The Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Welcome to your new favorite breakfast recipe! This Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole offers a delightful twist on classic French toast, making busy mornings a breeze. Prepare it the night before and wake up to a scrumptious, warm breakfast. Perfect for special occasions or any day you crave something truly delicious, this overnight blueberry French toast casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Blueberry French Toast Casserole

This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. You’ll adore this blueberry French toast bake for so many reasons:

• Irresistible Flavor: Sweet blueberries burst with every bite, perfectly complementing the rich, eggy bread.
• Delightful Textures: Enjoy a symphony of textures, from the creamy, custardy interior to the slightly crisp, golden edges and the buttery streusel topping.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep everything the night before. This overnight French toast casserole allows you to wake up and simply bake, enjoying stress-free mornings.
• Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it ideal for holiday brunches or family gatherings.
• Simple to Master: Our step-by-step guide makes this elegant dish accessible for every home cook, even beginners.

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base:

• 1 (12–14-ounce/340–400g) loaf French bread, sourdough bread, brioche, or challah*
• 1 cup (140g) fresh or frozen blueberries*
• 8 large eggs
• 2 and 1/4 cups (540ml) whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon (15ml) pure vanilla extract

For the Streusel Topping:

• 1/3 cup (69g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Optional Toppings:

• Extra blueberries
• Maple syrup
• Confectioners’ sugar

Notes & Substitutions

Selecting the right ingredients ensures the Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole. For the bread, choose a hearty, slightly stale loaf like French, sourdough, brioche, or challah. Understanding the culinary science behind using stale bread for French toast explains why it absorbs the custard better, preventing a soggy texture. If your bread is fresh, cut it into cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. Bake at 300°F (149°C) for 10-15 minutes until lightly dried. You can use either fresh or frozen blueberries; no need to thaw frozen berries before adding them. Whole milk creates a richer, creamier custard. While other milks work, whole milk offers the best texture and flavor. Pure vanilla extract adds warmth; homemade versions provide an even deeper aroma. For the streusel, always use cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients to create those perfect crumbly bits. For the perfect streusel texture, using cold butter, as explained by baking experts on fat in baking, helps create those desired crumbly bits. This ensures a crisp, buttery topping.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools for this delightful blueberry breakfast casserole. Gather these essential items:

• A 9×13 inch baking pan
• Two large mixing bowls
• A whisk
• A pastry blender or two forks for the streusel

Instructions

Creating this amazing Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect outcome.

1. Prepare Pan & Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray. Slice the bread, then cut it into approximate 1-inch cubes. Spread the bread cubes evenly into the prepared baking pan. Top the bread with your fresh or frozen blueberries, distributing them well.
2. Make Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, packed light brown sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk until the brown sugar lumps dissolve completely and the mixture is smooth. Carefully pour this rich custard mixture over the bread and blueberries in the baking pan. Ensure every bread cube is thoroughly coated and soaking in the liquid.
3. Chill Overnight: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the covered pan in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for a minimum of 3 hours, but ideally for 8 to 24 hours. Chilling overnight gives the bread ample time to absorb the custard, resulting in the best texture.
4. Preheat Oven & Prepare Streusel: When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). While the oven preheats, remove the casserole pan from the refrigerator. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for the topping. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Add Topping & Bake: Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the entire surface of the soaked bread and blueberry mixture in the pan. Place the casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set in the center. I prefer to bake mine for about 45 minutes for a slightly softer interior.
6. Serve: Remove the baked casserole from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with your preferred optional toppings like maple syrup, a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, or extra fresh blueberries.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect blueberry French toast casserole is easy with these tips.

• Achieving Best Texture: Always use slightly stale bread. This allows the bread to soak up the custard without becoming mushy, giving you a wonderful custardy center and firm texture.
• Preventing Soggy Casserole: Do not skip the overnight chilling. This crucial step ensures the bread fully absorbs the egg mixture, preventing a watery or undercooked texture.
• Golden Brown Topping: Keep an eye on the streusel during the last 15-20 minutes of baking. If it browns too quickly, loosely tent the casserole with foil to prevent over-browning.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can lead to a dry casserole. The center should be set but still slightly soft. A slight jiggle is fine.

Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations

This versatile Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole adapts wonderfully to your needs and preferences.

Serving Suggestions: Serve warm slices with a generous drizzle of real maple syrup. A sprinkle of fresh blueberries or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar adds a lovely finish. Pair it with savory sides like crispy bacon or sausage for a complete brunch spread.

Flavor Variations: Get creative with other fruits. Substitute blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry French toast casserole. For a fall-inspired twist, try adding diced apples and a pinch of nutmeg. You can also omit the blueberries entirely for a classic French toast bake, though you might want to adjust the spices slightly.

Make Ahead: The overnight preparation is a huge time-saver. Assemble the casserole the evening before, and simply bake it fresh in the morning. This convenience makes it perfect for holiday mornings or entertaining guests.

Storage: Cover any leftover blueberry French toast casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Freezing: You can freeze this casserole both unbaked and baked.

• Unbaked: Prepare the casserole through step 4 (custard poured over bread). Cover it tightly with two layers of foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with adding the streusel and baking as directed.
• Baked: Allow the baked casserole to cool completely. Cut into individual servings or wrap the whole casserole tightly in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat covered at 350°F (177°C) until warm.

Nutrition Information

We understand the importance of knowing what you eat. Please note that exact nutrition facts for homemade recipes can vary widely based on ingredient brands and specific measurements. We do not typically provide detailed nutrition information for our recipes.

For a personalized estimate, we recommend using an online nutrition calculator. Simply input the ingredients and quantities you used, and it will provide an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What if I don’t have stale bread?

  A: If your bread is fresh, cut it into cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. Toast in a 300°F (149°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes until lightly dried out.

• Q: Can I use other berries in this blueberry French toast casserole?

  A: Absolutely! Feel free to substitute blueberries with other berries like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or even a mix of your favorites.

• Q: Do I have to prep ahead?

  A: While you can technically bake it right away, chilling the casserole for at least 3 hours (preferably overnight) allows the bread to fully absorb the custard for the best flavor and texture.

• Q: Can I use extra creamy oat milk instead of whole milk?

  A: Yes, extra creamy oat milk should work well as a substitute, but the final texture may be slightly less rich or creamy than with whole milk.

• Q: Can I omit the blueberries?

  A: Yes, you can omit the blueberries. However, if you prefer a plain version, we recommend finding a dedicated plain French toast casserole recipe for optimized flavor.

Conclusion

This Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole truly simplifies creating a memorable breakfast. It combines the comforting flavors of French toast with the delightful burst of blueberries, all wrapped in a convenient make-ahead package. We’ve guided you through every step, ensuring you achieve perfect results every time. Don’t hesitate to try this fantastic recipe for your next brunch or special morning. Your family and friends will thank you for this delicious and effortless treat!

The Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole

A delightful overnight French toast casserole featuring a rich egg and milk custard soaked bread, fresh blueberries, and a sweet streusel topping, perfect for a special breakfast or brunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 500

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 loaf French bread, sourdough bread, brioche, or challah (12–14-ounce/340–400g)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (140g)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 and 1/4 cups whole milk (540ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (150g)
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract (15ml)

Streusel Topping

• 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (69g)
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (41g) (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (85g), cold and cubed

Equipment

• 9x13-inch baking pan
• Whisk
• Medium bowl
• Pastry blender or two forks

Method

 

1. Grease a 9x13-inch pan. Slice bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them in the pan, then top with blueberries.

1. Whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Pour this mixture over the bread, cover, and refrigerate for 3-24 hours.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and remove the pan from the refrigerator.

Prepare the topping

1. For the topping, whisk brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in cold, cubed butter and sprinkle over the soaked bread.

1. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown on top; adjust time for desired softness.

1. Serve warm. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Notes

This casserole is best prepared overnight for optimal soaking. Bake for 45-55 minutes, adjusting for desired softness. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for 2-3 days. Optional toppings include extra blueberries, maple syrup, or confectioners’ sugar.