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French Toast Casserole is the most delicious twist on traditional french toast, but such an easy way to serve a breakfast favorite to a large group. This french toast bake is easily prepared in 15 minutes, chilled overnight, and popped in the oven in the morning for a delicious brunch.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
French toast casserole is the perfect dish for a holiday brunch! It is prepared the night before by just dumping your ingredients, chilling overnight and baking right before serving!
Super easy recipe for a crowd and the delicious cinnamon smells will welcome guests like a warm hug!
My family has always been huge fans of french toast, so I knew that this recipe would go over well. But, their reaction was even better than expected. They absolutely loved it. The crumble topping is seriously to die for. This has become a staple holiday breakfast item in our household!
Why We Love French Toast Bake
- Perfect way to serve French Toast to a group
- Quick and easy to make
- Kid-friendly and approved
- Prep the night before and toss in the oven to bake when you wake up
- Way easier than traditional French Toast, no standing over a skillet
- Easy clean up
- Delicious leftovers
- Perfect for Christmas morning brunch
Ingredients/Shopping List
- Loaf of French Bread (day old works best)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Half and Half
- Sugar
- Almond extract
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Salt
- Chopped pecans (optional)
- Light Brown Sugar
- Salted Butter
Variations / Options / Add-ins
- BREAD: It’s really important to use 1-2 day old bread, if not your bread will get soggy. I have tried out other bread types and found that french bread definitely works best for this recipe. However, if you prefer, you can use any type of good quality loaf bread such as sourdough, ciabatta, or challah.
- ALMOND EXTRACT: You can substitute vanilla extract if you don’t have almond extract on hand.
- ALL SPICE: You can substitute apple pie spice if you don’t have allspice on hand.
- GARNISH: For a picture perfect finish, top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar.
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make This French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Cut bread into cubes and place at the bottom of a sprayed 9×13 dish.
- Optional, top the bread mixture in the casserole dish with ½ cup chopped pecans.
- Whisk eggs, whole milk, half and half, sugar, almond extract, cinnamon, salt, and allspice.
- Pour mixture over the top of the bread cubes, coating them well.
- Combine brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Pro-Tip: Use two knives to cut the mixture together until crumbly. - Sprinkle this mixture over the casserole.
- Cover with foil and keep in the fridge overnight.
- Cook the next day at 375 for 35-40 minutes.
Pro-Tip: Make sure the center of the french toast casserole is set and not jiggly. - Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes to allow it to completely set.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.
Pro-Tip: It’s best to prepare this casserole one day in advance to when you’ll be serving it!
What to Serve with French Toast Casserole
I always serve my Oven Baked Bacon alongside French Toast Casserole. It’s also great with a side of fresh fruit. If you’re serving a large group, you could make another breakfast item like these Breakfast Stuffed Peppers. That way you have something savory and something sweet. And don’t forget the coffee!
How to Store French Toast Casserole
Leftover French Toast Casserole should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to make this in a pan that also has a lid with it. That way I can just pop the lid on and stick in the fridge. To reheat, simply warm in the microwave and drizzle with syrup!
Other Easy Breakfast Recipes
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 10 cups 2 day old loaf of French Bread cut into cubes
- 6 eggs
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup half and half
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp allspice
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans optional
- Powdered sugar for the top
CRUMBLE TOPPING
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 stick salted butter cold
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, set aside.
- Cut the 2 day old loaf of french bread into cubes and place in the bottom of the 9×13 baking dish.
- In a separate large mixing bowl combine eggs, whole milk, half and half, sugar, almond extract, cinnamon, salt, and allspice. Whisk together well.
- Pour egg mixture over the cubes of french bread in the 9×13 baking dish, making sure to soak all pieces as you are pouring. NOTE: If using optional pecans, go ahead and top the bread mixture in the casserole dish with ½ cup chopped pecans.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the brown sugar, cold butter, and cinnamon. Use two knives to cut the mixture together until crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the french toast casserole.
- Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to cook the french toast casserole preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Uncover and place on the middle rack in the middle of the oven and cook for 35-40 minutes. Check to make sure the center of the french toast casserole is set and not jiggly. Continue to cook, checking every 5 minutes until the casserole is set in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes to allow it to completely set.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top of the casserole and serve with maple syrup.
