Mornings Easier With This Overnight French Toast—Prep at Night, Wake up to Breakfast Bliss

There’s nothing better than waking up to the smell of cinnamon, vanilla and buttery toast slowly caramelizing in the oven—especially when all you have to do is pop it in the oven. Overnight French toast is my go-to for laid-back mornings, holidays or anytime I want to feel like a brunch hero without breaking a sweat. I love that you prep this the night before, let it soak up all the delicious flavors, and bake it the next day while you sit back and relax. If you’ve never tried it, I promise you’ll never go back to regular French toast again. Plus, I've got a few pro tips to make sure yours comes out perfectly golden and delicious. Here’s how to make it.

What is overnight French toast?

If you’re new to the concept of overnight French toast, think of it as your new breakfast hack. Instead of standing at the stove flipping individual slices of bread, you let them soak all together in a sweet, custardy mixture overnight. This results in evenly soaked bread and pillowy soft interior loaded with flavor. By morning, all you have to do is pop it in the oven and add your favorite toppings. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, or making any morning indulgent without the effort.

Similar to French toast casserole or bread pudding, this dish also uses a baking dish to cook. While you can cube up the bread, traditional recipes keep them whole for better layering and an authentic look.

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Perfecting your overnight French toast

To make sure your overnight French toast comes out perfectly crispy and moist every time, here are a few key tips:

1. Use sturdy, dry bread

Soft, squishy bread is a no-go here. You need something that can soak up all that custard without getting soggy. Brioche or challah are popular choices—rich, sturdy and slightly sweet. Make sure it’s dry as well, preferably a day-old or toasted beforehand.

2. Don’t rush the soak

Letting the bread sit in the custard mixture for at least six to eight hours (or ideally overnight) ensures it soaks up every bit of flavor and you get that balance of soft and crispy textures. But if you can’t wait, you can bake it sooner, around an hour.

3. Add a topping

I love sprinkling a mix of sugar and cinnamon on top before baking. But if you’re feeling extra indulgent, try adding a streusel topping made with butter, brown sugar and a bit of flour. It adds a delightful crunch that pairs perfectly with the soft interior. Another favorite is a mix of fresh berries that melt into the toast while baking.

4. Take it out of the fridge early

You want your French toast come to room temperature before baking, one for even cooking and two to avoid the dish itself cracking. I like to take it out first thing in the morning so that it’s ready to go once it’s breakfast time.

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Simple overnight french toast recipe

This easy recipe from Well Plated By Erin preps in just 10 minutes before refrigerating and makes a great base for experimenting with flavor variations. Once it’s baked, top your French toast with powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries or melted butter.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 1¼ tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
• 16 slices whole wheat bread (or bread of choice)
• 1 (12-oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 cup 2 percent milk or whole milk
• 6 large eggs
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 small lemon or half an orange
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

• Total Time: 8 hours, 20 minutes (including overnight)
• Yield: 6 servings

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Toast the bread in the oven until very lightly toasted, about eight to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut in half diagonally while still warm, then let cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. In a large bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon or orange zest, salt and remaining ¼ tsp. cinnamon.
3. Layer or fan the bread slices into the pan. Then, pour the custard mixture evenly over them. Lightly press down the slices, sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar mixture and cover the pan with foil. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Let the French toast come to room temperature. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking until the bread is puffed and golden and no liquid seeps out, 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let it rest. Slice and serve hot with our favorite toppings.

Storage and reheating notes

Overnight French toast is a dream for meal prep. If you have leftovers (though that’s rare), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, or pop them in the microwave. It’s even freezer-friendly for up to three months—just remove it the day before eating and thaw in the fridge overnight.

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