How To Make French Toast Casserole With Nutella

Look, I’m not saying this French Toast Casserole with Nutella will change your life, but I’m also not saying it won’t. Picture this: all the glory of French toast but without the sad dance of flipping bread slices one by one at 7 AM while you’re still half-asleep. Plus, there’s Nutella involved. Need I say more?

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Let me count the ways. First, you prep it the night before, which means morning-you gets to be a culinary genius while barely functioning. Second, it’s basically an excuse to eat Nutella for breakfast without judgment. Third, people will think you put in way more effort than you actually did. And honestly, isn’t that the dream? Looking impressive while doing the absolute minimum?

This casserole hits the perfect sweet spot between “fancy enough for company” and “I literally assembled this while watching Netflix.” The secret is letting it sit overnight – not only does this develop amazing flavor, but it also means you’re free to enjoy your coffee in the morning instead of frantically whisking eggs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Round up these suspects:

• 1 loaf of day-old bread (French or brioche if you’re fancy, whatever’s on sale if you’re me)
• 6 large eggs (the chicken variety, not chocolate)
• 2 cups milk (cow, almond, oat – whatever floats your breakfast boat)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (because we’re not here to count calories, people)
• 1/2 cup sugar (the white granulated kind)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (the real stuff, not that imitation nonsense)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (more if you’re a cinnamon fiend)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if you’re showing off)
• 1/2 cup Nutella (the star of the show)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (because butter makes everything better)
• Optional toppings: maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or additional warmed Nutella (go wild)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep your bread. Cut that loaf into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is fresh, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and let them dry out for a few hours. Or cheat and toast them at 350°F for 10 minutes. Stale bread absorbs the custard better, trust me on this.
2. Grease a 9×13 baking dish like your reputation depends on it. Nothing ruins breakfast faster than having to chisel it off the pan.
3. Make the custard mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Put some muscle into it – consider it your pre-breakfast workout.
4. Warm that Nutella. Microwave it for about 20-30 seconds until it’s pourable but not hot. This is crucial unless you enjoy trying to spread cold Nutella (spoiler alert: you don’t).
5. Layer it up. Place half the bread cubes in your greased dish. Drizzle half the melted butter and half the Nutella over the bread. Add remaining bread on top. Pour custard mixture evenly over everything, making sure all bread gets soaked.
6. Drizzle the rest of the melted butter and Nutella on top. Get artistic with it – or just dump it on, I won’t judge.
7. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 4 hours if you’re impatient. This is non-negotiable unless you enjoy soggy, undersoaked French toast.
8. The next morning, take the casserole out of the fridge while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
9. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until puffed, golden, and no longer jiggly in the center. If the top starts browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
10. Cool slightly before serving. Top with your choice of maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or more warmed Nutella because why not?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a recipe this forgiving has its pitfalls. Here’s what not to do:

• Using fresh bread without toasting it first. You’ll end up with soggy casserole, and nobody wants that sad situation on their plate.
• Skipping the overnight soak. I know you’re excited, but patience is a virtue that actually pays off here. The bread needs time to absorb all that custardy goodness.
• Not warming the Nutella. Trying to drizzle cold Nutella is like trying to pour concrete. Heat it up, for everyone’s sake.
• Opening the oven every 5 minutes to check. I know it smells amazing, but you’re letting all the heat out and messing with the rise. Be strong.
• Cutting into it immediately. Give it 10 minutes to set up or you’ll have a delicious but structurally unsound breakfast mess.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Because we’re all unique snowflakes with different pantry situations:

Bread options: Brioche makes this dish next-level luxurious. Challah is another fantastic choice. Plain white sandwich bread works too, but where’s your sense of adventure?

Make it boozy: Add 2 tablespoons of Frangelico or Baileys to the custard mixture. Breakfast or dessert? Why not both?

Dairy-free version: Use almond milk and coconut cream instead of milk and heavy cream. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Not a Nutella fan? First, who are you? Second, substitute peanut butter, cookie butter, or any nut butter of your choice. But seriously, who doesn’t like Nutella?

Add some crunch: Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts or almonds on top before baking for texture contrast. Your future self will thank you.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I make this same day instead of overnight?
Technically yes, but it needs at least 4 hours to soak. Are you really in that much of a hurry for breakfast? Plan ahead, friend.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?
Just use all milk instead. The result won’t be quite as rich, but it’ll still be better than whatever sad thing you were going to eat otherwise.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Wrap individual portions and freeze for up to a month. Reheat in the microwave when you need a fancy breakfast emergency fix. Just know the texture might change slightly.

My casserole is too dry/too soggy. What went wrong?
Too dry means either your bread was too crusty or you didn’t soak it long enough. Too soggy means you used fresh bread without toasting or your bread-to-custard ratio was off. Baking is science, but also sometimes kitchen voodoo.

How do I know when it’s done?
The top should be golden brown, and when you gently shake the dish, the center shouldn’t wobble like it’s doing the jelly dance. If you’re really uncertain, an instant-read thermometer should register 160°F in the center.

Can I add fruit to this?
You sure can! Sliced bananas, strawberries, or even some diced apples work great. Add them between the layers or on top before baking. FYI, bananas and Nutella are BFFs.

Final Thoughts

This French Toast Casserole with Nutella sits in that perfect sweet spot where “impressive” meets “actually pretty easy.” It’s the breakfast equivalent of putting on lipstick with sweatpants – looks like you tried, but you didn’t have to sacrifice comfort.

The best part? You can customize it endlessly based on whatever mood strikes or whatever’s languishing in your pantry. Got some sad strawberries? Throw ’em in! Want to use up that fancy bourbon? A splash won’t hurt! This recipe is less of a strict rulebook and more of a delicious suggestion.

Now go forth and casserole! Your brunch guests will bow down before your culinary genius, and only you need to know that you were half-watching reality TV while assembling it. That’s what I call a breakfast win.