Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Blueberry French Toast Casserole is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast that feels indulgent but comes together with minimal fuss. Imagine cubes of golden French bread soaked overnight in a rich custard, layered with pockets of sweetened cream cheese and bursts of juicy blueberries. When baked, the casserole transforms into a warm, creamy, slightly crisp dish that tastes like the love child of French toast and blueberry cheesecake. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or just want to treat your family on a lazy weekend morning, this dish delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep it the night before, then just bake and serve.
• No Flipping Required: Unlike traditional French toast, this feeds a crowd without babysitting a skillet.
• Creamy Center: Sweetened cream cheese melts into the bread for luscious bites throughout.
• Berry-Licious: Blueberries add bursts of brightness to balance the richness.
• Crowd Favorite: It’s a guaranteed hit for holiday mornings, brunches, or breakfast-for-dinner nights.

🧾 Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious Blueberry French Toast Casserole. For best results, use slightly stale bread to help absorb the custard.

🫐 For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

🍞 For the Bread Layers:

• 2 loaves French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (preferably day-old)

🥚 For the Custard Mixture:

• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Follow these simple steps to prepare your Blueberry French Toast Casserole like a pro. You’ll prep it the night before and wake up to something magical.

Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
2. Beat until smooth and creamy.
3. Gently fold in the blueberries to evenly distribute them throughout the mixture.

Step 2: Assemble the First Bread Layer

4. Grease a 10×14-inch baking dish.
5. Add half of the cubed French bread to the bottom in an even layer.

Step 3: Add the Cream Cheese Mixture

6. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the first layer of bread.
7. Top with the remaining bread cubes, pressing down lightly.

Step 4: Mix the Custard

8. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.

Step 5: Soak the Casserole

9. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread layers.
10. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to press down the bread gently to help it soak.
11. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of blueberries.

Step 6: Chill Overnight

12. Cover the dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap.
13. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld.

Step 7: Bake It to Perfection

14. Remove the dish from the fridge 30–60 minutes before baking.
15. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
16. Bake the covered casserole for 45 minutes.
17. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes, until golden and set.

Step 8: Rest & Serve

18. Let it rest for 10 minutes after baking — it will continue to set.
19. Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit on top.

📋 Recipe Details

Prep Time

🕒 30–60 minutes (includes assembly time)

Cook Time

🔥 75 minutes (45 covered + 30 uncovered)

Total Time

⏳ Overnight + 1 hour, approx. 9–12 hours (including chilling)

Servings

🍽️ Serves 8 generous portions

🧮 Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)

this recipe

Please note these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients used.

• Calories: 310–340
• Protein: 10–12 g
• Fat: 15–17 g
• Carbohydrates: 35–40 g
• Fiber: 2–3 g
• Sugar: 16–20 g

This casserole offers a hearty mix of protein, fats, and carbs — making it a satisfying one-dish breakfast.

💡 Tips & Variations

✅ Expert Tips

• Stale Bread Is Best: Fresh bread gets soggy. Let it sit out a day or toast cubes in a low oven for 10 minutes.
• Let It Soak Properly: Don’t skip the overnight soak — it ensures every bite is moist and flavorful.
• Check Doneness: Insert a knife in the center; it should come out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay).

🔄 Ingredient Swaps

• Blueberries: Swap with raspberries, blackberries, or mixed berries.
• Cream Cheese: Use mascarpone or ricotta for a lighter texture.
• Bread Options: Challah or brioche work beautifully for a richer result.
• Spices: Add a pinch of cardamom or ground ginger for a twist.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Drizzle with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a spoonful of lemon curd.
• Serve alongside crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for contrast.
• Pair with a fruit salad and fresh coffee or orange juice.

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

A make-ahead breakfast casserole filled with sweet blueberries, creamy layers, and golden baked French bread. Perfect for brunch or holiday mornings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 9 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• ### For the Cream Cheese Mixture:
• – 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• – 1 cup powdered sugar
• – 2 tablespoons milk
• – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• – 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• ### For the Bread Layers:
• – 2 loaves French bread cut into 1-inch cubes (preferably day-old)
• ### For the Custard Mixture:
• – 8 large eggs
• – 2 cups milk
• – 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• – ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• – 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Equipment

• – 2 mixing bowls
• – 10×14-inch baking dish
• Whisk
• Spatula or spoon

Method

 

1. **Make the Cream Cheese Mixture**
2. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries.
3. **Assemble the First Bread Layer**
4. Grease a 10×14-inch baking dish. Add half the bread cubes to form the base.
5. **Spread the Cream Cheese Mixture**
6. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bread layer.
7. **Top with Remaining Bread**
8. Add the rest of the bread cubes on top and press down gently.
9. **Make the Custard**
10. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
11. **Soak the Casserole**
12. Pour custard evenly over the bread layers. Press lightly to help soak. Sprinkle with blueberries.
13. **Chill Overnight**
14. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
15. **Bake**
16. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake covered for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 30 minutes.
17. **Serve**
18. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with syrup or powdered sugar.

Notes

– Use day-old bread for best results.
– Add lemon zest for a bright twist.
– Great for freezing and reheating later.

❓ FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Frozen blueberries work just as well — no need to thaw them first. Just sprinkle them in straight from the freezer.

What if I don’t have time to chill it overnight?

While overnight soaking yields the best texture, you can chill it for as little as 2–3 hours in a pinch. Just make sure the bread is well saturated with the custard.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute plant-based milk (like oat or almond), use a dairy-free cream cheese, and double-check that your bread is dairy-free too.

Can I bake and freeze it?

Definitely. Once baked and cooled, slice into portions, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

How do I keep the top from over-browning?

Cover with foil for the first 45 minutes of baking. If it starts to brown too much later, loosely tent foil back over the top.

🍽️ Conclusion

This Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a breakfast dream come true. With its creamy center, golden top, and juicy berries throughout, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday brunch, weekend breakfast, or even as a breakfast-for-dinner treat, it brings joy and flavor to the table every time. The best part? Most of the work happens the night before — so all that’s left to do is bake, serve, and enjoy.