French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

By Lidey Heuck

Published Oct. 20, 2023

French Toast Casserole Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
4(248)
Notes
Read community notes

A good breakfast casserole is not only a crowd pleaser, it’s also a practical addition to any breakfast or brunch spread for many reasons: It comes together with a simple ingredient list, it can be assembled, then refrigerated overnight until the next morning, and it is much easier to cook for a crowd than traditional French toast. Day-old French bread works best here, but you can substitute any fluffy white bread or enriched bread like challah or brioche; just remove the crusts if they’re on the thicker side. The butter and brown sugar topping creates a crunchy, caramel-like crust as the casserole bakes, and the inside remains moist and tender. This casserole is plenty sweet on its own, but feel free to dress it up with powdered sugar, maple syrup and fresh berries.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings

    For the Casserole

    • 1tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 10cups (1-inch) cubed bread, from a large loaf of day-old French bread (see Tip)
    • 2cups/480 milliliters whole milk
    • 6large eggs
    • ¼cup/50 grams lightly packed light brown sugar
    • teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

    For the Topping

    • 4tablespoons/57 grams unsalted butter, melted
    • ½cup/100 grams lightly packed light brown sugar
    • ½teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Pinch of kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
    • Fresh berries, confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup and/or toasted chopped nuts, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

405 calories; 14 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 56 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 25 grams sugars; 14 grams protein; 465 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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French Toast Casserole Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Grease a 9-by-13-inch (or other 14-cup) baking dish with the butter, then place the bread cubes in the pan and spread them into an even layer.

  2. Step

    2

    In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, combine the milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Whisk until smooth. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and press gently to help the bread absorb the liquid. Set aside, covered, for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.

  3. Step

    3

    Heat the oven to 400 degrees and let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Meanwhile, make the topping: In a small bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt with a fork until smooth. Dollop the mixture all over the casserole, then gently spread it with the back of a spoon until the entire surface is covered. (If preparing the casserole the day prior to baking, don’t add the topping until just before it goes into the oven. Reheat the topping, if needed.)

  4. Step

    4

    Bake, uncovered, until puffed and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into squares, and serve hot. Top as desired.

Tips

  • To dry out bread cubes, spread them on a sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees until dry to the touch but not browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • To freeze: Assemble the casserole through Step 2 and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight). Tightly cover with plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then resume the recipe at Step 3.

Ratings

4

out of 5

248

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Laura

This was delicious. I just used whatever bread I had leftover. I baked it covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for another 10-15 minutes.

Elena

Wondering if this dish would be ok without topping to minimize sugar and fat. Could use powdered sugar or syrup when served. Any thoughts before I try it?

Andrea

I think you won't get the crunchy top, but otherwise should be fine. I was going to cut back the sugar in the topping to 1/4 cup.

carter

perfect for an overnight bake — add orange zest!!

BigSkyGirl

Outstanding for the amount of effort and expense involved. Used leftover challah bread and added a bit of nutmeg to the milk-egg mixture. Let soak for 40 minutes before baking. The topping is the star of this dish.

Paul S

For the topping, I just softened the butter, used half the sugar (but full cinnamon), and worked it together with a lot of sliced almonds, like a crumble topping. It baked up nicely, toasting the almonds, and gave it some nice crunch without too much sweet.

Paige

This is…bread pudding.

maya

added orange zest and a bit of almond extract and this was so delicious! my friends admitted they don’t usually like french toast but ended up loving this. the leftovers made weekday breakfasts so lovely too.

Laura Krauss

Has anyone used oat or almond milk?

anne

Made for Sarah and kids Jan, 2024. Used sourdough. I’d use French bread or country white bread next time, It was good!

Susan in Maryland

This is delicious and so much easier than traditional french toast. I thought the recipe could have used a little more milk and maybe an extra egg. Next time I make it, I'll give that a try.

KB

I thought my casserole was somewhat too large so I used 9 eggs and 3 cups of liquid (half milk, half cream). Seemed about right.

ritz

I’ve made this type of casserole many times but the topping in this recipe really elevates it and makes it bakery quality! It was absolutely delicious.

Sam S

Could you make this two days ahead of time, without freezing?

leah

I’ve made this several times; it’s freaking amazing. I don’t even need or use any syrup, nor does my 6 year old sugar fiend. Today I dusted it with powdered sugar and roasted walnuts and also didn’t have regular milk so I used a homemade walnut milk and it was just as delicious as the original recipe.

mm. Mary James

Put this together last night with 6 cups sourdough, halved everything else except vanilla. Prepped topping and microwaved 40 seconds this morning, before dousing the top. Used a buttered souffle dish; 30 minutes covered; 15 uncovered. Perfect, without adding syrup!

Delicious

This was absolutely delicious. I toasted chopped pecans and served with Canadian bacon and maple syrup. My only thing would be that it requires a non-stick spray rather than just butter because we buttered the heck out of the pan and it still stuck badly to the pan. Still totally worth it!!!

Bethany L

Any idea if this could be with non-dairy milk? like oat or soy?

Mary

If you are able to give out weight measurements for all other ingredients, why not for the bread? Would be much easier than weighing out 10 cups of bread cubes.

carter

perfect for an overnight bake — add orange zest!!

Scott

Orange zest is a must for next-level french toast!

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French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is French toast casserole made of? ›

French Toast Casserole Recipe Ingredients
  1. Bread – The quality counts! ...
  2. Eggs – A signature French toast ingredient! ...
  3. Milk – For moisture. ...
  4. Brown sugar – You'll whisk some into the custard mixture and sprinkle more on top of the casserole.
  5. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract – For warm, cozy depth of flavor.

Why is my French toast casserole soggy? ›

It could be because of the bread you used. If the bread you start with is too soft (such as white sandwich bread), it won't absorb all of the wonderful custard that it should, and it might end up soggy. If you find yourself with a soggy casserole, for whatever reason, try baking it a bit longer until it firms up some.

What is one common mistake when preparing French toast? ›

If the pan isn't hot enough when you put your first slice in, the custard spreads out, forming a "foot" on the bottom of the French toast. When the pan is hot enough, the batter won't have time to seep; the custard will start cooking as soon as it hits the pan. Give the pan a light coating of neutral oil and butter.

What is a French casserole? ›

A casserole (French: diminutive of casse, from Provençal cassa, meaning 'pan') is a kind of large, deep pan or bowl used for cooking a variety of dishes in the oven; it is also a category of foods cooked in such a vessel.

What should the inside of French toast be like? ›

Crispy on the outside and custardy inside, French toast makes a delicious breakfast or brunch. It's a simple dish made with basic ingredients: milk or cream, eggs, butter, and bread.

What is the secret to good French toast? ›

Three eggs bind the batter together and give it a rich texture. Sugar: A tablespoon of white sugar lends welcome sweetness to this decadent breakfast recipe. Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds complexity and takes the flavor up a notch. Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon lends coziness and warmth. .

Why does my French toast taste weird? ›

Nail the Egg-to-Milk Ratio

Eggs and milk are the essential components of the custard base that gives French toast its tender richness—but get their ratio off and you'll wind up with undercooked slices that have an unpleasantly savory "scrambled eggs" flavor.

What kind of bread makes the best French toast? ›

Use brioche or challah. These egg-based breads have a high butter content, meaning their crumb is tender and rich but light. In other words, they're an ideal foundation for super decadent yet airy French toast.

Is it better to use milk or heavy cream for French toast? ›

Heavy Cream-use heavy cream for an extra decadent French toast. You can also use half milk and half heavy cream. Almond Milk-unsweetened vanilla almond milk makes great French toast. I love the extra vanilla flavor.

Why does my homemade French toast taste like eggs? ›

Why Does French Toast Taste Too Eggy? To create the classic custard taste that makes French toast great, the ratio of eggs to milk is important. If the balance is off and you include too many eggs or not enough milk, the finished French toast will have a scrambled egg-like flavor.

How do you know when French toast is done? ›

Griddle or bake it

This allows you to sear the French toast without burning it, while ensuring it's fully cooked in the center. "You know when your French toast is done when the center is set and doesn't have a runny consistency once cut," Oliveira says.

Should I soak French toast overnight? ›

Start with dry bread.

Dry bread is primed for soaking up that creamy custard. You can either leave it out overnight or do what I do and toast it in the oven. Lightly press the bread into the custard to make sure it absorbs evenly. Don't stress if the bread is a bit drier on the top.

Why is my French toast falling apart? ›

French toast is made by dipping bread into a mixture of beaten eggs with milk and then frying. If the bread is fresh it tends to fall apart in the process. Using stale bread solves this problem.

What is a casserole made out of? ›

Casseroles are made by combining a variety of starches, meats, vegetables, and other ingredients, sometimes raw and sometimes cooked, into the dish and baking them in a casserole dish.

What is a breakfast casserole made of? ›

To make a breakfast casserole you beat some eggs, add milk and cheese, add cubed bread, add "mix-ins" like mushrooms, veggies, sausage, and herbs, put it in a casserole dish, and bake.

What is the difference between a casserole and a French oven? ›

A French Oven is a more modern version of the Dutch Oven made in France from enamelled cast iron. A Casserole dish is a shallower dish, designed for slow cooking or baking in the oven.

What are casserole pans made of? ›

And since they're simple—vessels usually made of ceramic or glass with handles for moving into and out of the oven—finding a great casserole dish was quite the challenge.

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