Easy, Make-Ahead & Perfect for Breakfast or Brunch

If you’re searching for the best French toast casserole recipe, you probably want something easy, comforting, flavorsome, and perfect for feeding a crowd—without unnecessary paragraphs or confusing instructions.
This recipe delivers exactly that. Crispy on top, soft and custard-like in the center, with warm cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery richness. You’ll get the full breakdown: ingredients, step-by-step method, overnight version, variations, mistakes to avoid, toppings, and storage tips.
Let’s get straight into it.

Why This French Toast Casserole Recipe Works

French toast casserole is popular because:

it’s fast and easy
you can prepare it ahead
it feeds a whole family
it tastes like bread pudding + classic French toast combined
But many recipes go wrong because the bread gets soggy, the custard isn’t seasoned well, or the top becomes too dry.
This recipe solves all of that with the right bread choice, correct custard ratio, and a buttery cinnamon topping.

Ingredients for the Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

Serves 8–10 people

For the Casserole

1 loaf brioche or challah (day-old is best)
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream (or substitute milk for lighter version)
¾ cup sugar (half white, half brown recommended)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Crumble Topping

½ cup cold butter (cubed)
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional Add-ins

blueberries
chopped strawberries
raisins
pecans
chocolate chips
maple syrup slices baked inside

French Toast Casserole Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps for a perfectly soft center and crispy top.

1. Prepare the bread

You want day-old bread because it absorbs the custard without turning mushy.

Cut brioche or challah into 1–1.5 inch cubes
Spread cubes evenly in a greased baking dish

If using fresh bread:

Bake cubes at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to dry them slightly

2. Make the custard mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

eggs
milk
heavy cream
sugar
cinnamon
vanilla
salt

Whisk until smooth. This is the heart of the casserole—rich, sweet, and creamy.

3. Pour custard over bread

Slowly pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
Use your hands or a spatula to gently press the bread down so it absorbs the custard.
Let it sit for 10 minutes (or overnight for stronger flavor).

4. Prepare the cinnamon crumble topping

Mix together:

cold butter
brown sugar
flour
cinnamon

Use your fingers to mix until crumbly.
Sprinkle generously on top of the soaked bread.
This is the crispy golden top the casserole is known for.

5. Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–50 minutes.

How to tell it’s done:

Top is golden brown
Center is set but slightly soft
Edges are crispy
If you prefer it softer, bake slightly less. For crispier texture, bake longer.

6. Serve warm

French toast casserole tastes best hot or warm.
Serve with:

maple syrup
powdered sugar
fresh berries
whipped cream
melted butter

Overnight French Toast Casserole (Make-Ahead Version)

One of the biggest advantages of this dish is how well it works as an overnight breakfast.

How to make overnight version:

Assemble casserole completely except topping
Cover and refrigerate overnight
Add the cinnamon crumble topping in the morning
Bake for 45–55 minutes

This gives the bread extra time to soak in flavor, making the center richer and creamier.

Why This French Toast Casserole Recipe Works Perfectly

1. Proper bread choice

Brioche and challah have structure + flavor.
They create a custard-soaked center without falling apart.

2. Balanced custard ratio

Too much milk = watery.
Too much egg = rubbery.
This ratio stays creamy and soft.

3. Cinnamon sugar topping

This gives the casserole a crispy texture that contrasts the soft inside.

4. Flexible preparation

Same excellent results whether baked immediately or overnight.

Flavor Variations You Should Try

1. Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Add fresh or frozen blueberries in the bread layer and sprinkle some on top before baking.

2. Strawberry Cream Cheese Version

Add small dollops of cream cheese and sliced strawberries between bread cubes.

3. Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake

Use cinnamon swirl bread instead of brioche.
Add extra cinnamon sugar.

4. Maple Pecan Version

Add crushed pecans and drizzle maple syrup into the custard.

5. Pumpkin Spice Version

Add ½ cup pumpkin puree + extra cinnamon + nutmeg.

6. Chocolate Chip Version

Add chocolate chips between bread cubes for a dessert-style bake.

7. Savory Version

Skip sugar and add:

cheddar
cooked sausage
cooked bacon
herbs

Turns into a breakfast casserole.

Common Mistakes People Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Using soft bread

Fresh soft bread turns soggy. Use day-old bread.

Mistake 2: Not letting bread soak long enough

Bread needs minimum 10 minutes to absorb custard.

Mistake 3: Overbaking

Overbaked casserole becomes dry and rubbery.

Mistake 4: Using too much sugar

The topping adds sweetness, so the custard shouldn’t be overly sweet.

Mistake 5: Adding topping too early (for overnight version)

Keeps it from becoming soggy before baking.

How to Serve French Toast Casserole

Best toppings:

maple syrup
powdered sugar
whipped cream
caramel drizzle
berry compote
cinnamon sugar
vanilla glaze

Best sides:

scrambled eggs
bacon or sausage
fruit salad
yogurt bowls
hot coffee or tea

How to Store & Reheat

Refrigerator

Keeps 3–4 days.
Cover tightly.

Freezer

Freezes well for 1–2 months.
Wrap tightly in plastic + foil.

Reheating

Oven: 10–15 minutes at 350°F
Microwave: 45–60 seconds per slice

Add a splash of milk on top before reheating to keep it moist.

Nutritional Notes

Calories vary by serving and topping, but most servings are 300–500 calories.
It includes:

carbs from bread
protein from eggs
fats from cream and butter

For a lighter version:

use whole milk instead of cream
reduce sugar
skip topping

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this without heavy cream?

Yes — use all milk, but the casserole will be less rich.

2. Can I use regular sandwich bread?

Not recommended. It becomes mushy.
Use brioche, challah, or French bread.

3. Can I use gluten-free bread?

Yes — as long as it’s firm and not too soft.

4. Can I add fruit?

Absolutely — blueberries, strawberries, apples, or bananas all work.

5. Can I reduce sweetness?

Yes — cut sugar by ⅓ without affecting texture.

Final Thoughts: The Only French Toast Casserole Recipe You Need

This french toast casserole recipe is easy, flexible, and perfect for any breakfast or brunch. With a soft, custardy center and a golden crisp top, it delivers the comfort of classic French toast with the convenience of a baked dish.