Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole (Bake Now or Next Day!)

On the hunt for the perfect holiday breakfast? This Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole hits all the right notes: it’s easy to prep, make-ahead friendly, and full of cozy spices and indulgent flavor. It’s so delicious, custardy, and bursting with holiday cheer that even the eggnog-averse will gobble it up!

When it comes to the holiday season treats, eggnog is one of my personal favorites. From eggnog frappuccinos and cold foams to milk shakes and more, I have yet to find a way that I don’t enjoy it. So—naturally—I couldn’t resist trying my hand at an eggnog French toast casserole!

First off, I knew the casserole had to be eggnog forward—we’re talking at least a few cups, not a splash (it is eggnog French toast casserole, after all!). Next, I wanted a textured, streusel-like topping to give it crispiness and a festive sweetness worthy of the holiday season. Finally, I wanted it to be flexible—easy to bake right away or assemble ahead for a stress-free morning.

This eggnog French toast recipe is the delicious result. With the perfect ratio of bread to sweet eggnog custard, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and a brown sugar–oat streusel so good I could eat it straight with a spoon, it’s everything holiday breakfast dreams are made of. Perfect for enjoying on a cool December morning, by the Christmas tree with family, or anytime the eggnog cravings call!

Jump to:

• What Is Eggnog French Toast Casserole?
• What Does It Taste Like?
• Why You Will Love Eggnog French Toast
• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• How to Make Eggnog French Toast
• Recipe Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Variations
• Make Ahead Directions
• Storage Directions
• Nutritional Info
• Pricing Info
• FAQs
• Other Holiday Recipes
• Recipe Card
• Recipe

What Is Eggnog French Toast Casserole?

Eggnog French toast casserole is a baked French toast dish made with an eggnog-infused custard. While many classic versions use a mixture of milk, eggs, and spices, this one is richer and more flavorful thanks to the cream and egg yolks in the eggnog, the warm seasonings, and the brown sugar–oat topping.

Because it’s a casserole, you can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning, or assemble and bake it all at once. Whichever route you choose, it’s cozy, warm, indulgent, and an idyllic holiday breakfast—perfect for everything from gift-exchange brunch to Christmas morning.

What Does It Taste Like?

With hearty bread, eggnog custard, and a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar streusel, each bite of this baked eggnog French toast tastes like a warm, cozy holiday hug. The bread is tender and rich but never soggy; the custard is more dimensional thanks to the warm spices, extra egg yolks, and cream; and the brown sugar topping adds caramel-like sweetness and a light, nutty crunch.

Why You Will Love Eggnog French Toast

• Make-Ahead Friendly — Save on holiday morning stress by prepping it the night before. Come morning, just pop it in the oven, sip your Christmas coffee, and enjoy time with friends and family while the oven does the heavy lifting.
• A Reimagined Comfort Food Classic — Just when you think French toast couldn’t get any better, along comes eggnog, warm spices, and a brown sugar–oat streusel. One bite and your mind (and taste buds) will be blown. 😍
• Festive and Cheerful — French toast casserole is already a holiday favorite, but the classic seasonal flavors take this version to the next level.
• Crowd-Friendly — Breakfast for a crowd in just a handful of easy steps? Sign. Me. Up. If the thought of cooking for a full house on Christmas morning gives you indigestion (or you simply just want some time to relax!), this recipe will be a lifesaver.

Ingredients

• Eggnog – The belle of this holiday-themed French toast ball! I recommend making it from scratch whenever possible, though your favorite store-bought brand will more than suffice.
• Loaf of Bread — You’ll need a 16–18 ounce loaf of whole wheat, brioche, or French bread.
• Eggs — These bind the casserole and form the base of the custard, making it rich and silky. You’ll need 4 large eggs.
• Spices — Ground cinnamon and nutmeg add cozy holiday warmth and sweet, spicy undertones. Use fresh spices for the best flavor.
• Vanilla Extract — Adds a nutty-sweet, elevated finish. Use pure vanilla extract for the most vibrant flavor.
• Brown Sugar — Light brown sugar forms the base of the crunchy oat streusel topping. Pack it well to measure for optimal sweetness.
• Oats — Old-fashioned rolled oats add a wholesome, light crunch to the topping and bring lovely textural contrast. Whenever possible, avoid instant oats—they aren’t sturdy enough.
• Flour — Use pastry flour to keep things whole-grain friendly or all-purpose flour for a classic texture.
• Butter — Melted butter gives the brown sugar topping moisture, richness, and caramelized flavor. Unsalted butter is best, though salted works in a pinch.

Substitutions

• Bread — For a lightly tangy, chewy finish, use sourdough. Cinnamon-raisin bread adds extra cinnamon and fruity goodness.
• Spices — Swap pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice blends for the cinnamon and nutmeg for addied cozy depth.
• Brown Sugar — For deeper molasses notes, use dark brown sugar. Pure organic cane or coconut sugar can be used to reduce the processed sugar load.
• Butter — Substitute vegan butter to maintain richness or coconut oil for a sweet and nutty finish.

How to Make Eggnog French Toast

The prep is straightforward and fuss-free, allowing you more time to enjoy all that holiday mornings have to offer. Here’s how easy it is to make:

Step 1: Grease a 9×13-inch pan and set it aside. If baking now, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2: Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and place them in the prepared pan. Set it aside.

Step 3: Whisk the eggnog, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl until well combined.

Step 4: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes so all the bread is evenly coated.

Step 5: Make the topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and stir together with a fork until evenly combined.

Step 6: Sprinkle the topping over the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven to 30 minutes or until golden brown on the top. If making ahead, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and store eggnog French toast overnight in the refrigerator. Uncover and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until set throughout and golden brown.

Recipe Tips

• Use day-old bread. Slightly dried-out bread absorbs the custard without getting soggy. If you’re using fresh bread, dry the cubes in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes.
• Cut even bread cubes. Uniform pieces help the custard soak in evenly, giving you delicious eggnog flavor in every bite.
• Use quality eggnog. Imperative, given that it’s this French toast’s leading lady! When possible, I recommend homemade eggnog (so fresh, creamy, and flavorful!), though a high-quality store-bought brand makes a great stand-in.
• Mix the egg mixture well. Whisk the eggs, milk, and flavorings until no streaks of egg white or yolk remain for a smooth, even custard.
• Bake until set. Ovens can vary. If your eggnog French toast browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil and continue baking until the center is set.
• Rest before serving. Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes at room temperature so it can firm up, making it easier to slice while keeping its soft, custardy texture.
• Adjust the recipe to your dietary restrictions. If needed, make the casserole dairy-free by using your favorite plant-based eggnog and vegan butter. To make it without with gluten, use gluten-free bread, 1-to-1 gluten-free flour, and certified gluten-free oats.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy slices of overnight eggnog french toast warm, drizzled with pure maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar for the ultimate crowd-pleasing holiday brunch or breakfast:

• Bestie Brunch — Whether gathering for a gift exchange or a reprieve from the holiday madness, this warm and comforting dish will be the star of the meal.
• Breakfast-for-Dinner — Because anything is possible during the holiday season! Pair it with a fresh fruit salad and millionaire bacon or breakfast sausage for a satisfying meal even the meat-and-potatoes types will adore.
• Christmas Morning Marvel — Your guests will love its spiced, rich, and custardy flavor; you’ll love its low-stress, make-ahead prep!

Recipe Variations

Start your own holiday traditions by adding any of the following to this eggnog french toast recipe:

• Nuts — For a light crunch, stir 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, slivered almonds, or walntus into the streusel topping.
• Dried Fruit — Chopped dried cranberries or cherries, apricots, or even golden raisins add natural sweetness and chewy texture.
• Berries — Gently toss the bread cubes with blackberries, raspberries, mixed berries, or chopped peaches for a fresh, fruity twist.
• White Chocolate — Sprinkle the custard-soaked bread with 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips for an extra layer of sweet indulgence.
• Jam — Add dollops of raspberry, blackberry, apricot, or cranberry jam to the assembled casserole and gently swirl before topping with the brown sugar mixture.

Make Ahead Directions

Christmas mornings with little ones and/or family can be a lot 😬, so make things easier on yourself by prepping breakfast ahead of time! Assemble the eggnog French toast bake the night before (bonus points if you make it while snacking on Santa’s cookies), cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate until breakfast.

In the morning, let the casserole come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Then bake, adding 5–10 extra minutes as needed, until the center is set and the top is golden. Pair it with mochas or vanilla lattes for the adults, hot chocolate for the kiddos, and—just like that—a delicious Christmas morning breakfast is served!

Storage Directions

• Refrigerating — Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing — Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheating — Warm the pan of eggnog French toast covered in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes or individual servings in the microwave on gentle heat for 1-2 minutes or until hot.

Nutritional Info

Clocking in at 368 calories per serving with 53 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fat, this eggnog overnight French toast is—no surprise here—a moderately indulgent, treat-like breakfast rather than a health-focused meal. In other words, it’s exactly the kind of holiday morning dish that warms you from the inside out and sets the perfect tone for a cozy Christmas morning, because #balance.

Nonetheless, if you want or need to make swaps to lighten the calorie, sugar, or fat load, you absolutely can. Reduce the fat and calories by using a plant- or oat milk–based eggnog (or by making homemade eggnog with coconut cream and milk), or by sweetening it with a monk fruit– or stevia-based sweetener. Add more satiating protein by using filtered milk in the eggnog, and incorporate more wholesome whole grains by choosing whole-grain bread.

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 368 calories
• Carbohydrates: 53 grams
• Protein: 10 grams
• Total Fat: 13 grams
• Sodium: 228 mg
• Fiber: 3 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Pricing Info

This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:

• 1 16-18 oz bread loaf: $3.98
• 2 cups eggnog: $2.10
• 4 large eggs: $1.80
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: $0.04
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon: $0.02
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg: $0.08
• ⅔ cup brown sugar: $0.32
• ⅓ cup whole wheat pastry flour: $0.09
• ⅓ cup rolled oats: $0.08
• ¼ cup unsalted butter: $0.49

The total comes out to be around $9.00 or roughly $1.13 per serving!

FAQs

Other Holiday Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments below! I would really appreciate your feedback!

Recipe Card

Recipe

If you end up making this and loving it, take a photo and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your versions of my recipes! And feel free to rate it down below in the comment section. I would really appreciate it!

xoxo Megan