A sweet, soft, make-ahead breakfast casserole perfect for slow mornings.
Some mornings just call for something extra special. Maybe it’s a birthday, a weekend brunch with the family, or just a lazy Sunday when you want to linger over coffee and a warm bite of something sweet. For those kinds of mornings, this Strawberry French Toast Bake is a total win.
It’s soft, custardy, packed with fresh strawberries, and topped with a golden, buttery crumble that brings it all together. The flavor is familiar and cozy—like a classic French toast—but the strawberries add a little something bright and juicy to every bite. The best part? You can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven when you wake up.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients – Nothing fancy, just everyday basics you probably already have on hand.
- Make-ahead friendly – Assemble the night before, and your morning is stress-free.
- Perfect for sharing – Feeds a crowd, whether you’re hosting brunch or just have hungry kids to feed.
- Full of flavor – Sweet bread, creamy custard, juicy strawberries, and a cinnamon-sugar topping.
If you’ve ever had overnight French toast, this is very similar—but the strawberries make it feel extra fresh and summery. And that crumbly topping? It’s the finishing touch that makes it feel like a bakery treat.
What Bread Should I Use?
While French bread works great, I actually prefer using a soft, sweet loaf like King’s Hawaiian or brioche. It soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart, and it gives the bake just a hint of extra sweetness.
That said, feel free to use what you have—day-old sandwich bread, rolls, or even leftover hot dog buns will work in a pinch. This recipe is flexible, and that’s part of what makes it so great.
Tips for Success
- Tear or cut your bread into 1–2″ pieces. A rough tear gives it a nice rustic look and texture.
- Use ripe strawberries for the best flavor. If they’re not in season, you can use frozen—but thaw and drain them first.
- Don’t skip the topping. It adds a subtle crunch and a cinnamon-sugar lift that finishes the dish beautifully.
- Let it sit before baking. Even just 30 minutes helps the bread soak up the custard. Overnight is even better.
Can I Use Other Fruits?
Absolutely. This recipe is a great base for all kinds of fruit:
- Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries
- Peaches or nectarines (peeled and sliced)
- Banana slices and a few chocolate chips for something extra indulgent
How to Serve It
This bake comes out warm, soft, and golden. Once it’s cooled slightly, I love to serve it with:
- A drizzle of maple syrup
- A dusting of powdered sugar
- A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt
Add some hot coffee or tea and you’ve got a breakfast that feels like a treat but doesn’t take a ton of work to pull together.
How to Store & Reheat
- Fridge: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Let it cool completely, then freeze in slices or whole. Wrap tightly. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
- Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes or microwave individual slices for 30–45 seconds until warm.
Strawberry French Toast Bake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling, if prepping overnight)
Servings: 12
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf sweet Hawaiian bread or French bread, cut/torn into 1–2″ pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2% preferred)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries (about 1 pint)
For the Topping:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Make the topping: In a small bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- Prep the strawberries: Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries. For even slices, you can use an egg slicer—it works surprisingly well!
- Mix the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Assemble the casserole:
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add half of the torn bread to the bottom of the pan.
- Layer on half of the sliced strawberries.
- Repeat with the remaining bread and strawberries.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and berries. Press gently with your hands or a spatula so the bread absorbs the liquid without crushing the fruit.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over everything.
- Chill or bake:
- If baking right away: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- If prepping ahead: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove from fridge while the oven preheats and bake as directed, adding 5–10 extra minutes if needed.
- Cool and serve: Let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry French Toast Bake is everything I love about weekend breakfasts—easy to make, beautiful on the table, and full of flavor. Whether you’re serving it to a crowd or just want to treat your family to something homemade and sweet, it’s a recipe that never disappoints.
And once you try it with strawberries? You’ll be dreaming up all the fruit combos you can make next. Blueberry-cream cheese, apple-cinnamon, peach-almond—the possibilities are endless, but this strawberry version is a perfect place to start.
