• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fit Mitten Kitchen

balanced baking and real food recipes

Subscribe to receive my FREE Healthy Nut Butter eBook!
Free eBook!
  • Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
        • Egg Dishes
        • Oatmeal & Granola
        • Pancakes & Waffles
        • Scones
        • Smoothies
      • Desserts
        • Bars & Brownies
        • Cakes & Cupcakes
        • Candy
        • Cookies
        • Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts
        • PIes, Tarts & Crisps
        • Cinnamon Rolls
      • Healthy Drinks
      • Lunch & Dinner
        • Appetizers
        • Bowls
        • Salads
        • Sandwiches & Wraps
        • Sides
        • Soups & Chili
      • Snacks
        • Bars & Balls
        • Muffins & Breads
        • Nut & Seed Butters
    • Dietary
      • Dairy Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • No Added Sugar
      • Nut-Free
      • Oil-Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Whole30
    • Method
      • Food Processor & Blender
      • Freezer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • No-Bake
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Stovetop
    • Protein
      • Chicken
      • Plant Based
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Recipe Videos
  • About
    • Meet Ashley
    • Work with Me
      • Partnerships
    • Contact
  • Lifestyle
    • Real Talk
    • Travel
    • Workouts
  • Shop
Home Recipes Berry French Toast Casserole
DF Dairy Free VG Vegetarian NF Nut-Free OF Oil-Free

Berry French Toast Casserole

Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Posted:3/22/23
Updated:3/22/23
By:Ashley

This Berry French Toast Casserole is bursting with three kinds of berries, maple syrup and egg-soaked French bread for one delicious breakfast. Make it in advance (overnight directions included!) to serve a crowd for weekend brunch, Easter and so much more!

This post was originally published in 2019. Updated notes with more information, same delicious recipe!

plate of berry french toast casserole

This post was originally sponsored in partnership with California Giant Berry Farms in 2019. I am honored to be a CalGiant Berry Ambassador and I thank you for continuing to support the brands that help Fit Mitten Kitchen bring you new recipes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Gives stale bread a serious, berry-filled makeover!
  • A crowd-pleasing, show-stopping brunch masterpiece.
  • Super convenient make ahead recipe that benefits from a soak in the fridge.

Looking for more baked French toast recipes? Be sure to make Cinnamon French Toast Casserole and Pumpkin French Toast Casserole!

French Toast Casserole Ingredients

Brunch is without a doubt my favorite meal. Basically because you get the best of both worlds: savory and sweet. This baked berry French toast delivers heavily on the sweet. We will need:

  • French bread – or challah or sourdough are also recommended. Ideally, you want the bread to be about a day old. You can also cut the bread into slices and let sit out overnight, or toast the bread in the oven to speed up the drying process.
  • fresh berries – I used a triple berry mix of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries for extra berry goodness.
  • whole eggs – you can’t really do french toast without eggs!
  • egg whites – using egg whites lightens this recipe up a bit.
  • maple syrup – provides some sweetness to the casserole without adding refined sugar.
  • non-dairy milk – I used oat milk here, making this recipe dairy free and nut free. But feel free to use your favorite (dairy or not). Adding in some canned coconut milk or half and half will provide a richer texture as well.
  • vanilla extract – an exquisite flavor boost – make sure not to skip it!
  • toppings – French toast wouldn’t be complete without warm maple syrup and whipped cream. If you want to get really indulgent, turn it into a French toast casserole with cream cheese (directions in recipe card below)!

Berry Tip: If you’re looking for just two berries to use in this french toast bake, my recommendation would be to go with blueberries and raspberries . The combination of those two berry flavors together is really delicious! Plus, less prep (no slicing necessary) and the blueberries especially hold up well when baking.

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.

ingredients on board for baked berry french toast casserole

California Giant Berries

I’m not sure what I would do if I couldn’t get berries all. the. time. Thankfully, California Giant Berry Farms is able to produce and supply us with high-quality berries year round.

If you see California Giant berries in store, be sure to pick some up! They’re on their way to becoming TRUE Zero Waste certified while focusing on sustainability through their products, community and the planet.

Read more about their sustainability efforts here.

How to Make

Making this baked berry French toast casserole is pretty simple. The main part of making this recipe is preparing the bread, and also deciding which route you want to go – making sure to plan enough time to allow the bread to dry out OR toasting the bread just slightly to dry it out. Here’s how to do it:

Prep Bread

Slice day-old, dry bread into 1″ cubes. Place bread in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.

Add the berries, leaving a few to the side to top with at the end (or simply add more to top).

Make Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract until combined.

whisk in bowl next to un-baked berry french toast casserole dish

Combine Casserole

Pour the egg mixture over top of the bread in the casserole dish, making sure to press the bread down so that all of the pieces have been soaked. Add more berries to the top, filling in any holes you see.

Cover and Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If you’ve dried out your bread, you can soak the bread for up to 8 hours (overnight).

powdered sugar in corner next to baked berry french toast casserole

Bake

Set the casserole out on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then cover with foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes (the foil keeps the top from browning too much).

Allow the French toast bake to rest for 15 minutes before serving. Once the casserole is ready, sprinkle with powdered sugar if you’d like. Serve warm with maple syrup and / or whipped cream.

baked french toast casserole in dish with berries and powdered sugar

Serving Suggestions

Nothing says celebratory meal more than a baked French toast with berries. I love to serve this as:

  • Weekend Brunch: Serve a crowd of family and friends with this scrumptious fruit French toast casserole. Whether you are hosting your own brunch, or going to a friend’s house, this one is sure to please.
  • Breakfast: Prep and bake it over the weekend, then cut into small squares and enjoy as an indulgent breakfast for the next few days.
  • Holidays: Serve this beauty on Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, or Father’s Day, or any time the occasion calls for it!
server lifting baked berry french toast casserole from white baking dish

How to Store & Reheat

Berry baked French toast is best enjoyed the day it is made, but leftovers can be stored, tightly covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Reheating Instructions: Pop a square in the microwave, in 30-second increments to prevent scorching, until warmed through.

Overnight Berry French Toast Casserole

If you’re looking to make prepare this french toast casserole overnight, I’ve got you covered.

All prep remains the same, simply cover tightly with plastic wrap and leave in the fridge overnight. When you wake up in the morning, remove from the fridge at least 30 minutes prior to baking.

TIP: The overnight soak is best for bread that is stale and at least one day old, or has been dried out in the oven. Dry bread allows the casserole to hold it’s structure, without becoming too soggy.

up close image of plate of baked berry french toast casserole with maple syrup in background

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen berries?

Yes! Substitute an equal amount of frozen berries when fresh fruit is not in season.

Why is my French toast casserole soggy?

The bread was not dry enough or there was too much egg mixture. Cover with foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to evaporate some of the moisture.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Leftover berry French toast bake can be reheated in 30-second increments in the microwave.

Can I use gluten-free bread?

I haven’t tested this with gluten-free bread but I imagine if you can find a similar loaf style to French bread that is gluten-free, then the recipe would work.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! I used oat milk in this recipe but you can use soy, cashew, almond or coconut (or a blend). You can also use traditional cow’s milk.

Can I choose just one berry variety for this recipe?

If you’d prefer to stick with one berry, I’d say go with blueberries. You may only need about 2 cups total.

More Breakfast / Brunch Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Vegetarian Breakfast Strata
  • Healthy Blueberry Pancakes
  • Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
  • Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
  • Kale Feta Egg Bake

If you make this Berry French Toast Casserole recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Xx Ashley

Print

Baked Berry French Toast Casserole

plate of berry french toast casserole
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

This Berry French Toast Casserole is bursting with three kinds of berries, maple syrup and egg-soaked French bread for one delicious breakfast. Make it in advance (overnight directions included!) to serve a crowd for weekend brunch, Easter and so much more!

  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 14–16 ounces day-old french bread (or challah or similar loaf)*
  • 6 ounces blueberries (about 1 cup)
  • 6 ounces raspberries (about 1 cup)
  • 3/4 cup quartered strawberries
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup liquid egg whites (equal to 5 large egg whites)
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract

Optional Additions

  • Cream Cheese, baked into French toast (see notes)
  • Powdered Sugar, topping
  • Whipped Cream, topping

Instructions

  1. Slice bread: Slice day-old, dry bread into 1″ cubes. Place bread in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Add just about all of the berries, leaving a few out to top with (or simply add more to top).
  2. Make custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract until combined. Pour the egg mixture over top of the bread in the casserole dish, making sure to press the bread down so that all of the pieces have been soaked. Add more berries to the top, filling in any holes you see.
  3. Soak: Cover and refrigerate the casserole dish for at least 2 hours. If you’ve dried out your bread, up to 8 hours (overnight).
  4. Bake: Set casserole out 30 minutes before baking; set oven to 350ºF. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered, and another 15-20 minutes covered with foil to keep top from browning too much. Allow casserole to rest for about 15 minutes before serving. Once the casserole is ready, sprinkle with powdered sugar if you’d like. Serve warm with maple syrup and/or whipped cream.

Notes

*If time allows, leave the bread out one day in advance to dry out the bread. You can also slice the bread, preheat oven to 275ºF and toast bread slices for about 3-4 minutes before cutting into 1″ cubes.

Prep time is a minimum of 2 hours. If your bread is extra dry or you’ve toasted it, about 6-8 hours of resting in the fridge overnight will work.

CREAM CHEESE – If you’re feeling a little indulgent, try adding 8 ounces chopped cream cheese (about 1″ cubes) into the casserole before you cover and refrigerate. Bake as directed.

STORAGE & REHEATING – French toast casserole is best enjoyed the day of, but leftovers will keep, covered, in the refrigerator 1-2 days. Reheat in 30-second intervals in the microwave.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12th
  • Calories: 189
  • Sugar: 10
  • Sodium: 288
  • Fat: 3
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 31
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 10
  • Cholesterol: 93

Keywords: berry french toast casserole, french toast bake, overnight french toast casserole

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fitmittenkitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #fitmittenkitchen

About Ashley

"Ashley Walterhouse is the founder of Fit Mitten Kitchen, based in the Greater Lansing Area of Michigan, AKA “the Mitten.” Ashley grew up as a picky eater but later discovered that eating healthy was actually easy and fun. She started FMK in 2015 as a way to share her newfound love of developing healthier recipes for all to enjoy."

pieces of carrot cake baked oatmeal on wire rack next to orange carrots, shredded coconut and pan
Previous Post
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
vegan carrot cake cashew cream frosting on cake stand
Next Post
Vegan Carrot Cake

Reader Interactions

Rate this Recipe Cancel reply

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

  1. Gina says

    12/21/2019 at 12:17 am

    So I already prepped this and will be baking it in the morning when I realized there is no metion of what temp. to bake it at? I’m assuming maybe 350 or 375? Please let me know. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      12/21/2019 at 12:54 pm

      Ah so sorry about that! 350F. Will fix A thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  2. Brianna Banka says

    1/5/2020 at 11:16 am

    This turned out so good AND beautiful! So tasty. Thanks for the recipe Ashley!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      1/8/2020 at 1:27 pm

      So glad you liked, Brianna! Thanks for taking the time to comment and review!

      Reply
  3. Jessie says

    2/17/2020 at 8:37 am

    A delicious, easy to put together French toast for a group of people or brunch. I definitely agree that the blueberry and raspberry combo are very complimentary.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      2/17/2020 at 8:58 am

      Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback and a review! I’m so glad it was enjoyed 😀

      Reply
  4. Erin says

    4/2/2020 at 6:33 pm

    We swapped our regular baked french toast recipe for this one and loved it! We let it hang in the fridge overnight and it baked up perfectly. The addition of the berries throughout are so good. Didn’t try the cream cheese, but will next time!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      4/8/2020 at 12:53 pm

      So glad you all liked 😀

      Reply
  5. Jen says

    1/28/2021 at 9:40 am

    We loved this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      2/1/2021 at 11:21 am

      Yay! Thanks so much, Jen! 😀

      Reply
  6. McKenzie says

    2/9/2021 at 1:24 am

    This bake was so tasty! I even warmed some leftovers up the day after, added a little more syrup on top and it was just as delicious. So easy to make and do flavorful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Ashley Z says

    12/25/2021 at 5:56 pm

    I made this for Christmas and it was a big hit! It was delicious, not too sweet, and the berries were the perfect touch. I added a little cinnamon to the egg mixture and it worked great! I’ll be making this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Ashley smiling at the camera

Hey there!

I’m Ashley – I started in 2015 to share healthier recipes. Here we balance real food with desserts and healthy snacks making life easy, nutritious and delicious.

Learn more

More for you...

Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe with spoon lifting out of casserole dish

Cheesy Potato Casserole

31 Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

overhead view of sliced cranberry crumble bars on small plate

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Healthy Cranberry Orange Sauce-6

Healthy Cranberry Orange Sauce

24 Amazing Brussels Sprouts Recipes

24 Amazing Brussels Sprouts Recipes

green bean casserole in white dish, next to cheese, small plate of herbs and forks on small plate in bottom left frame

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

plant based thanksgiving recipes square graphic with recipe images

Plant Based Thanksgiving Recipes

squares of pumpkin pie bars with whipped topping and pecans

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars

Free recipe ebook!

Subscribe and get a FREE healthy nut butter ebook!

Thank you for subscribing!
Trending Now
green bean casserole in white dish, next to cheese, small plate of herbs and forks on small plate in bottom left frame Thanksgiving Recipes
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe-9 Pumpkin Recipes
chai spiced cinnamon rolls on small plate Cinnamon Rolls
As Featured On
  • Browse by Diet
  • Gluten-Free
  • Dairy Free
  • Vegan
  • Paleo
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
Exclusive Member of Mediavine· © 2023 · All Rights Reserved · Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Back to Top

Subscribe & receive a free nut butter ebook!

Thank you for subscribing!
1870 shares
berry french toast casserole bake text with 2 images