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Protein-Packed Overnight French Toast Bake

Protein-Packed Overnight French Toast Bake - featured image
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A hearty and protein-rich French toast bake made with cottage cheese, eggs, and bread, perfect for busy mornings and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups (about 10–12 slices) sturdy bread (whole wheat, sourdough, or thick-cut white bread, day-old preferred)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk of choice (whole milk, 2%, or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for greasing the baking dish)
  • Optional toppings: fresh berries, sliced bananas, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Cut bread into roughly 1-inch cubes. Use stale or day-old bread for best soaking results.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt until well combined but still slightly textured from the cottage cheese.
  4. Add bread cubes to the custard mixture and gently fold to coat all pieces evenly. Let sit for about 10 minutes to soak up the custard.
  5. Pour the soaked bread and custard into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Pour any leftover custard over the top.
  6. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  7. Remove the dish from the fridge 15 minutes before baking to take the chill off.
  8. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set (a knife inserted should come out clean).
  9. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Add optional toppings like fresh berries, nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best soaking results. Refrigerate overnight for optimal custard absorption. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly. Reheat leftovers in toaster oven or oven to maintain crust. Cottage cheese can be substituted with thick plant-based yogurt for dairy-free option. Gluten-free bread can be used for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: protein-packed, overnight, French toast bake, breakfast, cottage cheese, easy, hearty, meal prep

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/protein-packed-overnight-french-toast-bake-easy-hearty-breakfast-recipe/