Best French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

The Best French Toast Casserole Recipe happens to be an easy overnight dish that can be completely prepared ahead of time. This is French toast bake is about to become a favorite among your family and friends.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is French Toast Casserole?

A French toast casserole is a popular breakfast or brunch dish made by layering slices of bread in a baking dish, soaking them in a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, and baking until it’s cooked through and golden.

What type of bread is best for French toast casserole?

Sturdy and thick bread like French bread, brioche, challah, or sourdough is ideal because it can absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy. Avoid thin or light breads.

Can I use regular sandwich bread for French toast casserole?

While you can use regular sandwich bread, it’s not the best choice, as the heartier bread varieties mentioned above hold their shape and texture during baking and can handle soaking up the egg custard. If you’d like to use regular sandwich bread, we recommend this French Toast Casserole with Streusel.

How long should I soak the bread for French toast casserole?

You should allow the bread to soak in the egg mixture for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator for the best results.

What is the difference between French toast casserole and bread pudding?

These two dishes are similar in that they both use bread and a custard-like mixture, but they can have different textures and flavors. French toast casserole is often sweeter and resembles traditional French toast, while bread pudding is typically denser and may have a more custard-like texture.

Best French Toast Casserole

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The Best French Toast Casserole Recipe also happens to be an easy overnight dish that can be completely prepared ahead of time. This will become a favorite among your family and friends.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

½ cup salted butter, melted (1 stick)
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 loaf Texas Toast, Not frozen; found in fresh sliced bread aisle
4 large eggs
1 ½ cup milk, whole or low-fat
1 TB vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
⅛ tsp table salt

Cinnamon sugar mixture

2 TB light brown sugar, packed
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional toppings

powdered sugar, real maple syrup, fresh berries

Instructions

Use hand whisk to combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated. Mixture should be about 2 3/4 cup total. Set aside.
Put butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until well incorporated. Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
Lay a single layer of Texas Toast in pan (about 6 whole slices), cutting additional pieces to fill pan bottom, if needed. Very gradually and slowly brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges – do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.
Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer, using another 6 slices or so of bread. Slowly brush remaining egg mixture over that layer, again paying special attention to the edges. Ensure all slices are well saturated.End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread.
Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for the first 30 minutes, and uncovered after that.
Be sure to scrape up all the bottom sticky goodness when serving. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Notes

If you don’t have time to chill overnight, let the casserole soak for at least 35 minutes at room temp before baking.
For substitutions, variations, and serving suggestions, see original article.
French bread casserole is best served fresh. Leftovers can be wrapped airtight and kept at mild room temperature for a day, or chilled for several days. For best results, reheat in the oven.
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We ❤️ hearing from you.

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Nutrition (per serving)

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Method: Bake

Best French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my French toast casserole soggy? ›

It could be because of the bread you used. If the bread you start with is too soft (such as white sandwich bread), it won't absorb all of the wonderful custard that it should, and it might end up soggy. If you find yourself with a soggy casserole, for whatever reason, try baking it a bit longer until it firms up some.

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Should you dry out bread for French toast casserole? ›

You can buy it a day or two ahead of time because slightly dry bread absorbs the liquid really well. Don't fret if you have fresh bread though, I often don't dry out my bread and it works great; I actually like it extra soft like that.

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Is heavy cream or milk better for French toast? ›

A creamy custard is the key to incredible French toast, so skip the watery skim milk and go for whole milk or half-and-half. Straight heavy cream turns French toast into dessert, so lean that way if you're looking for decadence.

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Should I cook French toast in butter or oil? ›

Butter gives French toast a deep richness and comforting quality, which are what we crave on mornings we sizzle this breakfast staple. To prevent burning or smoking, use a combination of butter and oil in the pan to cook the toast.

Why is my French toast falling apart? ›

The reason? "If you use fresh bread, it will soak up the [custard] so quickly that you run the risk of your French toast falling apart," explains Traci Weintraub, founder and head chef at Gracefully Fed. Alternatively, "slightly stale bread tends to hold up better in the liquid mixture," she says.