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 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 put our confidence in Krusteaz®; it’s the only pancake mix we use, mainly because of the quality ingredients, as well as no 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 {can be made overnight}
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 that when you bite into a pancake, it feels so light and melts in your mouth.
The Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk is what I used to achieve this.
Blueberries. Fresh blueberries are going to help sweeten up this French toast casserole. In a pinch, you could for sure use frozen.
Warm spices. The Slices are going to 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 if you want to go one step further, drizzle on some warm maple syrup!
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 up this fabulous breakfast casserole! It is one the whole family loves and will become a breakfast favorite.
How to make Pancake French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 18 four-inch pancakes made with Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk
French Toast Batter
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 stick melted unsalted butter + 2 tbsp, divided
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup fresh blueberries + 1/2 of fresh blueberries for serving
- 2 cups homemade whipped cream (recipe down below) + 1 tbsp of orange zest
- Pancake or maple syrup
Directions
- In a medium bowl, prepare pancake batter using 3 ¼ cups of Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk and 2 ⅔ cups of water, mixed with a whisk until lump-free. Follow the directions on the Krusteaz box.
To make French Toast Batter:
- Combine the half and half and eggs into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with a wire whisk. Add pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom. Mix well.
- Brush 2 tbsp of melted butter into the bottom and sides of a 9″ x10″ baking dish.
- Arrange the pancakes in layers, combine the 1 cup of melted butter with the brown sugar, then drizzle half of the melted butter and brown sugar mixer over the pancakes.
- Next, pour the French toast batter over the pancakes and scatter 1 cup of blueberries on top.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator overnight or for 2-3 hours if making the same day.
To make the casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the pan from the fridge, take off the plastic wrap, and place the casserole dish onto the center rack of the oven—Bake for 35 minutes.
- 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:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- Into a chilled stand mixing bowl, add 2 cups of heavy cream, 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.
- Whisk on high until stiff peaks appear, Add 1 tbsp of orange zest.
- Serve.
Common Questions for making French Toast Pancakes Recipe
Do you pre-make the pancakes for casserole?
Yes, you will cook up 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 take the leftover pancakes and freeze them to use for a later time.
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 with raspberries, blackberries, or even some sliced strawberries or cherries. Just aim your fruit is ripe and flavorful, so it sweetens the casserole.
Does leftover 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 chilled or warm it back up in the microwave.
Can you double the recipe?
This recipe does double 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 place it into the refrigerator overnight. It will probably taste even better with all the flavors marinating overnight.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Go right ahead and freeze any of this pancake casserole you don’t eat right away. You will find the pancakes soften just a bit, but overall the flavor will be very similar to eat 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:
Waffle and Pancake Berry Breakfast
Brunch At Home | Potato Mushroom Quiche Recipe
Breakfast Quiche With Potatoes
French Toast Pancakes Casserole
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 18 four-inch pancakes made with Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk
- French Toast Batter
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 stick melted unsalted butter + 2 tbsp, divided
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup fresh blueberries + 1/2 of fresh blueberries for serving
- 2 cups homemade whipped cream (recipe down below) + 1 tbsp of orange zest
- Pancake or maple syrup
Instructions
In a medium bowl, prepare pancake batter using 3 ¼ cups of Krusteaz® Light & Fluffy Buttermilk and 2 ⅔ cups of water, mixed with a whisk until lump-free. Follow the directions on the Krusteaz box.
To make French Toast Batter:
Combine the half and half and eggs into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with a wire whisk. Add pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom. Mix well.
Brush 2 tbsp of melted butter into the bottom and sides of a 9" x10" baking dish.
Arrange the pancakes in layers, combine the 1 cup of melted butter with the brown sugar, then drizzle half of the melted butter and brown sugar mixer over the pancakes.
Next, pour the French toast batter over the pancakes and scatter 1 cup of blueberries on top.
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator overnight or for 2-3 hours if making the same day.
To make the casserole:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Remove the pan from the fridge, take off the plastic wrap, and place the casserole dish onto the center rack of the oven—Bake for 35 minutes.
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.
Notes
Homemade Whipped Cream:
Ingredients:
2 cups of heavy cream
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp orange zest
Directions:
Into a chilled stand mixing bowl, add 2 cups of heavy cream, 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar, and 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.
Whisk on high until stiff peaks appear, Add 1 tbsp of orange zest.
Serve.
