Try This Chocolate-Pecan-Pie Overnight French Toast Bake Recipe

This overnight french toast bake is cozy, chocolatey, and made for slow holiday mornings.

The first time I made an overnight french toast bake was for a Christmas brunch years ago. I had my heart set on something warm, comforting, and easy to pull together after the kids opened their presents.

Regular French toast sounded fine, but I didn’t want to stand over the stove flipping slices while everyone else was sipping coffee and enjoying the morning. So I prepped this casserole the night before, slid it into the oven the next day, and let the sweet smells of cinnamon, vanilla, and maple fill the house while it baked.

Over time, I started adding little touches. A handful of chocolate chips here, a pecan pie-style topping there, and soon it turned into what I make today.

This version has a gooey, buttery pecan topping with just enough crunch, and those melty chocolate bits make it feel like dessert in a breakfast disguise. It’s become our go-to for special occasions and lazy weekends alike.

The inspiration for pecans came from when I made pecan pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It was a huge hit!

I added spiced rum and cinnamon to my pie, and I did the same thing with this overnight french toast bake. Throw in some cocoa powder and chocolate chips and you have a chocolate pecan explosion in your French toast!

And you won’t regret it one bit.

Slice your bread. Mix all of your ingredients in a bowl. Stagger your bread in an 8×8 baking dish. Pour ingredients over bread. Cover and refrigerate over night. All you have to do in the morning is remove it from the fridge and bake at 325 for 30 minutes. Breakfast is so easy.

Why This Overnight French Toast Bake Recipe Works

Overnight french toast bake is one of those dishes that checks all the right boxes. You make it ahead, which saves time and dishes the next morning. It feeds a crowd without much fuss. And the flavor? Rich, custardy, and sweet without being too heavy.

The overnight rest lets the bread soak up every bit of the cinnamon-spiced custard. That gives the casserole a soft, almost bread pudding-like texture. But what really makes this one shine is the topping. It’s a quick mix of butter, sugar, maple syrup, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips. Once baked, it turns into a golden, caramelized crust that contrasts perfectly with the creamy base underneath.

This recipe also works with a variety of breads and mix-ins, which makes it adaptable for different tastes or dietary needs. But the combination of French bread, maple, chocolate, and pecan is what keeps my family coming back for seconds.

Ingredients For Overnight French Toast Bake

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this overnight french toast bake:

• 1 loaf French bread, sliced into about 1/4 inch thick slices
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons spiced rum
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

French bread is ideal here because it holds its shape and soaks in the custard without falling apart. The combination of chocolate chips, spiced rum, and a dusting of cocoa makes it rich and a little indulgent. Don’t forget the pecans—they add just the right crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Overnight French Toast Bake

1. Arrange the bread: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil. Place the bread slices in the pan in a staggered pattern so they stand upright but slightly angled. This helps with even soaking and gives a pretty finished look.
2. Make the custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, cinnamon, cocoa powder, vanilla, spiced rum, and sugar until fully combined.
3. Pour and tuck: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure to get between all the slices. Use a spoon or your fingers to gently push the pecans and chocolate chips over the top and in between the bread slices so they’re well distributed.
4. Chill: Cover the pan tightly and refrigerate overnight.
5. Bake: In the morning, preheat the oven to 325°F. Remove the pan from the fridge and spoon any liquid that settled in the bottom over the top of the bread. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
6. Finish: At the 27-minute mark, remove from the oven and drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Return to the oven for the final few minutes of baking.
7. Cool and serve: Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving and enjoy.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Overnight French Toast Bake

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 C butter, melted
• 1 loaf French bread, sliced into about 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp spiced rum
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 C chopped pecans
• 1/2 C semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 C milk
• 1/2 C granulated sugar
• 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Line an 8x8 baking pan with foil. Place the bread in the pan in a staggared pattern. See photo below for an example.
2. Whisk the remaining ingredients together, minus the maple syrup and powdered sugar. Pour over the bread, making sure that the mixture goes between the slices of bread. Spread the pecans and chocolate chips over the top of the bread, if needed. Be sure to push some between the slices of bread as well.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, remove from the fridge. Spoon any liquid in the bottom of the pan over the bread and in between the slices.
5. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. During the last 3 minutes of baking, remove from the oven, drizzle with 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup and then return to the oven and finish baking.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy.

Notes

Please note, this is an overnight recipe. You will need to plan accordingly to ensure that the is prepped the night before you want to enjoy it. There is a total of 10 minutes active time. The rest is marinating overnight and baking in the morning.

How To Serve Overnight French Toast Bake

This dish shines all on its own, but you can dress it up or balance it out depending on the occasion.

I love serving overnight french toast bake with something fresh on the side to lighten things up. A simple fruit salad with berries and citrus slices works beautifully. If you’re going all out, crispy bacon or maple sausage adds a salty-sweet contrast.

Here are a few ideas to round out your table:

• A bowl of fresh strawberries or a mixed berry compote
• Whipped cream or vanilla yogurt
• Hot coffee with cinnamon or nutmeg
• A light arugula salad if you’re doing brunch

This bake is especially popular for holiday mornings, baby showers, or out-of-town guests. You can even bake it in muffin tins for individual servings if you want to get fancy.

How To Store & Reheat Overnight French Toast Bake

Once cooled, cover any leftover french toast bake with foil or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

When it comes to reheating, you’ve got a few good options:

• Oven: For best texture, reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, loosely covered with foil.
• Microwave: For individual portions, microwave on medium heat for about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
• Air fryer: You can reheat a slice in the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This helps crisp up the top again.

If you want to prep the whole thing ahead for a holiday, you can assemble it without the topping and freeze the dish (wrapped tightly) for up to a month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, add the topping, and bake as directed.

Substitutions & Variations For Overnight French Toast Bake

This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have or what your guests prefer. Here are a few ways to switch it up:

• Bread swaps: Brioche, challah, sourdough, or croissants all work. Just make sure it’s a day or two old.
• Nut-free version: Skip the pecans and add extra chocolate chips or a cinnamon sugar sprinkle.
• Add-ins: Try banana slices, chopped apples, orange zest, or dried cranberries mixed in with the bread.
• Spiced-up version: Add a pinch of clove or ginger to the custard, or stir a splash of bourbon into the topping.

The base is forgiving, so feel free to experiment with flavors that suit your season or your pantry. You can also make a savory variation by omitting the sugar and topping and mixing in cheese, herbs, and cooked bacon or sausage.

FAQs About Overnight French Toast Bake

Here are some straightforward answers to the most common questions I receive about this overnight french toast bake recipe.

Can I make overnight french toast bake without nuts?
Absolutely. You can skip the pecans and still have a delicious result. To keep some texture, consider adding a streusel made with oats or crushed graham crackers instead.

Do I have to let overnight french toast bake sit overnight?
For best texture, yes. The overnight rest lets the custard fully soak into the bread. But if you’re short on time, you can let it sit for 30 minutes at room temp and bake right away. It won’t be quite as rich but will still taste great.

What’s the best bread for overnight french toast bake?
French bread, brioche, or challah are all excellent. You want something sturdy enough to hold up to the custard but soft enough to bake into a tender casserole. Day-old bread is ideal because it absorbs the mixture better.

Can I freeze overnight french toast bake before baking?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole (without the topping), wrap it tightly, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping the next morning, and bake as directed.

How do I keep overnight french toast bake from being soggy?
Use sturdy bread and let it soak up the custard fully. Bake uncovered so the top can brown and the extra moisture can evaporate. If your casserole seems too wet after 50 minutes, give it another 5 to 10 minutes in the oven.

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