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Home » Breakfast » French Toast Casserole

Published: September 29, 2019 Last Modified: September 29, 2019 By Sara 13 Comments

French Toast Casserole

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French Toast Casserole Recipe | French Toast Bake #frenchtoast #casserole #breakfast #brunch #dinneratthezoo #bread

This french toast casserole is pieces of challah bread soaked in a sweet custard mixture, then topped with cinnamon streusel and baked to golden brown perfection. A make ahead breakfast option that’s perfect for serving a crowd.

I love to host brunch parties, and I look for recipes that can be prepared in advance, yet are hearty enough to satisfy the biggest appetites. Some of my favorite brunch options include hash brown egg casserole, baked oatmeal and this decadent french toast casserole.

French Toast Casserole Recipe | French Toast Bake #frenchtoast #casserole #breakfast #brunch #dinneratthezoo #bread French Toast Casserole Recipe | French Toast Bake #frenchtoast #casserole #breakfast #brunch #dinneratthezoo #bread

A piece of french toast casserole with syrup being poured over the top.

My kids request french toast for breakfast all the time, but who has time to stand at the stove flipping piece after piece of bread? This french toast casserole is so much easier to make, and you can even assemble it the night before, then pop it in the oven in the morning when you’re ready to eat!

How do you make french toast casserole?

French toast casserole is made in two parts, the casserole and the cinnamon streusel topping. To make the casserole, cut up bread cubes and place them in a baking pan. Make a custard mixture to pour over the bread by whisking together eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, cream and vanilla. Let the bread soak in the egg mixture in the fridge for at least a few hours so that it has time to absorb all the flavors.

For the cinnamon streusel topping, mix together flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt in a bowl. Take cold slices of butter and mix them in until topping turns into crumbles. When you are ready to bake the french toast, just put the crumbles over the bread mixture and bake it all together. Once the french toast is browned and cooked through, take it out of the oven, let it cool a bit and serve it with syrup and fresh fruit.

Cubes of bread in a baking dish.

Tips for french toast casserole

  • Cut the bread into similar sized pieces so that they will absorb the egg mixture at the same rate and cook evenly.
  • The casserole must be refrigerated for a minimum of 2 hours to let the egg mixture soak in before baking it, but refrigerating it overnight is even better!
  • You can also make the streusel the night before. Just store it separately from the casserole in a bag in the refrigerator, then sprinkle it over the casserole before it goes in the oven.
  • Top your casserole with fresh fruit, maple syrup, whipped cream or a combination of the three.

A mixture of milk and eggs being poured over cubes of bread.

How long does french toast casserole last in the refrigerator?

Cooked french toast casserole stays good in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warmed through.

What is the best bread for french toast?

The best breads for french toast are fluffy so they can absorb the egg, milk and sugar and they are sturdy so that they maintain their shape. I like to use challah bread because it soaks up liquids well and has a great flavor. If I don’t have any challah around, I like to get a loaf of french bread or brioche. French bread is a little less sturdy, but it has a nice, mild flavor. Brioche is a little more firm and has a rich, buttery flavor. Another option is a loaf of sourdough, which will bring sour and savory notes to the dish.

Regardless of what bread you choose, get a whole, unsliced loaf so that you can cut your own cubes of bread that are large enough to hold their shape.

French toast bake topped with cinnamon streusel.

Can you freeze baked french toast?

You can freeze baked french toast. Refrigerate the casserole and cut it into squares. Individually wrap those slices in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to go in the freezer. You can keep the casserole in the freezer for up to 3 months. To warm up a slice, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator, then microwave it for 30 seconds or until warm.

A dish of french toast casserole topped with brown sugar streusel.

This french toast casserole is a great way to make french toast for a crowd without standing over a griddle. The flavors and textures just can’t be beat!

More breakfast recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Cinnamon Rolls
  • Dutch Baby Pancake
  • Buttermilk Waffles
  • Sticky Buns
A piece of french toast casserole with syrup being poured over the top.
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5 from 12 votes

French Toast Casserole

This french toast casserole is pieces of challah bread soaked in a sweet custard mixture, then topped with cinnamon streusel and baked to golden brown perfection. A make ahead breakfast option that's perfect for serving a crowd.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Soaking Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 441kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

For the casserole

  • 16 ounce loaf challah bread cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 8 eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • cooking spray
  • maple syrup and fruit for serving optional

For the topping

  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 12 tablespoons butter cold, cut into slices

Instructions

  • Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray.
  • Place the bread cubes in an even layer in the pan.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or over night.
  • Place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Add the butter to the bowl. Use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the butter into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs form.
  • Refrigerate the streusel mixture until you're ready to use it.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle the streusel mixture over the french toast.
  • Bake for 50-60 minutes until casserole is browned and cooked through. If the casserole looks like it's browning too quickly before the bake time is over, cover it with foil.
  • Cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares. Serve with maple syrup and fruit if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 176mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg
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Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch

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    Comments

    1. Amanda says

      April 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for the granddaughters when they slept over and they inhaled it! We also loved it!

      Reply
    2. Myra says

      June 29, 2020 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      I added chopped pecans on top of the streusel topping and it was yummy. This French toast casserole smells so good when it’s baking. My kids and hubby loved it. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      October 2, 2019 at 10:38 pm

      5 stars
      This is seriously making me hungry! This is such an exciting idea!

      Reply
    4. Melanie says

      October 2, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      Love that your recipe uses challah bread – yum!

      Reply
    5. Natalie says

      October 2, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      Seriously the best breakfast casserole!! It’s my go-to, especially when I have guests. It’s always a crowd pleaser!

      Reply
    6. Emily says

      October 2, 2019 at 12:24 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t get enough of this French toast casserole. Holy yum!

      Reply
    7. April says

      October 2, 2019 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      This is so delicious! Always a big hit at our house!

      Reply
    8. Katie says

      October 2, 2019 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, what a DELICIOUS breakfast idea! So excited to try this as we are big french toast lovers!

      Reply
    9. Lauren Kelly says

      October 2, 2019 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      I surprised my kids with this this morning and it was a huge hit! I love a make ahead breakfast!

      Reply
    10. Katerina says

      October 2, 2019 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      Oh WOW!! This sounds incredible!! Perfect for the weekend!

      Reply
    11. Catalina says

      October 2, 2019 at 6:46 am

      5 stars
      This is my husband’s favorite brunch! I will make your recipe this weekend!

      Reply
    12. Jacque Hastert says

      October 1, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      Breakfast casseroles are the best casseroles! We eat them for breakfast, brunch, and sometimes dinner. It just depends on what our mood is at that time. Thanks for sharing this one.

      Reply
    13. annie says

      October 1, 2019 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      We are having a family reunion this weekend and I’m bringing this! It looks amazing!

      Reply

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