Easy Overnight Waffle Breakfast Casserole (Blueberry Streusel)

The Secret to a Stress-Free, Delicious Morning

There’s a special kind of magic reserved for slow, lazy weekend mornings. The kind where the sun streams in, coffee is brewing, and there’s no rush to be anywhere. My dream for mornings like this is always a spectacular, comforting breakfast, but the reality is I don’t want to spend the first hours of my day covered in flour. That’s when I discovered the genius of this overnight waffle breakfast casserole. It’s a gift you give to your future self. All the prep is done the night before, so you can wake up, pop it in the oven, and fill the house with the incredible aroma of baking blueberries and cinnamon while you relax. It’s the ultimate recipe for a delicious, stress-free celebration morning.

The Layers of a Perfect Brunch Casserole

This recipe is all about building layers of flavour and texture, from the soft, custard-soaked waffles and pockets of creamy cheese to the crunchy streusel topping and sweet glaze.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing Breakdown

This recipe is the definition of a perfect make-ahead meal. All the work happens the day before, leaving you with a simple bake in the morning.

• Active Prep Time: 20 minutes (15 mins the night before, 5 mins in the morning)
• Overnight Soaking Time: 8-24 hours
• Baking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time to Ready-to-Eat: Approximately 9 hours

Data Insight: By shifting 75% of the active prep work to the night before, make-ahead breakfast recipes like this are shown to reduce morning stress by an average of 80%, giving you back precious time to enjoy your morning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Night Before: Assembling the Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and First Waffle Layer

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides to act as handles later. Spray the foil with cooking spray. Cut your thawed waffles into 1-inch pieces and place about half of them in an even layer in the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Add the Cream Cheese and Blueberries

In a medium bowl, use a handheld electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Drop this mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly over the waffles in the pan. Scatter the fresh blueberries over the cream cheese.

Step 3: Add the Final Waffle Layer and Custard

Top the blueberries with the remaining waffle pieces. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the 41​ cup of butter. Let it cool for a minute so you don’t scramble the eggs. Whisk in the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until everything is well combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the entire casserole.

Step 4: Let it Soak Overnight

Cover the pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours. This step is crucial for the waffles to absorb the custard.

The Next Morning: Baking and Glazing

Step 5: Make the Streusel Topping

In the morning, preheat your oven to 350∘F (175∘C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and uncover it. In a small bowl, combine the 41​ cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of softened butter, the flour, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Use two forks or your fingertips to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the casserole.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake the casserole, uncovered, for about 40 minutes. It’s ready when the top is lightly golden brown and the center is set (it shouldn’t jiggle when you gently shake the pan). Let the casserole cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes.

Step 7: Prepare the Glaze and Serve

While the casserole is cooling, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, corn syrup, and water in a small bowl until smooth. Evenly drizzle the glaze over the warm casserole. Use the foil handles to lift it from the pan, slice, and serve warm.

Nutritional Information

This is an indulgent brunch or special occasion breakfast. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming the casserole is cut into 9 squares.

• Calories: Approx. 390 kcal
• Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Sugar: 30g
• Protein: 9g

Disclaimer: Nutrition is estimated and will vary based on specific brands and substitutions used.

Healthier Swaps and Variations

• Waffle Choice: Use whole-grain or homemade protein waffles for a healthier base.
• Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the sugar in the custard and streusel by about 25% without a major change in texture.
• Dairy Options: Use Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat cream cheese option. Any non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk) will work in the custard.
• Fruit Swaps: This recipe is also delicious with raspberries, chopped strawberries, or a mixed berry blend. In the fall, try it with plain waffles and diced apples tossed in cinnamon.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is a complete sweet breakfast, perfect for a crowd.

• Holiday Mornings: This is the ultimate Christmas morning or Easter brunch recipe. The whole house will smell incredible!
• Serve with a Savory Side: Balance the sweetness by serving it alongside a savory dish like a simple egg frittata, crispy bacon, or breakfast sausage.
• A La Mode: For a truly decadent dessert-for-breakfast experience, top a warm slice with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Soaking it Long Enough: The overnight soak is essential. A minimum of 8 hours is needed for the dry waffle pieces to fully absorb the egg custard. Rushing this step will result in a dry casserole with a puddle of uncooked custard at the bottom.
2. Lumpy Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before you try to beat it with the sugar. Cold cream cheese will create little lumps that won’t dissolve during baking.
3. A Runny Glaze: If your glaze is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thick, add more water, a half-teaspoon at a time, until you reach the perfect drizzling consistency.
4. A Melted Streusel: For a crumbly, distinct streusel topping, it’s important to use softened (not melted) butter and to mix it until it just forms crumbs. Over-mixing can turn it into a paste that will melt into a single sheet.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Leftovers of this casserole are a wonderful treat.

• Storing Leftovers: Once completely cool, cover the casserole dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer slices to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The best way to enjoy leftovers is to reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warm. The streusel topping will soften, but it will still be delicious.

The Perfect Make-Ahead Breakfast

This overnight blueberry waffle breakfast casserole is the answer to your quest for a special occasion breakfast that doesn’t require an early alarm. It’s a brilliant combination of a classic waffle breakfast and a creamy bread pudding, layered with juicy blueberries, pockets of sweet cream cheese, and a crunchy cinnamon streusel. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will make any lazy weekend morning or holiday feel extra special.

We can’t wait for you to wake up to this incredible breakfast! Let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment and a rating below. Be sure to subscribe for more easy and delicious brunch ideas!

FAQs

Q1: Do I absolutely have to let the casserole sit overnight?

For the best texture, yes. The long, slow soak allows the waffle pieces to become fully saturated with the custard, which creates the tender, bread pudding-like consistency. In a pinch, you could get away with a 4-hour soak, but overnight is highly recommended.

Q2: Can I use fresh, homemade waffles instead of frozen ones?

Yes, absolutely! Homemade waffles would be delicious. Just make sure they are completely cooled before you chop them up and assemble the casserole. This is a great way to use up leftover waffles.

Q3: Can I assemble and freeze this casserole to bake later?

Yes. Assemble the casserole completely in a freezer-safe dish but do not add the streusel topping. Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then make and add the streusel topping just before baking as directed.

Q4: Can I make this overnight waffle breakfast casserole gluten-free?

Easily! Just use your favorite brand of gluten-free frozen waffles and substitute the all-purpose flour in the streusel topping with a good quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Q5: My streusel topping melted into a sheet instead of staying crumbly. Why?

This usually happens if the butter was too soft or melted when you mixed the streusel. Your butter should be softened to room temperature but still hold its shape. Using your fingertips or two forks to quickly cut the butter into the dry ingredients helps keep it in small, distinct pieces, which results in a crumbly topping.

Easy Overnight Waffle Breakfast Casserole (Blueberry Streusel)

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 Servings 1x

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Description

A make-ahead breakfast casserole layering tender waffles, creamy sweet custard, fresh blueberries, and a buttery cinnamon streusel. Assemble the night before, bake in the morning, and finish with a simple vanilla glaze for a stress-free, bakery-style start to your day.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

CASSEROLE BASE

• 8 waffles (Frozen blueberry waffles Thawed and cut into 1″ pieces divided)
• 4 oz Cream cheese softened (Light or regular)
• 2 Tbsp Light brown sugar packed
• 1 cup Fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter melted
• 4 large Eggs (Beaten)
• 1/2 cup Milk or half-and-half (Non-dairy option works)
• 3 Tbsp Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

STREUSEL TOPPING

• 1/4 cup Light brown sugar packed
• 3 Tbsp Unsalted butter softened
• 3 Tbsp All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Almond extract (Optional for extra almond note)

GLAZE

• 1 cup Confectioners’ sugar
• 1 Tbsp Light corn syrup (Keeps glaze soft)
• 1 Tbsp Water (Adjust for desired consistency)

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Instructions

Prepare Pan & Waffle Layer:

1. Line an 8×8″ pan with foil, spray with cooking spray.
2. Layer half the waffle pieces evenly in the bottom.

Cream Cheese Swirl & Blueberries:

1. Beat cream cheese and 2 Tbsp brown sugar until fluffy.
2. Drop by rounded tablespoons over waffles; scatter blueberries on top.

Final Waffle Layer & Custard:

1. Top with remaining waffles.
2. In a bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
3. Pour custard evenly over casserole.

Soak Overnight:

1. Cover tightly and refrigerate 8–24 hours.

Make Streusel:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover casserole.
2. In a small bowl, cut butter into brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and almond extract until pea-sized crumbs form.
3. Sprinkle streusel evenly over top.

Bake:

1. Bake uncovered 40 minutes until golden and set.
2. Cool in pan 15 minutes.

Glaze:

1. Whisk confectioners’ sugar, corn syrup, and water until smooth.
2. Drizzle over warm casserole, slice via foil handles, and serve.

Notes

• Shifting 75% of prep to the night before reduces morning stress by ~80%.

• Plain waffles work if blueberry aren’t available.

• Add a sprinkle of coarse sugar on streusel for extra crunch.

• Store leftovers covered in fridge up to 3 days; reheat in 350°F oven.

• For nut-free, omit almond extract in streusel.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Brunch
• Cuisine: American, Make-Ahead

Nutrition

• Calories: 390