The Lean Green Bean

Overnight French Toast Bake

Lindsay — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

This Overnight French Toast Bake is beginner-friendly and foolproof – perfect for using up leftover dinner rolls or bread after a holiday meal. Prep the night before, let it sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy it for breakfast in the morning.

*Originally published 11/2015. Updated 8/2025*

This overnight baked French toast is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy moms hosting brunch or out of town holiday guests! An easy, budget-friendly way to feed a crowd.

Hi Friends!

This post for an overnight French toast bake is perfect for Christmas morning breakfast or as one of your go-to holiday brunch recipes! It actually first came about almost 10 years ago when I was looking for ways to use up my Thanksgiving leftovers. I was in charge of bringing a Costco-sized bag of dinner rolls to Thanksgiving dinner and we had a bunch leftover.

So I diced them up and make a french toast bake. It was perfect because I threw it together the night before, let it sit in the fridge overnight and baked it in the morning.

Best Bread For Overnight French Toast

The good news is there’s lots of flexibility here! I often make this with leftover dinner rolls but you could easily use a leftover loaf of Italian or French Bread. Any bread or rolls that can be sliced and cut into cubes that aren’t too thin will work. You could try brioche or King’s Hawaiian Bread for a richer-tasting option or sourdough for something slightly less sweet.

Remember that this recipe actually works best with bread that is slightly stale so feel free to let your loaf sit out for a day or two before making. Stale bread is a bit sturdier than fresh bread and it will hold up well to being soaked in the egg mixture without getting too soggy.

Overnight French Toast Bake vs Skillet French Toast

While both options have their place, an overnight french toast bake is definitely an easier way to feed a crowd. You can easily prep a large quantity AND it can be prepped ahead of time to make the morning easier.

This is also a great option for breakfast before school! Bake one up on Sunday and just cut and reheat a piece all week long. No need to babysit and flip the french toast on the stove while you’re running around trying to get everything else ready!

Ingredients for Easy Overnight French Toast Bake

In addition to being able to make this ahead of time, this recipe is also made with just a few simple ingredients, which is a major bonus. You need:

Bread – Dinner rolls or other leftover loaf of bread
Eggs and milk – These are French toast staple ingredients and you’re making a big pan so you need a lot!
Vanilla and Cinnamon – To add flavor
Berries– You can use fresh or frozen. I like blueberries best but mixed berries also work.
Brown sugar – To make a sweet crust on the top after baking

What Toppings Go Best with Overnight Baked French Toast?

Not into blueberries? Try:

Cinnamon and sugar – skip the mix-ins and top with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar
Maple Pecan – add some chopped pecans instead of blueberries and drizzle with a little cream cheese sweetened with maple syrup
Try mixing in some pumpkin seeds or ground flax for a heart-healthy boost of omega 3 fatty acids
Make an easy fruit compote for topping or top with diced fresh fruit of your choice
Apple cinnamon – Add extra cinnamon and stir in some chopped apples and walnuts

How To Make Blueberry French Toast Bake Casserole

To make this recipe you need a 9×13 pan. Line it with parchment paper for easy removal or grease it well.

If your bread isn’t stale, you can cube it and put it in the oven at 170 degrees F for 15 min or so.

To make the casserole:

Cube the bread and put it in a 9×13 pan.
Add the blueberries.
Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon and pour over the bread.
Use your hands to mix it all up and make sure all the bread is coated.
Cover with saran wrap and press down to flatten and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to bake, remove the saran wrap, sprinkle with brown sugar, bake and serve.

If you had extra cranberry sauce, you could mix some of that in as well!

Mom tip – For food safety reasons, remember to refrigerate the pan after you mix everything together, until you’re ready to bake!

Make Ahead Baked French Toast Troubleshooting

Should I cover baked French toast when baking?

No need to cover unless you add something like chopped nuts on top. If you notice they start to brown, you can cover with foil towards the end.

How do I make this recie dairy-free?

Feel free to use any type of plant-based milk in this recipe like soy, almond, etc.

Can I make a smaller version in a loaf pan?

Yes! Feel free to cut the recipe in half and bake in a loaf pan!

Should I grease the baking dish for French toast casserole?

Yes, either line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper or grease well before adding the bread and egg mixture to the pan.

How To Freeze and Reheat Overnight French Toast Bake

To freeze, let cool completely, then cut into squares and transfer to a freezer-safe bag (we love Stasher Bags – aff link). Then freeze until needed. Move to the fridge to defrost and microwave to warm.

Easy Overnight Baked French Toast Recipe

Here’s the recipe I use:

Overnight Baked French Toast

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

This Overnight Baked French Toast is the perfect recipe to use up leftover dinner rolls after a holiday meal. Prep the night before, let it sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy it for breakfast in the morning.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 9×13 pan

Ingredients

10 cups cubed dinner rolls or bread (approx 12 rolls)*
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
8 eggs
1.5 cup milk
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar for sprinkling (optional)

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Instructions

Cube rolls and place in a 9×13 pan lined with parchment paper.
Add berries.
In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon with a whisk.
Pour over bread mixture in pan.
Use your hands to make sure all the bread gets covered with the egg mixture.
Cover with saran wrap, press down gently to flatten and place in the fridge overnight.
When ready to bake, sprinkle top with brown sugar if desired.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min and serve.

Notes

*Stale bread works best. Cube and leave your bread out overnight or bake at 170 degrees for 15 minutes before using.

Overnight French Toast Bake FAQs

How long should overnight French toast soak?

I find it does best when you soak it for 10-12 hours. You want to give the bread time to absorb the egg but don’t leave it sitting so long that the bread starts to break down.

How to store an overnight french toast bake?

After baking, store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave!

Could this be a crockpot French toast bake?

I haven’t tried this overnight French toast bake recipe in the crockpot but I think it would work. If you’re looking specifically for a Crockpot recipe, try:

Could you make an overnight French toast bake with cinnamon rolls?

Yes! This would be delicious, I think. I would probably not replace more than half the bread with cubed cinnamon rolls, and I would skip the brown sugar sprinkle on top since cinnamon rolls are quite sweet.

Could this be a cream cheese french toast bake?

If you’re specifically looking for a cream cheese French toast bake, try one of these:

What to serve with overnight French toast bake?

Need a brunch menu idea? Serve this and let the French toast be the star! Cut into squares in the pan and let everyone serve themselves! Leave out lots of additional toppings like powdered sugar, chopped nuts, syrup, fruit compote and fresh fruit! You could also add easy breakfast sides like scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, yogurt and coffee.

Does baked French toast need to be refrigerated overnight?

Yes! After mixing the bread and egg mixture and placing in the pan, be sure to store in the fridge until ready to bake.

Overnight French Toast For A Crowd

This overnight French Toast Bake is easy, affordable and sure to be a hit for your next brunch, holiday breakfast but can just as easily help out a tired mom on a busy weekday morning.

Easy Breakfasts To Feed A Crowd

Need more ideas? Try:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Best Healthy Store Bought Bread

Lindsay — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:47:00 +0000

Are you looking for the best healthy store bought bread? Here are some tips and things to consider from a Registered Dietitian. Plus my top picks!

Healthy Store Bought Bread Options

*Published 9/22. Updated 12/24*

These are the best store bought bread options that are both healthy and affordable. Busy families looking for healthy bread options for sandwiches, toast, and more will find several options to choose from.

Hi friends!

We’re continuing our best store-bought options series. So far we’ve covered:

Best Healthy Bread Brands 2024

Today we’re talking about bread. I frequently get requests for bread recommendations and I totally get it! The bread aisle is huge and overwhelming and with so many options available, it’s hard to know which is the best choice.

First, we’re going to talk about a few different aspects of bread that you should consider when choosing which will work for your family. Aside from the nutritional aspect, you also have to consider whether you, or your kids, will eat it. Because it doesn’t matter how much protein and fiber is packed in there if your kids refuse to eat it, right?

So let’s get started.

Why You’ll Love the Best Healthy Store Bought Bread

Accessible and affordable – these brands are sold at many local grocery store chains.
Made with simple ingredients
Focus on whole grains- to get more fiber!
Low in added sugar

What Bread Is Healthiest?

When deciding what bread is healthy and choosing a bread for you and your family, here are a few things to consider. As a Registered Dietitian, I look at things like:

ingredients
added sugar
protein and fiber
portion size

Choosing A Healthy Bread

Why choose whole grain bread brands?

I generally recommend choosing whole grain bread as one of your healthiest options. Whole grain means the entire kernel of the grain was used to make the flour. This means there are more nutrients like vitamins and minerals, protein, fiber, etc. Bread made with refined flour means part of the grain most of the grain processed out and you can lose things like fiber and nutrients (although they are often added back in).

Mom hack: Look for the word WHOLE as the first ingredient. This is important! Just because it says wheat flour does not mean WHOLE wheat flour was used. You can also look for the yellow whole grain seal on the package.

In addition, aim to avoid partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup on the ingredient list.

Added Sugar in bread

Is there bread with no sugar added?

It’s rare to find bread with no added sugar and bread can actually be a big source of added sugar (one that people don’t always think about.) I suggest aiming for 2-3 grams or less per slice. Also, consider whether you’ll be eating one slice or two and check how many slices the info on the nutrition label is for. Sometimes the nutrition label info is per slice and sometimes it’s for a serving size of 2 slices.

Mom tip: Some brands have varieties that have 4-5 grams of added sugar per slice. If you’re eating two slices you’re getting 10 grams of added sugar at that meal just from the bread.

Protein and fiber in bread

What counts as high-fiber bread brands?

Aim to find a bread that has at least some protein and fiber. I suggest looking for at least 2-3 grams of fiber and at least 3 grams of protein per slice.

Is white bread healthy?

If you choose white bread, know that it is enriched to add vitamins and minerals back in but will likely be lower in fiber than whole wheat options. Look for one that’s low in sodium and added sugar and higher in fiber if you can find it.

Something like Brownberry Oat Nut is white in appearance but has 4 grams protein and 2 grams fiber per slice, which is good…but it also has 3 grams of added sugar per slice. So there are a lot of factors to consider! Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right is another option.

Best Healthy Sandwich Bread For Kids

When it comes to portion size, many companies now have thin-sliced options. This is great for most people, especially kids. They are often lower in added sugar because the amount of bread is smaller but still can have a decent amount of fiber and protein.

So let me share a few of my favorite options in the stores around me:

Healthiest Bread Brands

Nature’s Own & Sara Lee

Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat – 60 cal, 4g protein, 2g fiber, 1g added sugar
Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat– 60 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 1g added sugar

Cheap Healthy Bread Options:

Mom hack: These are some of the most economical options at my grocery store that still have a decent amount of protein and fiber per slice and are low in added sugar.

Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat– 120 cal, 5g protein, 4g fiber, 3g added sugar
Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Thin Sliced – 65 cal, 3.5g protein, 2g fiber, 1.5g added sugar *one slice
Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Oatmeal – 110 cal, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 3g added sugar

Their thin sliced loaves give the nutrition info for 2 slices so the info above for the thin sliced is half of what’s listed on the label to reflect one slice.

Brownberry/Arnold/Orowheat

Brownberry 100% Whole Wheat – 110 cal, 4g protein, 3g fiber, 3g added sugar
Brownberry 100% Whole Wheat Small Slice- 70 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
Brownberry Oatnut – 120 cal, 4g protein, 2g fiber, 3g added sugar
Brownberry Oatnut Small Slice– 80 cal, 3g protein, 1g fiber, 2g added sugar

Mom tip: This company is known as Brownberry in the midwest, Arnold in the east and Orowheat in the west.

Dave’s Killer Bread

Has some great options but can be expensive:

Dave’s Killer Bread Good Seed Thin Sliced – 70 cal, 3g protein, 3g fiber, 2g added sugar
Dave’s Killer Bread 100% whole wheat Thin Sliced – 70 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar
Dave’s Killer Bread Powerseed – 100 cal, 5g protein, 4g fiber, 1g added sugar
Dave’s Killer Bread White Done Right – 110 cal, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g added sugar

Mom tip – Some of their other options are higher in added sugar- 4 or 5 grams added sugar PER SLICE.

Best sprouted bread:

Ezekial Sprouted Bread

Ezekial Sprouted Whole Grain (or sprouted sesame) – 80 cal, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 0g added sugar
Silver Hills Sprouted is another great sprouted option if you can find it near you!

Best Honey Wheat Bread Brands

These still have some protein but tend to be lower in fiber so just keep that in mind. Look for low added sugar and try to pack some nutrients into whatever you’re putting on the bread. Some examples:

Nature’s Own Honey Wheat – 70 cal, 3g protein, less than 1g fiber, 2g added sugar
Sara Lee Honey Wheat – 70 cal, 2g protein, less than 1g fiber, 1g sugar

Healthy Sandwich Bread

What’s the best bread for sandwiches?

So what’s my pick? I’m actually switching my kids to Nature’s Own 100% whole wheat. It’s cheaper than what we’ve been buying, has less added sugar and my kids actually didn’t mind eating it when I did a taste test with them!

Hope this was helpful! Just remember to pay attention to how much added sugar is in the bread you’re choosing and look for brands with some protein and fiber!

What’s the best way to store store bought bread?

If the bread you like is on sale, you can freeze it to use later. Just thaw on the counter as needed. You can also toast directly from the freezer.

Bread can be stored at room temperature in a sealed bag. Note that warmer weather may cause bread to mold more quickly so freezing all or some of the loaf can prolong the life of the bread.

What are some of the best gluten-free bread brands?

Gluten-free bread is a totally different ball game made with different types of flours and often additional ingredients to help stabilize due to the absence of gluten. Here’s the Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Bread to give you a starting point in this category.

Can you freeze bread?

Yes! Bread keeps well in the freezer so definitely stock up when your favorites go on sale and thaw as needed.

Healthy Bread Meal Prep Tips

If your kids don’t like crust, save them in a bag in the freeze and then pulse them in the food processor to make homemade breadcrumbs.
If you have bread that goes stale, make homemade croutons.
Prep peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them. Perfect for popping in lunch boxes.
Stock up on bread when it’s on sale and store in the freezer until ready to use.
Did you know you can make French toast ahead of time, cook, cool, freeze and reheat when ready?

Healthy Bread Shopping List

Screenshot the image below to help you remember some of my favorite brands!

These are the best store bought bread choices for busy, active families that are looking for healthy, affordable bread options that are nutritious and taste good.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing

Lindsay — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000

This Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing is hearty enough for a meal but also makes a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

**Originally published 10/2014. Updated 10/2023**

Hi Friends-

Would you believe me if I told you that this sausage stuffing recipe used to be my least favorite part of Thanksgiving?

I avoided it for years for no good reason other than I wasn’t a very adventurous eater and it wasn’t until I was an adult that I discovered how delicious my mom’s Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing actually is.

Sausage Stuffing Recipe

In the photos for this post and when I make this recipe, I use chicken sausage because it’s what I almost always have on hand.

However, the original recipe calls for regular pork sausage so you can definitely use that. Just sub 1 pound of pork sausage for the chicken sausage and make sure to cook it all the way through.

Wild Rice and Sausage Stuffing

This stuffing is a bit non-traditional and it may seem intimidating if you’re not familiar with wild rice but I promise it’s worth a try. I buy the 4oz packages of Reese Wild Rice and am able to find them in most grocery stores so I try to make sure I always have some in my pantry. I’ve also used this Wild Rice Blend from Lundberg.

If you happen to buy a larger bag of wild rice and need help using the rest of it, here are 15 Healthy Wild Rice Recipes to try!

If you’re not sure how to cook wild rice, you can try:

How To Make Wild Rice Sausage Stuffing

This stuffing recipe comes together quickly with just a few simple steps:

Cook wild rice according to package directions.
Saute leeks in butter.
Add sausage, apples and dried cranberries.
Add cooked rice, fresh parsley and stale bread cubes.
Slowly add some broth to moisten the bread and voila! Ready to serve.

Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe

So here’s how you make it:

Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 1 review

This Sausage and Wild Rice Stuffing makes the perfect holiday side dish but is also hearty enough to enjoy as a meal on its own.

Author: Lindsay
Yield: 4

Ingredients

2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup leeks, thinly sliced
1 medium apple apple, chopped
4 chicken sausages, halved & sliced (or sub 1 pound ground pork sausage)
1 tsp McCormickâs grill seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup Craisins
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
3–4 cup stale bread, cubed
1/2 – 2/3 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

Cook rice according to package directions.
Saute the leeks in the butter until soft.
Add the apple, sausage, Craisins and seasonings and saute 5 minutes more. (If using ground sausage, cook until sausage is cooked all the way through)
Stir in the cooked rice, parsley and bread cubes until well combined.
Slowly add broth until all of the bread is moistened.
Cook until heated through and serve warm.

Pretty easy and super delicious! Feel free to customize with your favorite kind of sausage. And don’t leave out the leeks! They add a mellow yet unique flavor that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.

Sausage Stuffing FAQs

Is this sausage and wild rice stuffing for turkey?

I do not cook this stuffing inside the turkey but you could if you want to. Just make sure if you’re using pork sausage that you cook that first before putting it into the turkey so that you’re certain it cooks all the way.

How to make wild rice stuffing with sausage and mushrooms?

This recipe does not call for mushrooms but you could certainly add them. Just slice them up and saute them when you add the sausage, apples and cranberries!

Gluten-free sausage and wild rice stuffing recipe

To make this stuffing recipe gluten-free, you have a few options. Either use gluten-free bread, or sub the bread for something like roasted sweet potatoes. And make sure your sausage is gluten-free if necessary.

Wild rice stuffing vs bread stuffing

This stuffing is unique in that it uses both wild rice and bread. This lends itself to more traditional bread stuffing, but the wild rice adds some added chewiness, which I love.

Other sausage stuffing recipes?

If you’re looking for more sausage stuffing recipes, try:

Thanksgiving recipes

Need more Thanksgiving recipes? Try these:

Cranberry Corn Muffins

These Cranberry Corn Muffins are lightly sweetened and bursting with tart fresh cranberries. They make the perfect dinner side dish. Serve them with a hearty chili or make a batch for your holiday dinner.

Grab the recipe!

Sweet Potato Apple Cranberry Crumble

This Sweet Potato Apple Cranberry Crumble is the perfect addition to your holiday dinner. Make it for a quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish or pop it in the oven while eating and serve it with ice cream for dessert!

Grab the recipe!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

This fresh homemade cranberry sauce is an easy and delicious way to add some fresh fall flavor to your meals! Make it for Thanksgiving and use the leftovers as a topping for waffles, oatmeal and sandwiches.

Grab the recipe!

Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup

This Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup is perfect for transforming holiday leftovers into a new meal. Or make it with chicken any time of year!

Grab the recipe!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Blueberry French Toast Muffins

Lindsay — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 04:00:00 +0000

These Blueberry French Toast Muffins are quick, healthy and kid-friendly. Make a batch over the weekend and serve them for breakfast or pack them for lunch! They can easily be customized with different mix-ins.

Hi friends-

Last weekend I whipped up these Blueberry French Toast Muffins on a whim and they turned out SO WELL! When I shared them on IG stories, so many of you asked for the recipe that I headed back to the kitchen to recreate them for you guys. They’re perfect for food prep – ie you can easily make a batch over the weekend and serve them all week! They’re also perfectly portable for a grab and go breakfast and they’re nut-free so you can toss a few in a lunch box and send them to school with the kiddos.

I’ve made french toast muffins before, but I’ve always used a loaf of bread from the bakery. The key to this version is that they use slices of sandwich bread. So you get some texture from the crusts but the middle part kinda falls apart when you mix the eggs and bread together, creating a muffin that sticks together really well!

I added some ground flax and hemp seeds to mine because you can’t taste them and it’s an easy way to add some extra nutrients. I also added some pumpkin seeds to them. They add a little crunch, but aren’t overly sharp or crunchy like chopped nuts can be so I find them easier for young kids to eat! But feel free to swap in something like slivered almonds if you don’t need to keep them nut-free.

I used fresh blueberries but frozen would work too! Here’s how you make them:

Blueberry French Toast Muffins

Print Recipe

5 from 2 reviews

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

5 cups whole wheat sandwich bread, cubed (I use 6 slices of Dave’s Killer Bread)
9 eggs
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp ground flax
2 Tbsp hemp seeds (or chia seeds)
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
(I make mine without sweetener and top with maple syrup but you could also mix 1/4 cup of maple syrup in before baking if you want.)

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Instructions

Put cubed bread in a large bowl.
Mix eggs and milk in a smaller bowl until combined.
Add eggs to bread and mix well.
Stir in cinnamon, vanilla, flax, hemp and pepitas.
Add blueberries and stir gently, then spoon into well greased muffin tins (I use silicone muffin tins that i don’t have to grease)
Bake at 375 F for 20-25 min. Tops should be lightly brown and firm. Middles should be slightly squishy but not loose and jiggly.

Notes

If your bread slices are smaller, you may need more than six slices. I just cut them up and loosely fill a 1 cup measuring cup to measure. It doesn’t need to be tightly packed. If you use too much bread the muffins will be too hard.

These are not traditional muffins and not meant to be sweet. They are more like actual french toast in muffin form. You can top with syrup for sweetness or mix maple syrup in before baking

I have a mix of hemp, ground flax and chia seeds and I just use 3-4 Tbsp of that

You could sub slivered almonds or chopped nuts for the pepitas if you want

You may need to play around with the egg to bread ratio to fit your preferences. I like mine a little eggier but adding an extra slice of bread will make them a bit firmer.

Serve warm or cold, topped with syrup, yogurt or peanut butter.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Sausage and Egg Bread Boat

Lindsay — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 05:00:00 +0000

This Sausage and Egg Bread Boat is a perfect holiday breakfast or an easy brunch recipe! It can be prepped in just a few minutes and then you can just pop it in the oven and go spend time with your guests.

Thanks to Handsome Brook Farm for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

I’m popping in today to share the perfect holiday breakfast with you guys! Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re like me, you definitely don’t want to focus on breakfast on Christmas morning. It’s all about time with family, watching the kiddos enjoy their presents etc!

This Sausage and Egg Bread Boat is the perfect solution. It only takes about 5 minutes to prep it and then it cooks in the oven for an hour while you’re off doing other things like cleaning up 9 million pieces of wrapping paper and installing batteries into a bunch of new toys that need to be played with IMMEDIATELY.

Sausage and Egg Bread Boat

For this recipe, I teamed up with my friends at Handsome Brook Farm, who provided my favorite pasture-raised eggs. You may remember them from back in September when I shared these delicious little Sweet Potato Egg Wrap Bites!

Handsome Brook Farm is actually a unique supply network of small organic family farms. All their eggs are American Humane Certified to meet pasture-raised labeling standards.

Here’s a quick terminology review:

Cage-free eggs are from hens raised in barns with no access to the outdoors, often with several hens per square foot.
Free-range eggs are from hens that live in similar barns, but have limited outdoor access—about 2 sq. ft. per hen (access to grass not guaranteed)
Pasture-raised means that the hens do go outdoors to graze and forage, and American Humane certifies that hens have at least 108.9 sq. ft. per hen of room on rotated pasture each (that’s 400 hens to an acre). The hens have plenty of outdoor shade, protection, and water, and protected nests indoors, they are encouraged to spread their wings and wander to their hearts’ content.
Organic refers to both the supplemental feed hens receive (regardless of environment) and the land on which they wander (not sprayed with harmful pesticides or herbicides and certified organic).

We go through a lot of eggs around here and I’m happy to have found a brand I feel good about buying.

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this Sausage and Egg Bread Boat as much as we did! The recipe is very forgiving so there’s not real need to measure exactly. Just buy a big loaf of Italian bread, scoop out most of the middle, add in some chopped sausage and veggies, top with eggs and let it back.

It does take a while to bake. Since the eggs are baking in a loaf of bread instead of a pan (which heats up and helps them cook more quickly), it takes longer than your typical egg bake…but it’s very hands-off, with minimal prep so as long as you plan ahead a bit to factor in cooking time, it’s a super easy recipe.

This recipe is best served warm right out of the oven, but you can also reheat the leftovers and they taste great as well!

Here’s how you make it:

Sausage and Egg Bread Boat

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 large loaf Italian bread
2–3 chicken sausages (fully cooked), diced
1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced
1/4 cup green onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
6–8 Handsome Brook Farm organic pasture raised eggs
optional: onions, cheese, other veggies

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Instructions

Cut a large rectangle in the top of the loaf of bread (being careful not to cut through the bottom.

Remove top of rectangle and pull out most of the middle of the bread. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Add sliced sausages, peppers, green onions and spices into the middle of the bread.

Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk to combine.

Carefully pour eggs into the middle of the bread being careful not to overflow.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 min to an hour, until eggs are set. Cooking time will depend on the size of your loaf. After 30 minutes, you can cover with foil and increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.

Slice and serve.

Notes

Optional: Serve over sauteed spinach. I cook mine in a skillet with a little butter and some garlic powder.

See how easy it is? Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies! I went for a red and green theme to make it festive for Christmas. You could also add in some cheese, or add black beans and top with salsa and avocado for a bit of a Mexican spin.

Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding (with oven option)

Lindsay — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 05:00:00 +0000

This Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding is the perfect dessert for a holiday party or family gathering. It can also be made in the oven!

Hi friends!

Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite holiday dessert! Slowly but surely I’ve been using my Instant Pot for more than just dinner. Last week I shared a breakfast option – Instant Pot Oatmeal with Caramelized Bananas – and this week I’ve got dessert!

Isn’t it kinda crazy that you can make dessert in a pressure cooker? You actually make this in a bowl within the Instant Pot and a little water on the bottom so it’s kinda like you’re steaming it. Here’s what it looks like after you take it out.

Instant Pot Bread Pudding

So, you won’t get the traditional crunchy topping like you do with an oven-baked bread pudding, but I didn’t miss it one bit! I actually turned this one upside down and smothered it in a mixture of almond butter and chocolate, which really took it to the next level.

That is, of course, totally optional. You could easily just serve this straight out of the bowl. I made this twice while my parents were visiting a couple weeks ago and then made it again in the oven. I wanted to be sure those of you who don’t have an Instant Pot could still enjoy this deliciousness!

Before you start, make sure you have a safe bowl to use. I used a glass pyrex-type bowl but you can also use silicone, ceramic, stainless steel, aluminum and even copper! Just don’t use plastic or any glass that is not tempered.

I have the 6 quart Instant Pot and found that a 1.5 quart bowl was about as big as I could use in it. If you have a larger instant pot you could use a bigger bowl.

Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding Recipe

So, here’s how you make it!

Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding

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5 from 2 reviews

This Instant Pot Gingerbread Bread Pudding is the perfect dessert for a holiday party or family gathering. It can also be made in the oven!

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: serves 6-8

Ingredients

6 cups cubed French bread (slightly stale if possible!)
3 eggs
1.5 cups milk
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 Tbps molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger (dried)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1.5 cups water
almond butter, chocolate chips & pecans for topping, optional

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and chopped pecans and mix well.

Add cubed bread and stir until well coated.

Let sit 5 minutes.

Transfer to a greased 1.5 quart glass bowl.

Place the steamer rack in your Instant Pot.

Fold aluminum foil in half lengthwise and then in half again to make a sling. You’ll want to lay this across the steamer rack and fold up in a U shape. Then place the bowl on the rack on top of the foil. The goal is to make a sling so you can lift the ends of the aluminum foil to lift out the bowl once it’s done cooking.

Add 1.5 cups water to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Seal the Instant Pot and use manual mode to set the timer for 20 minutes.

Use the quick release and carefully lift the bowl out using the foil sling.

If desired, let cool for 5 minutes, then trace around the edges with a spatula or knife and turn bowl upside down to release onto a plate (like an upside down cake).

Optional: Melt almond butter and chocolate chips, mix together and drizzle on top along with extra chopped pecans. Slice and serve warm topped with ice cream!

Notes

You don’t have to turn this upside down, you can serve it straight out of the bowl if you want.

To make this in the oven, add an extra egg to the ingredient list, mix as directed above and pour into a 9×9 pan (greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

Pretty easy right? The hardest part is probably making sure you have a 1.5 quart bowl that’s safe to put in the Instant Pot. Mine was anchor brand which is similar to pyrex.

Reminder – this is the Instant Pot I have. (Affiliate link) And you can find all my Instant Pot recipes here.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites

Lindsay — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 15:05:00 +0000

These Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites are a kid-friendly treat that makes a fun, healthy dessert alternative to cookies or cake.

Hi friends!

Let’s talk dessert today because boy do I need it. This post was supposed to go up yesterday and clearly, it didn’t. We’ve had a rough few days over here trying to adjust to the toddler being in a big boy bed, no naps, crankiness, etc and then Squish woke up with a fever and sore throat this morning.

It’s time for this month’s recipe redux and honestly, I was going to skip this month. This week has drained me and I was feeling uninspired and I had pretty much given myself a pass when I randomly had this genius idea. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I often make French toast waffles for Squish to eat for breakfast during my food prep sessions.

By French toast waffles, I mean just what it sounds like. Dip bread in egg and milk mixture but instead of throwing on a griddle, throw it in a waffle iron for a minute or two. They’re a staple in our house because they’re great for breakfasts and snacks.

Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites

Yesterday I had the brilliant idea to make a dessert twist. I stepped up my french toast game by sprinkling on a little cinnamon and sugar mixture, some rainbow sprinkles and a little melted white chocolate drizzle and boom! You’ve got a little treat that looks like dessert, but it also relatively healthy thanks to the base of it being whole wheat bread and eggs!

I make this with my favorite – Dave’s Killer Bread. Not sponsored – i just love their bread. And I especially love their thin-sliced varieties which are perfect for this!

So here are your directions one more time. Adjust the quantities based on how many you want to make! French toast is very forgiving so the measurements don’t need to be exact.

Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites

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5 from 1 review

These Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites are a kid-friendly treat that makes a fun, healthy dessert alternative to cookies or cake.

Author: Lindsay
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: makes 24 - 36 bites

Ingredients

9 slices of thin-sliced bread (or about 6 regular slices)
5 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
rainbow sprinkles
1/4 cup white chocolate chips

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Instructions

In a pie tin, whisk together eggs and milk.

Dip a slice of bread into the mixture and turn until well-coated.

Place on a greased waffle iron. Sprinkle the top with the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Add sprinkles as well if desired.

Close the lid and cook 1-2 minutes.

Remove and repeat with the rest of the bread slices.

Cut each piece of bread into 4 sections.

Melt chocolate chips, spoon into a ziploc bag, cut off the corner and drizzle over waffle bites. Top with more sprinkles if desired.

Notes

You can skip the sprinkles if you want.

You can also skip the white chocolate drizzle and just enjoy them topped with cinnamon and sugar.

You could also top with yogurt, ice cream, peanut butter, etc.

Aren’t they fun?! Like I said, skip the sprinkles or white chocolate if you want to. Try drizzling with peanut butter or topping a few with some yogurt or ice cream!

[clickToTweet tweet=”Kids and adults alike will love these easy Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites for a treat!” quote=”Kids and adults alike will love these easy Dessert French Toast Waffle Bites for a treat!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

For more small bite dessert ideas, click the image below to check out the redux linkup!

Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich

Lindsay — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 18:36:01 +0000

This Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich is a protein-packed, healthy breakfast recipe that’s ready in under 5 minutes. The perfect way to start your day!

Thanks to Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

Today we’re talking about back to school breakfasts. We all know it’s hard to get back into a morning routine once school starts up again. And since you guys know breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I hate when I hear about people skipping it this time of year because they feel like their mornings are too busy.

Enter this egg sandwich. It’s ready in 5 minutes, fun to make and eat and packed with protein, healthy fats and whole grains. Win win win!

This sandwich is everything: warm turkey, melty cheese, freshly sliced avocado and a perfectly cooked egg on whole grain bread (I used Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Grain & Seed). If that doesn’t sound like breakfast perfection, I don’t know what does!

Egg-in-a-Hole Breakfast Sandwich

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This Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich is a protein-packed, healthy breakfast recipe that’s ready in under 5 minutes. The perfect way to start your day!

Author: Lindsay
Yield: serves 1

Ingredients

2 slices whole wheat bread
4 slices deli turkey (i use low-sodium organic)
2 slices Muenster cheese (or your favorite kind)
1 egg
avocado, optional

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Instructions

Toast bread. Heat skillet while bread is toasting.

Place turkey and cheese on one slice of bread and microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm turkey and melt cheese.

Turn a glass upside down and press into one slice of bread to remove a circle.

Butter skillet, place slice of bread with circle missing in the pan, crack egg into hole. Let cook for 1 minute. Flip entire slice of bread over and cook until egg reaches desired doneness.

Top turkey and cheese with avocado slices and slice of egg toast.

Slice and eat!

Notes

[Tweet “Try this Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich from @leangrnbeanblog on a busy morning!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay-

Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Smashed Raspberries

Lindsay — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 05:00:00 +0000

This recipe for a small batch of Peanut Butter Bread Pudding is perfect for dessert! Top with smashed raspberries for added sweetness.

This post was sponsored by LACTAID®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hi Friends! File this under things you might not know about me: When I was in high school and college, I struggled with lactose intolerance. I went from eating several bowls of cereal a day without a second thought, to not being able to have any milk without serious stomach consequences. Since I’m stubborn and refused to give up my daily cereal, I spent a lot of years taking a daily pill just so I could enjoy it with minimal discomfort.

File this under things you might not know about me: When I was in high school and college, I struggled with lactose intolerance. I went from eating several bowls of cereal a day without a second thought, to not being able to have any milk without serious stomach consequences. Since I’m stubborn and refused to give up my daily cereal, I spent a lot of years taking a daily pill just so I could enjoy it with minimal discomfort.

Luckily for me, I seem to have outgrown this issue but I know there are other people out there who still deal with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivity on a daily basis.

Luckily for you, I’m here to tell you about some products I wish I had known about 15 years ago: LACTAID® Dairy Products.

They’re 100% real dairy products like milk, ice cream and cottage cheese, just without the lactose, so they are easy to digest with no discomfort. So people can enjoy the creamy, delicious taste of dairy that they love without worrying that the milk is going to mess with them.

Pretty cool, right? When the lovely folks at LACTAID® reached out to tell me about their current No More #DairyEnvy campaign, I immediately jumped at the chance to partner with them.

The No More #DairyEnvy campaign is committed to helping those with dairy sensitivity savor the full joy of dairy without unwanted discomfort. To help combat Dairy Envy in 2016, LACTAID® is partnering with Milk Bar – the dessert empire founded by James Beard award-winning pastry chef, Christina Tosi – to create treats made with LACTAID® so that those who are sensitive to dairy can enjoy their signature sweets.

This is the first in a series of 4 recipes I’ll be sharing with you guys over the next several months that are made with LACTAID® products! Do you have to be lactose-intolerant to enjoy these recipes? Nope! But they might make it a little easier to enjoy dessert with a friend or loved one who is dairy sensitive.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we all know dessert is pretty much necessary for our love day celebrations, right? But choosing that dessert is always the hardest part!

A lot of people go the chocolate route, but milk chocolate can cause tummy troubles for dairy-sensitive folks as well, so I went a different route.

I made you bread pudding.
And I added peanut butter.
And then I topped it pretty red raspberries.
It’s like pb&j in dessert form.
And it’s delicious.

Here’s how you make it:

Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Smashed Raspberries

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Made with just a few simple ingredients, this Peanut Butter Bread Pudding is not overly sweet, full of flavor and makes just enough to feed 3-4 people for dessert!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

4 cups cubed bread (I used French bread cut into fairly small cubes)
1.5 cups LACTAID® 2% Milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 cups frozen rasberries

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine bread, 2 eggs and 1 cup LACTAID® Milk and mix until well combined.
In a small saucepan, combine remaining milk, brown sugar, peanut butter, vanilla and cinnamon.
Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
Pour over bread mixture and stir well.
Scoop into loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
In same saucepan, heat raspberries, smashing with a fork until thawed. (Or place in a microwave-safe bowl and defrost, then smash with fork to make sauce).
Serve warm, topped with smashed raspberries.

That’s all there is to it! This makes the perfect amount to for two to enjoy on Valentine’s day and then again the next night

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

I have received information and materials from JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER, Inc., McNeil Nutritionals, LLC Subsidiary the makers of LACTAID®. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post.

Kale Panzanella with Chicken Sausage

Lindsay — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 04:00:00 +0000

This no-cook Kale Panzanella with Chicken Sausage comes together quickly and tastes great! Make a batch to enjoy for lunch all week long.

Hi Friends!

Just popping in to share another quick new recipe with you guys! It just might be my new favorite summer lunch, mainly because there’s no cooking involved! I used pre-cooked chicken sausage and canned beans so basically all you have to do is chop the veggies, add some sausage, beans and stale bread, toss in dressing and serve! So easy.

This is a bit of a twist on traditional panzanella. First of all, I added a bunch of kale. I debated just calling this a kale salad but I think the bread does help keep it in the panzanella realm. But, if you’re not a bread lover, feel free to leave it out and enjoy it as a more traditional salad. Secondly, I added some chicken sausage and beans to up the protein content and make it more of a complete meal. Feel free to leave out the meat or beans if they don’t fit your taste preferences.

Here’s how you make it:

Kale Panzanella with Chicken Sausage

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This recipe for no-cook Kale Panzanella with Chicken Sausage comes together quickly and tastes great! Make a batch to enjoy for lunch all week long.

Author: Lindsay L
Yield: 2-3

Ingredients

3 cups kale, roughly chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup canellini beans
2 chicken sausages, sliced
1/3 cup diced onion
1 medium tomato, diced
2 cups cubed stale bread
juice from one lemon
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup crumbled feta

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine kale and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Use your hands to massage kale leaves.
Let sit for at least 15 minutes.
Add beans, sausage, onion, tomato and bread to bowl.
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, balsamic and oil and whisk to combine.
Pour over kale mixture and stir gently to coat.
Top with crumbled feta and serve.

This is definitely a must-try! Feel free to add more dressing if you want to!

[Tweet “Kale Panzanella w/ Chicken Sausage – no cook and perfect for summer! via @leangrnbeanblog”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–