• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Breakfast and Brunch

    Banana French Toast Casserole

    Published: May 26, 2022 · Modified: Mar 8, 2023 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 12 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    1.5K shares
    banana french toast casserole
    banana french toast casserole

    Skip the griddle and make your French toast casserole-style in a 9x13 pan. With fresh bananas and a pecan crumble, Banana French Toast Casserole is a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead breakfast.

    baked banana french toast in a casserole dish

    French Toast Casserole might be the best thing to happen to celebratory breakfast and brunch. There are few things as satisfying as knowing that all those slices of bread are soaking in sweet custard overnight and that breakfast for a crowd is ready to slide into the oven in the morning. I first shared this banana and pecan twist on the dish back in 2014 but I'm updating the post today with all new photos and a few tips and tricks. Get your maple syrup ready friends, let's dive right in!

    banana french toast on a white plate with a fork

    What is French Toast Casserole / Baked French Toast?

    Just like classic French Toast, this dish is made with slices of bread topped with an egg and milk custard. But instead of cooked individually on a skillet, the bread is lined up in a casserole dish and the custard is poured over top. The casserole version is often sweetened and can include a variety of fillings and toppings. If you are looking for a more traditional French Toast, but with a twist, check out Croissant French Toast.

    pouring custard over french toast casserole

    How to Make it

    1. Prepare bread base - Slice a baguette and line the slices up in a buttered 9x13 baking dish. Place slices of ripe banana between the bread slices.
    2. Add custard - Make a custard with whisked eggs, milk, and some heavy cream. Pour it over the bread.
    3. Refrigerate - Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours and up to a day. This will give the bread time to soak up the custard.
    4. Bake - Bake, covered, at 350°F / 177°C for 40 minutes until the center is nearly set.
    5. Add crumble - Add a simple crumble with chopped pecans, butter, flour, and sugar.
    6. Bake until golden - Continue baking until the top is golden and the center is set, about 10 minutes more.
    7. Serve warm.
    unbaked baked banana french toast in a casserole dish

    FAQs

    How do you serve French toast casserole?

    Let it cool slightly before cutting into slices. Top individual slices the same way you would classic French toast - with butter, syrup, fresh fruit, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

    How to store French toast casserole?

    Refrigerate the baked casserole for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or cover the entire dish with foil and reheat in a 350 F degree oven.

    Can you freeze French toast casserole?

    Yes. Bake it according to directions and then cool completely before covering tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. To make it easy to remove and reheat individual servings, slice it first and freeze individual portions on a sheet pan until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag.

    Can I skip the crumble?

    Absolutely! You can skip it entirely or just skip the pecans in it. Add a few dots of butter to the top of the dish instead of the crumble so that you still get that nice golden top.

    Can I skip the sugar?

    Definitely yes. If you want the casserole to be unsweetened, feel free to skip the sugar in the filling. The dish will be savory, but everyone can opt to sweeten individual servings with a dusting of powdered sugar or syrup.

    slices of banana french toast on a white plate with a fork

    More Baked Breakfast Recipes

    • Spicy Breakfast Strata
    • Raspberry and Cream Cheese French Toast Bake
    • Croque Madame Casserole
    • Try making breakfast in the slow cooker! I love this Bagel-based casserole and this low-carb version.

    Favorite Tools

    • Glass Mixing Bowls  
    • Half Sheet Pans
    • OXO Silicon Spatula Set
    • Parchment Paper
    • KitchenAid Stand Mixer
    • Wire Cooling Rack
    • Set of Cookie Scoops (1 Tbsp, 2 Tbsp, 3 Tbsp)
    square image of baked banana french toast in an oval casserole dish
    Print Recipe
    4.60 from 5 votes

    Banana French Toast Casserole Recipe

    Skip the griddle and make French Toast Casserole-style in a 9x13 pan. Fresh bananas between the layers of toast and a pecan crumble over top make this a crowd-pleasing make-ahead breakfast.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time50 mins
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Keyword: baked breakfast recipe, brunch, French toast, make ahead
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 273kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $10.00

    Equipment

    • 9 x 13 Baking Dish
    • Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients

    For the French Toast:

    • 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, sliced into small cubes
    • 1 large Baguette, sliced into rounds
    • 2 Bananas, sliced
    • 8 Eggs
    • 3 cups Milk any type will work
    • ½ cup Heavy Cream
    • ⅓ cup Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • Powdered Sugar and / or Syrup, for serving

    For the Crumble:

    • 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, chilled and cut into cubes
    • 3 Tablespoons packed Light Brown Sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
    • ¾ cups Pecan Halves, roughly chopped

    Instructions

    • Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
    • Spray the baking dish lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Scatter cubed butter over the bottom of the dish. Arrange bread slices in rows in the pan, with slices slightly overlapping. Slide banana slices between the slices of bread.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined. Whisk in the milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pour the liquids over the bread.
    • Cover with foil and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight.
    • About 20 minutes before baking, remove the pan from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350°F / 177°C.
    • Place the casserole dish on a sheet pan to bake (this will help catch any drips that might bubble over as it cooks). Bake the French toast, covered with foil, for 40 minutes.
    • While French toast bakes, blend together 4 Tablespoons chilled butter, brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt with a pastry cutter or with your fingers. Add pecans and blend them in until evenly combined.
    • When French toast has been baking for 40 minutes, remove it from the oven and remove foil. Scatter pecan crumble over top.
    • Return pan to oven and continue baking until the center is set and the pecans are lightly toasted, 10 to 15 minutes more.
    • Slice and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and / or syrup.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 256mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 498IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 1mg

    Related

    « 15 Easy Potluck Recipes
    Balsamic Vinaigrette »
    1.5K shares

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley

      April 19, 2014 at 2:10 am

      I was wondering how you were doing! And if the babies had made their entrance yet : ) I hope you are getting in plenty of relaxing! And this french toast sounds fantastic - I love any sort of baked french toast!

      Reply
    2. Katie (The Muffin Myth)

      April 19, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      This looks great! The perfect make-ahead breakfast. We've got an expats brunch club and our turn to host is coming up, so I'll file this away for such an occasion. Glad you've started your mat leave and can start relaxing and enjoy some quiet before the chaos 🙂

      Reply
    3. Eileen

      May 15, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      I run a B&B and this looks like a great dish to serve my guests. I might try it in individual dishes for easy serving. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Holly Botner

      May 22, 2014 at 11:24 pm

      This looks amazing and very original. Can't quite remember how I found you, but I'm glad I did!

      Reply
    5. Gabrielle

      July 08, 2014 at 7:09 am

      I made these this morning, well technically last night, but it was delicious. The perfect amount of sweetness and not soggy at all, as I've found most french toast bakes to be. The only thing I did different was (since I only had 1/4c pecans) use almonds and cashews along with whatever pecans I had for the crumble. Turned out great, thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Dina

      January 02, 2015 at 12:29 am

      Made this for New Years breakfast. Didn't have pecans so I substituted sliced almonds and used 3 bananas and it came out amazing. Thank you! It was a huge hit.

      Reply
      • Jess

        January 06, 2015 at 11:40 am

        Thanks so much for letting me know Dina!!! Happy New Year!

        Reply
    7. francesca

      January 13, 2015 at 6:16 pm

      Breakfast high five. seriously.

      Reply
    8. Randy

      December 22, 2015 at 10:22 am

      Wow this wonderful for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Thanks chef for posting this. ????????????????

      Reply
      • Jess

        December 23, 2015 at 9:57 am

        Thanks so much, Randy - hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    9. Kiki

      April 03, 2022 at 11:25 pm

      Excited to try this recipe. What kind of milk did you use? I'm thinking whole milk, or even heavy whipping cream?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        April 09, 2022 at 10:56 am

        Any milk will work, but will just affect the richness of the dish. I think it's too rich to use all heavy whipping cream, but I have tried it with 25% heavy whipping cream and 75% milk (I usually use 2%) and it is great that way.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • miso vegetable soup in a grey bowl
      Miso Vegetable Soup
    • lemongrass chicken and rice on a white tray
      Lemongrass Chicken
    • cauliflower baked ziti in a white oval baking dish
      Vegetarian Baked Ziti with Cauliflower
    • a round One-Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cake on a wooden tray
      Chocolate Irish Guinness Cake

    Trending Recipes

    • hand holding a chocolate chip cookie with a bite out of it
      Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
      Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • square image overnight oats in mason jars with berries on top
      Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • beef and broccoli stir fry on a white plate with chopsticks
      Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef