If you’re craving a cozy, make-ahead breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning, you’re going to absolutely love this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe. It’s the perfect combo of custardy bread soaked overnight, topped with a sweet berry streusel that bakes into a golden, crispy delight. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to for holiday brunches, weekend mornings, or any time you want to impress without the stress.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Convenience: Prep it the night before and wake up to a ready-to-bake breakfast.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: Custardy, cinnamon-kissed bread with a sweet, berry-packed streusel.
Family Favorite: My family absolutely goes crazy for how tender and flavorful this casserole turns out.
Easy to Customize: Swap berries, use different bread, or adjust sweetness to suit your taste.

This dish has one main layer inside a white rectangular baking dish. The base layer shows uneven pieces of golden brown toasted bread with a rough texture. Scattered on top and throughout the bread pieces are many small round dark blue berries and sliced bright red strawberries, some slightly softened from baking. The surface is sprinkled with a golden crumbly topping, some parts darker brown and crisp around the edges. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe lies in simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Using day-old bread ensures it soaks up the custard without turning mushy, and the brown sugar streusel, paired with berries, adds a lovely texture contrast.

Day-old French bread: Using bread that’s a day or two old helps it soak up the custard perfectly without falling apart. Sourdough or challah also work wonderfully if you want a slight twist.
Whole milk: It adds richness to the custard base—don’t skimp on the fat here for that creamy texture.
Large eggs: Eggs bind everything together and create that classic custard consistency.
Light brown sugar: Using it in both the custard and streusel layers gives a warm caramel flavor that’s irresistible.
Ground cinnamon: Adds just the right hint of spice—a sprinkle really lifts the flavor.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
Salted butter: Essential for the streusel topping, it creates those lovely crispy bits.
All-purpose flour: Helps form the streusel’s crumbly texture.
Berries: I love using frozen mixed berries; they thaw beautifully while baking and add a fresh tartness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I adore about this Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different fruits and spices — and found some combinations that my family can’t get enough of.

Use Seasonal Fruits: Swap berries for sliced peaches in summer or apples with a dash of nutmeg in fall. I once made an apple-cinnamon version that was a hit at Thanksgiving brunch.
Switch Up the Bread: Challah adds a slightly richer texture while sourdough gives a tangy edge. I personally love challah for a softer, more delicate bite.
Make It Vegan: You can replace milk with almond or oat milk and use a flax egg mix; just add a little extra vanilla to boost flavor.
Add Nuts: Toasted pecans or walnuts in the streusel give an added crunch and nuttiness that’s delightful.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe

Step 1: Cube Your Bread and Prepare the Custard

Start by cubing your day-old French bread into roughly 1-inch pieces — this size lets the bread soak up lots of custard without turning to mush. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt until the mixture is smooth and fragrant. I like to whisk by hand because it feels more in tune with the process, but a mixer works just as well.

Step 2: Combine Bread and Custard, Let It Soak Overnight

Add the bread cubes to your custard mixture and give everything a gentle stir to ensure all pieces are coated. Cover your baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge overnight. This soak time is crucial—it really allows the bread to soak through and get perfectly custardy without falling apart.

Step 3: Make the Berry Streusel Topping

While the bread soaks, you can prepare the streusel topping. In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cubed salted butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until crumbly and evenly mixed. Finally, toss in your berries—frozen works great here since they’ll thaw and release juices while baking, creating a beautiful sauce right in the casserole.

Step 4: Bake Your Casserole to Golden Perfection

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the berry streusel evenly on top. Bake for about 60 minutes until the top is golden and crisp, and the custard is set but still soft inside. I usually check with a toothpick inserted in the center—if it comes out mostly clean, you’re good to go!

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Pro Tips for Making Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread can get soggy fast; day-old gives you that perfect custard soak and texture.
Don’t Skimp on Soaking Time: I learned that even a few hours aren’t enough to develop deep custardy flavor—overnight soaking is key.
Grease Your Baking Dish Well: Butter or non-stick spray keeps everything from sticking and makes serving easier.
Add the Streusel Last: To avoid sogginess, add the streusel topping right before baking for a crunchy finish.

How to Serve Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe

A close-up view of a dessert in a white rectangular baking dish, filled with layers of golden-brown toasted bread pieces mixed with dark blackberries, plump blueberries, and bright red raspberries. The bread pieces have a crumbly texture with small granules on top, and the berries are nestled throughout, some slightly juice-stained on the bread. A wooden spoon is partly scooping into the dish from the left side. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a white cloth with red stripes underneath visible at the bottom left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar on top for that extra touch of sweetness and pretty presentation. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup takes it over the top. For a fresh finish, throw on some extra fresh berries and a sprig of mint if you have it on hand.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or sausage links for those who want a savory edge to balance the sweetness. Fresh fruit salad on the side also complements the berry topping well, keeping things light and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special brunches, I like to bake this casserole in individual ramekins so everyone gets their own perfectly portioned serving. Adding edible flowers as garnishes gives a stunning visual effect. Another fun idea is to layer the casserole in a clear glass dish so the colorful berries peek through the sides—talk about a showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which might be rare in my house!), store them tightly covered in the fridge. I usually transfer into an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 3 days. Reheating gently is best to keep that custardy texture intact.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully by baking first and cooling completely, then wrapping individual portions in foil and freezing. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and rewarm in the oven. The texture stays surprisingly good, making it a great make-ahead option for busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming leftovers in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the casserole’s texture is best preserved with gentle oven heat, which ensures it remains golden and not soggy.

FAQs

Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread for this casserole?

While fresh bread can technically work, it tends to get soggy and fall apart during soaking and baking. Day-old or slightly stale bread holds its shape better and soaks up the custard without turning mushy, resulting in a perfect texture.
Can I prepare everything on the morning of serving?

You could, but I highly recommend prepping the night before. The overnight soak lets the bread absorb all the custard flavors deeply, creating the custardy texture that makes this recipe special. You’ll save time and stress in the morning, too.
Can I substitute the berries with other fruits?

Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. Try apples with cinnamon, peaches, or even cherries. Just keep in mind that juicier fruits might add more liquid, so adjust baking times slightly if needed.
How do I know when the casserole is done baking?

Look for a golden top with crispy streusel edges and a custard that’s set but still tender in the middle. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean but may have a few moist crumbs—that’s perfect!

Final Thoughts

This Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Streusel Recipe has become one of those dishes I turn to when I want to feel cozy, pampered, and totally satisfied. It’s like breakfast and dessert got together and made something truly special. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, I encourage you to give this recipe a try—you’ll love waking up to a kitchen filled with warm, sweet aromas and a breakfast ready to bring everyone together.