Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
The perfect Christmas morning make ahead breakfast. A classic with a twist- cardamom to be fancy and for the flavor. Plus it’s made healthy with whole grain bread, and less sugar making it diabetes friendly.
The Best Breakfast Casserole
Overnight French Toast Casserole is truly the best casserole for a group (I’ve personally made it for my family Christmas morning several times). It’s a fun twist of extra flavor on your classic French toast to decrease overall sugar but keep the flavor (making it diabetes friendly). Plus it’s super easy to make and serves a ton of people. The cardamom gives it little something extra because it’s fancier than cinnamon but if you’re not a huge fan you can limit what you use or replace with cinnamon. Also a comment on the bread- use fresh bread from a bakery not packaged. I used a millet flaxseed bread which was high in fiber making it extra filling. Pecans or walnuts would be a great addition to pump up the protein. A sprinkle of flaxseeds or chia seeds would also provide extra nutrition.
Overnight Make Ahead
The French toast casserole is also a great option for food prep since it can be made in advance. When I made it for just myself and my husband and we warmed up the leftovers for breakfast during the week. In fact I’m wishing I had some to enjoy this morning. Do you have to cook for a lot of people this holiday season? I’ve never cooked Christmas dinner but I’ve always helped my mom out in the kitchen. I am definitely planning to make this French toast casserole to enjoy with my mom, husband, and sisters and you should too- everyone will be impressed when you use the word cardamom and they will love it!
Healthy French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf whole grain bread cubed into 1 inch pieces
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (can use lite or sugar free)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cardamom
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- nuts and seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon
- Spread bread cubes evenly in 13x9 pan, pour mixture on top
- Cover and let sit in fridge overnight
- Top with nuts/seeds if using or a sprinkle of cardamom and cinnamon
- Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes the next day
- Allow to cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving
- Can top with additional syrup or whipped cream
If you are struggling this holiday season with making peace with food or dealing with a new diabetes diagnosis- I’m the dietitian for you- check out my resources page to shop my holiday healthy eating toolkits.
What do you like better French toast or pancakes? I would probably say pancakes for myself- unless it’s stuffed French toast!
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I don’t think I’ve ever used cardamom, but I’m curious now. I love love french toast – it’s the perfect brunch option!
It’s so much fancier than cinnamon- definitely give it a try!!