Effortless Overnight Strawberry Banana French Toast Bake: Your Go-To Make-Ahead Breakfast Solution

Not a morning person? Neither am I! That’s precisely why this Overnight Strawberry Banana French Toast Bake is a game-changer. Imagine waking up to a ready-to-bake breakfast that requires virtually no effort in the morning. Prepare it the night before, pop it into the oven when you rise, and voila – a deliciously warm and inviting breakfast or brunch awaits. This recipe is your secret weapon for stress-free entertaining or simply treating yourself to a delightful morning meal.

Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to gather with fellow bloggers for a business retreat. It was an invaluable experience, much like a mini-conference, where we presented topics to each other aimed at improving our respective online businesses. The setting was intimate, allowing for deep dives into strategies and hands-on learning, which proved far more effective than a large-scale event. Beyond the professional growth, it was a fantastic chance to connect as friends, stepping away from our screens and truly bonding in person.

To maximize our time together, we rented a cozy beach house for a few days. This meant we were responsible for preparing our own meals, a task that often proves challenging, especially when it comes to breakfast. As someone who firmly believes mornings should start slowly, with coffee, not cooking, I found breakfast preparation particularly daunting. Judging by the synchronized late awakenings of the group, I wasn’t alone in my aversion to early morning culinary endeavors.

My first morning attempt at an omelet was, to put it mildly, a bit rough – a blurry memory of half-awake whisking. However, the second morning brought a revelation. One of the brilliant bloggers among us had the foresight to prepare an overnight French toast bake the night before. All she had to do was slide it into the preheated oven, and within the hour, we had a warm, fragrant, and utterly delicious breakfast. My contribution? Simply cutting a slice and enjoying every bite. That moment was my “aha!” moment, sparking an immediate desire to create my own version of this ingenious make-ahead breakfast.

While I haven’t hosted many overnight guests since moving back to Pittsburgh (everyone now lives within a comfortable driving distance), I can instantly envision countless scenarios where this overnight French toast bake would be an absolute lifesaver. Picture Christmas morning, when the house is bustling with present exchanges, and you’d rather savor the festive atmosphere than be stuck in the kitchen. Or a leisurely Sunday brunch with friends, where you can actually enjoy their company instead of flipping individual French toast slices. This recipe promises effortless elegance and guaranteed satisfaction.

December might still be a distant thought, and specific brunch plans aren’t yet on the horizon, but the craving for a warm, comforting French toast bake was immediate and undeniable. Plus, I was especially keen on those irresistible crunchy cinnamon sugar bits that crown the top of a perfectly baked casserole. To add a touch of freshness and make breakfast “somewhat healthier” (a term I use with a generous amount of flexibility when it comes to French toast!), I decided to incorporate fresh fruit, leading to this delightful Overnight Strawberry Banana French Toast Bake. Why choose one fruit when you can enjoy the sweet harmony of both strawberries and bananas?

Choosing the right bread is paramount for an outstanding French toast bake. I opted for a sturdy loaf of French bread from the grocery store’s bakery. Its robust texture holds up beautifully against the overnight soak, preventing the bake from becoming soggy – a common pitfall with softer, regular white sandwich bread. The goal is a tender, custardy interior with a crisp, golden-brown exterior, and a good quality French bread or similar artisan loaf (like brioche or challah) is your best friend here.

The quantity of bread cubes you’ll need will depend on the size of your casserole dish. For my recipe, a standard casserole dish comfortably fit about 6 cups of 1-inch bread cubes, whereas a smaller 8×8 inch pan would require closer to 4 cups. A simple way to measure this precisely is to cut your bread into cubes and gently pack them into your chosen baking dish until it’s full. Then, transfer those cubes into your mixing bowl to ensure you have the perfect amount for your specific pan, preventing any guesswork.

While this recipe shines with fresh strawberries and bananas, the beauty of an overnight French toast bake lies in its versatility. You can absolutely customize the fruit to your liking. Blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, or even a mix of berries would be fantastic additions. If you choose to use frozen fruit, a crucial tip is to ensure it’s completely thawed and any excess liquid is thoroughly drained before incorporating it into the bake. This step prevents the finished dish from becoming watery, preserving that perfect custardy texture.

For those times when you’re cooking for a smaller crowd or simply craving a more modest serving, don’t miss my French Toast Casserole For Two. It’s the perfect solution for intimate breakfasts without excess leftovers.

And if you, like me, occasionally find yourself with an abundance of ripe bananas, make sure to check out my Small Batch Banana Muffins – a delicious way to use up extra fruit and enjoy another delightful baked good.

Overnight Strawberry Banana French Toast Bake

Yield:
4-6 servings

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

Chill Time:
8 hours

Total Time:
9 hours 30 minutes

Whip up this delightful Strawberry Banana French Toast Bake the night before for a hassle-free and delicious breakfast or brunch. Perfect for entertaining or a lazy weekend morning!

Ingredients

• 4-6 cups 1-inch French bread cubes*
• 2 cups fresh sliced strawberries
• 2 large bananas, sliced
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup plus more for serving
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Topping

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 4 pieces

Instructions

The night before serving:

1. Lightly spray a small casserole dish or 8×8 pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, gently mix together the bread cubes, sliced strawberries, and banana. Transfer the mixture evenly to the prepared casserole dish.
3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Evenly pour this custard mixture over the bread and fruit in the casserole dish, ensuring all bread is moistened. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill overnight, allowing the bread to fully absorb the liquid.
4. For the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Cover this topping mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate alongside the French toast bake overnight.

The morning of serving:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator and uncover the bread cubes. Evenly sprinkle the chilled butter-crumb topping mixture over the entire surface. Bake uncovered for approximately 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, bubbly, and the center is set. Serve warm with additional maple syrup, if desired, and perhaps a dollop of whipped cream or extra fresh fruit.

Notes

*The exact amount of bread cubes you’ll need will depend on the dimensions of your baking pan. A simple and effective way to determine this is to cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and then add them directly to your pan until it is full. Once you have a visual estimate, gently transfer these cubes into your mixing bowl for preparation. This ensures a perfect fit and ideal bread-to-custard ratio for your specific dish.

Tips for Success: For the best results, use day-old or slightly stale French bread. This helps the bread absorb the custard better without becoming mushy. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and let it air dry on a baking sheet for a few hours or even overnight before assembling the bake. Don’t skip the overnight chill; it’s essential for the bread to fully soak up the eggy custard, resulting in a wonderfully tender and flavorful interior.

Variations: Feel free to experiment with other fruits! Blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, or thinly sliced apples would all be delicious. You could also add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the topping for extra crunch, or even a sprinkle of chocolate chips for a decadent touch. A dash of almond extract in the custard can also offer a lovely flavor twist.

Storage & Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm individual portions in the microwave or place the entire casserole (covered with foil) in a 300°F (150°C) oven until heated through.

Did you make this recipe?

We’d love to see your creations! Let us know what you think by rating the recipe above, leaving a comment below, or sharing a photo of your delicious French toast bake on Instagram using #HITKrecipes. Your feedback helps us grow and inspires others!

Source: Adapted from 365 Days Of Baking

Explore More Delicious French Toast Recipes

If you’re a fan of French toast, you’re in for a treat! Here are some other creative and mouth-watering French toast variations to add to your breakfast and brunch repertoire:

Apple Butter French Toast Roll Ups
These delightful roll-ups are filled with sweet apple butter and served with a luscious cream cheese dipping sauce – a perfect fall-inspired breakfast.

French Toast Sticks with Strawberry Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Fun, dippable, and utterly irresistible, these French toast sticks are a hit with kids and adults alike, especially when paired with a creamy strawberry yogurt dip.

Pumpkin Cheesecake French Toast Roll Ups
Embrace the flavors of autumn with these decadent roll-ups, featuring a creamy pumpkin cheesecake filling and a rich pumpkin spice dipping sauce. A festive treat for any chilly morning!