Delicious Vegan Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole with Golden Beets (Gluten-Free Option!)

Discover the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch: a Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole with a unique twist of golden beets, ideal for bright spring and summer mornings, complete with a gluten-free and vegan option!

There’s something truly magical about the arrival of spring, isn’t there? Here in Virginia, the air is getting crisper, the sun is shining brighter, and yesterday, I had the windows wide open, letting a gentle breeze drift through our home as I photographed in natural light. It was pure bliss, a moment of calm and inspiration that perfectly reflects the season.

As if on cue with the changing weather, my cravings have shifted towards foods that are equally bright, fresh, and vibrant. And what could be more delightful than a harmonious blend of baked blueberries and sweet bananas, enlivened with a hint of lemon zest and the unexpected earthy sweetness of golden beets? This combination is a celebration of spring and summer flavors, designed to awaken your palate and bring a sunny start to any day.

This Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole is not just a dish; it’s an experience. It’s perfect for a relaxed weekend breakfast, an elegant holiday brunch – yes, even Easter brunch plans are enthusiastically checked off with this recipe – or simply when you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary without spending hours in the kitchen. Despite its fancy appearance and gourmet appeal, this casserole is ridiculously easy to prepare, relying on simple ingredients and a burst of creative energy the night before. All you truly need is some stale bread, juicy blueberries, ripe bananas, and a dash of enthusiasm to create this show-stopping dish.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This French Toast Casserole

This isn’t just another breakfast recipe; it’s a delightful culinary adventure that promises to become a staple in your home. Here’s why this Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole will win your heart:

• Effortlessly Elegant: It looks incredibly impressive, making it ideal for hosting brunch, but the actual preparation is surprisingly simple and largely hands-off.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it the night before and simply bake it in the morning. This convenience is a game-changer for busy mornings or when entertaining guests.
• Dietary Inclusivity: This recipe is entirely vegan, and with a simple swap of gluten-free bread, it becomes a delicious gluten-free French toast casserole, ensuring everyone can enjoy a slice.
• Vibrant Flavor Profile: The sweet creaminess of bananas, the juicy burst of blueberries, the bright tang of lemon, and the subtle, earthy sweetness of golden beets create a complex and incredibly satisfying taste.
• Comfort Food with a Fresh Twist: It offers the comforting warmth of classic French toast but with a refreshing, seasonal twist that’s perfect for spring and summer.

What You Need to Make This Vegan Blueberry Banana French Toast Casserole

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Let’s dive into the key components:

Choosing Your Bread

The foundation of any great French toast is the bread. For this casserole, a small loaf (about 12 slices) of **stale seeded bread** works wonders. Stale bread is crucial because it acts like a sponge, soaking up all the delicious custard without becoming soggy or falling apart. You can use virtually any type of bread – a hearty sourdough, a soft challah, or even a brioche for extra richness. For a **gluten-free French toast casserole**, simply opt for your favorite gluten-free bread. To prepare, you’ll shred or tear the bread into small, uniform 1-inch cubes. Pro tip: I love using kitchen shears for this step! They make quick work of cutting the bread into perfectly sized cubes, ensuring an even texture throughout the casserole (as seen in the photo above).

Crafting the Creamy Custard

The rich, flavorful custard is what transforms ordinary bread into an extraordinary French toast bake. Our vegan version relies on a few simple yet powerful ingredients:

• Mashed Bananas: Three medium bananas, mashed to about one heaping cup, serve as the natural sweetener and provide a lovely, creamy texture to the batter. They also contribute to the signature banana flavor.
• Coconut Milk & Almond Milk: A 13.5 oz. can of lite coconut milk combined with 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk forms the luxurious, dairy-free base of our custard. These milks provide richness and moisture without any dairy.
• Flax Meal: A generous 1/2 cup of flax meal is key here. When mixed with liquid, flax meal creates a gelatinous consistency, effectively acting as a vegan egg replacer and thickening the batter, ensuring it coats the bread beautifully.
• Vanilla Protein Powder (Optional): I like to add 1 tablespoon of vanilla protein powder for an extra nutritional boost and a subtle vanilla flavor. If you prefer to omit this or don’t have it on hand, you can substitute it with tapioca flour or cornstarch for a similar thickening effect, or simply leave it out if you’re happy with the consistency.
• Lemon Juice & Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon of lemon juice adds a bright, zesty counterpoint to the sweetness, while 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon infuses the casserole with warm, comforting spice.

The Star Fruits and Veggies

No banana blueberry French toast casserole would be complete without its namesake ingredients:

• Blueberries: 3/4 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries are folded into the casserole, providing juicy bursts of tartness. Keep extra on hand for topping!
• Lemon Zest: The zest from one large lemon (optional, but highly recommended) is folded into the casserole for an extra layer of bright, aromatic flavor.
• Golden Beets: This is where things get truly exciting! We’ll be using 1/4 cup of Love Beets Honey + Vinegar Golden Beets. These pre-diced beets are mild, sweet, and carry a delightful hint of acidity that elevates the entire dish. More on these amazing beets below!

How to Make This Overnight Blueberry Banana French Toast Casserole

One of the best features of this French toast casserole is its make-ahead nature. With just a little prep the night before, you can wake up to a nearly ready, impressive breakfast!

1. Prepare the Bread: Start by cutting your stale bread into 1-inch cubes. As mentioned, kitchen shears are your friend here! Place these cubes evenly into a large 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Whisk the Custard: In a separate bowl, combine the mashed banana, almond milk, coconut milk, flax meal, optional protein powder, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Whisk vigorously until well combined. Now, here’s the crucial step: let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This allows the flax meal to “gel” and thicken, creating that perfect egg-like consistency that will bind the casserole together.
3. Combine & Soak: Pour the thickened liquid ingredients over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the bread cubes are evenly coated with the rich custard. Don’t be shy – make sure every piece gets its share of the deliciousness! Once coated, gently press down on the bread to form an even layer in the pan.
4. The “Ugly Duckling” Stage: This is about the part where you might look at the milky, soggy bread mixture and think, “Lauren, what is this monstrous creation?” Trust me, friends, there’s a reason there isn’t a photo of the pre-baked casserole here – milky soggy bread just isn’t all that photogenic! But this stage is vital. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the fridge overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours. This extended soak allows the bread to fully absorb the flavors and liquids, resulting in a tender, flavorful interior once baked.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: In the morning, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Remove the foil cover from the casserole dish and pop it into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the top is beautifully browned and slightly crispy, and the interior is set and fragrant. The aromas filling your kitchen will be pure heaven!
6. Cool and Serve: Once baked, allow the dish to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. This cooling period helps the casserole set further, making it easier to portion and ensuring a perfect texture.
7. Dress for Spring: Now for the fun part – topping! This beautiful browned, naturally sweetened casserole is ready to get dressed for spring with fresh blueberries, a sprinkle of bright lemon zest, those intriguing golden beets, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
8. Store Leftovers: Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to one week. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave for delicious French toast for days!

Beets for Breakfast: A Sweet & Savory Twist

Wait, beets on French Toast? Yes, you read that right, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised! While it might sound unconventional, adding golden beets to this French toast casserole is a stroke of culinary genius that elevates the dish from great to extraordinary.

For my toppings, I intentionally chose fresh blueberries, bright lemon zest, and these incredible golden beets, all drizzled with maple syrup. This combination creates a stunning spring aesthetic and a flavor profile that is truly unique and balanced. The golden beets add a beautiful, vibrant color to the compote and provide a hint of mild acidity. This acidity is key, as it expertly balances out the overall sweetness of the dish, preventing it from being cloyingly sweet and adding a sophisticated depth of flavor.

Specifically, I used Love Beets Honey Vinegar Golden Beets. These particular beets are a game-changer! They are pre-cooked and pre-diced, making them incredibly convenient for quick additions to any meal. What sets them apart is their gentle sweet-and-sour profile, thanks to the subtle hint of honey and vinegar, which complements the fruitiness of the blueberries and bananas without overpowering them. They’re also all-natural, gluten-free, vegan, and completely preservative-free, fitting perfectly with the wholesome nature of this recipe.

Incorporating these convenient, ready-to-use golden beets into your breakfast or brunch, especially for special occasions like Easter, introduces a delightful veggie intrigue. It’s an easy way to sneak in some extra nutrients and impress your guests with an unexpected, gourmet touch that they’ll be talking about long after brunch is over. Don’t knock it till you try it – the subtle earthy sweetness and slight tang of the golden beets are a revelation when paired with the sweet, comforting French toast!

How to Serve Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole

This Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole is designed to be an elevated breakfast or brunch experience, perfect for any time you want to make a meal feel special. It’s truly ideal for a leisurely weekend breakfast or a festive brunch gathering with family and friends. Its generous size makes it a perfect sharing dish.

Serving Suggestions:

• Classic Toppings: A generous drizzle of pure maple syrup is a must, enhancing the natural sweetness of the fruits.
• Fresh Fruit Medley: Beyond the blueberries and golden beets already recommended, consider adding sliced fresh strawberries, raspberries, or even a dollop of vegan coconut whipped cream for an extra touch of decadence.
• Nutty Crunch: A sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts can add a delightful textural contrast.
• Zesty Finish: A final dusting of fresh lemon zest right before serving brightens all the flavors.

Portioning and Leftovers:

This recipe typically yields 6-8 servings, making it perfect for a crowd. If you’re serving fewer people, don’t hesitate to halve the recipe and use a smaller baking dish. But honestly, having leftovers is never a bad thing with this casserole! They reheat beautifully, making for delicious French toast for days:

• Oven Reheating: For best results and to regain some of that crispy top, reheat individual slices in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Microwave Reheating: If you’re in a hurry, individual portions can be microwaved for 1-2 minutes until hot.

Enjoy every delightful bite of this sweet, fruity, and subtly savory casserole!

More Breakfast & Brunch Casseroles to Love

If you’re a fan of easy, make-ahead breakfast bakes, you’ll love these other comforting and nutritious casserole-style recipes. They’re perfect for feeding a crowd or simply enjoying delicious leftovers throughout the week.

• Blackberry Baked Quinoa

• Pumpkin Apple Baked Quinoa

• Pumpkin Apple Baked Oatmeal

• Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

• Chocolate Baked Oatmeal

• Berry Baked Oatmeal

More French Toast Creations

For those who can’t get enough of French toast, explore these other delightful variations, perfect for any time of year.

• Strawberry Rhubarb French Toast

I Want to Hear From You!

If you get a chance to make this delightful Banana Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe, please don’t keep it a secret! I would absolutely love to hear about your experience.

Be sure to leave me a comment below, along with a star rating and a review, so I can use your valuable feedback to continue creating more delicious and satisfying recipes for you. Your input truly helps me improve and understand what you love!

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XO Lauren

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