If you’re craving a breakfast that’s a little bit fancy but totally doable, I have just the thing for you: Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe. This dish is a game changer, combining buttery, flaky croissants with a rich, cinnamon-spiced custard and bursts of juicy blueberries throughout. I absolutely love how it turns out golden on top, creamy inside, and perfectly balanced between sweet and fresh. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a weekend morning staple in your house!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Elegant: It looks impressive but comes together in just a few simple steps.
- Flaky & Custardy: The croissants soak up the custard for a soft and creamy texture with crisp edges.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it the night before and bake fresh in the morning to save yourself time.
- Berrylicious Boost: Blueberries add a lovely pop of sweetness and color that brightens every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here plays a part in building that dreamy Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe. I recommend using fresh or day-old croissants since they soak up the custard beautifully without getting soggy. Also, whole milk and heavy cream make the custard rich and velvety, so don’t skip those if you want that perfect texture.
- Croissants: Day-old ones work great—they hold their shape better and soak up custard perfectly without falling apart.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness; always use fresh eggs for the best custard.
- Whole milk: Warmed to help the custard mix smoothly and soak into the bread.
- Heavy cream: Adds luxurious creaminess to the custard.
- Melted butter: Gives that buttery depth in the custard and keeps it rich.
- Sugar: Just enough to sweeten the custard without overpowering the fresh blueberries.
- Vanilla extract: The secret flavor enhancer that brings warmth and aroma.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy spice that pairs beautifully with the blueberries.
- Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies all the flavors.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen; bursting with juice and freshness to wake up every bite.
Variations
I love how forgiving and versatile this Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe is — I’ve played around with it plenty and highly encourage you to personalize it to your taste and occasion! Whether you swap berries or swap croissants, this recipe is your canvas.
- Mixed Berries: I often substitute or add raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries for more color and a variety of tartness that keeps it fresh.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free croissants (found at specialty stores) and it still turns out just as indulgent.
- Nutty Twist: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pecans on top before baking for a delightful crunch.
- Spiced Up: For fall vibes, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the custard mix.
How to Make Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dish and Croissants
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Butter a 9”x13” casserole dish to keep the edges from sticking and add a subtle richness. While the oven is warming, cut your croissants into roughly 1 to 1.5-inch cubes—this size lets the croissant soak up plenty of custard while keeping some flaky texture. Arrange the cubes evenly in the casserole dish—don’t be shy about filling every corner!
Step 2: Whisk Up That Perfect Custard
In a bowl, whisk together 5 eggs with 1 cup of warmed whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons melted butter, ⅓ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt. I love how the warm milk helps everything mix smoothly without any stubborn lumps. This custard will soak into the croissants, turning them tender and custardy.
Step 3: Build and Let It Soak
Pour the custard right over the croissant pieces, then gently press down with a spatula so the bread starts absorbing those flavorful liquids. Scatter 2 cups of blueberries on top and poke some between the croissant layers — this creates juicy pockets of sweetness inside every bite. Now, here’s the magic: let it sit for 15 minutes minimum, but if you have the time, cover it with foil and refrigerate overnight. I discovered this trick—it seriously makes the casserole taste even better and helps the custard fully soak in.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Heaven
Bake your casserole for about 45 minutes until it’s fully set and the top is beautifully golden brown. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. The edges will be a bit crispy, contrasting with the soft custard center. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving, but honestly, if you’re like me, you’ll want to dig in right away!
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Use Day-Old Croissants: They hold their structure better and soak up custard without turning mushy.
- Warm Your Milk: It helps the custard blend nicely and penetrate the croissant pieces evenly.
- Overnight Soak for Best Texture: Letting it rest refrigerated overnight deepens flavors and gives a custardy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Don’t Skip the Butter in Custard: It adds richness and helps make the custard luxuriously creamy.
How to Serve Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this casserole with an extra handful of fresh blueberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar—it just makes the whole thing look and taste irresistible. Maple syrup is a must in my book; I drizzle it generously over each serving for that sweet, sticky goodness that complements the berry tang. Sometimes, for a little pop of color and texture, I add sliced strawberries or a few mint leaves on top.
Side Dishes
This casserole is pretty hearty on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, I like pairing it with crispy bacon or turkey sausage for a salty balance. Fresh fruit salad on the side or a dollop of Greek yogurt can lighten things up as well. And for drinks? A strong cup of coffee or some freshly squeezed orange juice makes the combo feel like brunch perfection.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked this casserole in individual ramekins—super cute for a brunch party and perfect for portion control! Another fun trick is layering the croissant and blueberry mixture in a clear glass baking dish or trifle bowl so you can see all those beautiful layers. You could even sprinkle on some toasted almonds or edible flowers as a fancy garnish to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (and you usually will unless you’re feeding a crowd), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I like to portion them into individual servings with plastic wrap or foil so I can grab breakfast on the go. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this casserole successfully! After baking and cooling completely, I cut it into portions and freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags. When you want to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. The texture stays great, and it’s a lifesaver for busy mornings.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I pop individual portions into a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes or until warmed through and crisped up again. You can also microwave them covered for about 1-2 minutes, but the oven method preserves that lovely contrasting texture best.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of bread instead of croissants?
Absolutely! While croissants give that buttery, flaky richness, you can substitute brioche, challah, or thick-cut white bread. Just keep in mind that croissants absorb custard differently and provide a lighter texture. Using denser bread might give a more bread pudding feel.
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Is it necessary to let the casserole soak overnight?
Not necessary, but highly recommended! The longer soak allows the croissants to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a tender, flavorful casserole. If short on time, a 15-30 minute soak still works, but expect a slightly firmer texture.
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Can I prepare this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! You can swap whole milk and heavy cream for unsweetened almond milk or coconut cream. Use dairy-free butter substitutes as well. Keep in mind it may alter richness slightly, but the casserole will still be delicious.
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How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The casserole is done when the custard is fully set—meaning it jiggles slightly but isn’t liquidy—and the top is golden brown. A toothpick or knife inserted near the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe has become one of my all-time favorite go-to dishes for weekends and special mornings. It’s perfect because you get that delicate flaky croissant texture soaked in a sweet cinnamon custard, with juicy bursts of blueberry that brighten up every bite. I love how easy it is to assemble ahead of time and how everyone – friends, family, even picky eaters – absolutely go crazy for it. If you want to make your breakfasts a little more special without too much fuss, this casserole is your new best friend. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Print
Blueberry Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Croissant French Toast Casserole is a deliciously decadent breakfast or brunch dish that features crisp croissants soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard, layered with fresh mixed berries, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holiday mornings, baby showers, or potlucks, it can be assembled ahead of time and baked when ready for a wonderfully comforting and crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Bakery
- 5-6 large croissants (fresh or a few days old)
Dairy & Eggs
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (warm)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp melted butter
Sweeteners & Flavorings
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
Fruit
- 2 cups blueberries or mixed berries (plus more to garnish with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously butter a 9″x13″ casserole baking dish to prevent sticking and add richness to the crust.
- Cut Croissants: Cut the croissants into small cubes roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in size and evenly distribute them in the buttered casserole dish.
- Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, warm whole milk, heavy cream, melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt until fully combined to create a flavorful custard base.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant cubes in the dish. Use a spatula to gently press the croissants down into the custard so they absorb the mixture well. Sprinkle the blueberries or mixed berries on top and gently push some berries between croissant layers for bursting fruit flavor throughout.
- Soak: Let the casserole sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature to allow the croissants to soak up the custard thoroughly. For best results, cover and refrigerate overnight to deepen the flavors and improve texture.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top turns a golden brown with slightly crisp edges.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with additional fresh berries as desired, and serve warm with maple syrup for an indulgent breakfast or brunch experience.
Notes
- This dish features crisp croissants combined with a creamy cinnamon-vanilla custard and fresh berries for a perfectly balanced sweet and rich flavor.
- It is lightly sweet, making it ideal to serve with maple syrup alongside holiday breakfasts or special occasion brunches such as baby showers or potlucks.
- For convenience, assemble the casserole the night before and bake it fresh in the morning to save time.
- Use fresh or day-old croissants for best texture; older croissants absorb the custard better.
- Feel free to mix different berries like strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries for a colorful, flavorful topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 382 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 162 mg