French Toast Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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French toast casserole is a great way to use up old bread that is past its prime. I also love being able to use up a dozen eggs quickly when the chickens are laying more in spring. This French toast breakfast casserole recipe is easy to prepare the night before, and even easier to pop into the oven the following morning. The cinnamon sugar topping is sweet, and the eggs and bread taste exactly the way French toast is supposed to taste.

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Breakfast casseroles are great for many different reasons. I love being able to make them at night before so that breakfast is fuss-free the following morning.

I also love that it can feed a crowd. I’ve served this casserole many times when the kids have sleepovers. And the kids always enjoy it.

On Saturday night, you’ll find me in the kitchen prepping a breakfast casserole so that Sunday mornings go smoother. The family gets to enjoy a delicious breakfast that I didn’t have to sweat over, and we still make it out the door in time to go to church.

It also makes the house smell heavenly!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make ahead – This French toast casserole recipe is simple to make ahead, and fuss free to bake the following day. I appreciate the added flexibility casseroles give me.

Simple – Casseroles like this are simple and easy to make, and you almost can’t mess them up. The outcome will be delicious.

Satisfying – This is the kind of breakfast that is perfect on days when you need something delicious and satisfying that will stick to your bones. Whether it’s a church day or a long morning of work, this French toast casserole will give you the energy you need to keep going.

Ingredients

Eggs – This is an egg-heavy casserole recipe. Use a dozen eggs so that you get a nice custardy French toast.

Bread – Use a loaf of crusty French bread or six thick slices of older sandwich bread to make the toast part of this French toast. Using homemade bread will make it more delicious and nutritious, but use what you have.

Sugar – Add a touch of sweetness to this breakfast casserole so that you recreate a sweet French toast flavor. I prefer using organic cane sugar because of the subtle notes of molasses and vanilla, but use what you have.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Tools You May Need

• 9×13 pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl with a fork or whisk
• Cutting board and knife
• Plastic zip top bag

How to Make French Toast Casserole

This simple recipe will make 12 generous servings of French toast casserole.

Make the French Toast Casserole

First, grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 pan with avocado oil.

Then cut six thick slices of bread into cubes, and spread it over the bottom of the pan.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, and vanilla extract. Then stir in the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Mix well.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. If you see that any of the bread cubes is floating on top of the egg mixture, gently push it down with a fork so that it’s coated with egg.

Cover the pan with a lid or plastic wrap, and stick it in the refrigerator overnight or at least 8 hours. I like to use stainless steel 9×13 pans that have a lid. It makes storing it in the fridge that much easier.

Make the Sweet Topping

I like to use freshly milled flour, but all purpose flour works, too. You’ll need flour, lightly packed light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, sea salt, and ground nutmeg.

Pour all the ingredients into a zip top sandwich bag. If you fold the zip top part down, the bag will stay open for you.

Once all ingredients are in the bag, zip it shut and shake it until the dry ingredients are well combined.

Keep both the 9×13 pan of uncooked French toast casserole and the bag of sweet topping together in the fridge overnight.

Bake the French Toast Casserole

When you’re ready to bake your French toast casserole the following morning, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Sprinkle the sweet topping evenly over the French toast casserole. If you want to make this dish extra decadent, you can also drizzle melted butter or maple syrup on top.

Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes for a soft bread pudding texture, and up to 1 hour for a more firm texture.

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes because the eggs will be all puffy and the casserole will look inflated when you first pull it out of the oven. But after a few minutes, the eggs will settle down.

This casserole makes 12 generous slices. Refrigerate any leftovers. I think it tastes even better the next day!

Tips

• Save bread scraps in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer so that you can make this casserole. No need to waste any bread you make! The best types of bread for this casserole are crusty loaves like French bread and sandwich bread that’s a little past its prime.
• You don’t actually have to wait for your oven to reach 350°F before popping your casserole pan into the oven to bake. I love this part of baking a French toast casserole. It makes the morning so much simpler. Simply pull the 9×13 pan out of the fridge along with the sweet topping. Then set your oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping all over and pop the whole thing into the oven regardless of the temperature. It turns out great every time!

What to Serve with French Toast Casserole

Sausage – French toast casserole is delicious all by itself. But adding a side of sausage is a delicious side.

Bacon – Bacon is delicious with this casserole. It’s also great if you chop the bacon up and sprinkle it on top of your cooked French toast casserole.

Fresh fruit – Enjoy this casserole with a side of fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, melon, or another favorite fruit. Fruit salad rounds out the meal nicely.

Maple syrup – If you’re serving this casserole as part of a buffet, be sure to include some warm maple syrup or your favorite pancake syrup. It’s delicious drizzled on top.

Whipped cream – Adding a dollop of maple vanilla whipped cream makes this casserole extra decadent. I don’t serve it like this all the time…just on special occasions.

Powdered sugar – If you want to make this casserole a bit sweeter and fancier, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of a generous slice and include some on the plate.

More Breakfast Recipes from the Farm

• Best Homemade Pancake Recipe Using Fresh Milled Flour
• Cook Eggs in a Cast Iron Skillet Without Sticking
• Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Biscuits Recipe (No Milk)

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Also, tag me on Instagram @rivers.family.farm.