Easy French Toast Casserole

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This indulgent and decadent French Toast Casserole is what breakfast dreams are made of!!!!!!! If you cherish those extra few minutes of precious sleep in the morning yet crave a delicious breakfast that’s quick and easy, you will love this overnight French toast casserole.

I love a recipe that can solve a problem and this one checks off a few. First, this easy French toast casserole recipe solves the problem of what to do with stale bread. (Got leftover brioche on hand? Try my Brioche French Toast Casserole!)

Then, we gain back time because there is no standing at the stove dipping and frying slice after slice of bread.

Easily prep this the night before, bake it in the morning and in 40 minutes we’ll be enjoying the cinnamony, custard-like creamy traditional French Toast goodness topped with a craaaaazy amount of buttery maple syrup and a generous helping of Strawberry Compote.

Not only is French toast casserole a no-fuss, hassle-free breakfast option, but tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, creating a masterpiece.

So whether it’s a holiday breakfast, busy morning, lazy weekend breakfast, brunch, or something the kids whip up for Mother’s Day, this family-approved baked French Toast Casserole is the next best breakfast thing. You can also try this crockpot breakfast casserole.

Why Make This Recipe

• Easy Preparation – As mentioned, you can whip it up the night before, so you wake up to a nearly-ready breakfast. Just pop it in the oven, and you’re good to go.
• Time Saver – No more standing over a hot stove flipping individual slices of French toast. This casserole lets you enjoy a leisurely morning while it bakes.
• Delicious Flavor – It tastes like a cross between classic French toast and bread pudding with all the cozy, cinnamon-spiced goodness.
• Versatile – Suitable for various occasions, from lazy weekends to special holiday mornings or brunch gatherings.

Ingredient Notes

For the Casserole:

• French bread (about 1 large loaf) – Cubed French bread works great for this recipe, but you can substitute it with sourdough or ciabatta for a different flavor and texture. Day-old or slightly stale bread is ideal for absorbing the custard.
• Pecans – Chopped pecans add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. If you have a nut allergy or prefer an alternative, you can use chopped almonds, or walnuts, or skip them altogether if necessary.

For the Custard:

• Eggs – Eggs provide the custard’s base and help bind everything together.
• Milk – Whole milk or dairy-free alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk can be used based on dietary preferences or restrictions.
• Sugar – This adds sweetness to the custard. You can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar alternative if desired.
• Orange Zest – The orange zest brings a lovely citrus aroma and flavor. You can also use lemon zest for a slightly different citrus twist or omit it if you’re not a fan of citrus flavors.
• Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon provides that classic French toast spice. Feel free to adjust the quantity to your taste or add other spices like nutmeg or allspice for variety.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg complements the cinnamon and pairs really well with milk and eggs for a unique flavor.
• Salt – Salt enhances the overall flavor. You can use kosher salt or table salt, but don’t omit it entirely as it balances the sweetness.

For the Topping:

• Butter – Melted unsalted butter gives the topping a rich, buttery flavor. You can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, but adjust the additional salt in the recipe accordingly.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness and a caramel note to the topping.
• Cinnamon – More cinnamon for a fragrant and spiced topping.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg complements the topping’s flavor.
• Salt – Just a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness in the topping.

How To Make French Toast Casserole

Making casseroles is a great way to save time and money. Check out these casseroles for more flavorful ideas your family will love. 

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

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C and grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and layer about half of the bread into the dish with no gaps.
3. Sprinkle with half of the pecans and then repeat with the remaining bread and pecans. 
4. Mix together the custard ingredients and pour it evenly over the bread.
5. Mix the topping ingredients and drizzle them over the top of the casserole.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until browned. 
7. Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar or icing sugar.

How To Make Overnight French Toast Casserole

The beauty of this breakfast casserole is that you can make it and cook it all at once or you can prep the entire casserole the night before and bake it in the morning. Overnight casseroles give you maximum flexibility to enjoy a relaxed morning. 

1. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and layer about half of the bread into the dish with no gaps.
3. Sprinkle with half of the pecans and then repeat with the remaining bread and pecans. 
4. Mix together the egg custard ingredients and pour evenly over the bread.
5. Mix the topping ingredients and drizzle them over the top of the casserole.
6. Cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge overnight.
7. In the morning, heat the oven to 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C and bake the casserole for about 40 minutes until browned and serve.

Expert Tips

• Select a sturdy bread like French, sourdough, or ciabatta. Slightly stale or day-old bread works best, as it can absorb the custard without becoming too mushy.
• When cubing the bread, try to keep the pieces of similar size to ensure even soaking and cooking.
• If you’re adding nuts or other mix-ins like chocolate chips or berries, sprinkle them evenly over the bread cubes for a balanced distribution of flavors.
• The best part of this recipe is that you can prepare it the night before. After assembling the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. This allows the bread to soak up the custard overnight.
• Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, making sure every piece gets soaked. You can gently press down on the bread cubes to help with absorption.
• Use an appropriately sized baking dish to ensure the casserole has enough room to expand while baking without overflowing. A 9×13-inch dish is commonly used for this recipe.
• When making the topping, ensure it’s well-mixed and spread evenly over the casserole for a balanced, sweet crunch.
• When baking, cover the casserole with foil for the first part of the baking time. This helps the custard set without browning too quickly. Remove the foil for the last part of the baking time to get that golden crust.
• Keep a close eye on the casserole toward the end of the baking time to prevent it from becoming dry. It should be moist and slightly custardy in the center.
• Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the custard to set further and makes it easier to slice.
• Enhance your French Toast Casserole by serving it with maple syrup, fresh fruit, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream for added decadence.

How to cut your bread? For this recipe, you’ll need 10 cups of cubed bread. Start by slicing your loaf into 1-inch thick slices (keeping the crust on) and then cut your slices into cubes. It’s OK if the cubes aren’t perfect, as long as they are about an inch thick (this will help them soak up the spiced egg wash).

Delicious Variations

• Swap the Bread – Even though the recipe calls for French bread, you can use ciabatta, sourdough, challah, and even cinnamon swirl bread. 
• Experiment with the custard’s spices and flavors –Try adding a dash of vanilla extract, almond extract, or a pinch of cardamom for a unique twist.
• Add a topping – Top with dried fruit like cranberries or raisins or my favs soft dried apricots. Use walnuts or sliced almonds instead of pecans. Nutella and chocolate chips are a favorite among the kids.
• Add a splash of alcohol – Try rum, amaretto, or Irish cream.

Prep and Storage

• Prep ahead – Prepare this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge. Bake it when ready. 
• Storage – If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in airtight containers for 3 days.
• Reheat – Reheat individual servings in the microwave for a quick and satisfying breakfast.
• Freeze – Cover the dish tightly with foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Bake as directed but you may need to increase the cooking time to up to 50 minutes.

FAQs

Similar Recipes

• Air Fryer French Toast Sticks.
• Baked Brioche French Toast.
• Orange Strawberry Muffins.
• Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. <= awesome non-breakfast dip

Serving Suggestions

• For a great, protein-packed pairing, whip up this easy Air Fryer Frittata.
• Fruit Salad is a light and refreshing counterpart.
• A healthy and delicious Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie.

Recommended Tools

1. A good-sized mixing bowl makes mixing the custard a breeze.
2. Use a 9×13 casserole dish to ensure there is plenty of room for all of the ingredients.
3. The best quality spices add amazing flavor.
4. 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.

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