Overnight Baked Banana Toast

Highlighted under Category: Sweet Italian Endings

This overnight baked banana French toast casserole features hearty sourdough or French bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard, combined with plenty of chopped ripe bananas for natural sweetness. Chilled overnight, it's baked until golden and topped with a crumbly brown sugar streusel for an irresistible finish. The result is a soft, tender breakfast dish with crisp, buttery topping and rich banana flavor throughout. Serve warm and drizzle with syrup for a crowd-pleasing brunch centerpiece that saves time in the morning.

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Brought to You By Valeria Rossi
Last modified on Tue, 27 May 2025 18:11:20 GMT
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Save
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole | recipesvaleria.com

Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a dreamy make ahead breakfast that layers chunks of bread with cozy bananas and a crunchy cinnamon streusel. It is the kind of sweet breakfast my family begs for on holiday mornings or when we have guests and I want something easy but impressive

Banana French Toast Casserole became a weekend tradition every time my parents came to visit. I still remember everyone hovering near the oven as a caramel banana smell filled the kitchen

Ingredients

  • Sourdough or French bread: Chunked sturdy bread soaks up the egg custard without turning mushy I always grab a fresher loaf for the best texture
  • Large eggs: This is what turns ordinary bread into that creamy custard French toast texture look for eggs with golden yolks for richer flavor
  • Milk and heavy cream: Adds creaminess and keeps things rich and tender I use whole milk if I have it
  • Sugar and brown sugar: Two kinds of sugar for sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor brown sugar makes a difference
  • Vanilla extract: Gives warmth and rounds out those banana notes use real vanilla if you can
  • Ground cinnamon: This spice makes everything cozy try to use fresh cinnamon for the most aroma
  • Bananas: Chopped the star ingredient look for yellow bananas with a few freckles for best sweetness
  • All purpose flour: Needed for the streusel topping bleached or unbleached both work
  • Butter: Cold and in pieces gets mashed into flour and spices to create the crunchy crumb top salted butter adds even more flavor
  • Cinnamon and more brown sugar for the streusel: Because a cinnamon sugar crumb is what takes it over the top

Step-by-Step Instructions

Grease the Casserole Dish:
Coat your nine by thirteen inch casserole dish with a good swipe of butter or a spritz of cooking spray get into the corners so nothing sticks
Prepare the Bread and Egg Mixture:
Cut your loaf of bread into chunky bite size pieces add to a large mixing bowl In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs milk heavy cream sugars vanilla and cinnamon until well combined
Combine Banana and Bread Mixture:
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread chunks add your chopped bananas and gently mix until the bread is just moistened do not squish the bread
Assemble and Refrigerate Overnight:
Transfer everything to your prepared casserole dish and spread it out in an even layer cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and pop in the fridge overnight the rest happens while you sleep
Bake the Casserole:
Preheat your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit place the casserole on the center rack bake for about thirty five to forty minutes until the center feels set and the edges are golden if you like it softer take it out at thirty five minutes for more browned edges go a little longer
Make the Streusel:
While the casserole bakes mix flour brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl add cold butter in pieces Use your fingers or a fork to mash until you have a crumbly mixture with pea sized buttery bits
Finish with Streusel Topping:
Take the casserole out near the end of the bake crumble your streusel topper generously over the surface return to oven and bake for about five minutes more until the streusel looks golden and melty
Serve Warm:
Let the casserole sit for several minutes out of the oven before slicing serve big squares with maple syrup or extra banana slices if desired
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole Save
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole | recipesvaleria.com

I always save the end pieces of bread for this recipe because they soak up so much custard My favorite bites are the corners where the streusel gets extra crisp My kids love using the extra bananas for decorating the top before serving

Storage Tips

Let leftovers cool completely before wrapping and refrigerating in the same casserole dish This dish tastes great even after reheating in the microwave the next day If you want to freeze individual squares cool first and then wrap tightly in foil or plastic before freezing Up to two months in the freezer works for me

Ingredient Substitutions

Use any crusty bakery loaf for this French toast do not hesitate to try challah or brioche for even richer flavor For dairy free swaps use coconut or oat milk and a good plant based cream Bananas can be swapped for thin sliced apples or berries but bananas give the most moisture

Serving Suggestions

Top the casserole with strawberries blueberries or sliced almonds for an extra fancy touch Warm maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar adds breakfast magic One year I served it with whipped cream and hot cocoa for my niece’s birthday and it became a special tradition

Cultural Context

French toast casseroles like this became popular in American brunch culture because they are fuss free and easy to scale for big gatherings They combine classic French pain perdu with American casserole comfort making them a staple in holiday breakfast menus

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use another type of bread?

Yes, you can substitute brioche or challah bread for a richer texture, though sourdough or French bread provide the best structure.

→ Do the bananas need to be very ripe?

Ripe bananas yield a stronger flavor and natural sweetness, making them ideal for this dish.

→ Can I assemble in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare the casserole the night before and let it chill in the fridge till ready to bake.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven or microwave before serving.

→ Can this be frozen?

Yes, bake the casserole first, let it cool, then freeze individual portions well wrapped for up to 2 months.

Overnight Baked Banana Toast

Baked banana French toast with cinnamon streusel, perfect for a make-ahead morning treat.

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Cooking Duration
45 minutes
Overall Time Required
65 minutes
Brought to You By: Valeria Rossi

Recipe Group: Desserts

Skill Requirement: Perfect for Beginners

Cuisine Type: American

Recipe Output: 12 Number of Servings (1 large breakfast bake)

Diet Preferences: Quick Vegetarian Option

Required Ingredients

→ Casserole

01 450 g sourdough or French bread, cut into chunks
02 8 large eggs
03 480 ml whole or 2% milk
04 120 ml heavy whipping cream
05 104 g granulated sugar
06 36 g light brown sugar, unpacked
07 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
09 6–7 medium bananas, chopped

→ Streusel Topping

10 98 g all-purpose flour
11 169 g firmly packed brown sugar
12 1 teaspoon cinnamon
13 112 g salted butter, cut into pieces

How to Make It

Step 01

Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 02

Place bread chunks into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined.

Step 04

Pour the egg mixture over the bread chunks, add chopped bananas, and gently fold until evenly coated.

Step 05

Spread the prepared bread mixture into the greased baking dish in an even layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 06

Allow the dish to come to room temperature while preheating the oven to 176°C.

Step 07

Bake the dish for 35–40 minutes, or until bread is golden and set to desired doneness.

Step 08

While baking, mix all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel topping in a medium bowl. Add the butter pieces and incorporate with a fork or pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form.

Step 09

Once the casserole is nearly baked, remove from the oven and sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top.

Step 10

Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the streusel melts and forms a golden crust.

Step 11

Serve warm with optional maple syrup or toppings of choice.

Additional Information

  1. Cut each banana slice into quarters before adding for more even distribution.

Essential Tools

  • 33 x 23 cm baking dish
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Fork or pastry cutter

Allergy Notes

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergenic risks. Reach out to your doctor with any concerns.
  • Contains eggs, milk, wheat, and dairy products.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These nutritional details are intended for informational purposes and aren't a substitute for professional guidance.
  • Total Calories: 489
  • Fat Content: 18 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 68.7 grams
  • Protein Amount: 15.4 grams