Description

This Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole is a delicious and comforting breakfast dish featuring chunks of sourdough or French bread soaked in a rich custard with ripe bananas, baked to golden perfection with a crunchy cinnamon streusel topping. Perfect for prepping the night before and baking fresh in the morning, it combines creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures for a delightful start to your day.

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: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked casserole.
Prepare the Bread: Place the cut bread chunks into a large bowl; this will be the base for soaking the custard mixture later.
Whisk Together Ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine Mixtures: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread chunks, then add the chopped bananas. Gently stir so all bread pieces are coated and bananas are distributed throughout.
Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the custard-soaked bread and banana mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and bread to absorb the custard.
Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to ensure even cooking.
Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and puffed, and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
Make Streusel Topping: While the casserole bakes, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the cold butter pieces and mash with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly.
Add Streusel Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven when nearly done, and evenly crumble the streusel topping over the surface for a crunchy, sweet layer.
Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven for about 5 minutes until the streusel topping is melted and golden brown.
Serve Warm: Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then serve warm. Drizzle with syrup or add toppings like fresh fruit or whipped cream as desired for extra flavor.

Notes

Using stale or day-old bread is best to avoid sogginess and ensure a soft texture.
Choose ripe bananas with speckles for maximum sweetness and flavor.
Covering the casserole overnight in the fridge helps flavors meld and creates a custard-like texture.
Use a toothpick to test doneness to avoid under- or over-baking.
The streusel topping adds a delicious crunchy contrast and is highly recommended.
Serve the casserole warm for the best taste and texture experience.

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

Keywords: banana french toast casserole, overnight French toast, baked French toast, breakfast casserole, banana breakfast bake, sweet breakfast casserole