Croissant French Toast Casserole with Blueberries and Cream Cheese

This croissant French toast casserole is buttery, golden, and perfect for lazy weekends or special brunches.

I believe that everyone should have a go-to French toast casserole recipe in their recipe collection. I found the inspiration for this casserole while Ken and I were vacationing in Charleston during a weekend in September of 2014.

It was a cloudy morning but thankfully, it wasn’t raining so we decided to take a stroll downtown. After exploring the Historic Downtown Charleston City Market, we were both craving the rich, comforting taste of a latte.  We stumbled upon a little cafe called the East Bay Meeting House and decided to stop in. We had a seat at the coffee bar and ordered lattes.

Although we had already eaten breakfast, the brunch menu piqued my curiosity. As I was reading the menu, a brunch entree caught my attention: Croissant French Toast.

The recipe intrigued me; French toast made with croissants. The flaky, buttery crust of a croissant could be perfect in a French toast recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

Croissant French toast casserole is popular for good reason. It’s got the richness of a bread pudding and the cozy nostalgia of classic French toast. But when you use croissants instead of plain sandwich bread, everything gets elevated. The flavor is deeper. The texture is more interesting. And the buttery layers crisp up beautifully on top while soaking up custard below.

This dish is also a dream when it comes to prep. You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge overnight. That makes it a go-to for holidays or when you’ve got company in town. You’re free to enjoy your morning coffee while the oven does the work.

And here’s the part I love most: every bite has a mix of textures. Soft and custardy in the center, golden and crisp around the edges. That contrast is what keeps people going back for seconds.

Plus, it’s easy to adapt. You can change up the flavors, add fruit or chocolate, or use whatever milk or cream you have on hand. But even without extras, it’s already a showstopper.

Ingredients For Croissant French Toast Casserole

This recipe uses a handful of flavorful ingredients that combine to create a warm, rich, fruit-studded casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 10 cups cubed croissants – About 13 mini croissants. Day-old works best so they soak up the custard.
• 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese – Cubed and layered into the casserole for creamy bites.
• 1 cup frozen blueberries – No need to thaw.
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter – Melted into the custard for richness.
• 1 1/2 cups reduced fat milk – Adds volume and helps soak the croissants.
• 1/2 cup half and half – For creaminess.
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar – Sweet and a little molasses-like.
• 1/3 cup maple syrup – Adds depth and a touch of classic breakfast flavor.
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavor.
• 8 large eggs – The base of your custard.
• 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice – Warming and aromatic. Plus more for sprinkling the top.

Use quality maple syrup and real vanilla extract if possible. The little details shine in this dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Croissant French Toast Casserole

Follow these steps for a soft, creamy center and golden, flavorful top.

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×11 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Wipe away any excess with a paper towel.
2. Prepare the custard mixture. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (about 1 minute). Whisk in the milk, half and half, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, apple pie spice, and eggs until smooth. Set aside.
3. Assemble the casserole. Place half of the cubed croissants into the bottom of your baking dish. Layer half the cream cheese cubes and half the blueberries over the croissants. Add the remaining croissants, then top with the rest of the cream cheese and blueberries.
4. Add the custard. Slowly pour the custard mixture over the casserole. Press the top gently with the back of a spoon so everything is evenly soaked.
5. Top and bake. Sprinkle more apple pie spice over the top if desired. Bake uncovered for 50 to 55 minutes. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
6. Cool before serving. Let it rest on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing. This helps it set up so it serves cleanly.

Note: If you’re using a 9×13 dish instead, the casserole will be slightly thinner and may bake a bit faster. Start checking around the 45-minute mark.

Croissant French Toast Casserole with Blueberries and Cream Cheese

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

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Ingredients

• 10 C of cubed croissants (about 13 mini sized croissants)
• 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese, cubed
• 1 C frozen blueberries
• 1/4 C unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 C reduced fat milk
• 1/2 C half and half
• 1/2 C light brown sugar
• 1/3 C maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice plus more for sprinkling the top of the casserole

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Prepare your baking dish. Spray a 8x11 baking dish with cooking spray. Wipe away excess with a paper towel. **See notes for instructions on how to bake in a 9x13 dish.
3. Prepare the custard mixture. Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl for about 1 minute in your microwave. Whisk in the milk, half and half, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, apple pie spice and the eggs. Set aside.
4. Assemble the casserole. Place half of the cubed croissants in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the cream cheese and half of the blueberries. Top with the remaining cubed croissants and then the remaining cream cheese and blueberries. Pour the custard mixture over the top of the casserole. Push down the top of the casserole with the back side of a spoon, making sure to get the custard mixture evenly distributed within the dish. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with apple pie spice, if desired.
5. Bake at 350 for 50 to 55 minutes. If the top of the casserole begins to become too dark, cover with aluminum foil.
6. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving so the casserole has time to set.

Notes

**To bake in a 9x13 dish, follow instructions exactly as listed above but reduce the baking time to 35 to 40 minutes.

Make this recipe as close to real food as you can by using fresh baked croissants from your local bakery. If you have a favorite croissant recipe, you could make homemade croissants and use them in this recipe. If you don't want to use brown granulated sugar, you may substitute with coconut sugar.

How to Serve Croissant French Toast Casserole

This casserole is best served warm, right out of the oven. It already has plenty of flavor on its own, but you can dress it up with a few extras.

Some of my favorite serving ideas:

• A dusting of powdered sugar
• Warm maple syrup or a drizzle of honey
• Fresh berries or sliced bananas
• A spoonful of whipped cream or mascarpone

For brunch spreads, cut it into squares and serve with tongs or a cake server. It pairs beautifully with a salty side like bacon or sausage, and a strong cup of coffee.

During the holidays, I like to add a few mimosas or a spiced apple cider to the table. It feels festive without requiring extra effort.

How To Store & Reheat Croissant French Toast Casserole

If you have leftovers (which isn’t always the case around here), they keep well and reheat beautifully.

Let the casserole cool completely before storing. Then cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer individual portions to airtight containers.

• In the fridge: It’ll keep for 3 to 4 days.
• In the freezer: Wrap in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.

To reheat:

• Single servings: Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Whole dish: Reheat in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 15–20 minutes.

For the crispiest top, skip the microwave and use the oven or a toaster oven instead. That’ll bring back the golden edges.

Substitutions & Variations For Croissant French Toast Casserole

There are plenty of ways to switch things up, depending on what you have on hand or what flavors you’re craving.

• Bread swap: If croissants aren’t available, try brioche, challah, or even a buttery crescent roll dough baked and torn up.
• Milk options: Use half-and-half, almond milk, or oat milk in place of whole milk and cream. Just note that the texture will change slightly.
• Add-ins:
  • Fresh berries folded into the croissants before baking
  • Chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture
  • Orange zest or almond extract in the custard

For fall, add a spoonful of pumpkin puree and some pumpkin pie spice. For spring, toss in strawberries and a bit of lemon zest. This casserole is a great blank canvas.

FAQs About Croissant French Toast Casserole

Here are some straightforward answers to the most common questions I receive about this croissant French toast casserole recipe.

Can I make croissant French toast casserole the night before?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s better that way. Letting it soak overnight in the fridge gives the custard time to really absorb into the croissants, making the texture more consistent and flavorful. Just cover it with foil and keep it chilled until you’re ready to bake.

What’s the best type of croissants to use for French toast casserole?
I always go for bakery-style croissants. They tend to have better flavor and more structure than the ones in plastic clamshells at the grocery store. If they’re a day or two old, even better. They’ll soak up more of the custard without falling apart.

Can I use store-bought croissants that are already soft and buttery?
You can, but the texture might be a little softer overall. If you only have fresh croissants, try toasting them in a 300°F oven for 5–10 minutes before using. That’ll help dry them out just enough to hold up in the custard.

How do I prevent my croissant casserole from getting soggy?
Make sure your croissants aren’t too fresh or too soft. Use enough custard to soak the bread but don’t drown it. And don’t skip that final uncovered bake time — it’s what creates the golden, crisp top.

Can I freeze croissant French toast casserole for later?
Yes, and it works well. After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven. You can also freeze unbaked casserole, but be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking so the custard sets properly.

Try These Recipes Next

If you liked this croissant French toast casserole, you might enjoy these other breakfast favorites from This Gal Cooks:

• Overnight Chocolate Pecan Pie French Toast Casserole – a decadent twist with chocolate and nuts.
• Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake – cozy, quick, and perfect for busy weeknights.
• Hummingbird Cake Recipe – a classic Southern cake full of banana, pineapple, and spice.

There’s always something comforting baking in the kitchen around here.

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