French Toast Casserole Recipe
French toast casserole recipe lovers, rejoice—this rich, custardy bake is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast dish with irresistible cinnamon sweetness and golden, buttery topping in every bite.
Whether you’re hosting brunch or craving something cozy, this French toast casserole recipe delivers fuss-free comfort with just a few pantry staples and an overnight chill.
Key Players in This French Toast Casserole Delight
- Sourdough bread – The heart of the dish, its sturdy crumb soaks up the custard while holding shape for a perfect texture.
- Eggs – Bind everything together with a velvety, rich base that turns golden and puffy in the oven.
- Milk – Adds moisture and softness, ensuring the casserole stays creamy and luscious throughout.
- Heavy cream – Adds decadent richness, giving the custard a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Vanilla extract – Infuses the casserole with a warm, aromatic depth that enhances the sweetness.
- Sugar – Balances the flavors, sweetens the custard, and rounds out the spices.
- Brown sugar – Caramel-like and cozy, it sweetens the topping for a crunchy contrast.
- All-purpose flour – Gives structure to the topping, forming delicious, golden clumps when baked.
- Butter – Cold and cubed, it creates a crumbly streusel topping that melts into the bread.
- Ground cinnamon – Brings warmth and nostalgic flavor to both the custard and topping.
How to Make This Cozy Bake
Start by cutting a loaf of hearty bread into cubes and scattering it in a buttered baking dish. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla into a smooth custard and pour it all over the bread, letting it soak overnight.
For the topping, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the butter until crumbly and chill it separately. When morning comes, simply sprinkle the topping over the custard-soaked bread and bake until puffed, golden, and irresistible.
French Toast Casserole Tips & Tasty Variations
For best results, use day-old bread—it holds up better to the custard and gives the perfect tender-inside, crisp-outside finish. If you like a softer texture, bake for closer to 45 minutes. Want it firmer with a crisp top? Go for the full hour.
Feel like mixing things up? Add blueberries or chopped apples to the base before chilling. Prefer a savory spin? Try folding in cooked sausage or smoky bacon and swapping vanilla for a pinch of nutmeg and sharp cheese.
You can also make it your own by swapping the bread—brioche and challah are rich and soft, while French bread adds chewiness. For a tropical vibe, try pineapple and toasted coconut in the filling.
Keep It Fresh: Storing & Reheating Made Easy
Leftovers are a dream—store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or pop them in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to revive that crispy topping.
Planning ahead? Freeze the unbaked casserole (without topping) tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, add the topping, and bake as directed. Baked leftovers also freeze well—just wrap tightly, thaw, and reheat until warmed through.
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the French Toast Base
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 loaf sourdough bread cubed (or substitute with challah, brioche, or French bread)
- 8 large eggs
For the Crumble Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter cold and diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and distribute them evenly across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sugar until smooth. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or preferably overnight to allow for full absorption.
- To prepare the crumble topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Cut the cold butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or fork until a crumbly texture is formed. Transfer the topping into a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate until use.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap from the casserole and sprinkle the prepared topping evenly over the surface.
- Bake uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, adjusting the time depending on your preference for a softer or firmer texture.
Notes
Optional Add-ins: For savory variations, consider including crumbled bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, green chilies, or chorizo. For a sweeter profile, incorporate sliced apples, blueberries, chopped pecans, pineapple chunks, orange zest, or apricots.