden and crisp, about 5 more minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old bread for better texture; it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut or almond milk and use a plant-based butter alternative in the streusel.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the streusel for extra crunch.
• Mix in a handful of chocolate chips before baking for a sweeter twist.
• If bananas are very ripe, use slightly less sugar to balance the sweetness.

Storage

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. To keep the streusel crisp, consider reheating in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole without bananas?

Yes, you can omit the bananas and use just the bread and custard for a classic French toast casserole. Adding fruits like berries or apples can also be great alternatives.

Do I need to soak the casserole overnight?

Soaking overnight helps the bread absorb the custard fully, creating a soft, custardy texture. If short on time, you can soak for at least 1-2 hours, but the texture won’t be as rich.

Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

• Author: Olivia
• Total Time: 8 hours 60 minutes (includes overnight soaking)
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting breakfast dish perfect for lazy mornings or special occasions. Made with sourdough or French bread soaked overnight in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, cream, and sugars, it’s studded with ripe bananas and topped with a buttery, sweet streusel. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is soft, flavorful, and easy to prepare ahead of time.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb sourdough or French bread, cut into chunks
• 6–7 medium ripe bananas, chopped
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar

Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup salted butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to ensure the casserole does not stick during baking.
2. Combine bread and bananas: In a large bowl, combine the chunks of sourdough or French bread with the chopped ripe bananas, evenly distributing the banana pieces.
3. Mix the custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, white sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined to create a smooth custard mixture.
4. Soak the bread and bananas: Pour the custard mixture over the bread and banana pieces, stirring gently to make sure every chunk is well coated with the custard.
5. Refrigerate overnight: Transfer the custard-soaked bread and bananas to the prepared casserole dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
6. Preheat oven and begin baking: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes.
7. Prepare and add streusel topping: While the casserole bakes, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and salted butter in a bowl. Crumble this streusel topping over the casserole during the last five to ten minutes of baking, then continue baking until the topping is golden brown and crumbly.
8. Serve warm: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm with maple syrup or your choice of additional toppings such as fresh fruit or whipped cream.

Notes

• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best texture as it soaks up the custard better.
• Ripe, soft bananas add natural sweetness and moisture; avoid overly brown or mushy bananas.
• The overnight soak is essential for a soft and custardy interior.
• You can make the streusel topping dairy-free by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute bread and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
• Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave for a quick breakfast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana French toast casserole, overnight French toast, baked French toast, breakfast casserole, banana breakfast bake, streusel topping French toast