High-Protein Overnight French Toast Casserole is an appealing breakfast. We can easily and simply prepare this delicious casserole by using the simple items. These items are listed as: whole-wheat bread, whole milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, salt, toasted pecans, and unsalted butter. These items contain dairy; use dairy-free milk & vegan butter if you have a specific dietary requirement. This casserole takes only twenty minutes to prepare, while the refrigerator and oven do the rest, which is perfect for busy mornings. High-Protein Overnight French Toast Casserole is served with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and hot coffee. We can easily store this casserole for some time, so it is a perfect choice to make for meal prep.
STATS:
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Duration for Prep: 20 minutes
- Duration for Cook: 50 minutes
- Total Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Course: Breakfast, Brunch
- Diet: High-Protein
- Servings: 10
EQUIPMENT:
- Baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Sharp knife
- Rubber spatula
- Cutting board
- Plastic wrap or foil
- Oven
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound crusty whole-wheat bread
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp. salt
- â…“ cup chopped toasted pecans
- 4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter
INGREDIENT NOTES:
WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD:
- We utilize one day old crusty whole-wheat bread because it captivates the custard without becoming mushy. Fresh bread may become overly soft after soaking overnight.
WHOLE MILK:
- We have to use whole milk to make the creamy & rich custard for this high-protein breakfast. We can also utilize two-percent milk if preferred.
PUMPKIN PURÉE:
- Use this instead of pie filling to add natural pumpkin flavor. It also provides moisture, fiber, and vitamin A to the casserole.
BROWN SUGAR:
- Add the light brown sugar to provide a subtle caramel sweetness to the casserole. We can also use dark brown sugar to get a deeper molasses flavor.
EGGS:
- Add the eggs to bind the ingredients with each other & increase the protein. They also help create soft custard with the perfect texture.
VANILLA EXTRACT:
- Use pure vanilla extract to enrich the flavor without the addition of artificial taste. It complements the pumpkin pie spice and enhances the sweetness.
PUMPKIN PIE SPICE:
- We utilize pumpkin pie spice to provide the classic fall flavor to the casserole. It contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves for a warm aroma.
SALT:
- Add a small amount of salt to stabilize the sweet taste and increase the taste in the casserole.
TOASTED PECANS:
- We use the toasted pecans to add a crunchiness & indulgent nutty flavor. Toasting them before adding makes their flavor even better.
UNSALTED BUTTER:
- We utilize cold unsalted butter cubes to create a crisp, golden-brown topping during baking. It also provides a rich and indulgent buttery flavor to the casserole.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Put the oil in the tray and brush it evenly, and heat the oven to 175 °C.
- Add the bread cubes equally in the tray.
- Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, salt, milk, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, & vanilla extract to the vessel and mix with the whisk.
- Now add the pumpkin custard equally on the bread cubes and press it softly so it gets soaked.
- Cover the tray tightly with foil or wrap and put in the fridge for eight hours.
- Take out the casserole from the fridge for around thirty minutes before baking.
- Now sprinkle the toasted pecans on them and then scatter the butter cubes equally on them.
- Now bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes till middle part gets set and golden.
- Leave the casserole for ten minutes, then make slices and serve warm.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
FRUITS:
- Fresh Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Sliced Bananas
- Orange segments
PROTEIN SIDES:
- Greek Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Turkey Sausage
- Chicken Sausage
- Scrambled Eggs
HEALTHY TOPPINGS:
- Chopped Pecans
- Chopped Walnuts
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chia Seeds
- Ground Flaxseed
TOPPINGS:
- Sugar-Free Maple Syrup
- Honey
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt
- Fresh Fruit Compote
BREAKFAST BREADS:
- Whole-Grain Toast
- English Muffin
- Whole-Wheat Bagel
- Bran Muffin
- Oatmeal Muffin
BRUNCH:
- Vegetable Omelet
- Spinach Frittata
- Avocado Toast
- Breakfast Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
BEVERAGES:
- Black Coffee
- Latte
- Green Tea
- Chai Tea
- Protein Smoothie
TIPS:
- Make this casserole with stale bread to provide good texture.
- Leave the casserole for the whole night to get soaked to provide the strong flavor.
- Roast the pecans to make them crunchier.
- Don’t bake the casserole for a long time, or else it won’t remain juicy.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Add the casserole slices to a tight vessel and store for 4 days.
FREEZER:
- Cover the portions individually with wrap and freeze for 2 months.
FAQs:
Will we prepare this in advance?
- Yes, we would easily prepare it before the requirement and store and bake when required.
Can I utilize any other variety of bread?
- Yes, we would utilize whole-grain, sourdough, or multigrain bread to make this casserole.
How to include extra protein in it?
- We would include protein powder and serve with Greek yogurt for this purpose.
Will I make this with vegan milk?
- Yes, we would easily make this with any vegan milk like soy or almond.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 315 kcal
Net Carbs: 29 g
Serving Size: 1 slice
Total Carbs: 34 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 15 g
Calcium: 0.18 g
Iron: 0.003 g
Vitamin A: 0.00045 g
Sodium: 0.32 g
Potassium: 0.31 g
Servings: 10
