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Lightened Up Coconut French Toast Casserole

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This Lightened Up Coconut French Toast Casserole is a tasty breakfast or brunch recipe that can be prepped ahead of time for a crowd-pleasing morning meal. Made with unsweetened coconut, light coconut milk and chewy multi-seed bread, it’s a delicious and slightly sweet dairy-free dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Coconut French Toast Casserole

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.

Light Coconut French Toast Casserole

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.

Coconut French Toast Casserole (Lightened Up!)

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!

Easy Overnight Coconut French Toast Casserole

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

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Coconut French Toast Casserole

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  • Author: Julie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes + overnight
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: breakfast
  • Method: oven
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.)
  4. Allow to cool slightly. Slice, top with additional flaked coconut, fresh berries and maple syrup.
  5. Enjoy!

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About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

Comments

  4. Gina M says

    I love oatmeal with sugar free maple syrup!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  15. Terri Irvin says

    My favorite “lightened up” breakfast treat is Slow Cooker Chocolate-Banana Bread. I use whole wheat flour, egg whites and unsweetened almond milk. You don’t have to add the pecans to save calories.

    Reply

  20. Denise L says

    Blueberry cinnamon oatmeal is my favorite healthy breakfast. I add just 1/2 tsp sugar so I’m considering it “lightened up”. 🙂

    Reply

  29. Whitney Bellows says

    I always have a very light breakfast bar – it’s a great treat with lots of fruit but just a tiny bit of breading.

    Reply

  31. Betty C says

    I like old fashioned oatmeal cooked with dried fruit chunks and nuts. Just a sprinkle of sugar adds enough sweetness.

    Reply

  48. angie says

    My fav lightened up breakfast treat is an all fruit smoothie. Just fruit and ice. No yogurt or anything heavy. SO good on hot summer mornings!

    Reply

  50. Kathleen says

    My favorite lightened up breakfast recipes are any of Hungry Girl’s many “growing oatmeal” bowls!

    Reply

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I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

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