This Apple French Toast Casserole combines fluffy French toast and sweet cinnamon apples. The perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish with warm and cozy flavors in every bite!
Three things to love about this recipe
Make ahead: This French toast casserole is best if it sits in the fridge overnight which makes this a fantastic breakfast/brunch dish to prep in advance.
Fall flavors: Apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar give this French toast tons of cozy flavor. Try our pumpkin French toast casserole, too!
Feed a crowd: Hosting guests for breakfast or brunch? This dish is always met with rave reviews.
Recipe snapshot: 3 parts
Apple compote: Sauté diced apples with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon until tender and syrupy. These will get layered into the French toast.
French toast: Cubes of French bread soaked in a simple cinnamon-vanilla custard.
Brown sugar crumble: This sweet, crunchy, buttery topping adds a little crunch to the French Toast.
Recipe tips
Day old bread is best. the bread soaks up the custard better if it is on the drier side. Only have fresh bread? Cut it into cubes, spread on a baking sheet and leave at room temp for several hours (if you live in a dry environment like me) or dry it out in a low oven. It shouldn’t be toasted, just more dry than moist.
Timing: This French toast is best if it soaks overnight, so be sure to plan ahead. You can cook the apples and prepare the crumb topping up to two days in advance of assembly and store them in the fridge.
Serving suggestions: Maple syrup, whipped cream, and/or caramel sauce are all great. We even enjoy it without toppings!
Recipe
Apple French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Apple compote:
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup water or apple juice
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 4 apples peeled and finely diced, preferably firm/tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
French toast:
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- One 14-15 oz loaf French bread, cut into cubes, preferably a day or two old
Crumb topping:
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- pinch salt
Instructions
Apple compote (can be made up to two days in advance):
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon, and apples. Cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the liquid has thickened, about 10 minutes. If necessary, add a splash of water during cook time to keep the apples moist and syrupy. Set aside to cool to room temp then transfer to the fridge until assembly.
French toast assembly (allow time to soak overnight):
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, half and half, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Place half the bread cubes into the casserole dish. Top with half the apples. Place the remaining bread cubes on top and pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Press the bread down lightly to absorb the custard. Spoon the remaining apple mixture over the top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Continue with the topping.
Topping (can be made up to two days in advance):
- In a medium bowl combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add melted butter and stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to bake the French toast.
Baking:
- Remove the crumble from the fridge and let it sit at room temp while your oven is preheating. Preheat oven to 350°F. Crumble the topping over the top of the French toast and bake uncovered for 35-50 minutes, until the center is completely set and the French toast is baked to your liking. Serve warm with maple syrup and/or whipped cream.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Meriem @ Confessions of a Confectionista says
This sounds absolutely incredible! I love me some french toast always!
Jillian says
So “casserole” is a dinner word. Dinner just got really tasty!!
Claire@foodiequine says
Can I have an invite next time please! This looks sooo tasty. Love the short video too.
Kavita Favelle | Kavey Eats says
I’ve never made a baked breakfast casserole but the flavours and textures of your apple french toast bake look so good, and the recipe seems straightforward for me to follow. Definitely one to add to my Make list!
Amy | The Cook Report says
Apple and cinnamon are such perfect autumnal flavours, love this idea!
Dannii says
I am so ready for all the apple recipes and this just screams autumn.
Renee Gardner says
This would make an excellent option for Thanksgiving morning – the apples totally make it a healthy way to start your day!
Celebrating Sweets says
I’m with you on that!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That is a brilliant idea. It looks so good and it’s the prefect time of year to enjoy apples.
Jenn says
Hi! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
I’m wanting to make this for our Christmas breakfast, but we’ll be gone and crazy busy all of Xmas Eve.
My question is, can I cook the apples and make the custard tonight and put them in the fridge separately so on Xmas Eve night, I can put everything together in the casserole dish and put into the fridge like the recipe says to be baked in the morning?
I have no real experience with custards, so I’m not sure if I can make it ahead like that.
Thx!
-Jenn
Celebrating Sweets says
Hi, Jenn! Great questions. Yes, you can make the apples and the custard a day in advance. Just don’t combine them until the night before when you’re ready to soak the bread. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!
Rene says
Can this be frozen and eaten 1 week later?
Celebrating Sweets says
I have never tried it, but I would assume that you could do that. I would recommend covering it with foil when reheating, so that the top doesn’t dry out. Enjoy!