Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting breakfast dish that combines the rich flavors of ripe bananas with custardy baked French toast. Prepared the night before and baked in the morning, it’s perfect for easy entertaining or a cozy family brunch. Topped with a buttery brown sugar streusel, this recipe offers a delightful balance of sweetness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 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
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and make serving easier.
- Combine bread and bananas: In a large bowl, mix the chunks of sourdough or French bread with the chopped ripe bananas to distribute the fruit evenly.
- Mix custard base: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
- Combine the custard with bread and bananas: Pour the egg mixture over the bread and banana mixture. Gently stir to coat all the bread pieces thoroughly with the custard.
- Refrigerate overnight: Transfer the coated mixture into the prepared casserole dish, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid, and place it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the bread to soak and flavors to meld.
- Preheat and bake: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Prepare and add streusel topping: While the casserole is baking, combine flour, brown sugar, and salted butter in a bowl and crumble together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel over the casserole during the last 5 minutes of baking to create a crunchy, sweet topping.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Drizzle with maple syrup or add your favorite toppings such as powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for best texture and absorption of custard.
- Ripe bananas should be used for maximum sweetness and aroma.
- You can substitute whole milk and cream with lower-fat versions but the casserole will be less rich.
- Streusel topping can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge until baking time.
- Ensure the casserole is well covered during refrigeration to prevent it from drying out.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: banana french toast casserole, overnight french toast casserole, baked french toast, banana breakfast casserole, brunch recipes
