This Blueberry French Toast Bake is a simple, make-ahead breakfast that’s loaded with flavor. Filled with slices of french bread, sweet blueberries and sprinkled with an irresistible streusel topping, this dish is perfect to assemble the night before and then bake the next morning!
May has been a busy month so far and it’s not slowing down anytime soon! Has it been hectic for you, too? This past weekend, the hubster and I went to Milwaukee to catch a Brewers game. So much fun!
And with Mother’s Day fast approaching, this month is going to fly by in the blink of an eye.
On Mother’s Day, my husband and I, and his parents and two sisters always participate in the breast cancer 5k in Chicago. The hubster’s family started doing this to honor his late aunt who passed away from past cancer years ago. It’s a nice to tradition and always fun to walk along the lakefront with so many people marching for a great cause.
After that, we usually head over to my parents’ house to continue the celebration. Needless to say, it’s a busy day, but makes for a fun weekend.
And next weekend, I’m going to see the musical RENT! Have you seen it before? It’s my absolute favorite, and I’ve probably seen it five or six times before. I was fortunate enough to see it on Broadway in NYC about 12 years ago and have seen it around Chicago as well. My Aunt is also a fellow RENT fan, so I’m looking forward to spending the day with her.
But, back to business. Mother’s Day is also special (yes, because of the MOMS!) but also because of the food! And after our 5k, we usually go out to breakfast or back to someone’s house to refuel ourselves. And I’m planning on bringing a favorite comfort food dish of mine!
Yep, you guessed it…french toast! But, not just any french toast, friends.
I don’t know about you, but anytime I can get ahead of a meal, I’m all ears. And that’s why I love any kind of overnight french toast.
This blueberry french toast casserole is literally a breakfast made in food heaven. With just a few ingredients, minimal prep time (minus the refrigeration to soak up all that french toasty goodness), this overnight french toast casserole will be a favorite for years to come.
And I’m not stranger to french toast recipes! From this apple pie bake, to that banana croissant french toast, these pumpkin french toast cups, and those baked french toast sticks, I love it all. Which is saying a lot, since it’s a breakfast food that I never order out!
So, you can bet that this lemon blueberry french toast casserole was made for you (and me).
And did I mention that buttery, crunchy, brown sugar-y streusel on top of this overnight blueberry lemon french toast bake? Mmm mmm good! It’s what sets this apart from other french toast dish and adds a little something extra!
So, if you’re looking for that easy, make-ahead breakfast to serve during the week, or need a new dish for brunch, this easy Blueberry Lemon French Toast Bake is it! Simple, fresh and flavorful, it’s what breakfast dreams are made of!
Ingredients in Blueberry French Toast Bake
This overnight blueberry french toast can be made with ingredients you likely have on hand already. Here’s what I used to make this recipe:
- French bread
- Blueberries
- Eggs
- Milk
- Granulated sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- Cinnamon
- Lemon juice and zest
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
How to Make Blueberry French Toast Bake
This is such an easy french toast bake to make! Here’s an overview of how it’s prepared:
-
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
-
Place half of bread cubes in an even lay on bottom of dish, add a layer of blueberries, top with remaining bread cubes, followed by remaining blueberries. Set aside.
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and zest and juice of lemon.
-
Pour the egg mixture over bread.
-
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
-
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F. Let the casserole come to room temperature.
-
While french toast is coming to room temperature, prepare the streusel topping. Spread evenly over top of french toast.
-
Bake until the bread is firm and no more liquid remains.
What’s the Best Bread for French Toast Bake?
You’ll want to use a thicker bread so that it soaks up the egg mixture and doesn’t become too soggy. I like to use french bread, but challah or Texas toast would work just as well.
Can I Use Frozen Blueberries?
Yes! Fresh or frozen blueberries work in this recipe! Whatever is easiest for you and what you have in your kitchen.
Tips for Making Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- I like to use this vanilla bean paste in all of my recipes that call for vanilla extract. The paste gives it a stronger vanilla flavor, without causing the mix to become watered down.
- Don’t skip the refrigeration time! While this blueberry french toast casserole can sit in the fridge to ‘marinate’ for just three hours, it’s even better if you leave it in overnight. Then, just pop it in the oven in the morning and your breakfast is ready to be devoured.
- Don’t forget that streusel topping! It’s what takes this french toast casserole over the edge. Who can resist a butter, brown sugary, crispy topping?
- Be sure to make the streusel topping right before baking the french toast. If you add the streusel before it goes into the refrigerator, it won’t bake up with that crunchy texture.
Looking for more easy french toast recipes? I’ve got you covered!
- French Toast Roll Ups
- Eggnog French Toast Bake
- Cinnamon Banana Croissant French Toast
- Baked Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks
- Apple French Toast Casserole
Lemon Blueberry French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 1 loaf french bread , cut into cubes (challah or Texas toast would also work)
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups milk , any kind (I used 2%)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Zest and juice of one lemon
Streusel topping
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place half of bread cubes in an even lay on bottom of dish, add a layer of blueberries, top with remaining bread cubes, followed by remaining blueberries. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and zest and juice of lemon.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, making sure to cover each piece with the mixture. Lightly press down on bread to ensure that each piece is saturated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375°F. Take out of the refrigerator and let sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- While french toast is at room temperature, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, add brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and flour. Stir to thoroughly combine. Spread evenly over top of french toast.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until bread is firm and no more liquid remains. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
Notes
- See my tips for making this french toast bake in the post (above the recipe box).
- I like to use this vanilla bean paste in all of my recipes that call for vanilla extract. The paste gives it a stronger vanilla flavor, without causing the mix to become watered down.
Krystal says
Is the French bread suppose to be in slices or cubes? You say both in the directions so just checking…
Gayle says
Hi Krystal! The bread is supposed to be in cubes. I will update ‘slices’ to reflect that. Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy!
Alex says
Sounds delicous
Gayle says
It definitely is, Alex!