This Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a homey, luscious breakfast bake that’s practically guaranteed to wow guests and sleepy family members alike. Imagine thick cubes of French bread and juicy blueberries nestled in layers of sweet, creamy cheese, all drenched in a warmly spiced custard and baked to golden perfection. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ease: you prep it the night before, let the flavors mingle overnight, and just pop it in the oven in the morning. Whether for a lazy weekend brunch or a special holiday breakfast, Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole always feels like a celebration.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list is refreshingly simple, yet every item plays a big role in creating that irresistible contrast of creamy, fluffy, and fruity bites. Grab these essentials and let their natural flavors shine through—especially those bursts of blueberry in every forkful.

Cream cheese: Use full-fat, softened cream cheese for the richest, creamiest texture in your filling.
Powdered sugar: This sweetens the cream cheese mix and dissolves smoothly for a silky result.
Milk: A key player in both the cheese mixture and custard, adding moisture and helping bind everything together.
Vanilla extract: Don’t skip this! It brings warmth and depth to both the cream cheese and the egg custard.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen both work; they add juicy pops of color and tart-sweetness throughout.
French bread: Day-old, rustic French bread is perfect for soaking up the custard without getting soggy.
Eggs: These provide structure, binding everything into a sliceable strata.
Cinnamon powder: Just a bit enhances the custard with cozy, familiar warmth.
Ground nutmeg: A pinch makes all the difference, rounding out the spice profile beautifully.

How to Make Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture

Start by beating together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and half the vanilla extract in a bowl. Take your time to be sure the mixture is smooth and cloud-like. Once you’re happy with the texture, gently fold in 1 cup of blueberries, so every creamy scoop has those vibrant, sweet pops of fruit.

Step 2: Assemble the Bread Layers

Take your cubed French bread and layer half in the bottom of a 10×14-inch baking dish, creating a sturdy, cushiony base. Spread the cream cheese mixture all over these bread cubes—don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even, it’ll melt into all the nooks and crannies as it bakes. Top with the remaining bread cubes to sandwich that creamy filling right in the middle.

Step 3: Prepare and Add the Egg Mixture

Whisk up the custard in a separate bowl: mix together the milk, eggs, remaining vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until it looks thoroughly combined and golden. Pour this luscious mixture evenly over the layered bread, making sure every last piece gets its share. Press down gently with your hands or the back of a spatula to help the bread start soaking it all in. Sprinkle the rest of your blueberries over the top for bursts of flavor and color.

Step 4: Let It Soak Overnight

Cover your dish tightly with aluminum foil and slide it into the fridge for at least 8 hours (overnight is best!). This magic step is what lets the bread absorb the custard, ensuring a soft, decadent texture when baked. Remember to take the casserole out of the refrigerator about 30 to 60 minutes before baking so it isn’t super cold when it goes into the oven.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Giving your casserole a bit of time at room temperature while the oven heats up helps it bake more evenly and rise beautifully.

Step 6: Bake the Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Keep the foil on and bake for 45 minutes; this locks in moisture and helps the casserole cook through gently. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or so—just until the top is set, the center isn’t jiggly, and the whole thing is beautifully golden and fragrant. The total baking time should be about 75 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is baked, let it cool for a few minutes. This makes slicing easier and gives the flavors a moment to settle. Then, dive right in and savor that creamy, blueberry-studded perfection!

How to Serve Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Garnishes

This casserole is a showstopper as-is, but a few well-chosen garnishes take it over the top. Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish, add a dollop of whipped cream, or drizzle with warm maple syrup so each bite is sweet and silky. A little lemon zest can also brighten things up if you want extra zing.

Side Dishes

Pair your Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole with crisp bacon or savory breakfast sausages for a traditional brunch spread. For something lighter, serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of Greek yogurt with more berries.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re entertaining, bake and serve the casserole in a beautiful ceramic dish for rustic elegance. Or, cut the cooled casserole into neat squares and stack them on a serving platter, then let guests spoon over their favorite toppings. For brunch on the go, pop cubes into muffin cups for portable portions!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole stores really well. Just cover the dish or transfer individual pieces to airtight containers and keep them in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors might even deepen by the next morning!

Freezing

If you need to prep further ahead, this casserole freezes beautifully. Once cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and again in foil, or store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat individual servings in the microwave for about a minute, or pop the whole casserole (covered with foil) in a 350°F oven until warmed through. A light sprinkle of water before reheating can help keep it moist and fluffy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh. There’s no need to thaw them first—just scatter them right in. They might tint the custard a lovely purple, which only adds to the charm.

What’s the best bread to use?

Day-old French bread is perfect for Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole because it’s sturdy enough to soak up the custard without turning mushy. Challah or brioche also make decadent alternatives if you want something even richer.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Use your favorite dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based milk. The texture will still be creamy, and the casserole will bake up beautifully—just double-check your bread and substitute as needed if avoiding dairy completely.

Does this casserole have to be made overnight?

For the signature texture of Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole, an overnight soak is best. But in a pinch, a minimum of four hours in the fridge can work—just expect a slightly less uniform custard.

What can I add to customize the flavors?

This casserole is a fun canvas for seasonal tweaks! Try folding in lemon zest or swapping in raspberries or blackberries. Add a handful of chopped pecans on top for crunch, or a pinch of cardamom in the custard for warm depth.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a brunch dish that’s as easy as it is impressive, Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is destined to be a new favorite in your kitchen. It combines cozy comfort with a little playful elegance, and every bite is packed with flavor and joy. Gather your ingredients tonight and treat yourself and your loved ones to a breakfast worth celebrating!

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 30 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 1 10×14-inch casserole dish 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in a delightful breakfast treat with this Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole. Creamy layers of sweetened cream cheese, fresh blueberries, and cubed French bread are soaked in an egg custard overnight for a decadent morning dish.

Instructions

Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture – In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries.
Assemble the Bread Layers – Layer baking dish with bread cubes, spread cream cheese mixture, and top with remaining bread cubes.
Prepare and Add the Egg Mixture – Whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over bread, add blueberries, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the Oven – Preheat to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the Dish – Bake covered for 45 minutes, then uncovered until set and browned, about 30 minutes more.
Serve and Enjoy – Let cool slightly before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American