Baked Apple French Toast

Name: Baked Apple French Toast
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; ½ tablespoon brown sugar; ½ teaspoon apple pie spice; 2 tablespoons apple cider; 6 cups (300g) brioche (cut into cubes); 3 large eggs; ¾ cup (180ml) whole milk; ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice; A pinch of salt; 2-3 tablespoons chopped pecans; 2 tablespoons whole or chopped pecans; Powdered sugar (optional); Maple syrup for serving (optional)

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This baked apple French toast casserole is the best dish for your next Thanksgiving breakfast, brunch, or Christmas breakfast spread! Made with brioche, caramelized apples, and warm Fall spices, it’s an easy make-ahead recipe that’s great for everyday breakfast too.

Suitable for vegetarian diets.

Apple pie French toast casserole in a white baking dish, topped with toasted pecans.

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So, peeps what is not to love about this recipe? It checks all the boxes, it has Fall flavors, is an ideal make-ahead option during this busy season, and everyone loves this one for breakfast or brunch. Plus, you can change it up so you can serve it not once but throughout the holiday season.

French toast is such a versatile dish we love making these Air Fryer French toast sticks when we need a quick fix and we just love apple recipes be it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Table of Contents

Baked Apple French Toast

So, I will let you in on a little secret. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, with it being super crazy, I go into make-ahead mode. Any breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner I can make ahead, I do. I crank up the festive music and get stuck into it. It makes the holiday season so much less stressful. And this dish is just one of many dishes I prep ahead and freeze and it works so well.

This casserole is also great as you can change it up with different spices and a variety of toppings and sweeten it up with a drizzle of caramel sauce or honey. It feels like you are serving a completely different dish.

We also love the fact that it uses up some of the abundance of the apples we have on our apple tree. And yes, we also spread the love around by sharing with neighbors and friends.

Ingredient Notes

For the Apples:

Apples – You can use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples. Use an apple variety that can hold its shape well, when cooked.
Unsalted Butter – This is used to soften the apples and adds a nice flavor. I use unsalted so I can control the salt content in the casserole.
Brown Sugar – This is for sweetness and gives it a nice caramelized flavor.
Apple Pie Spice – All the fall flavors. If you don’t have apple pie spice you can make your own by mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Apple Cider – This adds more flavor to the apples. Apple juice is an alternative but my preferred go-to is apple cider.

French Toast Casserole:

Brioche – I like to use brioche as it soaks up all the goodness and has a nice taste. You can also use challah or a loaf of French bread. Make sure your bread is at least a day old or else if it’s too fresh it will break apart.
Eggs – This is the base of the custard that holds the casserole together.
Whole Milk –Whole milk is my preferred choice for a richer creamy taste. You can use lower-fat milk.
Heavy Cream – Makes the custard extra rich and creamy. You can substitute with more milk but trust me on this one, the cream takes it to another level.
Maple Syrup – This adds sweetness to the custard. Use real maple syrup it is worth the extra expense.
Vanilla Extract – Adds more flavor to the dish.
Ground Cinnamon – Adds a spiced flavor that works so well with apples.
Apple Pie Spice – This is for the Fall flavors we all know and love.
Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
Chopped Pecans – Adds crunch topping to the dish.

For Garnish:

Pecans – Extra pecans on top for decorative purposes. You can leave them whole or chop them.
Powdered Sugar – An optional garnish but worth it as it makes the casserole look extra fancy.
Maple Syrup – Drizzle generously over the finished casserole dish for additional sweetness.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Baked Apple French Toast

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Step 1 – Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and a splash of apple cider. Stir to coat the apples evenly.

Step 2 – Continue cooking the apples for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the pecans and stir occasionally until the apples are tender and the liquid has reduced. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3 – In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, and a pinch of salt to create a creamy custard mixture.

Step 4 – Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and fill it with cubed brioche bread. The bread should be slightly stale so it can absorb the custard without getting soggy.

Step 5 – Pour the custard mixture evenly over the brioche cubes, ensuring all the bread is soaked. Top the soaked bread with the cooked apples and pecans, spreading them evenly across the dish.

Step 6 – Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Bintu’s Tips and Variations

Chilling the casserole helps the bread fully absorb the egg mixture and it just tastes better. Trust me, it is so worth the extra wait time, and overnight is best.
Brioche is my go-to for this recipe because it’s rich and buttery, but challah or French bread can be used. Make sure the bread is at least a day old.
Let the casserole rest after it has been baked. This is so that it sets and it makes it so much easier to serve.

Close-up of apple French toast showing caramelized apples and crunchy pecans.

Prep Ahead and Storage

Prep ahead – You can prepare the casserole the night before, refrigerate it, and then bake it in the morning for a convenient and delicious breakfast.
Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Freeze – You can prep this dish and then freeze it uncooked for up to 2 months. Cooled leftovers can be cut into individual portions. Wrap each serving in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat – To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm in the oven at 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C until heated through.

A serving of apple breakfast casserole with pecans on a white plate.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?

You can substitute brioche with challah or another similar bread, but brioche tends to provide a richer texture.

Is it necessary to chill the casserole before baking?

Chilling the casserole is optional but recommended, as it allows the flavors to meld together. If you’re short on time, you can bake it right away.

Can I adjust the sweetness and spices in the recipe?

Yes, feel free to adjust the amount of sugar and spices according to your taste preferences. Experiment with different levels to suit your liking.

What can I use as a substitute for pecans?

If you have nut allergies or prefer a different topping, you can substitute pecans with almonds, or walnuts, or simply omit them for a nut-free version.

How should I serve this dish?

Let the casserole rest after baking, garnish with pecans and powdered sugar, and serve warm with maple syrup on the side for added sweetness. Enjoy!

Overhead view of Apple French Toast Bake, served with fresh apples and powdered sugar.

More Recipes You May Like

If you love apples, we have some great apple breakfast recipes and more to choose from.

Serve With

Air Fryer Bacon or Sausages – The saltiness of these sides will balance out all the sweetness.
Fresh Fruit salad – To lighten this meal add a juicy fruit salad.
Coffee or Tea – A warm cup of coffee or your favorite tea makes a great breakfast or brunch.

Recommended Tools

A sharp bread knife to cut the brioche and apples.
A cutting board to slice and dice.
Skillet to fry the apples in so they are nice and soft.
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Thank you for reading my baked apple french toast recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable air fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Baked Apple French Toast

Baked Apple French Toast