French Toast Casserole

This French Toast Casserole is a cozy, make-ahead breakfast baked with a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and finished with a buttery crumble topping—perfect for holidays, brunch, or any morning you want something special without extra effort.

Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole

• Perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch – Prep it the night before and let the custard soak into the bread while you sleep. In the morning, just add the topping and bake.

• Soft, custardy center with a buttery crumble top – The egg-rich base creates a bread-pudding-like interior, while the cinnamon-nutmeg topping bakes into a crisp, golden finish.

• Customizable for any crowd – Serve it simply with syrup, or dress it up with fresh berries, whipped cream, toasted pecans, or even cranberries baked right into the casserole.

• Feeds a group with ease – This 9×13 French toast casserole is ideal for holidays, overnight guests, or relaxed weekend mornings when everyone eats at different times.

• Comforting but not fussy – Classic flavors, simple ingredients, and no standing at the stove flipping slices. It’s cozy, familiar, and reliably delicious.

• Great leftovers – Reheats beautifully for breakfast the next day, making it just as practical as it is indulgent.

I first tried French Toast Casserole years ago, long before it became a holiday breakfast staple. A friend brought a cinnamon-scented, pastry-style version to a potluck, and it left a lasting impression. I’ve been making my own version ever since, and it’s become one of my most reliable make-ahead breakfasts.

These days, breakfast casseroles are everywhere, including savory favorites like my Sausage Breakfast Casserole, which many of you already know and love. French Toast Casserole now feels almost expected on the holiday breakfast table. Still, I’m always surprised that we tend to save it just for special occasions. This recipe is incredibly easy, nearly foolproof, and deserves a place in your kitchen all year long. Whenever I want to serve something that feels special without much effort, this is the recipe I turn to. It also adapts beautifully—halve it for a smaller group, or dress it up with toppings to turn it into a simple yet elegant dessert.

How Do You Make French Toast Casserole?

To make French Toast Casserole, start by cubing French bread and spreading it in a buttered baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then pour the mixture evenly over the bread. Refrigerate the casserole so the bread absorbs the custard. Just before baking, sprinkle the buttery topping over the casserole and bake until the center is set and the top turns golden.

How Long Should French Toast Casserole Refrigerate Before Baking?

Most French Toast Casserole recipes recommend refrigerating the casserole overnight. However, after making this recipe many times, I’ve found that four hours is usually enough. The key is allowing the egg custard to fully soak into the bread before baking.

If you have the time, refrigerating the casserole for up to 24 hours works just as well and can make morning prep even easier. For best results, refrigerate the casserole for at least four hours, which gives the bread plenty of time to absorb the custard and bake evenly.

How do you create the crispy top of French Toast Casserole?

A mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cold butter are mixed together and sprinkled over the casserole before baking to help create a crispy streusel topping that adds great texture and flavor.

The French Toast Casserole right out of the oven is ready for lots of great toppings and can be cut or just scooped for individual servings.

Is French Toast Casserole Similar to Bread Pudding?

French Toast Casserole is very similar to bread pudding, especially in texture. Both rely on an egg-and-milk custard that soaks into bread before baking. The main difference comes down to baking time and the addition of a crumble topping. If you bake the casserole for about 45 minutes, the center stays soft and custardy, much like a traditional bread pudding.

For a more classic French toast texture with a firmer bite and a crisp, golden topping, bake the casserole for one full hour. This longer bake time sets the custard completely while allowing the topping to brown without burning, giving you the best balance of creamy interior and crunchy top.

Best Toppings for French Toast Casserole

Classic toppings like warm real maple syrup and fresh berries are always a hit, but this French Toast Casserole is easy to dress up or keep simple. A drizzle of melted butter along with syrup adds extra richness, while toasted nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or even macadamia nuts bring welcome crunch. For a more dessert-style presentation, serve with freshly whipped cream on the side.

If cranberries are in season, scatter them over the bread before baking so they soften and melt into the custard as it cooks. Blueberries work beautifully this way too, adding bursts of sweetness throughout the casserole.

Substitutions

• Bread: French bread and sourdough work best, but brioche or challah can be used for an even richer, softer texture. Slightly stale bread is ideal for soaking up the custard.

• Milk & Cream: Whole milk plus half-and-half creates a perfect balance, but you may use all whole milk or substitute heavy cream for an extra-luxurious result.

• Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well. Dark brown sugar adds a deeper molasses flavor.

• Spices: Nutmeg adds warmth, but you can substitute pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for a seasonal twist.

• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter both work for the topping; if using salted, simply reduce the added salt slightly.

How to serve leftover French Toast Casserole?

Any leftover French Toast Casserole can be refrigerated up to three days, covered with plastic wrap. Reheat the casserole in your oven until warm in the center, or microwave individual servings. Always heat the syrup before serving, it’s the only way to serve it in my book.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with butter and real maple syrup for a classic breakfast.

• Add fresh blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries for brightness and contrast.

• Top with freshly whipped cream to turn this into a brunch-worthy or dessert-style casserole.

• Sprinkle with toasted or candied pecans for extra crunch and flavor.

• Pair with a savory dish like your Sausage Breakfast Casserole for a balanced holiday or brunch spread.

Whether for breakfast or an evening’s dessert, if you love French Toast, anything with maple syrup and cinnamon, and especially if you like bread pudding, this is a must-try for you. For a quicker, stovetop option, try this Chocolate French Toast with rich cocoa flavor and optional candied bacon. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Be sure to share your pictures on Instagram and tag @gooddinnermom so I can see it. Happy baking.

Pin

Print Recipe

4.94 from 15 votes

French Toast Casserole

This French Toast Casserole is a simple, make-ahead breakfast made with cubes of bread soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and finished with a buttery crumble topping. Prep it ahead, bake it fresh, and serve it warm with syrup and berries for an easy brunch or holiday breakfast.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword baking, Breakfast, brunch, comfort

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Refrigerator time 4 hours hours

Servings 12 people

Calories 350

Author Sally Humeniuk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

French Toast:

• Butter, for greasing baking dish
• 1 loaf French bread or sourdough
• 10 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup half and half or whipping cream
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar packed firm
• 2 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar packed firm
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup butter cold, cut into pieces

Topping options for serving:

• Warm syrup
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• whipped cream
• chopped pecans
• melted butter

Instructions

For the French Toast:

• Generously grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with butter. Cut 1 loaf French bread or sourdough loaf into 1-inch cubes and distribute evenly in the casserole dish.
  Butter, for greasing baking dish, 1 loaf French bread or sourdough
• In a large bowl, add eggs, milk,half and half, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk together until well combined. Slowly pour the egg mixture over all of the bread. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator so the egg mixture can finish soaking all of the bread; at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
  10 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup half and half or whipping cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Topping:

• Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir together with a fork. Add ½ cup cold butter cubes and with a pastry cutter, mix it all together until the butter is broken up into pea-size crumbles. Store covered or in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to bake the casserole.
  ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg,, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup butter

Bake the French Toast Casserole:

• When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 325° F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, uncover it, and evenly sprinkle the topping mixture over it. Bake the casserole for 45 minutes if you like a softer bread pudding texture, or for one hour if you want the top more crisp and the French toast to be more firm (both are excellent).
• Remove the casserole from the oven and cut into individual servings or just scoop out with a large spoon. Top with melted butter, warm syrup, and 1 cup fresh blueberries.

Options for additional toppings or add ins:

• Additional toppings include freshly whipped cream for more of a dessert option; toasted or candied pecans, chopped. Any other berries are great including raspberries or cranberries (Cranberries are excellent if you add it to the chopped bread before pouring the egg mixture over. Then the cranberries soften and kind of melt into the custard. This is possible with the blueberries too, if desired).
  Warm syrup, 1 cup fresh blueberries, whipped cream, chopped pecans, melted butter
• Leftovers will keep wonderfully for about three days in the refrigerator, though if the top of the casserole was crisp at first baking, it softens up in storage. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Equipment

9 x 13 baking or casserole dish

Notes

• The French toast casserole is equally good when refrigerated for four hours before baking as it is if refrigerating for 24 hours beforehand. Four hours is the minimum to help the egg mixture to soak the bread.
• Delicious with fresh berries sprinkled on top at serving, the casserole is also great if you add some berries into the casserole with the bread cubes.
• If you like nuts, add some to the topping before baking for added crunch and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

French Toast Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 350 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 167mg56%

Sodium 285mg12%

Potassium 187mg5%

Carbohydrates 50g17%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 25g28%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 529IU11%

Calcium 109mg11%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe adapted from my friend Janet, aka JBR.