Description

Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a comforting and delicious breakfast dish featuring chunks of sourdough or French bread soaked overnight in a rich custard made with eggs, milk, cream, and aromatic spices. Layers of ripe bananas add natural sweetness, while a buttery cinnamon streusel topping provides a delightful crunch after baking. This easy, make-ahead casserole is perfect for breakfast or brunch, served warm with syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream for a truly indulgent experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Base

1 lb loaf Sourdough or French Bread, cut into chunks

Egg Mixture

8 large eggs
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (104g) sugar
1/4 cup (36g) 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 (98g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (169g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

Grease the Dish: Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent the French toast from sticking during baking.
Prepare the Bread: Place the cut bread chunks into a large bowl and set aside as you prepare the egg mixture.
Whisk Together Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully combined.
Combine Mixtures: Pour the prepared egg custard over the bread chunks, then add chopped bananas. Gently stir the mixture, ensuring all bread pieces are thoroughly coated with the custard and bananas are evenly distributed.
Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the soaked bread and banana mixture into the greased casserole dish. Spread evenly, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to ensure even cooking.
Bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for about 35-40 minutes or until the custard is set and the top begins to turn golden.
Make Streusel Topping: While the casserole bakes, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the cold butter pieces and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mash and blend until the mixture becomes crumbly.
Add Streusel Topping: Once the casserole is nearly cooked, carefully remove it from the oven and evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the surface.
Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the streusel topping is golden brown and slightly melted.
Serve Warm: Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then serve warm with optional toppings such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped cream. Enjoy the comforting flavors of this banana French toast casserole!

Notes

Use stale or day-old bread for best texture; fresh bread can become too soggy.
Select ripe, speckled bananas to maximize sweetness and flavor.
Covering the casserole overnight allows flavors to meld and bread to absorb custard fully.
Check doneness by ensuring the casserole is puffed and golden brown; a toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.
Do not skip the streusel topping as it adds a pleasant crunch and extra sweetness.
Serve casserole warm immediately after baking for optimal taste.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
For reheating, use oven at 350°F (176°C) for 15-20 minutes, microwave for 1-2 minutes on medium, or warm in a skillet over low heat.

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

Keywords: banana french toast casserole, overnight french toast, baked french toast, breakfast casserole, banana breakfast bake, streusel topping, make ahead breakfast