Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a perfect make-ahead dish for any holiday, family and friend gathering, or low-key lazy weekend brunch. Crusty bread PLUS blueberries get soaked in an egg custard, and then topped with a delicious buttery crumble. Leftovers are delish as well!
Best Blueberry French Toast
Springtime is definitely the season of brunches. There is Easter and Mother’s Day, and then ALL of the wedding shower hoopla and summer stay-cations. So many fun family and friend occasions, and so many mouths to feed. THIS French toast casserole is definitely the answer to your prayers. It tastes great, feeds a crowd, you can make it ahead of time, and leftovers are fabulous too.
For a smaller batch French toast, try our Overnight French Toast Casserole.
Blueberries get a superstar status in terms of health.
Before we delve into this recipe, I want to share the pros of adding blueberries to your diet. Even though this French toast casserole includes sugar and butter (and lots of other stuff), let’s focus on the star of the show. Blueberries!
- Blueberries are low in calories (84 calories in one cup) and high in nutrients.
- They are high in antioxidants, protecting us from many diseases and helping in the aging process.
- This superstar berry helps to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.
- They seem to benefit the brain, improving memory and delaying age-related decline.
- Blueberries help to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- They may be useful in preventing urinary tract infections.
- These berries accelerate muscle recovery after strenuous exercise.
So in summary, blueberries totally ROCK! Add them to your diets STAT. 🙂
Ingredients needed for Blueberry French Toast Casserole:
- Crusty Bread. You will need approximately 14 cups of crusty bread, either French, sourdough, or anything else that will hold up well to an egg custard.
- Blueberries. I used 1 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries, but frozen works too.
- Dairy Products. Eggs, milk, half & half, and butter.
- Pantry Items. Vanilla, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Optional Toppings. Powdered sugar, maple or blueberry syrup, and/or butter!
How to make the Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole:
Prep. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with baking spray.
Prep bottom layer. Cube the bread and spread evenly in prepared dish. Then sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the bread.
Prepare egg custard. Combine eggs, half and half, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour custard over the bread and blueberries.
Prepare the crumble. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and use your hands (or a pastry cutter) to combine. Spread on top of the casserole.
Bake. Bake casserole uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
To prepare this casserole ahead of time:
- After the egg custard is poured over the bread and blueberries, cover tightly with cling wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight (or for a couple of hours).
- The following day (or when ready to eat), prepare the crumbly topping and sprinkle over top the casserole. Bake as directed.
- Likewise, you could prepare the topping ahead of time and store in the refrigerator as well.
Enjoy!
xoxo ~Sue
Baked Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 14 cups crusty French bread or sourdough bread – cut into cubes
- 1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 10 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter – cubed
To serve:
- powdered sugar dusting
- pat of butter
- warm maple or blueberry syrup
Instructions
For the casserole:
- Grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Cube the crusty bread, and place in casserole dish. Sprinkle the blueberries on top of the bread. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour evenly over the the bread and blueberries.
- If making this casserole the day before, cover the casserole dish tightly with Saran Wrap. Place in refrigerate overnight.
For the topping:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter (or your fingers) to combine, pressing until the mixture is crumbled.
- If making this casserole the day before, place mixture in a resealable plastic bag in your refrigerator overnight. (Continue with the following step in the morning.)
- Pour topping mixture evenly over the casserole right before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Serve French toast casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar, a pat of butter, and some warm syrup. Enjoy!
Notes
- After the egg custard is poured over the bread and blueberries, cover tightly with Saran Wrap, and store in the refrigerator overnight, or for just a couple of hours.
- The following day (or when ready to eat), prepare the topping and sprinkle over top the casserole, and bake.
- Likewise, you could prepare the topping ahead of time, and store in the refrigerator as well.
Made this Blueberry French Toast this weekend for a baby shower ~ So good! Everyone loved it and wanted the recipe!
Hi Ann! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed this french toast casserole! Thank you so much for trusting my recipes. 🙂
I prepped this casserole last night and enjoyed it with my parents this morning. My mom said it was “plate-lickin” good! So simple to make but it looked like I had spent all day prepping!
Thanks so much Jen!
Another 5 star recipe!! I made this for a work gathering and everyone loved it!! So easy and quick. It will go in my favorites file ?
I’m so glad they all liked the French toast, Vicki! Thanks for sharing your feedback! 🙂
Yummm! This looks delicious Sue! Do you think I can use ghee instead of butter?
Yes, I don’t see why you couldn’t use ghee. Enjoy!
I made this to feed a small crowd of about 20 for Easter and it was SO delicious! (And well received) My family and I always love your recipes—in fact I had several begging me for this one when brunch was over. Can’t wait to bake some more of your awesome treats!
Thank you for your sweet comments, Hailey! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! 🙂
Oh this sounds so good! I love blueberry anything, so this is right up my alley. Will make a lovely breakfast soon!
Yes, I hope you check back with me after you make it! Thanks Alexandra!
This recipe is a total yum. It reminds me of a french toast casserole that my mom makes for Christmas. (Except your’s is tastier!)
We love it, and it will be great for Easter brunch!
What a delicious recipe! Perfect for any occasion! 🙂
Thank you so much Julia!
I just love French Toast Casseroles! They are so great for when you have to feed a crowd! I am loving this blueberry version, it looks delicious!
Thanks so much, Annie! I hope you try it. 🙂
I’m guilty and could eat the entire container of this in one sitting that’s how good it looks! Can’t wait to try this out.
This French toast is definitely addicting. Let me know how it turns out for you!
This recipe is awesome and it perfect for those important family meals. A recipe that the entire family can enjoy!
Coming back for Easter brunch!