Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a comforting and delicious breakfast dish perfect for busy mornings. Combining hearty sourdough or French bread with ripe bananas and a rich custard mixture, it’s soaked overnight and baked to golden perfection. A buttery streusel topping adds an irresistible crunch, making it a crowd-pleasing treat served warm with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 60 minutes (including overnight refrigeration)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main 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
Streusel Topping
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking during baking.
- Combine Bread and Bananas: In a large bowl, mix the sourdough or French bread chunks with the chopped ripe bananas, ensuring an even distribution.
- Make the Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Bread and Bananas: Pour the egg mixture over the bread and banana mixture. Gently stir to coat all the bread chunks and bananas evenly with the custard.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat the Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Bake the Casserole: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: While the casserole bakes, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salted butter in a bowl. Crumble and mix until it forms a coarse streusel texture.
- Add Streusel and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking and continue baking until the topping is golden and crisp.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the casserole warm. Pair with maple syrup or any preferred toppings to enhance flavor.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best absorption of the custard mixture.
- Bananas should be ripe but not overly mushy to maintain some texture.
- You can substitute milk with any plant-based milk for a dairy-free version but adjust cream accordingly.
- Prep the night before to save time in the morning; the casserole tastes even better after soaking overnight.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Optional toppings include chopped nuts, whipped cream, or fresh berries for added flavor and texture.
Keywords: banana French toast casserole, overnight breakfast casserole, baked French toast, banana breakfast bake, brunch casserole