The Ultimate Pecan Praline French Toast Recipe You’ll Adore

Overnight pecan praline French toast reinvents ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Sweet caramel notes dance with nutty undertones, creating a sensation that elevates morning meals beyond traditional expectations.

Soft bread becomes a canvas for rich, indulgent flavors that melt seamlessly together.

Delicate pecans introduce a delightful crunch, contrasting beautifully with the creamy custard-soaked layers.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and tastes that awaken sleepy taste buds.

Prepare this morning masterpiece the night before, allowing ingredients to mingle and intensify their delectable qualities.

Your weekend brunch guests will be utterly captivated by this irresistible morning delight.

Tips for a Caramelized Crust and Custardy Center

• Bread Selection: Choose thick, sturdy bread like brioche or challah to absorb the egg mixture without falling apart during baking.
• Prevent Sogginess: Allow bread to sit in the egg mixture for at least 30 minutes but not longer than overnight to maintain perfect texture.
• Nut Toasting Trick: Lightly toast pecans before adding to the praline mixture to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and create extra crunch.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish the night before to save time and allow flavors to meld beautifully overnight.
• Serving Secret: Invert the dish immediately after baking to ensure the caramelized praline topping coats each slice perfectly and prevents sticking.

How to Store Leftovers Without Losing the Crunch

• Refrigeration: Store any remaining French toast in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time accurately.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, use a toaster oven or air fryer for crispy edges. Microwave works in a pinch, but might make the toast slightly soggy.

Drinks and Sides That Pair with This Sweet Bake

• Pair with Sweet Sipping Companions: Complement the rich, caramelized pecan praline French toast with a classic mimosa or a creamy Irish coffee, balancing the dish's sweet intensity with complementary beverage notes.
• Match with Morning Protein Boosters: Add crispy bacon or maple-glazed sausage links to provide a savory counterpoint to the sweet toast, creating a well-rounded breakfast experience with contrasting flavors.
• Enhance with Fresh Fruit Accents: Serve alongside fresh berries or a citrus fruit salad to cut through the richness, adding a bright, refreshing element that cleanses the palate between indulgent bites.
• Create Creamy Accompaniment: Top with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla Greek yogurt to introduce a cool, smooth texture that softens the caramelized praline's intense sweetness.

Flavor Variations for a Different Twist Every Time

• Tropical Paradise Swap: Replace pecans with macadamia nuts and add shredded coconut for a Hawaiian-inspired version that brings beachy vibes to your breakfast.
• Berry Blissful Variation: Swap brown sugar syrup with mixed berry compote and scatter fresh raspberries and blueberries across the bread before baking for a fruity morning sensation.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Incorporate cocoa powder into the egg mixture and sprinkle chocolate chips on top for an indulgent breakfast that feels like dessert in the morning.
• Savory Breakfast Remix: Transform the recipe by using sourdough bread, adding crispy bacon bits, and mixing sharp cheddar cheese into the egg mixture for a hearty, protein-packed morning meal.

Why This Overnight French Toast Is a Morning Must-Have

• Overnight Marination Magic: Letting the bread soak overnight allows deep flavor penetration, transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious breakfast experience with minimal morning effort.
• Texture Symphony: Combines crunchy pecans, crispy bread edges, and soft, custardy interior creating a delightful mouthfeel that offers multiple sensory experiences in every single bite.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prep everything the night before, pop in the oven next morning, and enjoy a gourmet breakfast without early morning stress – perfect for weekend gatherings, holiday brunches, or impressing houseguests with zero complicated cooking techniques.

Ingredients That Make This Toast Rich and Nutty

Main Ingredients:

Bread Base: -Bread Slices: Soft, thick-cut bread that will absorb the custard mixture and create a luxurious texture. -French Bread or Brioche: Rich, buttery bread that provides a sturdy foundation for the French toast.

Nut Topping: -Pecans: Crunchy, sweet nuts that add a delightful nutty flavor and textural contrast to the soft bread.

Liquid Ingredients:

Custard Mixture: -Eggs: Binding agent that creates a rich, creamy base for the French toast. -Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a smooth, silky custard.

Syrup Mixture: -Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden, caramelized bottom layer. -Brown Sugar: Provides deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps create a sticky praline sauce. -Corn Syrup: Ensures a smooth, glossy caramel sauce without crystallization.

Flavor Enhancers: -Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aromatic flavor to the dish. -Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the recipe.

How to Prep and Bake Pecan French Toast Overnight

Step 1: Prepare Baking Dish

Grease a 9 x 13 inch non-stick baking dish thoroughly to ensure easy removal of the french toast.

Step 2: Create Praline Sauce

• Brown sugar
• Syrup

Stir and increase heat to medium-high. Simmer until ingredients combine completely. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Add Pecan Layer

Sprinkle pecans evenly across the buttery sauce base. Arrange bread slices tightly from edge to edge, covering the entire surface without gaps.

Step 4: Prepare Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

Gently pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Refrigerate Overnight

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Refrigerate for 8-12 hours to allow flavors to develop and bread to absorb the mixture.

Step 6: Preheat Oven

Set oven temperature to 350°F about 30 minutes before baking.

Step 7: Add Topping

In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread slices.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the dish is bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully flip each slice onto serving plates, revealing the delicious pecan praline bottom. Serve warm and savor the rich, sweet flavors.

Pecan Praline French Toast Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Overnight Pecan Praline French Toast blends Southern comfort with luxurious breakfast indulgence. Layers of rich bread soak in a sweet custard before baking to golden perfection, creating a crowd-pleasing morning masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients (Bread and Nuts):

• 1 French or Italian bread (sliced into pieces that are about ½-inch thick, using about half to ¾ of a loaf)
• ½ cup rough-chopped pecans

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup (113 grams) butter (plus more for greasing the pan)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Custard and Topping Ingredients:

• 5 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) milk or half & half
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup packed brown or white sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 centimeters) baking dish with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy release.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then incorporate brown sugar and corn syrup. Increase temperature to medium-high and continuously stir until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated. Pour this caramel-like sauce evenly across the prepared baking dish.
3. Distribute pecans uniformly over the liquid foundation, creating a consistent layer of nutty texture.
4. Arrange bread slices compactly, ensuring no gaps exist between each piece, creating a seamless surface across the baking dish.
5. Whisk eggs, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, and salt in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
6. Gently pour the egg mixture over the bread, making certain each slice becomes completely saturated with the liquid.
7. Wrap the baking dish securely with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8-12 hours, allowing flavors to meld and bread to absorb the custard.
8. Remove the dish from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
10. Prepare the topping by mixing desired ingredients and sprinkling evenly across the soaked bread surface.
11. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the center becomes set with a slight wobble.
12. Allow the French toast to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to help it stabilize.
13. Invert the entire dish onto a serving platter, allowing the caramelized pecan layer to become the stunning top presentation.

Notes

• Overnight preparation transforms basic ingredients into a magical breakfast showstopper that’ll wow weekend guests.
• Pecans add delightful crunch and rich, buttery flavor to every single bite of this make-ahead morning marvel.
• Refrigerating the dish allows bread to soak up all those decadent egg and vanilla custard flavors completely.
• Brown sugar and butter create a luscious caramel-like praline sauce that bubbles and caramelizes during baking.
• Flipping the casserole when serving ensures everyone gets a generous coating of sticky-sweet pecan topping.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 525 kcal
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 11g
• Cholesterol: 205mg