Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking during baking.
- Combine bread and bananas: In a large bowl, mix the chunks of sourdough or French bread with the chopped ripe bananas, ensuring even distribution.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
