This is the perfect, easy, make-ahead breakfast that has all of the flavors of your favorite French toast!
I love French toast. I always have. And I love to make it, but it can be time consuming. Until now of course. Enter The Greek Yogurt Cookbook…
When I was writing the “Breakfast and Brunch” chapter for The Greek Yogurt Cookbook, I knew I had to make some type of French toast. Well I did, and not only is it ridiculously delicious, but it’s so easy to make. Who doesn’t love a dish that you can make ahead? This casserole recipe will be one that you make many times. And everyone you make it for will thank you.
This is an old picture…I have made this for almost every special occasion in the Kelly house because it’s one of those rare dishes that everyone loves!
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf stale bread
- 5 whole organic cage-free eggs
- 2 organic cage-free egg whites
- 1 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 3 ⁄4 cup 100 percent pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cold butter diced
- 1/3 cup unrefined brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ⁄4 cup minced pecans optional
Instructions
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Spray a 9" × 13" casserole dish with organic nonstick cooking spray.
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2. Tear bread into pieces and spread them throughout the casserole dish in an even layer.
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3. In a large bowl, mix eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, milk, and maple syrup. Mix very well until smooth and thoroughly combined. Pour egg mixture completely over bread.
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4. In a small bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and pecans, if using. Mix until all ingredients are combined, even if still lumpy.
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5. Sprinkle the butter mixture on top of the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. If cooking the same day, make sure to refrigerate at least 30 minutes before baking.
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6. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and the middle of the dish is set. Serve immediately with maple syrup, if desired.
The Greek yogurt not only adds some protein but it also makes it creamy without all of the extra fat and calories.
This just might be my favorite recipe from the whole cookbook. Just saying 🙂
ENJOY!
Kathy O'Neill says
December 26, 2013 at 5:25 pmI bought several copies of The Greek Yogurt Cookbooks to give as Christmas gifts and my husband made the Overnight French Toast Casserole on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning he baked it and it was a hit with my family!! The only downside was there were NO leftovers. I am looking forward to trying more recipes this week.
lauren says
December 26, 2013 at 5:31 pmYAY!! I also made the Overnight French Toast Casserole for Christmas morning and no leftovers here either 😉 Thanks os much for letting me know Kathy, you made my day!
Judith says
December 31, 2013 at 12:37 pmFlour? What am I missing here? I went to this site for wheat-free recipes.
lauren says
December 31, 2013 at 2:11 pmHi Judith! I did write a wheat-free cookbook, but not all my recipes are wheat-free. This recipe is actually from another cookbook I wrote, The Greek Yogurt Cookbook. You can easily make this gluten and whet free by using gluten free AP flour and gluten free bread. Thanks for stopping by!
Sandy says
January 11, 2014 at 5:58 amCan you use regular brown sugar?
lauren says
January 11, 2014 at 12:27 pmInstead of the maple syrup? It might have a different texture, I’ve never tried it. I am sure it would still taste great, let me know how you like it 🙂 Thanks Sandy!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
April 18, 2014 at 12:57 pmI love Greek yogurt in all things! Great idea to use it in this casserole. What a yummy breakfast.
Nutmeg Nanny says
December 23, 2014 at 1:28 pmThis makes getting up and easy super easy to do! I love that you threw in Greek yogurt as well…sounds great!
Kelly+@+Nosh+and+Nourish says
December 23, 2014 at 3:17 pmI’m still debating what to make for Christmas morning… this is high up on my list, though!!! YUM.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
September 4, 2015 at 2:07 pmI love French toast too, and a make-ahead version is great for weekends with house guests! I’ve never made it with Greek yogurt before. Love the nutritious boost it gives!
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:53 amThanks Katie!
brenda@sugarfreemom says
September 4, 2015 at 6:44 pmI love easy bake breakfasts like this and love your updated pics!
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:53 amThanks Brenda 🙂
The Food Hunter says
September 4, 2015 at 7:41 pmI am going to need to get a copy of that cookbook! this sounds wonderful
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:53 amThanks Theresa!
Cookin+Canuck says
September 4, 2015 at 8:30 pmI can’t tell you how much I love that this is made with yogurt! This is something that I’m bookmarking for when my family visits at Christmastime.
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:53 amHope you like it Dara!
Tasha @thatssoyummy says
September 4, 2015 at 10:51 pmThere is something so comforting at waking up in the morning not having to worry about breakfast but knowing that you have a french toast casserole calling your name. Great recipe!
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:53 amThank you!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
September 5, 2015 at 1:43 amI love the way you’ve lightened up this dish. This is a good one to save and make for holiday guests!
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:52 amYes I make this for Christmas every year Valerie!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
September 5, 2015 at 5:06 amI am loving this french toast! We don’t eat it that much because it can take quite a bit of time out of a busy morning. This is the perfect solution!
lauren.kelly says
September 5, 2015 at 10:52 amThank you!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
September 5, 2015 at 1:21 pmI see that you originally posted this around the holidays – but what a great idea for those crazy back to school mornings too!
kellie+@+The+Suburban+Soapbox says
September 5, 2015 at 1:33 pmI add greek yogurt to a lot of my recipes, this one looks fantastic! Great for holidays, I can’t wait to try it!
Heather / girlichef says
September 5, 2015 at 4:04 pmThis looks amazing! I can’t believe I’ve never tried a French Toast Casserole. Our whole family loves French Toast, so I think this is a must-try (plus the Greek yogurt!).
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
September 5, 2015 at 6:51 pmThis looks SO good! I’ve made regular old French toast maybe twice. It just doesn’t seem that exciting. But this?! So much better!
Susan says
September 5, 2015 at 11:47 pmI’ve done french toast casseroles a few times, it’s my preferred way. I love how the bread gets in the oven but never overnight. Love how this looks and added greek yogurt!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
September 8, 2015 at 7:58 pmMade with yogurt?? Wow! I made my first overnight french toast casserole this past Christmas and it made me wonder why it took me so ling to try it! Yummo!
Julie says
December 24, 2015 at 3:02 pmQuick question…. In the pictures the bread is in whole pieces, but the recipe calls for it to be broken. Which one is better? We are definitely doing this tomorrow! Thank you!
lauren.kelly says
December 24, 2015 at 3:24 pmGreat question Julie! I have probably made tis 100 times and I do it both ways. Today I didn’t as much time so I left it in big pieces. It really doesn’t matter, I think if you have the time then break them up. I really hope you like it! Merry Christmas!