Delicious Make Ahead Berry French Toast Casserole

I’m not a morning person, but I love a good breakfast. There’s something about waking up to French toast that makes even early mornings feel special. The problem is, I don’t want to stand at the stove flipping bread while everyone’s waiting to eat. That’s where this make ahead casserole comes in.

The best part about this recipe is that you put it together the night before. Just pop it in the fridge and bake it in the morning while you’re getting coffee started. No flipping, no standing over a hot pan, and no mess when you’d rather be sitting down with your family.

This berry version is perfect for when you want something a little sweet without being too heavy. The berries add a nice touch, and the whole thing bakes up soft and custardy. Make it for a weekend brunch or whenever you want breakfast to feel like less work and more fun.

What Kind of French Bread Should I Use?

For this casserole, you’ll want to use a sturdy French bread or baguette that’s a day or two old – slightly stale bread is actually perfect here because it soaks up the egg mixture without getting too soggy. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and let it sit out on the counter for a few hours or toast it lightly in the oven to dry it out a bit. Avoid using soft sandwich bread since it’ll turn mushy, and steer clear of anything with a super thick crust that might stay too tough. A standard bakery French loaf from your grocery store works great, and if you can only find a fresh one, just plan ahead and let it age on your counter overnight before making the casserole.

Options for Substitutions

This breakfast casserole is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• French bread: Challah, brioche, or even day-old sourdough work great here. The key is using bread that’s slightly stale so it soaks up the egg mixture without getting too mushy. If your bread is fresh, just cube it and let it sit out overnight to dry out a bit.
• 2% milk: Whole milk, half-and-half, or even almond milk can step in here. Just keep in mind that richer milk will give you a creamier texture, while non-dairy options might be slightly less rich.
• Berries: Mix and match whatever berries you have on hand – raspberries, blackberries, or even frozen berries work fine. If using frozen, don’t thaw them first or they’ll make the casserole too watery.
• Brown sugar: White sugar or coconut sugar can replace brown sugar in equal amounts. You’ll lose a bit of that molasses flavor, but the casserole will still taste great.
• Eggs: This is one ingredient you really shouldn’t substitute – the eggs are what hold the whole casserole together and give it that custardy texture.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest mistake with French toast casserole is using fresh, soft bread, which turns mushy and doesn’t hold up to the egg mixture – grab day-old or slightly stale French bread, or leave your fresh bread out overnight to dry out a bit.

Skipping the refrigeration time is another error that leads to uneven texture, so make sure to let your casserole sit for at least 2 hours or overnight so the bread can properly soak up all that custard.

Don’t add the berries right before baking or they’ll release too much juice and make everything watery – instead, pat them dry with a paper towel and scatter them on top during the last 15 minutes of baking for the best results.

Finally, resist cutting into the casserole right away, as letting it rest for 10 minutes after baking helps everything set up nicely and makes serving way easier.

What to Serve With Berry French Toast Casserole?

This berry french toast casserole is pretty filling on its own, but I love serving it with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links on the side for that sweet and savory combo. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla yogurt on top makes it feel extra special, especially if you’re serving it for a holiday brunch or weekend breakfast. If you want to add more fruit, a simple fruit salad with melon, grapes, and oranges is always a crowd-pleaser. For drinks, freshly squeezed orange juice or a good cup of coffee rounds out the meal perfectly.

Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: This casserole is perfect for prepping the night before! Just assemble everything in your baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and stick it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, let it sit on the counter while your oven preheats, then bake as directed.

Store: Leftover French toast casserole keeps really well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cover the baking dish with foil or transfer portions to an airtight container. It makes breakfast so easy during the week when you can just grab a piece and warm it up.

Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or reheat the whole dish covered with foil in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. The microwave is quicker for single servings, but the oven keeps it a bit more crispy on top if you have the time.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2600-2900
• Protein: 74-84 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 480-530 g

Ingredients

For the base:

• 12 to 14 cups cubed french bread
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

For the topping:

• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup whole blueberries
• 1 to 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
• Maple syrup, for serving

Step 1: Prepare Bread and Casserole Dish

• 12 to 14 cups cubed French bread

Grease a 9″x13″ casserole dish with either vegetable oil or butter to prevent sticking.

Cut the French bread into cubes, then add enough cubes to the casserole dish to fill it about three-quarters full.

This creates the base for the baked French toast.

Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture

• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2% milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and packed light brown sugar until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.

This will be the custard that soaks into the bread.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

• custard mixture from Step 2
• cubed French bread from Step 1
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup whole blueberries

Pour the custard mixture from Step 2 evenly over the cubed bread in the casserole dish, making sure all the bread is moistened.

Slice the strawberries, then scatter the sliced strawberries and blueberries over the top of the bread.

This adds a fresh and colorful layer of fruit.

Step 4: Chill the Casserole

Wrap the assembled casserole tightly with saran wrap, then refrigerate it for at least four hours, or overnight.

Chilling allows the bread to soak up the custard mixture fully, resulting in a creamier texture.

I find letting it sit overnight gives the best flavor and consistency.

Step 5: Bake the French Toast Casserole

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for 35 to 50 minutes.

Check at the 35-minute mark; the dish should be set in the center and golden on top.

If not, continue baking until done.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

• 1 to 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
• maple syrup, for serving

Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar generously over the top for a beautiful finish.

Serve with maple syrup for the perfect sweet touch.

I always let my casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing—this helps the pieces hold together when served.

Delicious Make Ahead Berry French Toast Casserole

Delicious Delicious Make Ahead Berry French Toast Casserole recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 52 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 37 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 2750 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the base:

• 12 to 14 cups cubed French bread
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups 2% milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

For the topping:

• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup whole blueberries
• 1 to 2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
• maple syrup, for serving

Instructions

 

• Grease a 9"x13" casserole dish with either vegetable oil or butter to prevent sticking. Cut the French bread into cubes, then add enough cubes to the casserole dish to fill it about three-quarters full. This creates the base for the baked French toast.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2% milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and packed light brown sugar until well combined and the sugar is dissolved. This will be the custard that soaks into the bread.
• Pour the custard mixture from Step 2 evenly over the cubed bread in the casserole dish, making sure all the bread is moistened. Slice the strawberries, then scatter the sliced strawberries and blueberries over the top of the bread. This adds a fresh and colorful layer of fruit.
• Wrap the assembled casserole tightly with saran wrap, then refrigerate it for at least four hours, or overnight. Chilling allows the bread to soak up the custard mixture fully, resulting in a creamier texture. I find letting it sit overnight gives the best flavor and consistency.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for 35 to 50 minutes. Check at the 35-minute mark; the dish should be set in the center and golden on top. If not, continue baking until done.
• Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Sprinkle confectioners' sugar generously over the top for a beautiful finish. Serve with maple syrup for the perfect sweet touch. I always let my casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing—this helps the pieces hold together when served.