French Toast Casserole is an easy French toast bake that is tossed together and baked in the oven. Brown sugar, vanilla, and an egg custard paired with diced French bread. This is the perfect breakfast for a crowd or weekend breakfast.
Plus this can be made into an overnight French toast casserole if you want to plan ahead. I love that this is a no fuss French toast recipe. You can whip it up and let the oven handle the rest. This is a very popular Christmas morning breakfast recipe.
This breakfast casserole reminds me of bread pudding! If you are a fan of bread pudding you will go nuts over this dish. Also try my Churro French toast, for another tasty bread recipe.
This Breakfast Recipe Is…
- The best French toast casserole recipe
- A delicious make ahead breakfast for the next morning
- Wonderful for holiday breakfasts, Sunday morning, etc.
- Great for leftover bread
- Great for busy mornings when you need hands off cooking
- Family favorite
- Sweet breakfast casserole
Ingredients
Here is all you need for this easy baked French toast recipe. Dust with powdered sugar or pour pure maple syrup over the top and devour.
French Bread – You will take a loaf of French bread and cube it up. Aim to cut the bread in bite-size cubes.
Brown Sugar – The brown sugar helps to elevate the dish with a buttery caramel flavor.
Cinnamon – I love using cinnamon with this breakfast dish. It is going to add a warm spice that is so comforting.
Vanilla – The vanilla is going to sweeten the French toast to a whole new level!
Milk and Eggs – The custard base to this casserole. It moistens the bread so it soaks in all the flavors.
Salt – I know some might think why add salt to a sweet dish. But with any desserts salt can truly bring out so much flavor in your recipes.
How to Make
Measurements and full directions are in the printable recipe card. This is a visual walk through on how to make French toast casserole.
Step One: Preheat your oven and grease your baking dish. I used an 8×8 dish.
Step Two: Next you will mix the salt, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Step Three: Dice up or tear your bread into small pieces and place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over the bread.
Step Four: Now in a medium size bowl add your eggs, milk and vanilla. Whisk together well.
Step Five: Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread. Cover the 8×8 pan with foil, then bake as directed,
Step Six: At the end you will remove the foil and allow the top of the casserole to turn a golden color.
Allow the French toast to cook slightly then plate up the casserole.
How to Make As An Overnight French Toast Bake
- Prep your casserole and then cover and store in the fridge.
- Then place the casserole dish in the oven and then turn on the oven and bake. If you place the cold pan in a preheated oven it can break a glass pan.
- Then uncover the dish at the end and allow it to fully bake through.
Variations and Substitutes
- Swap the milk with a plant based milk if you need. Almond milk works well.
- Toss in some diced fruit, chocolate chips, or even raisins. This will elevate the flavor.
- Use a Brioche bread, sweet bread, etc. instead of the French Bread.
- Add in some orange zest for a nice citrus twist.
- Make a cinnamon roll glaze to drizzle over the top once fully baked.
- Pour canned pie filling over the diced bread. It will add a delicious fruity twist.
Consider using stale bread. It is going to allow the bread to soak in the egg custard and give you the perfect texture. To make bread stale just leave it on a plate or tray uncovered for 4-5 hours.
Too soft of bread will create a very mushy texture once it bakes. The softer bread won’t firm up much.
Challah bread, Texas toast, sourdough bread, Brioche, or French bread are all great. Tear or cut into bread cubes.Quality bread is key as it is the main flavor. Buying bread that is made with quality ingredients will truly elevate the flavor.
What to Serve With French Toast Casserole
Not quite sure what to pair with the casserole? Here are a few items I would recommend.
- Bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon, etc.
- Fruit salad or fresh blueberries, strawberries, etc.
- Scrambled eggs, fried eggs, etc.
- Quiche
- Etc.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers place in a container in the fridge. The French toast will last 2-3 days. I find the texture is best fresh or eaten within first 48 hours of baking.
FAQs
Common questions for this French toast bake recipe.
Related Recipes
Want more recipes besides this French toast casserole overnight? Here are a few more breakfast recipes to try out.
Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, or My Facebook Group
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf 15 ounces French Bread
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Grease your 8×8 baking dish and then preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Next you will take your bread and dice it into 1 inch cubes or tear it apart and place in the casserole dish. Set aside.
- In a small bowl add your brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix well.
- Pour the brown sugar mix evenly over the bread in the casserole pan.
- In a large bowl add your milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix well until incorporated. Pour the egg mixture over the bread.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes
- Remove the foil after 20 minutes and return to the oven for another 20-25 minutes or until the top is browned and the egg mixture is baked into the bread.
- Serve your French toast casserole with powdered sugar, butter, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
Overnight Method
Assemble the French toast and cover and store in the fridge overnight. Then place in a cold oven and turn it on to 350 degrees. Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove foil after 20 minutes and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the egg mixture is baked. Breads – French bread, Challah bread, Brioche, Texas Toast, and more all work for this recipe. Just don’t use a super soft bread. Stale Bread – You can leave bread on the counter for air to reach it for 3-4 hours to help make it become stale. This will enhance the texture of your French toast bake.Equipment
Nutrition
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