I’ve always been a huge fan of coconut. I love chewy flaked coconut, coconut-flavored anything, creamy coconut milk… You name it and if it is made with coconut, I probably love it.
So why not start the day with coconut? That’s basically a sure-fire way to ensure a great day ahead, right? When it comes to my morning meals, prep-ahead dishes reign supreme over here since mornings seem to be a little more rushed than usual now that I have a baby in the mix. When I found out my sister and one of her coworkers were coming into town and staying with us two weeks ago, I wanted to have a tasty breakfast dish on hand to quickly heat up for them in the morning before they had to head off to work.
I prepped this lightened up coconut French toast casserole the night before they arrived so I could pop it in the oven when I awoke the next morning and they could have a tasty breakfast to enjoy to fuel them through their work day. (And the fact that I got to enjoy a breakfast that felt a little more special than usual on a weekday was clearly an added bonus!) When it comes to French toast casserole, the texture of the casserole makes a big difference for me. I’ve had French toast casseroles that taste too dense or too fluffy and I prefer a casserole that’s right in the middle. Slightly sweet and perfectly egg-y but with a little bit of crispness around the edges, too!
I love using a seedy bread for this recipe, both from a flavor standpoint and for added texture and nutrition. Sprinkle in in some chewy unsweetened coconut flakes and this lightened up coconut French toast casserole is a crowd pleaser for anyone out there who love coconut and French toast.
Here’s everything you need to make this overnight french toast recipe:
- Whole wheat bread (white bread will also work, but I prefer a seedy whole grain bread in this recipe)
- Eggs + Egg whites
- Coconut milk (from a can — this is key for flavor!)
- Maple syrup
- Coconut flakes (I prefer unsweet but if sweetened coconut is more your style, do your thang!)
- Vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: I love to sprinkle coconut on top of my French toast and I’ll never say no to a little whipped cream and powdered sugar
And below you’ll find the full recipe breakdown for this coconut french toast casserole!
Coconut French Toast Casserole
Coconut French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes + overnight
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: oven
Ingredients
- 12 slices bread (I love a seedy whole grain bread)
- 1 1/4 cup light coconut milk (from a can)
- 5 eggs
- 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- In a 9×13 baking dish lightly coated with coconut oil (or sprayed with cooking spray), layer bread slices so they’re just barely overlapping.
- Mix remaining ingredients and 1/3 cup of the unsweetened coconut flakes in a large bowl, whisking the eggs and stirring everything until fully combined. Pour over bread slices and lightly press bread down into egg mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap casserole and place in the oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Remove casserole and sprinkle with additional 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes. Bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until top begins to brown and middle is cooked through. (When done, a knife inserted into the middle of the casserole should come out clean and the casserole will puff up quite a bit. It will deflate upon cooling.)
- Allow to cool slightly. Slice, top with additional flaked coconut, fresh berries and maple syrup.
- Enjoy!
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do in our house!
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If I want a “lighter” breakfast I go for a quick nutrient dense smoothie! Filling and don’t weigh me down, great way to start the day!
doesn’t* weigh me down. Yuck that’s a horrible typo haha
I love pancakes made with banana and eggs! It tastes and feels like a treat, but I know it’s really healthy.
My favorite lightened up bfast is protein pancakes. I barely remember I get my pancake fix and enjoy healthy satisfying ingredients.
I love plain old oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder mixed. I eat this most mornings!
I love spinach & fruit smoothies!
The Elvis… Peanut Butter Toast with Sliced Bananas on Ezekiel 4:9 bread
I love egg whites with loads of sauteed veggies topped with salsa for a high protein, low calorie breakfast! Usually, I pair it with oatmeal or PB toast so I am not famished in a short while.
I love a good veggie egg white scramble for breakfast especially on toast. It’s so delicious and you can make it literally with any veggies you have in the fridge. I usually top it with salsa too for that extra boost of spicy goodness.
Overnight oats with nonfat Greek yogurt, bananas, and berries
I like the whole wheat waffles
My favorite lightened up breakfast treat is breakfast casserole made with half eggs and half egg whites, turkey sausage instead of pork, lots of veggies, and buttermilk instead of heavy cream (lighter and it tastes more complex than using cream!) .
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/737998792763416576
Protein shakes are my lighter treat in the mornings after a sweaty workout. Tastes like a milkshake but fuels my day fantastically!
I am totally with you on make-ahead meals (especially breakfasts)! I always have some sort of muffin or pancake in the freezer for a quick and easy breakfast! 😉 I LOVE that you used coconut milk and made this dairy-free! I am going to make this ASAP!
I make Heuvo in hole topped with avocado!
I love making smoothies that taste like a milkshake but are packed with greens!
I like to make my overnight oats using half full fat yogurt and half 0% Fage. It makes it nice and creamy but is still light. 3 ingredient banana pancakes are also a win on the weekends!
Lightened up breakfast favorites at our house include OOIAJ and smoothies with coconut milk! It tastes just like a milk shake!
I love making “healthier” pancakes with a ripe banana, egg whites, and protein powder
I usually just keep it simple with an apple and nut butter if I want a light breakfast 🙂
I love frozen bananas in a smoothie! Tastes so fresh and yummy
I love to make eggwhite omelettes and add all sorts of veggies to them!
I love egg white omelettes with garlic, mushrooms, onions, and spinach! so delicious!
I love scrambled eggs with any veggies I have cut up in the refrigerator to add to it. A sprinkle of cheese and salsa or hot sauce and it’s perfect and healthy.
I eat oatmeal for breakfast almost every day of the year and it never gets old!
Egg white omelettes are my favorite on the weekdays, and banana pancakes on the weekend!
I eat the same thing for breakfast every day: peanut butter toast with a banana and orange juice!
Chia pudding parfaits!!!!
My favorite lightened up breakfast that makes me feel like I’m indulging is french toast. Dip some nutrient dense and whole grain bread in an egg white mixture, dusted with cinnamon and obviously topped with lots of peanut butter and maple syrup! This bread would be perfect for my healthy indulgence!
Quick protein pancakes for the win!
I love my banana protein pancakes! I could eat them every morning!
I love protein shakes or smoothies for a mom on the go lightened up breakfast. Add in some spinach to sneak a veggie into my delicious (tastes like) treat.
My favorite is probably an egg white omelette with lots of veggies.
I am going to make this recipe the next time my fiancé and I have a lazy Saturday morning at home. It looks SO good!
My lightened up breakfast is protein pancakes they are delicious! half a banana, 1/4 cup eggs whites, cinnamon, & a scoop of vanilla protein with a splash of almond milk! Topped with berries & some pecans!! mmmm!
I love to make protein pancakes or egg white scrambles with assorted veggies.
Definitely overnight oats!
Looks amazingly delicious!
I love making “pancakes” out of oats, egg whites, and cottage cheese
Smoothie or avocado toast!
Plain yogurt with honey and fruit or avocado toast!
https://twitter.com/TIU_Amy/status/738028605335277568
I’m really enjoying making smoothie bowls with spinach, strawberries, bananas, blueberries and chia seeds! It is a great summer breakfast!
My favorite lightened up breakfast is an egg and banana pancake with ground flaxseed and blueberries or raspberries. YUM!
This looks so yum!
My favorite lightened up breakfast is carrot cake overnight oats! It is basically oats, carrots, and cinnamon left overnight with greek yogurt and almond milk. Seriously tastes like carrot cake for breakfast~
I love banana protein pancakes!! For some reason they never seem to taste “lightened up” to me- win!
I’ve always loved avocado toast – instead of using cream cheese!
My favorite lightened up breakfast is scrambled eggs (or tofu!) with a lot of kale! Sometimes, a hard cheese like Parmesan adds flavor but not many calories if you only use a little.
I am obsessed with overnight oats featuring a giant dollop of peanut butter and banana on top. Thanks for the giveaway!
I looooove protein pancakes! And healthy breakfast sandwiches on English muffins or bagel thins…I remember you used to do cheese + jelly…I always thought that was weird. However, I tried it and love it!!!