If you’re looking for a morning meal that’s as easy as it is delightful, the Overnight Breakfast Casserole is your new best friend. Imagine slices of hearty bread soaking up a sweet, vanilla-scented custard, topped off with a cascade of juicy berries. This dish is prepped the night before, which means a stress-free breakfast with big rewards—just pop it in the oven and enjoy a warm, inviting casserole that’s perfect for feeding family, brunch guests, or savoring all week. Whether you’re a meal prep enthusiast or a breakfast lover needing extra minutes in the morning, this Overnight Breakfast Casserole makes a crowd-pleasing and nourishing start to your day.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here serves a big purpose, and together they build the rich, comforting layers of this casserole. Don’t be tempted to skip anything—each one adds its own magic to the taste, texture, or color. Gather these basics for a breakfast everyone will adore.
- Berries: Use a medley of your favorites for vibrant color and bursts of tart-sweet flavor in every bite.
- Thick bread: The foundation—choose a sturdy loaf like sourdough or French bread for structure and heartiness.
- Applesauce or mashed banana: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, binding the casserole beautifully.
- Milk of choice: Any milk works here—dairy or non-dairy—for a creamy, custardy texture.
- Egg whites or additional milk: Lightens the dish, offering protein and helping everything set just right.
- Pure maple syrup, agave, or honey: A drizzle of natural sweetness to bring the flavors together.
- Pure vanilla extract (optional): Infuses a gentle, aromatic warmth to the whole casserole.
How to Make Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Bread
Start by making sure your bread is slightly dry and sturdy, which is key for soaking up the custard without turning mushy. If your bread is fresh, let it sit out uncovered for a day or pop the slices in a 300 F oven for about 15 minutes. This step is all about getting that perfect texture in your Overnight Breakfast Casserole.
Step 2: Grease the Pan and Assemble the Base
Generously grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking. Cut your dry bread into robust 1-inch cubes and layer them evenly in the pan. This creates a fluffy, absorbent base ready to catch every bit of delicious custard.
Step 3: Mix the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce (or banana), milk, egg whites (or extra milk), maple syrup, and vanilla extract if using. This mixture will gently sweeten the casserole and give it that creamy bite—it’s the glue that ties every flavorful element together.
Step 4: Pour and Soak
Evenly pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes in your dish, making sure to cover all the pieces. Let everything soak, giving each bread cube a chance to drink in that sweet goodness for a flavorful bite throughout the casserole.
Step 5: Add the Berry Topping
Scatter your berries evenly over the top. The bright pops of color will look gorgeous, and their juice seeps into the custard as it bakes, creating beautiful pockets of flavor.
Step 6: Refrigerate Overnight
Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight. This resting time is essential—it allows every morsel to soak up custard, ensuring your Overnight Breakfast Casserole comes out wonderfully moist and full of flavor.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
The next morning, all that’s left is to preheat your oven to 350 F and bake the casserole for about 1 hour. The top should be lightly golden and the center set, signaling it’s ready to enjoy, hot or cold, whenever you like.
How to Serve Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of warm maple syrup to make every serving special. A few extra fresh berries on top give it a burst of color and a fresh-from-the-garden vibe.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with Greek yogurt, crispy breakfast potatoes, or a platter of sliced melons and citrus. These sides will keep things light yet satisfying next to your Overnight Breakfast Casserole.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider baking and serving in individual ramekins for a charming brunch, or slice into squares for a buffet spread. For extra flair, layer in a clear trifle dish so that all the colorful berry and bread layers show off—the Overnight Breakfast Casserole is as pretty as it is delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Overnight Breakfast Casserole keeps beautifully. Simply cover your dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to four days. Be sure to cool completely before covering for best texture and freshness.
Freezing
This casserole is a freezer superstar. After cooling, cut it into portions, wrap each in plastic, and store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so everything stays moist.
Reheating
To reheat, warm slices in the microwave for a quick grab-and-go breakfast, or reheat the whole casserole in a 350 F oven until hot throughout. A splash of milk added before reheating helps bring back that creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen berries work fantastically in this Overnight Breakfast Casserole. There’s no need to thaw them—just scatter evenly over the bread and bake as directed.
What type of bread is best for this casserole?
A sturdy, rustic bread like sourdough, French, or challah is best. Avoid soft sandwich breads, which can make the casserole soggy instead of pillowy and satisfying.
Is there a way to make this casserole vegan?
Yes—use your favorite non-dairy milk and replace egg whites with a little extra dairy-free milk. Stick to maple syrup or agave, and make sure your bread is vegan-friendly for a plant-based treat.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Certainly! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even a handful of chocolate chips add lovely crunch and richness. Sprinkle them over with the berries before baking for extra personality.
Do I need to let it soak overnight or can I bake it right away?
While the overnight soak gives optimal flavor and texture, if you’re short on time, 1–2 hours of soaking will still produce a tasty casserole—just expect a slightly less custardy result.
Final Thoughts
Breakfast should be both joyful and simple, and the Overnight Breakfast Casserole makes it exactly that. With big bursts of berries, cozy bread, and a naturally sweet custard, this dish will become a brunch staple or a weekday hero in your house. Give it a try—you might discover your new favorite way to start the day!
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Overnight Breakfast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8–12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This make-ahead Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and healthy way to start your morning! Featuring hearty bread cubes soaked in a sweet, fruity custard with berries on top, it’s perfect for feeding a crowd and can be prepped the night before for easy baking in the morning.
Ingredients
Bread Layer
- 1 lb thick bread (about 1 loaf), cut into 1-inch cubes
Custard Mixture
- 1 1/3 cups applesauce or mashed banana
- 2/3 cup milk of choice
- 2/3 cup egg whites or additional milk of choice
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, agave, or honey
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional, omit if using vanilla-flavored milk)
Topping
- 6 cups berries (fresh or frozen, 32 oz)
Instructions
- Dry Out the Bread: If your bread is not already slightly hard or stale, leave the slices out, uncovered, for a day. Alternatively, bake the slices on a baking sheet at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes until dried out but not browned.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Layer the Bread: Cut the dried bread into approximately 1-inch pieces and evenly distribute them in the greased pan.
- Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce or mashed banana, milk, egg whites (or extra milk for egg-free), maple syrup (or agave or honey), and vanilla extract (if using) until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to ensure the bread soaks up the liquid. Scatter the berries evenly over the top.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
- Bake: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake the casserole on the center rack for 1 hour, or until the top is lightly golden and the custard is set.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing and serving warm, or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.
Notes
- You can use any sturdy bread such as sourdough, French, or challah for best texture.
- This recipe is flexible: use whichever milk fits your dietary needs, and swap the berries for other fruits if desired.
- The casserole can be made dairy-free and egg-free by using plant-based milk and omitting the egg whites (replace with an equivalent amount of milk or plant-based yogurt).
- Letting the bread dry out helps prevent a soggy casserole.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg