Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a comforting and delicious breakfast treat that’s perfect for busy mornings. Made with ripe bananas, rich custard, and a buttery streusel topping, it’s easy to prepare the night before and bake fresh in the morning.

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)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the bread chunks with the chopped bananas and mix 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 banana mixture, stirring gently to make sure all the bread is coated.
5. Step 5: Transfer everything into the prepared casserole dish. Cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight to let the flavors meld and bread absorb the custard.
6. Step 6: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes.
7. Step 7: While the casserole bakes, prepare the streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, and butter in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to crumble the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Step 8: After 30-35 minutes of baking, sprinkle the streusel evenly over the casserole and return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on top.
9. Step 9: Remove from the oven and serve warm, optionally drizzled with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best texture; it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.
• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a splash of vanilla extract to the custard mixture.
• Swap bananas with apples or pears for a different fruit twist.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the streusel for a crunchy contrast.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warm, or reheat the entire dish covered with foil in a 350°F (176°C) oven until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this casserole without soaking overnight?

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

Can I freeze the casserole?

Yes, you can freeze the unbaked casserole covered tightly with foil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.

Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 637 reviews

This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting breakfast dish featuring ripe bananas and chunks of sourdough or French bread soaked in a rich custard mixture. Topped with a buttery streusel crumble, it’s baked to golden perfection overnight for an easy, make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for family gatherings or lazy weekends.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: Overnight plus 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup salted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Instructions

1. Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking during baking.
2. Combine bread and bananas: In a large bowl, mix the chunks of sourdough or French bread with the chopped ripe bananas, ensuring even distribution.
3. Make custard mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully combined and smooth.
4. Assemble casserole: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and banana mixture. Stir gently to coat all pieces of bread and bananas without breaking them up too much.
5. Refrigerate overnight: Transfer the combined mixture into the greased casserole dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to soak in the custard fully and flavors to meld.
6. Preheat oven and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for about 30-35 minutes.
7. Prepare streusel topping: While the casserole bakes, mix the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and cold salted butter in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to crumble the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
8. Add streusel topping and finish baking: Sprinkle the streusel crumble evenly over the casserole during the last 5-10 minutes of baking, then continue to bake until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the custard is set.
9. Serve warm: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with maple syrup or your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts, or whipped cream.

Notes

• For best texture, use slightly stale sourdough or French bread which absorbs the custard better.
• You can substitute ripened bananas with other fruits like berries or apples if preferred.
• The casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.
• Ensure the butter for the streusel topping is cold to achieve a crumbly texture.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing or increasing sugar according to taste.
• Using whole milk and heavy cream provides a richer custard, but 2% milk alone can be used as a lighter option.
• If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and use vegan butter for the streusel.
• Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

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