Pancake and French toast collide in this French toast Pancake casserole.
Serve up this layered French toast pancakes casserole with icing, fresh blueberries, and a crumble of nuts.
Whether it is breakfast or brunch, this recipe is going to be the star of your dinner table.
French Toast Pancakes Casserole – You Can Make It Overnight
Why are we obsessed with breakfast foods? Maybe it’s one part nostalgia and one part delicious comfort food.
Whatever it is, our family loves Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk Pancake Mix.
For over twenty years, we’ve trusted Krusteaz®; it’s the only pancake mix we use, mainly because of its quality ingredients and lack of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
We used it to make a new holiday favorite recipe, our Pancake French Toast Casserole, a bonafide keeper!
Here’s the thing, it can be made the night before and baked in the oven the next day.
It’s the perfect combination of French toast and pancakes. But wait, there’s more! We didn’t make French toast pancakes and call it good—we also topped the whole shebang with fresh blueberries and chopped pecans!
When I pulled this piping hot dish out of the oven, I topped it off with homemade whipped cream made with orange zest and added more fresh blueberries and chopped pecans. So, put a little Krusteaz® in your pancake batter bowl!
Check out these overnight casseroles:
Peaches and Cream Cheese French Toast
What Is In This Loaded Breakfast Casserole
Fluffy Pancakes. The key is a light and fluffy pancake. It will give your casserole that light texture when you bite into a pancake; it feels so light and melts in your mouth.
I used the Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk to achieve this.
Blueberries. Fresh blueberries will help sweeten up this French toast casserole. In a pinch, you could definitely use frozen.
Warm spices. The Slices will be smothered all over your pancakes, elevating the flavor—cinnamon, cardamom, warm brown sugar, etc.
Whipped Topping. It takes just minutes to make the whipped cream with orange zest. It truly transforms you to a whole new level.
Syrup. This pancake casserole is full of sweetness, but drizzle on some warm maple syrup if you want to go one step further!
When To Serve This Casserole Up
- Christmas Morning (see more Christmas breakfast ideas here!)
- Brunch with friends or family
- Breakfast on the weekend with fresh fruit as a side
- Make and eat on through the week
- Serve up when guests are visiting
- Etc.
There truly is no wrong time to serve this fabulous breakfast casserole! The whole family loves it, and it will become a breakfast favorite.
How to Make Pancake French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 18 four-inch pancakes made with Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk (follow directions on box- or feel free to use your own pancake recipe)
French Toast Batter
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted + 2 tbsp for greasing
For the casserole:
- 18 four-inch pancakes (prepared using Krusteaz® mix)
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup fresh blueberries + ½ cup for serving
- 2 cups homemade whipped cream (recipe below)
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- Pancake or maple syrup, for serving
Directions for making the pancakes:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Krusteaz® pancake mix and water until smooth.
- Cook 18 four-inch pancakes on a griddle, following package instructions. Set aside to cool.
Make the French Toast Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together half and half, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom, and sugar until well combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Brush 2 tbsp melted butter onto the bottom and sides of a 9″ x 10″ baking dish.
- Arrange the pancakes in overlapping layers in the dish.
- Pour the French toast batter evenly over the pancakes, ensuring all are soaked.
- Mix the melted butter (½ cup) and brown sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle half over the pancakes.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Remove the dish from the fridge and discard the plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1 cup of blueberries and ¼ cup of pecans over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes on the center oven rack.
- Remove the dish from the oven and drizzle the remaining melted butter and brown sugar mixture over the French toast pancakes.
- Top the French Toast Pancakes Casserole with homemade whipped cream (recipe below) and freshly grated orange zest.
- Add more fresh blueberries and chopped pecans. Serve with pancake or maple syrup.
Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
Directions:
- In a chilled mixing bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the orange zest.
Common Questions for making French Toast Pancakes Recipe
Do you pre-make the pancakes for the casserole?
Yes, you will cook your pancakes on a pancake griddle (or large skillet )on medium heat as directed below.
Then, you will begin assembling the layers of the French toast casserole. You can also freeze the leftover pancakes for later use.
Can I use a different type of fruit?
If you are not a fan of blueberries or want to change it up, go right ahead.
Swap them with raspberries, blackberries, or some sliced strawberries or cherries.
Just make sure your fruit is ripe and flavorful so it sweetens the casserole.
Do leftovers need to be refrigerated?
Yes, if you happen to have leftovers, refrigerate. Otherwise, the casserole will spoil.
Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-4 days. Then, eat it chilled or warm it back up in the microwave.
Can you double the recipe?
This recipe doubles if you are looking to serve a larger crowd. Reach for a second casserole dish, or use a larger casserole that can hold it all.
The baking time will be about the same, just a bit longer to get it warmed all the way through.
Can I make this casserole the night before?
Absolutely! Follow the directions mentioned above, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
The flavors marinating overnight will probably make it taste even better.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Go right ahead and freeze any of this pancake casserole you don’t eat right away.
The pancakes will soften just a bit, but overall, the flavor will be very similar to eating it once it is reheated.
The fruit will be softer, of course, but still flavorful.
Now that you have this recipe for our French toast + pancake casserole, give it a try!
If you love breakfast food or need a new brunch idea, this casserole is what you need.
More breakfast and brunch ideas:
Ingredients
Pancake Ingredients:
- 18 four-inch pancakes made with Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk follow directions on the box- you'll just need water and the pancake mix
French Toast Batter
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter, melted + 2 tbsp for greasing
For the casserole:
- 18 four-inch pancakes prepared using Krusteaz® mix
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup fresh blueberries + ½ cup for serving
- 2 cups homemade whipped cream recipe below
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- Pancake or maple syrup for serving
Instructions
Directions for making the pancakes:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Krusteaz® pancake mix and water until smooth.
- Cook 18 four-inch pancakes on a griddle, following package instructions. Set aside to cool.
Make the French Toast Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together half and half, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom, and sugar until well combined.
Assemble + Bake The Casserole:
- Brush 2 tbsp melted butter onto the bottom and sides of a 9" x 10" baking dish.
- Arrange the pancakes in overlapping layers in the dish.
- Pour the French toast batter evenly over the pancakes, ensuring all are soaked.
- Mix the melted butter (½ cup) and brown sugar in a small bowl. Drizzle half over the pancakes.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Remove the dish from the fridge and discard the plastic wrap. Sprinkle 1 cup of blueberries and ¼ cup of pecans over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes on the center oven rack.
- Remove the dish from the oven and drizzle the remaining melted butter and brown sugar mixture over the French toast pancakes.
- Top the French Toast Pancakes Casserole with homemade whipped cream (recipe below) and freshly grated orange zest.
- Add more fresh blueberries and chopped pecans. Serve with pancake or maple syrup.
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