The Best Bread to Use
The type of bread you choose will make or break your casserole. You’ll want something sturdy and slightly stale so it soaks up the custard without becoming soggy.
- Best options: Brioche, challah, French bread, or sourdough.
- Avoid: Soft sandwich bread or very fresh loaves, which turn mushy.
👉 Quick fix: If your bread is too fresh, cube it and dry in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes before using.
Variations to Try
- Classic: A buttery, cinnamon-spiced bake with crisp top and tender inside.
- Overnight Version: Assembled the night before, refrigerated, and baked fresh in the morning.
- Cinnamon Roll Twist: Made with cinnamon rolls instead of bread, then drizzled with icing for an indulgent brunch option.
Storage & Reheating
French Toast Casserole stores beautifully, so leftovers never go to waste.
- Refrigerator: Store covered up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually in foil or plastic, freeze up to 3 months.
- Reheat:
- Oven: 350°F, covered in foil, for 15 minutes.
- Microwave: 30–60 seconds with a damp paper towel.
- Air fryer: 350°F for 3–5 minutes for crisp edges.
👉 Top reheated slices with maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit to refresh.
Classic French Toast Casserole
Serves: 8 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche, challah, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for richer custard)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread cubed bread evenly in the dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
- Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing gently so it soaks in.
- Drizzle melted butter across the top.
- Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb.
- Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, until golden brown and set.
- Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Serves: 8 | Prep Time: 15 mins | Chill Time: 8 hrs | Cook Time: 45 mins
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day-old challah, brioche, or French bread, cubed
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch dish and add cubed bread.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour custard over bread and gently press down.
- Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from fridge 20 minutes before baking.
- Dot top with butter pieces and bake for 45 minutes, uncovered, until puffed and golden.
- Serve hot with warm syrup, powdered sugar, or fruit compote.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Serves: 6–8 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing)
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish.
- Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters and scatter evenly in dish.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour custard over rolls and toss lightly to coat.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until golden and set.
- Drizzle icing over casserole while warm.
👉 Optional: Add chopped pecans, drizzle with cream cheese icing, or dust with powdered sugar.
French Toast Casserole Recipe
French toast casserole takes a few ingredients and very little prep time to make. Try it at your next holiday gathering or for brunch!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish with butter.
- For the Filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the bread until fully coated. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- For the Topping:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Sprinkle the mixture and the butter evenly over the bread mixture.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown. Cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with powdered sugar and maple syrup, if desired.
Notes
For a richer custard filling: Substitute half and half for the milk, or use 1 cup of milk and ¾ cup of heavy cream.
If the casserole browns too quickly in the oven: Tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Switch up the spices: For a more seasonal touch, you can add different spices, such as pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice, to the custard or topping.
Add nuts: For a crunchy element, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
Top with streusel: Skip the cinnamon sugar and top your French toast casserole with a crisp streusel topping instead.
Nutrition
If the casserole browns too quickly in the oven: Tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Switch up the spices: For a more seasonal touch, you can add different spices, such as pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice, to the custard or topping.
Add nuts: For a crunchy element, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
Top with streusel: Skip the cinnamon sugar and top your French toast casserole with a crisp streusel topping instead.
Nutrition
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