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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This is from my Twitter! https://twitter.com/Carly_fitness/status/738112876733337600
My favorite “light” breakfast is an egg white omelette. I use one whole egg and 3 egg whites to cut calories, but maintain he yumminess! 🙂
I love banana bread made with plain non-fat Greek yogurt. Yum!
I like a veggie omelette. I find that adding peppers and onions and other veggies makes it lighter.
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https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/738118407535661056
My favorite lightened up breakfast is an egg white omelet that is loaded with veggies. It keeps me full for many hours!
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spinach or kale egg white omelet!
I love making two-ingredient pancakes for a easy and healthy breakfast. I use one ripe banana and one egg – it’s amazing how good such a simple recipe can be!
i love making overnight oats and topping them with PB in the mornings…they’re so doughy and delicious!
I love adding zucchini to my overnight oats for extra veggies and volume!
This sounds so yummy! For me, I love the breakfast sweet potatoes with an egg sunny side up!
Honestly…I love your protein pancake with egg whites, cinnamon, and oats. Eat it almost every weekend!!
plain yogurt with fruit for sweetness. thanks!
Pumpkin pancakes for the win!
I like a big veggie omelet with a side of fruit!
Yogurt and fresh berries with sprinkled granola!
I love oatmeal.
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/738141330136666112
I love ANYTHING chocolate, pretty much! And it is usually oat based as well. ?
A simple smoothie breakfast is my fave for summer mornings!
overnight oats for sure! with the chobani strawberry banana yogurt is my favorite 🙂
oatmeal and peanut butter!!
I know it sounds weird, but I do a microwave bake with blended pumpkin, egg whites. Once cooked topped with nut butter and berries1
Protein pancakes with fruit! Nothing feels more sinful than eating pancakes on a weekday morning.
This looks incredible! 🙂
I love zucchini bread quinoa breakfast Cookies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
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Breakfast pizza with a whole wheat tortilla egg whites veggies and reduced fat cheese!
I love to make banana pancakes!
Silver hills The Little Big bread with any fixings. And vega chocolate shake instead of chocolate milk.
I love to make kodiak cake pancakes on the weekends!
Egg, oat and banana pancakes , yum!
I love pancakes and when I want to make a lighter version at home, I will do the 2 ingredient pancake recipe. That way I get my pancake fill that’s more nutritious for me.
i love healthy pancakes!! either made with banana + 2 eggs OR a healthy coconut flour recipe!
Definitely NOT a typical breakfast you would have, but I HAVE to include sweet potatoes into my breakfast! Lately I’ve been OBSESSED with chopping a cooked sweet potato up and adding it to gluten free whole grain cereal, muesli, granola, fruit and nut butter! It tastes absolutely amazing!
For something when I have a little more time, I make a lightened-up eggs Benedict over roasted portobello mushrooms that’s awesome, but on your average morning, 2-ingredient pancakes are perfect!
I love to make oatmeal raisin “cookies” for breakfast (oatmeal, raisins, milk, eggs, banana baked or microwaved).
This looks so delicious! I love making quiche with a hash brown crust instead of pastry! YUMMMM
I like to start my morning with a nice container of smoked herring over crackers or plain.
I love to make protein smoothies now that it’s summer.
Smoothies are always my go-to breakfast. Whether it’s chocolate peanut butter or a ton of greens I always reach for coconut milk, too!
I love healthy protein pancakes! I just tried some paleo pancakes with cassava, coconut and almond flour. So good!
homemade granola with some fresh berries and syrup
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
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I love chia seed pudding 🙂
Love your make ahead egg cups!
This sounds delicious! I love using breads that aren’t full of artificial ingredients. My favorite lightened up breakfast is oatmeal or protein pancakes. I prefer pancakes over french toast, but really want to try this recipe ; )
Sunny side up eggs
I enjoy a simple breakfast of yogurt and fruit