Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole

This overnight baked banana french toast casserole transforms ordinary breakfast into a special occasion treat. The sourdough bread soaks up a rich custard overnight, while fresh bananas add natural sweetness and that irresistible caramelized flavor when baked. Topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel, it's the perfect make-ahead breakfast for holidays or weekend brunches.

I first made this for a Mother's Day brunch and it was such a hit that it's now requested for nearly every family gathering. The combination of crispy edges, custardy center, and banana bread flavors makes everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen when most of the magic happens overnight in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

• Sourdough or French bread: Provides the perfect texture that holds up to overnight soaking without becoming mushy
• Eggs: Create a rich custard base that transforms the bread into something magical
• Milk and heavy cream: Work together for the perfect creamy consistency
• Bananas: Add natural sweetness and become caramelized during baking
• Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering
• Cinnamon: Brings warmth and that classic breakfast spice profile
• Brown sugar: In both the custard and streusel adds depth with its molasses notes
• Butter: In the streusel topping creates those irresistible crispy bits everyone fights over

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Dish:

Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish making sure to get into all corners to prevent sticking. This step is crucial for easy serving later.

Create Your Base:

Cut your bread into roughly 1-inch chunks with some variance for texture. The slightly stale bread works best as it will absorb more of the custard mixture without falling apart.

Mix The Custard:

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs until fully broken down then add milk cream both sugars vanilla and cinnamon. Whisk until the mixture is completely uniform with no streaks of egg visible.

Combine Everything:

Pour the custard mixture over the bread chunks ensuring all pieces get soaked. Add the chopped bananas and gently fold everything together. Be careful not to mash the bananas or bread too much while mixing.

Rest Overnight:

Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish spreading it evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours allowing the bread to fully absorb the custard.

Bake To Perfection:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole uncovered for about 35-40 minutes. The center should be set but still have a slight jiggle.

Prepare The Streusel:

While the casserole bakes mix the flour brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add cold butter pieces and use your fingers to work it into the dry ingredients until you have a crumbly mixture with pea-sized butter bits.

Add The Finishing Touch:

Once the casserole is almost done remove it from the oven and sprinkle the streusel evenly across the top. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes until the streusel becomes golden and slightly crisp.

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Creating this recipe reminds me of Saturday mornings with my grandmother who always found ways to transform simple ingredients into something special. The banana adds a tropical sweetness that reminds me of our family trips to coastal towns where we'd enjoy breakfast with ocean views.

Best Bread Options

The bread you choose makes a significant difference in the final texture of your french toast casserole. While the recipe calls for sourdough or French bread they each create slightly different results. Sourdough offers a pleasant tanginess that balances the sweetness of the bananas and sugar. French bread creates a lighter more delicate texture. Day-old bread works best because fresh bread can become too soggy during the overnight soak. If you only have fresh bread simply cut it into chunks and leave it out on a baking sheet for a few hours to dry slightly before assembling.

Perfect Banana Selection

For this recipe you want bananas that are ripe but not overripe. Look for yellow bananas with small brown spots which indicate they've developed enough sweetness without becoming mushy. If your bananas are underripe place them in a paper bag with an apple overnight to speed ripening. If they're overripe with large black areas they'll make the casserole too wet. When chopping aim for chunks rather than thin slices to maintain some texture after baking. Bananas naturally caramelize during baking creating pockets of gooey sweetness throughout the casserole.

Serving Suggestions

While this casserole is delicious on its own consider elevating it with thoughtful accompaniments. Warm maple syrup is classic but you could also offer a selection of fruit compotes fresh berries or whipped cream. For a truly decadent touch add a scoop of vanilla ice cream when serving as dessert. Balance the sweetness with a side of crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts adds wonderful textural contrast. This casserole pairs beautifully with coffee tea or for special occasions a mimosa or Bellini.

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This recipe brings warmth and sweetness, making every bite feel like a hug.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, you can use any sturdy bread such as brioche or challah for this dish, as long as it can hold the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.

→ Do I have to let it sit overnight?

Overnight soaking allows the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture for the best texture, but you can let it rest for at least 1-2 hours if you're short on time.

→ Can I substitute the bananas?

Yes, you can swap bananas for other fruits such as berries, apples, or slices of peaches to suit your preference.

→ How do I make the streusel topping crispier?

To make the streusel crispier, ensure the butter is well-mixed with the dry ingredients and bake the topping until golden and crumbly.

→ Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.

→ Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! Use plant-based milk and cream, along with a dairy-free butter substitute for the streusel.