How To Make The Absolute Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm cinnamon and vanilla drifting through the kitchen on a weekend morning. This French Toast Casserole is everything you love about the classic breakfast dish—just baked to golden perfection in one cozy pan.

this Recipe

The first time I made this casserole was for a holiday brunch, and it disappeared within minutes. Now it’s a staple in our home—perfect for lazy Sundays, meal prep breakfasts, or impressing guests without the stress. Whether you serve it straight from the oven or topped with a drizzle of maple syrup, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite.

It’s the kind of dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but comes together in just minutes. Let’s dive into why this casserole deserves a permanent spot in your breakfast rotation.

Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole

Get ready to fall in love with a breakfast that’s as indulgent as it is easy. This French Toast Casserole takes all the best parts of traditional French toast and bakes them into one creamy, cinnamon-kissed dish.

First of all, it’s incredibly easy to make. You’ll need just a few pantry staples and about 10 minutes of hands-on time before popping it in the oven. It’s a no-fuss solution to feeding a crowd or getting ahead on weekday breakfasts.

This recipe is make-ahead friendly, which makes it a lifesaver for holiday mornings or busy weekdays. Assemble it the night before, then simply bake it fresh in the morning. The overnight soak gives the bread even more flavor and a custardy texture.

You’ll also love how budget-friendly this dish is. It uses basic ingredients like bread, eggs, milk, and sugar—nothing fancy or hard to find. You can even use slightly stale bread, making it a great way to reduce food waste.

And did I mention how versatile it is? You can customize it with fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, or even swap the type of bread for something unique like brioche or sourdough. It’s endlessly adaptable to your taste and what you have on hand.

Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever hosted brunch without it.

Ingredients Notes

The beauty of this casserole is in its simplicity. But each ingredient plays a key role in creating that perfectly soft center and golden, caramelized top.

Let’s start with the bread—the real foundation of this dish. I recommend using a loaf of French bread or brioche that’s a day or two old. Slightly stale bread holds up better to the custard mixture, soaking it in without becoming soggy. Thicker slices also give the casserole more texture and structure.

Next, the eggs. You’ll need quite a few—this is, after all, a custard-based dish. The eggs bind everything together and give the casserole its rich, creamy interior. Make sure to whisk them thoroughly to avoid any streaks of uncooked egg in the final dish.

For the custard, a mixture of milk and heavy cream gives the best balance of richness and moisture. If you don’t have cream on hand, you can use all milk, but the texture won’t be quite as indulgent. Vanilla extract and cinnamon add those signature warm, comforting flavors that make this casserole taste like a hug in a pan.

The brown sugar and butter topping is what sets this recipe apart. Once baked, it forms a golden, slightly crisp layer on top that contrasts beautifully with the soft custard beneath. You can mix in chopped pecans or walnuts here too for added crunch.

As for equipment, all you’ll need is a 9x13-inch baking dish, a mixing bowl, and a whisk. If you’re prepping it overnight, plastic wrap or foil to cover the dish in the fridge is also handy.

How To Make This French Toast Casserole

Making this French Toast Casserole is wonderfully straightforward, and it’s perfect for beginners or seasoned home cooks alike.

Start by prepping your bread. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Don’t worry if your cubes aren’t perfect—this dish is all about rustic charm. If your bread is very fresh, you can leave the cubes out for 20-30 minutes to dry out slightly.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. This is your custard base. Pour it evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down lightly with a spoon or spatula so the bread absorbs the mixture. At this point, you can either bake it right away or cover and refrigerate overnight.

When you're ready to bake, prepare the topping. Combine melted butter with brown sugar and a bit more cinnamon, stirring until smooth. Spoon this mixture over the top of the soaked casserole. This step creates a sweet, slightly crisp finish that’s absolutely irresistible.

Bake the casserole in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 45-50 minutes. The top should be golden and slightly puffed, and the center should feel set but still soft. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it with foil in the last 10–15 minutes.

Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This gives the custard a chance to finish setting and makes slicing easier. You’ll end up with layers of soft, cinnamon-spiced bread with just the right amount of sweetness and a gorgeous golden topping.

Storage Options

Leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have them!) store beautifully. Let the casserole cool completely, then cover the dish with foil or transfer portions to an airtight container.

In the refrigerator, this casserole keeps for up to 4 days. Just be sure to refrigerate it within two hours of baking to maintain freshness and food safety.

To freeze, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

For a quick single serving, the microwave works too. Heat in 30-second intervals until warm, but note that the topping won’t stay as crisp.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is a blank canvas, ready for your favorite mix-ins and flavor twists. Once you’ve mastered the base, there are so many ways to make it your own.

For a fruity twist, try adding fresh berries or sliced bananas between the layers of bread before pouring on the custard. Blueberries and strawberries hold up especially well and add natural sweetness.

If you're in the mood for a bit more indulgence, sprinkle in a handful of chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate. As they melt into the custard, you’ll get gooey bites of chocolatey goodness throughout.

Want a little crunch? Add a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts with the topping. They toast beautifully in the oven and pair perfectly with the cinnamon and sugar.

For a cozy fall version, mix in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to the custard. Top it with crushed graham crackers instead of just sugar for a pie-inspired twist.

You can also swap the bread based on what you have. Challah, sourdough, or even cinnamon swirl bread all work wonderfully. Just make sure it's sturdy enough to hold up to the custard.

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