If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the smell of perfectly spiced, custardy french toast without lifting a finger in the morning, this Simple Overnight French Toast Bake is your new best friend. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent but is secretly one of the easiest breakfast ideas out there. Just prep it the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and voila — you’ve got a golden, slightly crisped top with a pillowy-soft center. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want to level up your brunch game, this is the homemade french toast recipe that brings everyone to the table.
Simple Overnight French Toast Bake
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American
9x13-inch baking dish A glass or ceramic dish works great. If you don’t have one, you can use any deep roasting pan or even a large cast iron skillet.
Mixing bowls You’ll need one for the french toast mixture and one to toss the bread.
Whisk A balloon whisk helps create a smooth custard base.
Plastic wrap or foil For covering and refrigerating overnight.
Oven Since this is an oven french toast recipe, a standard kitchen oven is key. No stovetop flipping required!
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread day-old works best, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk or substitute with half-and-half for extra richness
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (plus extra for greasing the pan)
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar maple syrup, fresh berries, chopped pecans or a dollop of whipped cream
Prepare the bread
Cut the bread into cubes and set aside. If it’s fresh, you can dry it out by placing it in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
Mix the custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and melted butter. This creates your classic french toast mixture.
Assemble
Lightly grease your baking dish with butter. Add the bread cubes and pour the custard over them, pressing down slightly to ensure every piece soaks it up.
Chill overnight
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. This step lets the flavors soak in and gives you that perfect french toast texture.
Bake
In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the dish from the fridge while the oven heats. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
Serve
Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar and serving with your favorite toppings.
Pairings
This easy homemade french toast pairs beautifully with salty sides like crispy bacon or savory sausage links. Want to impress? Try a small serving of fruit compote or a fresh berry salad on the side. For drinks, fresh orange juice, a creamy latte, or spiced chai complement the cozy flavors perfectly.
FAQs
1. Can I make this for one?
Absolutely! Just scale down the ingredients — use 1 egg, 1/3 cup milk, and about 2 cups of cubed bread. It’s a great french toast recipe for one when you want something special but simple.
2. What type of bread is best?
Brioche and challah are the gold standards for that classic french toast texture, but thick-cut white bread or even croissants work well. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or dry it out in the oven before soaking.
3. Can I cook this on the stove?
This specific recipe is designed for the oven, but if you’re wondering about a stove top version, try a quick french toast in a skillet — just dip slices in your french toast mixture and fry until golden on both sides.
4. What makes this the best french toast?
It’s all in the balance — sweet but not cloying, rich without being heavy, and the texture is out of this world. Plus, it fits all kinds of vibes: a quick family breakfast, a cozy solo brunch, or a make-ahead dish for guests.
5. How to make french toast easy for busy mornings?
Do it the night before! This recipe is the ultimate how to make french toast easy solution. Prep it after dinner and just bake it in the morning. Done.
