This crockpot french toast casserole is the perfect brunch recipe for Easter, Mother's Day, or just a regular Sunday! Assemble it the night before, and cook the next day, for a super hands-off brunch recipe.
Easter is just around the corner and it has me thinking brunch. Growing up, we didn't have any real solid brunch food traditions centered around Easter, but I hope this crockpot French Toast Casserole becomes a tradition for my boys!
Disclaimer:ย This post was sponsored byย Egg Farmers Of Canadaย and I was compensated monetarilyย for my time. Thank you for supporting the brands that I love!
Not only is this slow cooker french toast delicious, but it takes the pressure off on Easter morning so you can enjoy the Easter morning fun with your kiddos.
Easter is the perfect time to enjoy eggs, and I'm not just talking about the chocolate kind ๐ . Eggs are healthy and so versatile, they can be a part of your Easter breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert! Check out this delicious sunny side up pavlova recipe from Egg Farmers of Canada for a delicious dessert recipe!
Did you know that no matter where you purchase your eggs in Canada, they will always be from Canadian farmers? On average, eggs arrive from the farm to the grocery store in under 1 week. So you know when you purchase grade A eggs, they are high quality and fresh, and you are supporting Canadian farmers.
How will you be enjoying eggs on Easter? Don't forget to post a picture on social media and use the hashtage #Eastertaining
Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Reasons we love this crockpot french toast casserole:
- 95% of the work is done the night before
- it is hands off to cook and does not require you to turn on the oven
- it can cook while you enjoy your Easter morning activities with the kids
How to make it
For this slow cooker french toast, I adapted my favorite Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake recipe.
I took it a step farther by treating the bread with a little extra TLC:
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- tear the bread into pieces rather than cut. This helps the bread get lots of nice nooks and crannies for the eggy mixture to sink in
- let the bread sit out or toast for 30 minutes in the oven to get it dry and 'stale'. This helps the bread retain it's texture and not get soggy.
How to cook it
- combine the eggs, milk, spices, vanilla, blueberries and maple syrup, stir into the slow cooker base with 1 lb of bread cubes
- cover and let it sit overnight in the fridge.
- to cook: remove from the fridge, place slow cooker base onto the slow cooker
- cook on high for 2.5-3 hours
- in a pan, toast up the crunchy oat topping
- spread the topping over the casserole
- enjoy!
Do I need to make the crunchy oat topping? I recommend it as it gives a bit more texture to the dish. Since this french toast is cooked in the slow cooker, it ends up somewhat soft (except the edges which get a bit of crunch)
Does this casserole need to sit overnight? I have only tried it this way. I suspect it would be alright to make the morning of. Let me know if you try it!
Can I bake this in the oven? Yes! Use thisย Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake recipe.
Can I freeze it? Apparently you can freeze it before or after cooking, but I have not tried.
Can I make this in my Instant Pot? Apparently you can, but you would need a round dish that is Instant Pot safe and would fit this casserole...you may need to half the recipe. Basically...maybe? Try 25-28 minutes at high pressure.
The best bread for french toast
You can pretty much use any bread youโd like, however I recommend a thick and sturdy loaf from the bakery department of your grocery store. I used a sourdough loaf for my overnight french toast casserole. You can use challah, brioche, baguette or any french bread for that matter. You can even use a flavored loaf like a cinnamon raisin, however I opted for simple so that the blueberries really shined through in this recipe.
If youโd like to make it a bit healthier, you could even opt for a whole wheat bread. I was unable to find any whole wheat bread suitable for this overnight french toast bake at my grocery store, so I went with white.
Change up the flavors
- add ยฝ block of cream cheese (cubed)
- swap the blueberries for any other berry
- add some fresh lemon zest
- swap the blueberries for chopped apple: I recommend 2 peeled and chopped apples
Tips & equipment
- I used my large 6 quart slow cooker
- Spray the crockpot insert generously with oil to prevent casserole from sticking
- Looking for more eggy brunch recipes? Check out these Sheet Pan Eggs, These 7 Delicious Homemade Pancake Recipes, and this Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Sweet Potatoes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Crockpot French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf french bread (torn into 1 inch pieces; roughly 4-6 cups; sourdough, challah, brioche all work)
- 2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 10 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
- ยผ teaspoon nutmeg
- ยฝ cup maple syrup
Crunchy Oat Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ยฝ cup pecans (chopped)
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: tear into 1 inch cubes and spread out on a sheet pan. Allow to sit overnight to get stale, or toast at 250ยฐF for 30 minutes.
- Spray the insert of a large (5 or 6 quart) slow cooker with spray oil. Add the bread cubes and blueberries.
- Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup. Pour over the bread and blueberries and stir to coat.
- Cover and place the slow cooker insert into the fridge. Allow to sit overnight.
- To cook- remove the slow cooker insert from the fridge and place in the slow cooker base. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2- 2 ยฝ, or until middle is cooked through.
- Crunchy oat topping- in a medium pan, melt the butter. Stir in the maple syrup and cinnamon, stirring until dissolved. Stir in the rolled oats, pecans and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Cool slightly before sprinkling over the casserole.
- Serve with fresh blueberries and maple syrup.
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Nutrition Information
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lydia says
I made everything last night and cooked it this morning. It didn't turn out ๐
Denise Bustard says
Hi Lydia, I'm so sorry to hear this. Can you tell me what didn't turn out for you?
Sarah says
Can it sit for more than 8 hours overnight?
Denise says
Hi Sarah, I don't recommend that as it can burn. If you want one that you can leave overnight and bake up in the morning, here's a great one: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/blueberry-overnight-french-toast-bake/
gun mayhem says
Yummy! I canโt wait to try it!
Vicki says
No way I'm getting up 3 hours before breakfast to put this on the crockpot base! So it's your Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake recipe for me.
Denise says
Hi Vicki! Hope you enjoy! This crock pot one is perfect for a brunch or late breakfast ๐
Shareba says
This looks incredible! I've just pinned it for later, can't wait to try it ๐
Denise says
Thanks Shareba, I hope you enjoy if you give it a try!