This sweet breakfast casserole serves up everything that you love about this classic in an easy, oven baked recipe. My easy French Toast Casserole, made with brioche, is sweet, buttery, and delicious! Add a few slices of crispy bacon on the side to round out a weekend breakfast treat for the whole family!
French toast has always been one of my favorites for a weekend breakfast. Even more so when the recipe is made with brioche! Who can resist the lovely, tender texture of eggy, butter-rich brioche?
This easy French Toast Casserole recipe is a great way to serve a delectable, sweet breakfast at home with minimal prep and is especially good for a large group because it makes a full 9×13 pan!
Whether you bake it right away or refrigerate it overnight and cook it in the morning, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!
Recipe Snapshot: French Toast Casserole
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven
Primary Ingredients: Brioche, eggs, milk, light brown sugar, butter, pecans
Skill Level: Easy
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What Makes This Recipe Special
What I like most about this French toast casserole is how it can feel both effortless and indulgent at the same time. It’s the sort of recipe that encourages you to slow down and enjoy the morning with the rich, custardy center and buttery top that everyone expects from good French toast.
The ingredients are simple, and they come together in the best way. It makes a great option on the brunch buffet for a crowd or on a weekend family breakfast table. This is one of those recipes that always feels like a bit of a special treat.
Key Ingredients
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- Brioche – In case you’re wondering, brioche is a bread with French origins. It’s generally richer with more eggs and butter than other types of bread. Most grocery store bakeries offer brioche for purchase. The brioche used in this recipe is approximately 1.5 ounces per slice for a total of 13.5 ounces. If brioche is simply not available, you can certainly substitute the same amount of challah or French bread if needed.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg – Classic spices for custard mixtures like this one.
- Light Brown Sugar – Used in both the custard and the topping. Its molasses flavor adds a lovely contrast to the other, more subdued ingredients.
- Chopped Pecans – Used in the topping to add crunchy texture and a slightly savory background flavor.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make French Toast Casserole
STEP 1. Generously butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
STEP 2. Cut the bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.
STEP 3. Spread the bread cubes evenly into the buttered dish.
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STEP 4. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, milk, vanilla extract, and light brown sugar. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.
STEP 5. Pour the mixture carefully over the bread cubes.
STEP 6. Using a fork or wooden spoon, lightly press the bread down to submerge it in the egg mixture.
STEP 7. Make the topping mixture by combining the remaining light brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and pecans in a small mixing bowl. Pour the topping mixture evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish.
STEP 8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Set aside while you preheat the oven.
STEP 9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 10. Transfer the casserole dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
STEP 11. Carefully remove the aluminum foil and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
STEP 12. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- The use of brioche in this recipe results in a very distinct texture and flavor but please do substitute another bread if you like. The recipe will work well with challah, French bread, Italian bread, ciabatta, cinnamon swirl bread, or homemade white bread.
- For a lighter recipe, substitute the whole milk with 2%.
- For a richer result, use 2 cups whole milk and ½ cup heavy cream.
- Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins to the bread cubes.
Serving Ideas
- Top individual servings with syrup or powdered sugar if desired.
- Add fresh berries or other fresh fruit on the side. We especially enjoy strawberries and blueberries with this.
- I always like to include a savory side with a sweet breakfast such as this. Delicious, crispy bacon is perfect as is my Spicy Breakfast Sausage!
- Don’t forget the coffee or milk!
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two days.
To reheat individual portions, either warm them in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through or in an air fryer at 320 F for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep in mind that the texture of reheated leftovers won’t be quite the same as fresh.
Questions About French Toast Casserole
You can cut the crust off the bread if you like, but there’s no real reason to remove it.
Absolutely, yes. As a matter of fact, stale bread is even better since it will absorb the milk mixture best. If you have a partial loaf of bread in your pantry, feel free to use that!
If the casserole is still wet, continue baking in 3-minute increments until you feel it’s done. If the tops of the bread cubes start to brown too much, lightly place a sheet of aluminum foil over the dish. Let the casserole sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to allow the bread to absorb the excess liquid.
More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Like
Overnight Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Crescent Roll Breakfast Stacks
Broiled Grapefruit
Easy French Toast
Have a question or thought to share?
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Recipe
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 9 slices brioche cubed (approximately 1.5 ounces per slice)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
For the topping:
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons salted butter melted
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Generously butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Cut the bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.9 slices brioche
- Spread the bread cubes evenly into the buttered dish.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the eggs, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, milk, vanilla extract, and light brown sugar. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.6 large eggs, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 ½ cups whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- Pour the mixture carefully over the bread cubes.
- Using a fork or wooden spoon, lightly press the bread down to submerge it in the custard mixture.
- Make the topping mixture by combining the remaining light brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and pecans in a small mixing bowl. Pour the topping mixture evenly over the ingredients in the baking dish.3 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 4 tablespoons salted butter, ½ cup chopped pecans
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Set aside while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove the aluminum foil and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers well wrapped in the fridge for up to two days.
- Reheat individual portions, either in the microwave in 30-second increments or in an air fryer at 320 F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Substitute any “sturdy” bread such as challah, French bread, Italian bread, or ciabatta for the brioche.
- For a lighter recipe, substitute the whole milk with 2%; for a richer result, use 2 cups whole milk and ½ cup heavy cream.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.