This lighter, make-ahead overnight baked French toast casserole with Bananas Foster is guaranteed to impress—perfect for Easter morning or any special brunch!
Bananas Foster French Toast
The challah bread in this French toast casserole absorbs the eggy custard, flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, overnight. The next morning, while it bakes in the oven, you’ll whip up the simple bananas foster topping, elevating this dish for any special occasion. It’s almost like a bread pudding–you could even enjoy it for dessert. Another fun way to use these bananas try my Bananas Foster Crepes!
Why This Overnight French Toast Recipe Works
Years ago, I brought my Crème Brûlée French Toast to my cousin Kat’s house for New Year’s morning. Being the dessert queen she is, she decided to make a bananas foster topping. It was so incredible that I recreated a lighter version later that day by reducing the sugar, although now I use monk fruit sweetener instead. My family loves it.
- Easy make-ahead breakfast: Since it only gets better the longer the bread soaks, it’s the perfect dish to prepare in advance.
- Low in added sugar: I cut the sugar in this overnight French toast recipe by replacing granulated sugar, and brown sugar with lower- sugar alternatives.
- Great for the holidays: Your overnight guests will come running when they wake up to the delicious smell of this bananas foster French toast casserole.
- Rum optional: If you don’t like to cook with alcohol, use rum extract to achieve the same flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is more info on the ingredients for this easy bananas foster French toast. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Challah Bread is one of the best breads for French toast casserole. Use day-old bread for best results.
- Eggs form the custard-like base.
- Milk: Use any milk you normally drink. Fairlife Milk is a simple way to lower sugar and increase protein.
- Flavor: Vanilla extract and cinnamon provide warmth and sweetness.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar or monk fruit, a zero-calorie, zero-net-carb sweetener.
- Salt balances the sweetness.
- Rum: You can make this overnight French toast with or without rum. I like Myer’s Dark Rum, or I use rum extract for the same flavor, minus the alcohol.
- Banana Topping: It uses many of the same ingredients as the French toast, such as vanilla, cinnamon, and rum. You’ll also need whipped butter, brown sugar (I prefer Wholesome Yum’s brown sugar monk fruit), and bananas.
How to Make Bananas Foster French Toast
Prepare the French toast casserole the night before. Then, while it bakes in the morning, make the bananas foster topping. See the recipe card at the bottom for printable directions.
- Prepare the bread: Place the sliced bread in an even layer in a 13 x 9-inch dish coated with oil spray.
- Make the custard: Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, monk fruit, salt, and rum extract. Then, pour it over the bed.
- Let it sit overnight: Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours.
- How long to bake French toast casserole: While the oven preheats to 350°F, let the dish come to room temperature. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Make the bananas foster topping: Melt the butter over low heat in a large, deep skillet. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and rum extract. Let the sugar dissolve, then simmer the sauce for 2 minutes to thicken. If too much has evaporated, add a few drops of water. Then, add the sliced bananas and simmer for 1 minute.
- How to serve: Cut the casserole into 8 pieces and top each one with bananas.
Variations & Tips
- Bread options: Substitute a round country loaf, French bread, brioche, or even Hawaiian rolls for the challah.
- Gluten-free French toast: Use gluten-free bread.
- Milk: Any type of milk, such as skim, 2%, or whole milk, will work. Dairy-free milk like ripple tastes close to dairy milk and tastes great here.
- To make it dairy-free, use dairy-free milk, and replace the butter with vegan butter.
- Do I have to let the French toast casserole sit overnight? If you’re short on time, you can cut the wait time by a few hours. Just know that letting the bread sit in the milk mixture helps it fully absorb the liquid, preventing it from drying out or becoming less flavorful.
- Need to serve more people? Double the recipe and bake it in two 9 x 13- inch pans.
Storage
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
- Reheat the casserole in the microwave or oven preheated to 325°F.
- Freeze: After baking the French toast casserole and letting it cool, slice it into 8 pieces. Wrap each one in plastic wrap or foil and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes You’ll Love
For more make-ahead breakfast and brunch ideas, check out these five delicious breakfast casseroles for more inspiration!
Yield: servings
Serving Size: 1 slice with bananas
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Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with oil spray.
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Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
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In a large bowl whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, ½ tsp cinnamon, monk fruit or sugar, salt and rum extract, if using until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight for best results.
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Preheat oven to 350°F and bring bread to room temperature.
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Bake uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 40 to 45 minutes.
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Meanwhile while it’s baking, in a large deep skillet melt the butter over low heat.
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Add the brown sugar or sugar-free brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and rum extract, if using and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add a few drops of water if needed and let sauce simmer about 2 minutes to thicken.
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Add sliced bananas and simmer 1 minute, remove from heat.
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Keep covered until french toast comes out of the oven. When french toast is cooked, divide among 8 plates and top with bananas. Enjoy!!
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Serving: 1 slice with bananas, Calories: 252 kcal, Carbohydrates: 52 g, Protein: 11 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 195.5 mg, Sodium: 285.5 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 12 g
