Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe

When you don’t want to stand over the stove making batches of Challah French Toast but you’re still craving all those classic flavors and textures, this French toast casserole is here to the rescue. Buttery brioche bakes into custard, so the center is soft and delicate, while the top is crisp and golden.

But I’d be lying if I said that that was my favorite part. A sprinkle of buttery crumb topping with hint of cinnamon (stolen from my Apple Crumble Recipe), toasts up in the oven. Yes please. Tip: if you sneak a piece of crumb off the top, no one will know. Wink.

My second favorite part is the bottom of the casserole: a layer of butter and brown sugar caramelize into a syrupy layer of heaven.

So let’s quit with the descriptions and get bakin’ before the drool ruins your screen…

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Golden, crispy crumb top with a custardy center: AKA perfection.
• Easy to make: let your oven do the work.
• Make-ahead magic: it reheats really well.
• Feeds a crowd: talk about A+ for holidays and hungry guests.
• Totally customizable: top with berries, Candied Pecans, etc.!

You only need a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have, to make the best French toast casserole! Here they are:

• Brioche loaf – brioche is the best type of bread for French toast casserole! It’s rich and buttery and soaks up custard like a pro. It also hold its shape really well in the oven, getting all golden and toasty on the edges while creating a perfectly custardy center. You can buy a brioche loaf in the bakery section of most grocery stores. Can’t find it? Use challah!
• Milk – I actually use nonfat milk because that’s what I usually have on-hand, but 2% or whole would work great, creating a richer base! Milk, combined with eggs, forms a custard that soaks into the bread. Feel free to use unsweetened non-dairy milk if preferred!
• Light brown sugar – light brown sugar creates a syrupy, caramelly base…almost like built-in maple syrup on the bottom of the casserole. It’s also an important ingredient for the crumb topping!
• All-purpose flour – flour is the base for the crumble topping.
• Unsalted butter – butter adds moist richness to the casserole…and binds together that golden crumb topping.
• Large eggs – you can’t make the signature custardy filling without eggs!
• Vanilla extract – vanilla…what would we do without her?
• Cinnamon – cinnamon adds all those warm feels.
• Salt – salt enhances flavor!

How to Make French Toast Casserole

The full, printable recipe is below, but here’s an outline with photos to help you every step of the way!

Prep. Grease a 9×13” baking dish. Preheat oven to 400℉.

Make the syrupy glaze. For the casserole, mix the melted butter and brown sugar, and spread in the bottom of the baking dish.

Add the bread. Add the brioche cubes in a single layer.

Make the custard. Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

Pour it. Pour evenly over the bread.

Make the crumb topping. Mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the butter and the vanilla. Stir.

Add it. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread.

Bake it. Bake for 27-32 minutes, with a piece of foil underneath to catch drips.

Eat up! Wait to slice for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

What to Serve With French Toast Casserole

Here are some great ways to serve French toast casserole (toppings and sides):

• You really don’t need maple syrup, since the bottom of the casserole is a syrupy, buttery layer. But more maple syrup never hurts!
• Fresh fruit (berries, sliced bananas, etc.)
• Candied Bacon or Homemade Breakfast Sausage
• Whipped Cream
• Powdered Sugar
• On the side: Scrambled Eggs or an Egg White Frittata
• For a boozy brunch, don’t forget to serve with a few batches of French 75!

Storage and Reheating

French toast casserole reheats really well! Reheat slices in the microwave, in increments of 30 seconds, until warmed through. Keep in mind the crumb topping will soften! You can also reheat the casserole in a 350℉ oven, covered, until warm. In the last 5 minutes, uncover to maintain a crispier topping.

This casserole freezes well too. Cool to room temperature, wrap in plastic wrap or foil, and then place in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing in the fridge overnight before reheating.

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If you’ve tried this French Toast Casserole Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!