Overnight French Toast Recipe

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You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast. Serve Johnsonville’s Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage on the side for a complete, easy meal that everyone will love.

The holidays are just about over, Chris will be back in the office after New Year’s, and Emma will be back in school soon… but not quite yet. Which means I still have the whole family home in the mornings, and our rushing-out-the-door weekday breakfast routine just isn’t going to cut it. And sorry, but NO– I am not slaving away over a hot breakfast every morning for the rest of break (because Christmas just might have done me in for good this time).

So I went digging through the archives and found some of my favorite old breakfast recipes that are quick and easy or that I can prepare the night before. This homemade peanut butter granola is always a winner. And doctored up pancake mix usually goes over pretty well too. But the blue ribbon recipe for our favorite post-holiday breakfast easily goes to this Overnight French Toast!

Check out all of my breakfast recipes here!

You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.
You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.

Ingredients Needed for Overnight French Toast

  • milk
  • cream or half and half
  • eggs
  • vanilla and cinnamon
  • French baguette
  • brown sugar
  • butter

Recipe Overview

The night before, slice the baguette (I used one and a half; each of my baguettes was 7 ounces) and layer the slices in a dish.

Mix together the milk and eggs, and pour it over the bread. You’ll cover the dish and let all of that soak overnight. By morning, the liquid should be completely absorbed.

Now, this part is optional (but it’s SO GOOD)… my baked French toast is a little different from others you may have tried before. Because mine is baked in caramel sauce. This is a dessert blog, after all! ????If you skip this step, the French toast will still be delicious with syrup in the morning. But if you’ll give me 5 extra minutes, I can transform it from delicious to life changing. 

Still with me? Good. Now, all you have to do is put some brown sugar, butter, and a little bit of corn syrup in a bowl the night before (just because we’re prepping in advance here to cut down on your work in the morning). Cover it up, and just leave it on the counter. The next morning, while the oven is preheating, microwave the brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup for about 45 seconds. Mix it up and spread it over the (unbaked) French toast.

Pop it in the oven for 40 minutes. And voila! This is the BEST French toast you’ve ever eaten in your life. I promise. Add a little fruit and some Johnsonville Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage (it’s better than bacon!) to the side for a blue-ribbon, award-winning breakfast that you barely had to touch to make this morning.

You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.

Overnight French Toast FAQ

Does overnight french toast get soggy?

No, overnight french toast does not get soggy.

How long can overnight french toast stay in the fridge?

You can leave overnight french toast in the fridge for up to two days.

What are some overnight french toast variations?

Some overnight french toast variations include using different breads or adding ingredients like cinnamon, fruit slices, cocoa powder, etc. You can add toppings to overnight french toast such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, cream cheese, peanut butter, fruit compote or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Will overnight french toast brown when I put it under the broiler?

Yes, overnight french toast will brown when you put it under the broiler.

Will overnight french toast freeze well?

Yes, overnight french toast freezes well for up to a month. To freeze, simply store it in airtight freezer bags, preferably in single serving sizes. You can then take out as much overnight french toast as you need and thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.

How long can overnight french toast sit out on a counter?

Overnight french toast should only be left out on the counter for 1 hour before putting it back in the fridge.

More Quick & Easy Breakfast Recipes

Jump-start your post-holiday mornings with Johnsonville Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage (heat it up on the skillet or in the microwave ????????) on the side of any of these Quick & Easy Breakfast recipes I know you and your family will love.

You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.
You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.
Overnight French Toast Recipe
You can simplify breakfast and still have something warm and delicious ready in the morning with this recipe for Overnight French Toast.

Overnight French Toast

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

This French toast is the softest, fluffiest, most buttery delicious French toast you've ever eaten (thanks to a special secret ingredient)! It's an ooey, gooey, breakfast nirvana.

Ingredients

  • approximately 14-20 ounces baguette bread, sliced
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup cream or half-and-half
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Caramel Sauce

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 and 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Instructions

The night before...

  1. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Evenly layer the slices of bread in the dish.
  2. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, and ground cinnamon. Pour mixture over the bread slices, ensuring that every piece gets moistened. Cover and chill overnight.
  3. Optional: place the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a bowl. Cover and set aside until morning.

In the morning...

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  2. Optional: Microwave the butter, sugar, and corn syrup for about 45 seconds (or until butter is melted). Mix together and spread over the (unbaked) French toast.
  3. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
  4. Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving warm!
 
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