Baked French Toast with Honey Syrup and Fresh Fruit

This no-fail, lightened-up overnight baked French toast with fresh fruit and honey-lime syrup is perfect for brunch, holidays, and fuss-free gatherings. Get it ready the night before, then simply pop it in the oven while you enjoy your morning coffee!

What I love about making baked French toast—beyond the look on everyone’s faces when you take it out of the oven—is how easy it is. Especially, when you have a hungry house to feed first thing in the morning!

I made this simple recipe with my homemade Challah Bread, but like our pan-fried Challah French Toast or Spanish-style French Toast you can use any fluffy, thick-cut white bread here and it will be delicious.

Most French toast recipes are made with heavy cream and drenched in maple syrup. However, I took a different approach and used yogurt and milk to create the custard base and added my own twist with a honey lime syrup so this recipe isn’t overly sweet. The result is a overnight French toast recipe that feels just as decadent as the classic and doesn’t weigh you down.

That’s not even the best part! You can prepare this entire recipe the night before and place it in the fridge. The bread soaks up all the flavors while everyone sleeps. When you awake in the morning, toss it in the oven and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Every slice cooks perfectly with no cheffy skills required!

Table of Contents

1. What is in Baked French Toast? 
2. Ingredient Spotlight
3. How to Make Overnight French Toast
1. The Night Before: Soak the Bread
2. The Day Of: Bake the French Toast
3. Finish and Serve
4. Ways to Mix it Up
5. What to Serve with Baked French Toast
6. More Breakfast Recipes to Wow a Crowd
7. Baked French Toast Recipe

What is in Baked French Toast? 

This is truly a year-round recipe designed for entertaining. Use whatever fruit looks most delicious!

• Bread: Challah is sweet and fluffy, but any white bread would work here. It’s a good way to use up stale bread.
• Unsalted butter prevents sticking and enriches the bread.
• Yogurt adds richness and tang to the custard. You can use whole milk or low-fat, just be sure it’s plain. Although, I’m normally a fan of Greek yogurt, in this instance it would be too thick.
• Eggs thicken the custard.
• Honey adds a delicate floral sweetness that I really enjoy in this recipe. 
• Vanilla extract adds a depth of flavor. You can substitute with almond or rum extract. 
• Salt enhances the other flavors. 
• Milk gives the bread a soft custard-like consistency when it’s baked.
• Lime juice balances the sweetness of the honey syrup. 
• Powdered sugar is optional, but gives the French toast a little flair and visual appeal just before serving.  
• Seasonal fruit: Adds a nice freshness and pop of color. I use whatever looks best at my store, from berries, peaches, cherries, pomegranate seeds, apples, pears—you name it! 

Ingredient Spotlight

While baked French toast is often served in the U.S. with maple syrup, I prefer to make a light and zippy honey-lime simple syrup instead. The honey’s nuances come out, making for a more interesting depth of flavor. And it doesn’t drown out the deliciously creamy and custardy French toast and fresh fruit. 

A high-quality honey is essential. Look for an all-natural variety with a light, delicate sweetness. I love our Greek honey from the Island of Crete, where bees feast on the native wildflowers which gives it these incredible subtle notes of thyme.

• TRY IT: Greek Alfa Honey or double up on the citrus notes with our Italian Citrus Honey, which is another favorite of mine. Both work great in this recipe.

How to Make Overnight French Toast

Oven-baked French toast could not be easier, but this recipe does require planning ahead. Make sure to get the bread soaking the night before so it can absorb all the flavor. 

The Night Before: Soak the Bread

• Prepare the bread. Slice challah into 8 (3/4-inch thick) slices. Spread 2 tablespoons of room temperature butter on one side of each slice and add to a large (14 x 10-inch) baking dish with the buttered side facing down. Shingle the bread so it’s slightly overlapping. 
• Make the custard. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt.
• Soak the bread. Pour the custard over the bread, tipping the dish and using a spatula to ensure it’s evenly coated. Pull a few slices up to let the custard underneath. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The Day Of: Bake the French Toast

• Get ready to bake. Place a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat to 350°F. Dot the challah all over with 1 tablespoon cold butter, then pour 1/4 cup milk all over.
• Bake the French toast. Bake, uncovered, until the custard is set and the challah is almost firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. 

Finish and Serve

• While the french toast bakes, make the honey simple syrup. In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine 1 cup honey and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then lower heat to simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm, then stir in 1/4 teaspoon lime juice.
• Caramelize the toast. When the custard is set, flip on the broiler and broil for 2 minutes, watching carefully, until the top is golden brown.
• Finish and serve. Dust with powdered sugar and top with your favorite fruit (I used raspberries, but I have also used cherries and peaches). Serve the honey syrup on the side, allowing everyone to help themselves to as much or as little as they like. Enjoy!

Ways to Mix it Up

Because this is an overnight French toast recipe you have plenty of time to dream up toppings or special extras. Here are a few ideas to make this recipe your own.

• Top with nuts: Like slivered almonds, chopped pistachios, pecans, or toasted and chopped hazelnuts.
• Add spice: Add a pinch of warming spices to the custard with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, or allspice (or a mixture). 
• Compote: Skip the honey syrup and fresh fruit and top with Strawberry Compote or Mixed Berry Compote. 
• Add herbs: Top with finely chopped fresh mint or even basil for a refreshing, herbaceous element. 

What to Serve with Baked French Toast

Overnight French Toast is a decadent breakfast to start the day, so you won’t need more. But I love coffee or Arabic Tea with Fresh Mint alongside. For a brunch party or special occasion (say, Christmas or New Years), try Spain’s version of the mimosa, called Agua De València.

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*This post has recently been updated with new information for readers’ benefit.