Frugal Foodie Mama: Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast

This delicious Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast is virtually guilt free thanks to nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal...

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Post Pebbles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PostWalgreens http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I think by now you all know that I am a big fan of the make ahead, overnight french toast casserole. But most of the french toast casserole recipes that I have shared with you all up until now have been decadent, bordering on almost qualifying as a dessert. ;)

I have been brainstorming ideas for making and sharing a healthier french toast casserole recipe with you all. And I found my recipe inspiration while shopping at my local Walgreens for some of our favorite Post cereals...

So, today I am sharing with you all this Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast perfect for whipping up for Easter morning (or any spring weekend morning!).

I have made this delicious french toast casserole virtually guilt free by making it with nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal.

I absolutely love the addition of the Honey Bunches of Oats Greek cereal to this- it gives it a nice, crunchy texture and adds even more protein and whole grains to this healthy, perfect for spring french toast casserole...

Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 25 minutes, & then refrigerate overnight

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients (9-12 servings)

1 loaf of day old whole wheat french bread, cut into chunks (I sliced the loaf and then cut each slice in half.)
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 (12 oz) can fat free evaporated milk
1/2 cup lite coconut milk
1 (5.3 oz) container of nonfat coconut Greek yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
6-8 medium to large strawberries, sliced
2 cups of Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal, divided
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

Spray an 11x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place half the french loaf pieces into the bottom of the pan. Cover this layer of bread chunks with half of the strawberry slices & 1 cup of the Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal.

Cover the strawberries & cereal with the remaining bread chunks. Top this layer of bread chunks with the remaining strawberries. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, evaporated milk, coconut milk, coconut Greek yogurt, & sugar. Pour this mixture evenly over top of the layered bread chunks in the baking pan.

Press down the bread chunks to make sure all pieces are being soaked in the liquid.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees the next morning. Take your layered french toast out of the fridge.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the shredded coconut, the remaining 1 cup of Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal, and the coconut oil. (If the coconut oil is solid, be sure to zap it for a few seconds in the microwave first.)

Evenly top the layered french toast with the coconut/cereal mixture.

Cover the casserole loosely with foil.

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes to allow the coconut to to become golden brown.

The layered french toast is done when the edges are golden brown and the center is set.

Allow to cool to warm and then cut into 9-12 equal pieces and serve.

Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Enjoy!

One of my goals this year is to start an Easter brunch with my family. I have always loved the idea of an Easter brunch for just the four of us before we head out later for the big family dinner.

I want to have a few dishes to serve for brunch that morning, but I also don't want to be tied down in the kitchen for a couple of hours. That is why I love this Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast!

Most of the assembly happens the night before. I just have to add the topping and pop it in the oven the next morning, leaving me free to whip up a couple of more Easter brunch dishes and to spend more time with my husband and my kiddos Easter morning.