Blueberry French toast bake is an easy way to make a super special breakfast the night before!
This simple breakfast casserole is an elegant way to enjoy breakfast or brunch! It’s a creamy treat that is loaded with blueberries and topped with a delicious oat topping. It’s the best way to wake up the family or celebrate a special occasion.
Easy Breakfast Casserole
- Prepped the night before, overnight French toast bake is cooked to heavenly perfection in the oven and served hot.
- Simple pantry ingredients make this casserole easy and a genuine time and energy saver!
- It’s fun to serve with so many toppings available. Try with warm maple syrup, whipped cream, extra fruit, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
- Everything goes with a French toast bake. Special drinks and sides are a cinch to come up with. Add a pitcher of this green smoothie or a hot and yummy peppermint mocha latte. Don’t forget some fun fruit kabobs with chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients and Variations
Bread – Use up that leftover bread! Baguettes, brioche, or even biscuits will work. Choose thick bread that can be torn or cut into larger pieces for soaking up the custard. Leave bread out to dry out or slow bake it in the oven until it’s dried out. Cinnamon raisin bread is yummy, too!
Custard – Creamy custard is made with lots of eggs, cream cheese, and milk. A dash of maple syrup, sugar, and lemon zest gives the casserole sweet & tangy flavors. Heavy whipping cream makes the custard decadently creamy. An extract like maple, banana, rum, or coconut can be mixed and matched with different fruits.
Fruits – For this recipe, using a fresh apple, strawberry, or banana filling changes up the entire flavor profile but keeps the basic cinnamon-seasoned bread and custard recipe the same.
Topping – The sweetened oatmeal topping creates the best crunch for over the fluffy, moist French toast. Similar to a streusel, finely chopped pecans or walnuts can be added for extra flavor.
How to Make Blueberry French Toast Bake
- Prepare bread, blend cream cheese and sugar (per recipe below).
- Place half the bread cubes in a prepared casserole dish. Top with half the cream cheese mixture and half the blueberries (or other optional fruit).
- Top with remaining cream cheese mixture & blueberries.
- Prepare custard & pour over the French toast. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning allow the casserole to set at room temperature.
- Sprinkle on the topping & bake cream cheese French toast casserole until it is cooked through and the topping is golden brown.
Tips and Tricks
- No need to thaw frozen blueberries before adding them to the French toast. Simply toss them in flour before using so they don’t ‘bleed’ or sink to the bottom during baking.
- Check for doneness by inserting a wooden pick into the center of the casserole. If it comes out clean it’s done!
- Take eggs, and cream cheese out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before using so it’s easier to mix.
- Make the streusel in advance and save it in a covered container in the refrigerator. Shake vigorously before sprinkling onto the French toast bake.
Leftovers
Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven for 10- 15 minutes to crisp it up again, and top with extra blueberries, maple syrup, or whipped cream.
Other Easy Breakfast Ideas To Try!
Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake
Ingredients
Casserole
- 6 slices bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¾ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or 3 tablespoons, as desired)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Topping
- ¼ cup oats
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Leave bread out for a few hours or place it on a tray at 350˚F for about 8 minutes to slightly dry out.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
- Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish. Layer half of the bread cubes in the pan. Top with cream cheese mixture and half of the blueberries. Top with remaining bread and blueberries.
- In a bowl, stir together the eggs, milk, syrup, and lemon zest until well mixed. Pour over the bread cubes, cover with foil, and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the casserole from the fridge about 45-50 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix topping ingredients together in a small bowl. Sprinkle over casserole just before baking.
- Bake uncovered 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean and is hot.
Notes
- Take eggs, and cream cheese out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before using so it’s easier to mix.
- Make the streusel in advance and save it in the refrigerator.
- No need to thaw frozen blueberries before adding them, simply toss them in flour before using.
- Insert a wooden pick into the center of the casserole. If it comes out clean it’s done!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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