The Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole is soft, golden, and filled with bursts of juicy blueberries layered between warm cinnamon-kissed bread. I love how it combines everything I enjoy about classic French toast—sweet, custardy, and comforting—into a make-ahead dish that’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or lazy weekends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s easy, feeds a crowd, and can be prepared the night before. The bread soaks up a creamy vanilla-cinnamon custard, the blueberries add freshness and brightness, and the baked topping becomes perfectly golden. It tastes like a cozy blueberry muffin meets traditional French toast—and I never get tired of it.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Day-old bread (brioche, challah, or French bread), cubed
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Eggs
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Milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
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Maple syrup or brown sugar
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Vanilla extract
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Ground cinnamon
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Salt
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Fresh or frozen blueberries
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Optional: cream cheese cubes for a richer, cheesecake-like layer
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Optional topping: powdered sugar or maple syrup for serving
Directions
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I lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and fill it with cubed bread and a layer of blueberries (reserving some for the top).
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In a mixing bowl, I whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
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I pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing the cubes gently to soak up the custard.
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I sprinkle the remaining blueberries on top, cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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When ready to bake, I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), uncover the casserole, and bake for 45–50 minutes or until the top is golden and the center is set.
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I let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh blueberries.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 8 servings and takes 15 minutes to prep, plus 45–50 minutes to bake. If made overnight, it’s even easier the next morning—just pop it in the oven and go.
Variations
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I add a cream cheese swirl by mixing cubes into the layers for a cheesecake-style twist.
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I swap blueberries for raspberries, strawberries, or a berry blend.
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I top it with a crunchy oat streusel for added texture.
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I use almond milk and coconut sugar to make it dairy-free.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 325°F until heated through. It also freezes well—just wrap tightly and thaw before baking or reheating.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes! I use them straight from the freezer—no need to thaw. I just fold them in gently so they don’t color the bread too much.
What kind of bread works best?
Day-old brioche or challah is my favorite because it’s soft and rich. French bread or sandwich bread also works well.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. I use plant-based milk and skip the cream cheese or use a vegan version.
Can I bake it right away?
It’s best when it soaks for at least 2 hours, but if I’m short on time, I let it rest for 30 minutes and bake. The texture may be slightly less custardy.
Is it sweet enough on its own?
It’s lightly sweet, so I often serve it with maple syrup. If I want it sweeter, I increase the maple syrup or sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking.
Conclusion
The Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole is everything I love about comfort food—warm, soft, fruity, and full of flavor. It’s a make-ahead dream that makes mornings easier and more delicious. Whether I’m hosting brunch or just want a treat for myself, this recipe never fails to impress.
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The Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a warm, soft, and fruity breakfast bake layered with juicy blueberries and cinnamon-spiced bread soaked in a rich custard. It’s perfect for make-ahead brunches, holidays, or lazy mornings.
- Author: Lizaa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day-old brioche, challah, or French bread, cubed (about 10 cups)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups milk (or half-and-half for richness)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries, divided
- Optional: 1 cup cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, maple syrup, or extra blueberries for serving
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add cubed bread and half of the blueberries (and cream cheese cubes, if using).
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. Press down gently to help the bread absorb the custard.
- Sprinkle remaining blueberries over the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover and bake for 45–50 minutes until golden and set.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Top with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or more blueberries as desired.
Notes
- Letting it soak overnight enhances the custardy texture.
- Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
- Add streusel topping for crunch, or swap in mixed berries.
- Use plant-based milk and skip cream cheese to make it dairy-free.
- Wrap tightly and freeze for longer storage—thaw before baking or reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
