Description

Delight in the comforting flavors of this Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole, featuring ripe bananas, a rich custard base, and a crunchy streusel topping. Prepared the night before and baked to golden perfection, this casserole is a perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch that combines creamy, fruity, and sweet textures all in one dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Base

1 lb loaf sourdough or French bread, cut into chunks

Egg Mixture

8 large eggs
2 cups (480 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (104 g) sugar
1/4 cup (36 g) light brown sugar, unpacked
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Bananas

6–7 medium sized bananas, chopped

Streusel Topping

3/4 cup (98 g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (169 g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup (112 g) salted butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

Grease the Dish: Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick during baking.
Prepare the Bread: Place the cut bread chunks into a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the egg mixture.
Whisk Together Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Mixtures: Pour the egg mixture over the bread chunks in the bowl, add the chopped bananas, and gently stir until all the bread is evenly coated with the custard and the bananas are distributed throughout.
Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard fully.
Preheat Oven: The next day, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) in preparation for baking.
Bake: Remove the casserole from the fridge and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until it is set and lightly golden on top but not fully browned.
Make Streusel Topping: While the casserole bakes, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add in the butter pieces and mash together with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Add Streusel Topping: Once the casserole looks nearly done, carefully remove it from the oven and evenly crumble the streusel topping over it.
Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the streusel melts and turns golden brown, adding a crunchy texture.
Serve Warm: Serve the casserole warm with optional maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or nuts as toppings to elevate the flavor and texture. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Use day-old or stale bread for best texture as it absorbs the custard better without becoming too soggy.
Choose ripe bananas that are speckled and sweet for maximum flavor contribution.
Cover the casserole tightly when refrigerating overnight to prevent drying out and to let flavors meld.
Bake until the custard is set and the top is golden brown for perfect doneness; test with a toothpick if needed.
The streusel topping adds a delicious crunchy contrast—do not skip it.
Serve warm for best taste and texture.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: overnight baked French toast casserole, banana French toast, breakfast casserole, make ahead breakfast, baked French toast, brunch recipe