Baked Banana French Toast Casserole (Easy Breakfast)

Wake up to the comforting aroma of our Baked Banana French Toast Casserole. This easy, make-ahead breakfast turns simple ingredients into a gourmet morning treat. We layer thick-cut, custard-soaked bread with sweet, ripe bananas and finish it all with a signature buttery cinnamon crumble. Perfect for family brunches or an elevated weekend breakfast, this casserole promises a soft, melting interior and a satisfyingly crunchy top. Best of all, you can assemble it the night before, then simply bake and enjoy!

Ingredients

For the Casserole Base:

• Bread: 1 loaf (about 1 lb) of day-old French bread, brioche, or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes.

• Bananas: 4 ripe bananas, sliced.

• Eggs: 8 large eggs.

• Milk: 2 ½ cups whole milk (or your preferred milk).

• Sugar: 1/2 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar.

• Vanilla: 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.

• Spices: 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg.

• Salt: A pinch (about ¼ teaspoon).

• Syrup: (Optional, for higher protein as suggested in image) 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or blend 1 serving of protein powder into the milk.

For the Buttery Crumble Topping:

• Butter: ½ cup (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces.

• Brown Sugar: ¾ cup packed light brown sugar.

• Flour: ¾ cup all-purpose flour.

• Pecans/Walnuts: (Optional) ½ cup chopped nuts for extra crunch.

• Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon.

Instructions

1. Prep the Pan: Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

2. Layer the Base: Spread the bread cubes evenly into the prepared dish. Scatter the sliced bananas over the bread, pressing them gently in.

3. Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely smooth. Note: If including protein powder, blend this mixture in a blender.

4. Soak: Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread and bananas, making sure all the bread is well-coated. Use a spatula to press the cubes down if needed.

5. Chill: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally, overnight. This is the secret to a perfectly soft interior.

6. Preheat and Make the Topping: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cold butter pieces. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mash and mix until the mixture looks like coarse, crumbly sand. (Mix in nuts here, if using).

7. Assemble and Bake: Uncover the casserole and sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the surface.

8. Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 45 to 55 minutes. The casserole is done when it's puffed up, the center is set, and the top is deeply golden brown. (Test by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out mostly clean).

9. Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, stacked high, with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Cooking Tips for Success:

• Use Dry Bread: If your bread is fresh, cut it into cubes and toast them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until dried, but not browned.

• Make-Ahead: For the best texture, the overnight soak is crucial.

• High-Protein Twist: The custard can be customized. To match the image's high-protein label, blend in your favorite vanilla protein powder with the eggs and milk.