Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole: Weekend Breakfast Bliss!

Tired of the same old breakfast routine that leaves everyone rushing and unsatisfied? Nothing transforms a weekend morning quite like the warm, sweet aroma of a Blueberry French Toast Casserole baking in your oven. This make-ahead breakfast miracle delivers crispy edges, a custardy center, and bursts of juicy blueberries in every heavenly bite.

Hi, I’m Emma, the heart behind GusRecipes! As a busy mom who treasures our weekend family breakfasts, I’ve perfected this Blueberry French Toast Casserole through countless Sunday mornings. What began as an experiment to simplify my breakfast prep has become our most requested family tradition. The beauty of this recipe is that you can prepare it the night before, allowing you to enjoy coffee with your loved ones instead of standing over the stove flipping individual slices.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect bread, my secret to the richest custard, blueberry preparation tips, and make-ahead instructions that will revolutionize your weekend breakfast game. Let’s create breakfast memories that will have everyone lingering at the table!

Why This Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe Works

• Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you likely already have
• Can be prepped the night before for stress-free mornings
• Perfect balance of crispy edges and soft, custardy center
• Bursting with blueberry flavor in every bite
• Easily customizable for different dietary needs
• Serves a crowd with minimal effort
• Makes ordinary mornings feel special without hours in the kitchen

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Best Bread for French Toast Casserole

The foundation of any great french toast casserole is the bread. For the best blueberry french toast casserole, you’ll want to use:

• Brioche: My top choice for its buttery richness and sturdy texture
• Challah: Excellent egg-based alternative with a slight sweetness
• French Bread: More economical option that still delivers great results
• Sourdough: For those who prefer less sweetness with more complex flavor

Pro tip: Day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard without becoming soggy.

Blueberry Selection

• Fresh blueberries: Ideal when in season for bursts of juicy flavor
• Frozen blueberries: Work perfectly year-round (no need to thaw first)
• Wild blueberries: Smaller but more intense flavor profile

Buying tip: Look for plump, firm berries with a dusty blue color. Avoid any that appear shriveled or have moisture in the container.

Custard Ingredients

For that perfect silky texture that makes the best blueberry french toast casserole truly special, you’ll need:

• Eggs: The binding agent for your custard
• Milk: Whole milk provides richness
• Heavy cream: For ultimate decadence (can substitute with more milk)
• Vanilla extract: Pure, not imitation, for the best flavor
• Maple syrup: Adds depth beyond just sweetness
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the blueberries

Ingredients & Prep for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Bread Preparation

• 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (about 16 oz)
• Cut into 1-inch cubes
• Allow to dry out slightly (30 minutes on counter or overnight)

Custard Base

• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Berry Mixture

• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Streusel Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cold butter, cubed

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Pre-Cooking Prep for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

1. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray
2. Spread bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined
4. Gently toss blueberries with sugar and lemon zest in a separate bowl
5. Scatter blueberry mixture evenly over the bread cubes
6. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread and berries, ensuring all pieces get soaked
7. Press down gently with a spatula to help absorption

Cooking Method for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

1. For overnight preparation: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours
2. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to come to room temperature
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
4. Make streusel topping: combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl
5. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
6. Sprinkle streusel evenly over the casserole
7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and custard is set

Doneness Check for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

• Center should be set but still slightly jiggly
• Insert a knife in the center – it should come out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine)
• Internal temperature should reach 160°F for food safety

Resting for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

• Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving
• This gives the custard time to set completely
• Makes for cleaner, easier slicing

Pro Tips for Perfect Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Avoiding Soggy French Toast Casserole

• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption
• Don’t oversoak – the bread should absorb custard but not become mushy
• Ensure proper bread-to-custard ratio (adjust liquid if your bread is very dry or fresh)
• Bake until golden brown on top for textural contrast

Tool Recommendations

• Glass or ceramic baking dish for even heating
• Whisk for thoroughly combining custard ingredients
• Shallow dishes for efficient bread soaking
• Instant-read thermometer for checking doneness

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 60-90 seconds
• For crispier texture, reheat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes
• Freezes beautifully for up to 2 months when wrapped well

Looking for more breakfast inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board filled with family-friendly breakfast ideas that will make your mornings special! Follow me on Pinterest for weekly recipe updates and cooking tips.

Flavor Variations for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Seasonal Fruit Swaps

• Replace blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries
• Try diced peaches or nectarines in summer
• Add diced apples and extra cinnamon in fall
• Mix in cranberries and orange zest for holiday mornings

Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread (allow extra soaking time)
• Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk and coconut cream for milk and heavy cream
• Lower Sugar: Use monk fruit sweetener or erythritol in place of sugar

Special Additions

• Fold in 4 ounces cream cheese cubes for cheesecake-inspired flavor
• Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds) to the streusel
• Include 1 tablespoon of lemon or orange zest in the custard for citrus brightness
• Sprinkle with white chocolate chips before baking

Serving Suggestions for Blueberry French Toast Casserole

• Drizzle with warm maple syrup just before serving
• Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream
• Serve with extra fresh blueberries on top
• Include a side of crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for savory balance
• Offer a fruit salad as a refreshing counterpoint
• Set up a topping bar with various syrups, nuts, and fresh fruits
• Complete the meal with fresh-squeezed orange juice or coffee

FAQs about Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Can I make this casserole the same day instead of overnight?
Yes! Allow the bread to soak in the custard for at least 30 minutes before baking. The texture won’t be quite as integrated as the overnight version, but it will still be delicious.

Can I use frozen blueberries?
Absolutely! Use them straight from frozen – no need to thaw. This might extend your baking time by 5-10 minutes.

My casserole seems too dry/too wet. How can I fix it?
For too dry: Add more custard mixture (1/2 cup milk + 2 eggs). For too wet: Add more bread cubes and extend baking time slightly.

How do I know when it’s done baking?
The top should be golden brown, the edges slightly crisp, and the center should be set but still have a slight jiggle. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.

Can I halve this recipe?
Yes! Use an 8×8 baking dish and check for doneness about 10 minutes earlier than the full recipe.

Conclusion

There’s something truly magical about pulling a bubbling, aromatic Blueberry French Toast Casserole from the oven on a lazy weekend morning. This make-ahead breakfast wonder has transformed countless ordinary mornings into special occasions in my home, and I hope it does the same for yours.

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity and flexibility make it your own with different fruits, bread types, or toppings. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply treating your family, this casserole delivers impressive results with minimal effort.

Join thousands of other home cooks who have made this their go-to weekend breakfast! Share your creations on social media and tag GusRecipes I’d love to see how you’ve made this recipe your own.

Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole: Weekend Breakfast Bliss!

---

• Author: Emma Emma
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A cozy, make-ahead breakfast casserole loaded with juicy blueberries, soft custardy bread, and a golden cinnamon crumble topping  perfect for brunch or holiday mornings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 loaf (about 12 oz) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

8 large eggs

2 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Topping:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

---

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer half of the bread cubes inside.

2. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread, then repeat with the remaining bread and blueberries.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and press down gently to coat.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.

8. Sprinkle topping evenly over the casserole.

9. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.

10. Cool slightly before serving, and drizzle with extra maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Can be assembled the night before for an easy morning bake.

Substitute other fruits like raspberries or peaches for a twist.

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 320mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: blueberry french toast bake, breakfast casserole, brunch, make ahead recipe