Name: Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces brioche bread; 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw); 1 tablespoon lemon zest; ⅔ cup lightly packed light brown sugar; 8 large eggs; 1 cup whole milk; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled); 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

There's something truly comforting about waking up to a warm, golden breakfast bubbling fresh from the oven. This Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe combines the sweetness of fresh blueberries with the tang of lemon zest to create a comforting dish that’s both impressive and effortless. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually super doable, perfect for weekend brunch or a special holiday morning.

A thick square slice of bread pudding with visible blueberries baked inside sits on a white plate. The bread pudding has a golden-brown crust with a soft, light yellow inside speckled with dark purple blueberries. On top, there are fresh whole blueberries and a few pieces of toasted bread crust dusted with powdered sugar. A silver syrup pitcher is pouring amber syrup over the bread pudding, and some syrup pools on the plate near the dessert. In the background, a white bowl with fresh blueberries and a small bunch of greens is partly visible, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe has become a weekend staple in my house because it blends the flavors I love—tart blueberries, sweet browned sugar, and creamy custard—without any flapjack flipping stress. The best part? You make it ahead, so the morning is all about enjoying, not prepping.

Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the casserole the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning—total time saver.
Bursting Fresh Flavor: The fresh (or frozen) blueberries combined with zesty lemon brighten every bite.
Creamy Custard Goodness: The rich egg and milk mixture soaks into the brioche for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: It easily serves eight, making it a winner for family gatherings or brunch with friends.

The image shows a white plate with a thick slice of golden-brown baked French toast filled with dark purple blueberries inside and on top. The top layer is sprinkled with a light dusting of white powdered sugar and a small green mint leaf. Behind the toast, there are two strips of crispy brown bacon resting on the plate. A silver fork is placed at the side with a piece of the toast speared on it, revealing the soft texture and blueberries inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe plays an important role, and understanding why helps you appreciate and maybe even customize the dish a little. From the silky custard base to the burst of berries, here’s why these ingredients shine.

Flat lay of fresh golden brioche bread cubes, a handful of plump fresh blueberries, a small heap of bright yellow lemon zest, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, eight large whole eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of creamy whole milk, a small white bowl with melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl of clear pure vanilla extract, and a small pinch of coarse salt crystals arranged in a balanced, symmetrical layout on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche bread: Its tender crumb and buttery flavor soak up the custard beautifully while providing a golden crust.
Blueberries: Fresh is best for bright flavor, but frozen works well too if you don’t thaw them, so they don’t get mushy.
Lemon zest: Adds a fresh, aromatic brightness that balances the sweetness.
Light brown sugar: Gives a subtle molasses richness that deepens the sweetness.
Large eggs: The backbone of the custard, eggs provide structure and richness.
Whole milk: Creates creamy custard with just the right consistency and richness.
Unsalted butter (melted): Adds lushness and helps keep the casserole moist.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the flavors with warm, sweet notes.
Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness and deepens all the other flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is. Sometimes, I swap in raspberries or blackberries for a twist, or sprinkle chopped nuts on top for a bit of crunch. You can also easily make it dairy-free by using almond or oat milk, which still makes a fantastic custard.

Berry Swap: I once tried a mix of blueberries and strawberries—turned out beautifully and added a nice color contrast.
Nutty Upgrade: Toasted pecans on top give a lovely texture and nutty flavor.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap whole milk with coconut milk for a creamy but lighter feel, great if you’re avoiding dairy.
Extra Sweetness: For a dessert-like twist, drizzle with a bit of honey or sprinkle extra brown sugar before baking.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cube and Layer the Brioche and Blueberries

Start by greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish—trust me, the nonstick spray makes cleanup a breeze. Using a serrated knife, cut your brioche into 1-inch cubes; this size works perfectly to soak up the custard without falling apart. I like to spread half the bread cubes in the dish, then sprinkle half the blueberries over, layering again with the remaining bread, and topping it with blueberries. This layering ensures bursts of juicy fruit throughout.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Brown Sugar Custard

In a large mixing bowl, rub the lemon zest into the brown sugar using your fingertips until it's fragrant—this little step really brings out the lemon's brightness. Then whisk in eggs, whole milk, melted butter, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and silky. This custard is what transforms the bread into a custardy, soft delight.

Step 3: Pour, Cover, and Chill

Gently pour your custard evenly over the layered bread and blueberries. Cover tightly with foil and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. I find overnight chilling is the secret to deeply soaked bread and a custard that’s always perfectly cooked in the center.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Take the dish out of the fridge while your oven heats to 350°F—letting it warm slightly prevents the custard from shocking and helps it cook evenly. Bake covered for 45 minutes to allow the custard to set, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes to develop a golden, slightly crisp top. You’ll know it's done when it's puffed up and no longer jiggles when you shake the pan gently.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve warm with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for that classic touch. I sometimes add a dollop of whipped cream if it’s a really special occasion, but honestly, it’s delicious either way.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe dozens of times, and a few tricks really helped me get consistent results every single time.

Don’t Thaw Frozen Blueberries: Using frozen berries straight from the freezer prevents the casserole from becoming too watery—trust me, it makes a big difference.
Use Brioche for Best Texture: Something about brioche’s rich crumb soaks up the custard without turning soggy, unlike regular white bread.
Rub Zest into Sugar: This quick step brings out maximum lemon flavor, brightening the whole dish subtly but meaningfully.
Don’t Skip the Refrigeration: Letting it sit overnight means you’ll get soft custardy layers instead of dry, and the flavor blossoms as it chills.

How to Serve Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Blueberry French Toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup—that sweet combo pairs beautifully with the lemony blueberries. On special mornings, fresh mint leaves or a handful of toasted almonds on top add a festive flair without overpowering the flavors.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I love serving this casserole alongside crispy bacon or spicy sausage links for a savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or a green smoothie also complements the dish nicely for a refreshing balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a brunch party, I like serving individual portions in mini ramekins or pretty cast iron skillets. Adding a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries on top makes it look extra special, perfect for holidays like Mother's Day or Christmas morning.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers go straight into an airtight container in the fridge and stay good for 3-4 days. I always slice it before storing so you can grab just a piece or two without messing with the whole casserole.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the casserole both before and after baking. Before baking, wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you're ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as usual. After baking, leftover slices freeze well wrapped individually—reheat straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To keep that crispy top, I reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes, covering loosely with foil if it’s drying out. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps the texture just right.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of bread besides brioche?

Absolutely! While brioche gives the best custardy texture and rich flavor, you can substitute challah or a sturdy white bread. Just avoid very dense or whole grain breads as they don’t soak as well.

Do I have to thaw frozen blueberries before using?

No need to thaw frozen blueberries; using them frozen prevents excess moisture and keeps the casserole from getting soggy. Just sprinkle them frozen right on top of the bread layers.

Can this casserole be made vegan or dairy-free?

You can make dairy-free versions by substituting the milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk. For a vegan version, replace eggs with a commercial egg replacer or blended silken tofu, but note the texture will be slightly different. Adding a bit of vegan butter helps mimic richness.

How long can I refrigerate the casserole before baking?

The casserole can safely stay refrigerated for up to 12 hours before baking. I personally prefer letting it chill overnight as it allows the bread to absorb the custard fully and develop more flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my weekend routine—the way the lemon brightens up the sweet blueberries and the custardy, soft bread envelops your fork is simply joy. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s become my go-to for easy crowd-pleasing breakfast or brunch.