This French Toast Casserole is sure to sweeten up your next early-morning event!
Growing up, my dad made the absolute best French toast. On weekends, I’d try to replicate his magic in the kitchen, but let’s just say it didn’t always go… smoothly. I’d use bread that was too fresh, forget to preheat the pan, or make some other rookie mistake. After a few trial-and-error weekends, we came up with a solution: a hands-off recipe that delivered delicious results every time — and that’s how this French toast casserole was born!
This dish has all the sweet, creamy, cinnamon-maple flavor of classic French toast, but in an easy-to-make casserole form that’s perfect for sharing. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch, a potluck, or a holiday breakfast, this recipe shines. My family takes Christmas morning breakfast very seriously, and I’m thrilled to bring this crowd-pleasing dish to the table this year.
The best part? You can prepare it the night before, letting the bread soak up all the rich flavors, while the topping sets separately. The next morning, simply add the topping to the dish and pop the whole thing in the oven for a warm, decadent breakfast that’s as effortless as it is delicious. It’s perfect for making mornings feel special without the stress — just how Dad would want it!
Is French Toast Casserole Healthy?
French toast casserole does incorporate a lot of milk, eggs, and heavy cream. If you’re trying to cut fat and dairy out of your diet, I would recommend avoiding this one! That said, while French toast casserole is a rather sweet option for your breakfast, there are plenty of ways to modify it to suit your diet. First, choose your own bread: this recipe works great with brioche or French bread, but I love to do whole grain. Then, choose your toppings! Serving your French toast casserole with fresh fruits like bananas and berries allows you to incorporate lots of nutrients into the dish.
I’m Queen Of The Casseroles
If you’ve seen my work on FFF before, you probably know that casseroles are one of my favorite things to make. They’re easy to prepare, don’t require a lot of attention, and my personal favorite thing about them? It’s ONE dish you have to clean later!
Casseroles are perfect for preparing ahead of time and popping in the oven when you need to. Plus, they travel well. During the holiday season, this French toast casserole could make for a perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert option that you don’t have to worry about on the day! I truly encourage you to start incorporating casseroles into your own kitchen. And hey, if you need inspiration, start with these 45 Healthy Casserole Recipes.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- Maple syrup for serving
- Whipped cream for serving, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Assemble bread base and soak with liquid mixture.
Chill
Refrigerate overnight to allow bread to absorb flavors.
Bake
Add topping and bake until golden. Serve with syrup and whipped cream.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
This French toast casserole was designed to be made ahead of time. You’ll want to let your bread mixture soak for at least several hours — I always do overnight to be sure. You should also let your crumble mixture sit overnight before adding it to the rest of the casserole. Store leftover French toast casserole in the fridge, covered in plastic wrap or sealed in airtight containers, for 3 to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave, and then add toppings.
You can use whatever bread you prefer for your French toast casserole, so long as it’s thick and absorbent. French bread, challah, brioche, and sourdough are all great choices for this dish. Ideally, they should be a day or two old already, for maximum absorption.
The great thing about French toast casserole is that it’s totally customizable! Just like a classic French toast, you can top your casserole with anything you’d like. Try blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or whatever sounds yummy!
Serving Suggestions
French toast casserole makes for a delightful centerpiece to a big breakfast spread! Serve it with other FFF breakfast sides like Breakfast Sausage, Baked Brown Sugar Bacon, Breakfast Potatoes, and of course, my favorite Ham and Spinach Quiche. Don’t forget the mimosas! Cheers to a great way to start your day!
Recipe
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 loaf French bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter cubed
- Maple syrup for serving
- Whipped cream for serving optional
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
-
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly distribute the bread cubes in it. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all are soaked.
-
Cover the dish and refrigerate several hours or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.
-
In a bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Cut the cold butter cubes into the mixture with a pastry cutter and gently mix with your hands.
-
Once the mixture is crumbly like streusel, stop mixing it. Refrigerate this topping overnight.
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Uncover the baking dish. Top it with the brown sugar crumble mixture and bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup and whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Calories: 568kcal (28%) Carbohydrates: 63g (21%) Protein: 14g (28%) Fat: 29g (45%) Saturated Fat: 17g (106%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0.5g Cholesterol: 233mg (78%) Sodium: 393mg (17%) Potassium: 243mg (7%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 33g (37%) Vitamin A: 1104IU (22%) Vitamin C: 0.2mg Calcium: 141mg (14%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational
purposes only.
