There are some weekend mornings that just call for something special, you know? Not just the usual toast or cereal. I’m talking about the kind of breakfast that fills the whole house with a warm, sweet smell and gets everyone excited to come to the table. For me, that’s this Blueberry French Toast Casserole. It’s a total game-changer!

Honestly, it has all the delicious, custardy goodness of classic French toast but without the hassle of standing over a hot pan, flipping individual slices. You just mix it all up, let it soak, and let the oven do the magic. It’s perfect for a lazy Sunday, a holiday brunch, or whenever you want to treat yourself and your family. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients for: Blueberry French Toast Casserole

1 loaf of stale bread (like brioche, challah, or French bread), cut into 1-inch cubes
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A pinch of salt
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

For the topping (Optional, but so worth it!):

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Prep your dish: First things first! Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Spread your bread cubes evenly inside. It might look like a lot of bread, but don’t worry, it’ll settle. Now, sprinkle about half of your blueberries over the bread.
Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and that little pinch of salt. Keep whisking until it’s all smooth and well combined.
Soak it all up: Carefully pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to make sure every piece gets a chance to soak up that delicious custard. Scatter the rest of the blueberries on top. Now for the hard part… cover the dish and let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight! This is the secret to a perfect, custardy casserole.
Get ready to bake: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, let’s make the crumble topping.
Mix the crumble: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter pieces and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the mixture until it looks like coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this heavenly mixture all over the top of your casserole.
Bake to perfection: Pop it in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for about 45-55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the center is set (a knife inserted into the middle should come out clean). Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. It’s amazing with a drizzle of maple syrup!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 4 hours to overnight
Cook time: 45-55 minutes
Total time (not including chilling): About 1 hour, 10 minutes

Nutritional Information

Please note: The following is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. This is for one serving, assuming the casserole is divided into 8 servings.

Calories: Approximately 450 kcal
Protein: 15g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fat: 20g

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Blueberry French Toast Casserole ahead of time?

That’s one of the best things about it. You can assemble the entire casserole (without the crumble topping) the night before. Just cover it and pop it in the fridge. In the morning, all you have to do is make the topping, sprinkle it on, and bake. It makes for such a stress-free morning!

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

There’s no need to thaw them first, either. Just toss them in straight from the freezer. Be aware that frozen berries might release a bit more juice as they bake, which can sometimes color the casserole, but it will still taste absolutely delicious.

What’s the best bread to use for a French toast casserole?

Well, the key is to use stale, sturdy bread. Something a day or two old is perfect because it will soak up the custard without getting completely mushy. Rich breads like brioche or challah are my favorite because they add so much flavor, but a good French bread or even a hearty white sandwich bread will work just fine. The important thing is that it’s dry!