Overnight Pear French Toast Casserole

Perfect for busy mornings or large family gatherings, this delicious Overnight Pear French Toast Casserole is easy to make and freezer friendly.

Freezer meals have a special place in my heart. Once thought of as bland or mushy, now you can find plenty of delicious make-ahead and freezer meals. Just like this recipe for Overnight Pear Cinnamon and Pecan Baked French Toast – it’s made-ahead, freezer-friendly and beyond delicious! This breakfast casserole is easy to put together, and it’s made the night before so there’s no fuss the following day.  

Between the farm, our house build and my daughters’ schedules, I need all the help I can get in the mornings. And this casserole does not disappoint. It’s easy, delicious, versatile, made-ahead, and freezer-friendly – what more could you ask for? Not only is it perfect for a busy family, but it’s also easy to make for a brunch or family get-together. The flavors are warm, comforting, and delectable—perfect for chilly mornings!

This Overnight Pear French Toast Casserole only takes a few minutes to prep the night before. The cinnamon and pecan butter streusel complement the caramelized pear and custardy French toast filling. Making this delicious casserole will feel like a special breakfast, even if it’s only for a busy Monday morning. Move over cold cereal; there’s a much tastier option in the house!

The Best Pears for Baking

Baking throughout fall gives us plenty of chances to use seasonal ingredients. See my tips below for the best type of pear to use for baking.

• Best pear varieties for baking: Bosc, Anjou and Bartlett
• For baking, look for pears that are firm but ripe.
  • Check the neck. Apply gentle pressure to the neck of the pear with your thumb. If it yields to pressure, it’s ripe.
• If the pears are rock hard when you buy them, you will have to wait a few days for them to ripen on the counter.
• Mushy pears aren’t good for baking, so don’t use them for this recipe.

How to Make an Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

For starters, I prefer to use French bread that is a little crusty and a few days old. This is the best type of bread to soak up all the scrumptiousness and to prevent the casserole from becoming too soggy. Making this baked French toast casserole the night before also helps the bread sop up the delicious custard filling too. I promise it’s worth planning ahead to make this!

There are two parts to this recipe: the custard filling and the buttery cinnamon pecan streusel. Start by greasing your 13x9 inch baking dish with butter and set aside.

Next, add pears, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Mix well to coat the pears evenly; set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, caramelize the pears by melting 4 tablespoons of butter and adding the pear mixture. Cook gently until heated through, about 5 minutes, and set aside.

While the pears are cooling, tear the French bread into chunks and evenly distribute it in the greased baking dish.

Next, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Then scatter the pear mixture over the top, making sure to scrape the remaining butter into the dish as well (because why leave any butter beyond?!). Set the casserole aside.

To make the topping, mix the flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and salt in a separate bowl. Stir together using a fork. Add the butter to this streusel mix by using a pastry cutter and gradually working the butter into the mixture for about 3 or 4 minutes. It will resemble coarse crumbs (about the size of peas). Then stir in chopped pecans.

Scatter the streusel topping over the top of the Pear French Toast Casserole. Cover and refrigerate until the morning. When you’re ready to bake the French toast, preheat the oven to 350°F, uncover and bake for 45-60 minutes depending on desired texture of the casserole. Serve with butter and maple syrup, powdered sugar or whip cream and fresh pear slices.

For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat for about 60 seconds in the microwave and you’ll have a delicious breakfast in no time at all.    

How to Freeze an Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

This Overnight Baked Pear French Toast Casserole can be frozen. When I plan on freezing the casserole, I prefer to use a disposable aluminum foil pan so clean up is even more of a breeze (can this tasty meal get any easier?!). Bake this dish as directed and allow it to cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to three months. Allow the casserole to defrost in your refrigerator for about 24 hours before reheating. Uncover and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

For more of my favorite pear breakfast recipes, check out my Spiced Pear Waffles, Pear Pecan Muffins with Oat Pecan Crumble and Pear Pecan Bread.

If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to tag me @homesweetfarmhome on Instagram and use the hashtag #homesweetfarmhome. I’d love to see what you come up with and share with my followers. Cheers!

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