Camping Blueberry Peach French Toast

This blueberry peach French toast casserole is everything I want in a campfire breakfast: warm, fruity, creamy, and incredibly easy to prep ahead of time. Whether you’re cooking it in a Dutch oven over hot coals or baking it at home, this recipe delivers.

I originally created this as a campfire breakfast, but after making it at home a few times, it’s now part of our regular weekend brunch rotation too.

It bakes beautifully in a cast iron Dutch oven and serves a crowd, making it perfect for camping trips, holiday mornings, or lazy Sundays.

Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Peach French Toast Casserole

This is the kind of breakfast that will impress but requires minimal morning effort. Prep it the night before, and you’ll wake up to a ready-to-bake casserole that’s rich, fruity, and perfectly indulgent.

• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it the night before, so all the work is already done when you wake up.
• Campfire or oven: Bake it in a Dutch oven over coals or in a 350°F oven at home.
• Flexible ingredients: Use fresh, frozen, or canned fruit – whatever you have on hand.
• Great for groups: Serves 8 campers (or more if you’re sharing light portions).

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that can be packed ahead for camping or found easily at home. The texture and flavor are best when you use quality fruit and sturdy bread.

Exact quantities are listed below in the recipe card. Note: the recipe card allows you to easily scale the recipe and will automatically adjust the ingredient quantities.

• Peaches: I use my own low-sugar canned peaches, but store-bought canned (in juice or light syrup) works well too. If you’re using fresh or frozen peaches, increase the half and half by 1/4 cup to account for the missing liquid.
• Blueberries: Both fresh and frozen blueberries hold up well during baking. If using frozen, I recommend thawing ahead of time so as to not increase the baking time.
• Par-baked bread: I like Trader Joe’s half-baked panini rolls. Any half-baked or sturdy bread will give you the best texture. You’re looking for soft on the inside, crisp on top.
• Cream cheese: Adds rich, creamy bites that balance the sweetness from the fruit.

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How to Make It Ahead

I always prep this French toast casserole the night before, especially when we’re camping.

Everything soaks together overnight, which gives it the perfect texture after baking.

1. Cube the bread and store it in a large zip-top bag.
2. Whisk together the eggs, half and half, maple syrup, and vanilla, then store in a sealed container or jar.
3. Pack the canned peaches, cream cheese, and blueberries in separate containers.
4. The night before baking, combine the bread and custard mixture in a large zip-top bag, massage to coat, and refrigerate or chill in a cooler overnight.

Campfire Dutch Oven Instructions

Cooking this blueberry peach French toast casserole over hot coals is easier than you think. As long as you know how to manage the heat, you’ll be fine. The key is letting the coals do the work without burning the bottom.

1. Let your campfire burn down until you have a good bed of hot coals.
2. Grease the Dutch oven well with butter, then layer the soaked bread, fruit, and cream cheese.
3. Place only 25% of your coals underneath the Dutch oven and 75% on the lid.
4. If you have a second cast iron lid or a trivet, place it underneath to help diffuse the bottom heat.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the casserole is golden and set with no jiggle in the center.

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Oven Instructions

This casserole isn’t just for camping. Much like my Baked Challah French Toast, this recipe works beautifully at home, too.

Use the same make-ahead method and bake it in your kitchen oven.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Grease a large baking dish or Dutch oven and layer as you would for the campfire version.
• Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, until golden on top and fully set.

Serving Ideas

This camping French toast is sweet, filling, and full of texture. It’s even better with some simple toppings and sides.

• Serve warm with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Add crispy bacon or sausage links for a savory balance.
• Leftovers reheat well. Perfect for a second morning at the campsite or an easy breakfast at home.