If your weekend crew loves breakfast as much as mine does, then this French Toast Casserole Recipe is going to be your new best friend. Imagine all the goodness of classic French toast, but with a make-ahead twist that bakes up warm, custardy, and golden in a single dish—ready to serve a crowd (and win over even the sleepiest morning skeptics). The aroma of vanilla and cinnamon will gently coax everyone to the kitchen, and this recipe’s ease means you can join them at the table, not stay stuck at the stove. Rich, comforting, and irresistibly lush, every forkful of this casserole tastes like those slow, joyful weekend mornings we all crave.

French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Great breakfast recipes don’t require a thousand fancy ingredients—just a handful of quality picks that work together to create magic. Each component in this French Toast Casserole Recipe builds on the other, giving you tender bread, a dreamy custard, and the perfect dash of spice.

French bread: Opt for a sturdy, day-old loaf so the cubes soak up the custard without becoming mushy.
Eggs: Eggs are the foundation of the custard, binding everything together for that classic French toast flavor.
Whole milk: The richness of whole milk ensures each bite is wonderfully moist and satisfying.
Heavy cream: Adds extra decadence and a silkier texture to the custard mixture.
Granulated sugar: Brings a gentle sweetness that balances the other flavors.
Brown sugar: Offers a hint of caramel-like depth and helps the casserole brown beautifully.
Vanilla extract: Just a couple teaspoons add those warm, inviting bakery aromas.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice—you can’t do French toast without it!
Ground nutmeg: Nutmeg rounds out the flavor and adds a subtle, homey warmth.
Salt: A pinch highlights the sweet notes and keeps things balanced.
Unsalted butter (melted): Poured on top before baking, it creates that irresistible golden finish.
Powdered sugar and maple syrup (for serving): Essential for the final flourish of sweetness and that classic brunch experience.

How to Make French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Base

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously—this will guarantee a smooth, easy release and make cleanup a breeze. Scatter the cubed French bread evenly into the dish. If your bread is a little stale, even better! Sturdier cubes really soak up all that rich custard and help the finished dish hold its shape.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, both sugars, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and beautifully combined. This is where the magic happens—the blend of spices and sugars is what makes every bite of this French Toast Casserole Recipe taste so homey and inviting.

Step 3: Combine and Soak

Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure to drench every piece. Gently press the bread down with your hands or a spatula to help it absorb as much of the custard as possible. This little step ensures a lusciously creamy center and avoids any dry pockets.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or (even better!) overnight. The longer soak allows all the flavors to mingle and ensures the bread is thoroughly infused with custard, yielding that quintessential melt-in-your-mouth French toast texture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Uncover the casserole and drizzle the melted butter all over the top for a gorgeously crisp, golden topping. Cover it with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking to lock in moisture, then uncover and continue baking for another 25 to 30 minutes, until the center is set and the edges are toasted to perfection.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Let the French Toast Casserole Recipe rest for about 10 minutes so it slices easily. Dust with a flurry of powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of maple syrup just before serving. What emerges from your oven: ultimate crowd-pleaser!

How to Serve French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

A final touch of powdered sugar is classic, but don’t stop there! A sprinkle of fresh berries, sliced bananas, chopped toasted nuts, or even a dollop of whipped cream add vibrant color and flavor. If you want extra crunch, that pecan-brown sugar topping from the notes brings just the right contrast to the soft, custardy middle.

Side Dishes

Balance out your sweet casserole with savory breakfast sides like crispy bacon, sizzling sausage, or a veggie-packed egg scramble. A bright fruit salad or a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice keeps brunch feeling vibrant, fresh, and complete. The French Toast Casserole Recipe truly plays well with all your favorite brunch classics.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd, keep it cozy by serving straight from the baking dish, letting everyone cut their own portions. Hosting a fancier brunch? Cut neat squares and arrange them on a platter, garnished with berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. You can also serve mini casserole squares in individual ramekins for a personalized, bistro-style touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which, honestly, is a rarity!), store cooled slices tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. The casserole actually tastes fantastic reheated, so don’t be afraid to make extra for easy weekday mornings.

Freezing

This French Toast Casserole Recipe freezes like a dream. Either freeze the entire baked casserole (once completely cooled) or individual portions wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the casserole into a 350°F oven, covered, for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. Individual portions can be quickly microwaved for a speedy breakfast. Just add a splash of syrup, and it’s as comforting as freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Breakfast

Absolutely! Challah or brioche work beautifully for a richer, almost dessert-like texture. Just make sure the bread isn’t too soft or thinly sliced—sturdier cubes give the best custardy bite.

Do I have to chill the casserole overnight?

While overnight is ideal for maximum creaminess and flavor, four hours in the fridge will still do the trick if you’re pressed for time. Just be sure the bread is well saturated with custard before baking.

Can I make this French Toast Casserole Recipe dairy free?

Yes! Swap the milk and cream for your favorite non-dairy alternatives (like almond or oat milk and coconut cream), and use vegan butter. The texture may be a little lighter, but the results are still deliciously satisfying.

How do I know when the casserole is done baking?

The center should be set and no longer jiggly, and the top golden brown. If you insert a knife into the center, it should come out mostly clean, though a little custardiness is okay—just not liquidy.

Can I add fruit, like blueberries or apples, into the casserole?

Definitely! Scatter a cup or two of your favorite fruit over the bread cubes before adding the custard. Blueberries, raspberries, sliced apples, or even diced peaches all work well and add bursts of fresh flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about gathering around a table for a homemade breakfast, and this French Toast Casserole Recipe captures all that coziness without any of the fuss. If you’re craving a sweet, family-friendly brunch centerpiece that’s as easy as it is impressive, give this recipe a try—you just might make it a tradition!

French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus chilling)
Yield: 8 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This French Toast Casserole is a delicious make-ahead breakfast option perfect for feeding a crowd. With a rich custard soaked into cubes of French bread and a hint of warm spices, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Bread:

1 loaf (about 14 oz) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

Egg Mixture:

8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For Serving:

powdered sugar and maple syrup

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Instructions

Prepare the Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the cubed bread evenly across the bottom.
Mix Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, spices, and salt until well combined.
Soak the Bread: Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently to help absorb the custard. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Drizzle melted butter over the casserole. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 25–30 minutes until set.
Serve: Let rest for 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar and drizzling with maple syrup.

Notes

For a crunchy topping, mix 1/2 cup chopped pecans with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and sprinkle over the casserole before baking.
You can substitute challah or brioche for a richer flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American