Print

Fluffy Banana Bread French Toast Casserole Easy Overnight Recipe Delight

banana bread french toast casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and easy overnight banana bread French toast casserole that soaks banana bread in a rich custard, topped with a crisp golden crust. Perfect for brunch or cozy mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups cubed banana bread (preferably day-old or slightly stale)
  • 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (60 ml), plus extra for serving
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Optional toppings: chopped walnuts or pecans, fresh berries, powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Cut about 8 cups (roughly one standard loaf) of banana bread into 1-inch cubes. If fresh, toast cubes lightly in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes to dry slightly. Cool.
  2. Mash 2 ripe bananas in a small bowl until smooth with some lumps remaining. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined and slightly frothy.
  4. Stir the mashed bananas into the custard mixture until evenly distributed.
  5. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Spread half the banana bread cubes evenly in the dish. Pour half the custard mixture over the bread, gently pressing down to help absorption. Repeat with remaining bread cubes and custard.
  6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours. (A 2-hour soak can work but texture will be less tender.)
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Remove casserole from fridge and bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until top is golden brown and firm, and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  9. Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with extra maple syrup, fresh fruit, or powdered sugar.

Notes

Use day-old banana bread or toast fresh bread cubes to prevent sogginess. Room temperature eggs, milk, and cream blend better. Do not skip the overnight soak for best texture. Fold custard gently into bread cubes to keep texture. Watch baking time to avoid drying out. Optional toppings include nuts, berries, or powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, French toast casserole, overnight recipe, brunch, breakfast casserole, easy breakfast, banana dessert

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/fluffy-banana-bread-french-toast-casserole-easy-overnight-recipe-delight/