This apple French toast casserole is full of cozy warming flavors to impress guests, or celebrate a relaxing weekend with the family.
Bread cubes are soaked in sweet, cinnamon-spiced eggs and cream with a layer of juicy apple slices, and baked until fluffy and fragrant.
Crown it with crispy streusel for a luxurious breakfast that will bring smiles of delight all around!
Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Perfect to make for special occasions like Mother’s Day!
- This recipe can be prepped the night before and baked in the morning, perfect for busy mornings or weekend guests.
- Using simple ingredients makes for a cozy dish with extravagant flavor.
Ingredients and Variations
Bread – The best bread for overnight apple French toast casserole is brioche or other egg-based breads that are rich and spongy. You can also use commercial white bread, cinnamon bread, or homemade no-knead bread. Just be sure to allow bread cubes to dry so they will absorb the egg mixture better.
Batter – Eggs and full fat dairy will make for a moist and fluffy casserole. You can also switch out some of the half and half for heavy cream if you want an extra rich dish.
Apples – Tart Granny Smiths are the go-to apple for baking, but you can use any crisp, firm apple you have. Switch out or add to the apple layer with fresh or frozen and thawed blueberries, peaches, or banana.
Variations – Get creative with spices. Apple pie or pumpkin spice mixes will add extra dimension to the cinnamon and vanilla. Add raisins, cranberries, chopped walnuts, or coconut for flavor and texture.
How to Make Apple French Toast Casserole
- Slice bread into 1-inch slices and then into uniformly sized cubes. Cut off the crust if it is hard or dense.
- In a large bowl, mix eggs with liquid ingredients and spices until smooth, as directed in the recipe below.
- In a greased casserole, add half the bread cubes and layer with sliced apples, then layer with remaining bread cubes.
- Pour the egg mixture on top, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour (or overnight).
- Top with streusel (if using) and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Streusel
Make this easy topping and add just before baking.
- Blend flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats using a fork or pastry blender.
- Sprinkle over casserole, and bake as directed in the recipe.
French Toast Casserole Toppings
Enjoy French toast casserole overnight with an array of toppings. Try cinnamon sugar, apple butter, fresh fruit and berries, strawberry jam chopped nuts, or strawberry butter mixed with softened cream cheese.
Storing French Toast Casserole
Need to prep for company or the holidays? Assemble this French Toast overnight casserole in a baking dish, cover with foil and then plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking as per directions in the recipe.
Leftover casserole can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick and easy weekday breakfast.
To reheat entire casserole, cover with foil and place in the oven until heated through.
Other Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Did you try this Apple French Toast Casserole? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Apple French Toast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups half and half cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- zest of ½ lemon optional
- 8 cups dry bread cubes
- 3 apples sliced will cook best
Optional Streusel Topping
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup quick oats
- 4 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Mix together eggs, milk, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon (and zest if using).
- Add 3 cups of the bread cubes to a greased casserole dish or pan. Layer sliced apples on top and add remaining bread cubes.
- Pour egg mixture on top, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, remove French Toast Casserole from the refrigerator and preheat oven to 350°F.
- If adding streusel topping, mix all ingredients using a pastry cutter or fork (or prepare the night before) and sprinkle over the top of the dish.
- Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. If the top is getting really browned, loosely place foil for remainder of cook time.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. The French toast casserole puffs up while baking and settles after it's been out of the oven for a few minutes.
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional streusel topping.
- You can freeze this casserole 2-3 months ahead of baking. Assemble in the baking dish, cover with aluminum foil, and then plastic wrap and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Cover with foil to reheat in the oven.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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I can smell the apples cooking and it feels like Fall. Candace’s husband