French Toast Casserole
French Toast Casserole is an easy baked casserole with flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar and caramel. This is the Best French toast casserole recipe you will find.
Make ahead breakfast casseroles are perfect for the Holidays or simply to have on hand for a busy week. This French Toast Casserole feels a little special and is sure to make the people you love feel that way too.
Casseroles are a Southern favorite and this one for French toast fits right in with the ease and hidden deliciousness you expect in any Southern casserole.
Easy Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Some of our most popular recipes are casseroles. The humble casserole is a staple of goodwill. It is easy enough for the cook to put together but means a lot to those who receive it. It is the perfect food gift.
For more of our most popular casserole recipes that are easy and make great food gifts, take a look at our FRIED CABBAGE CASSEROLE, PINEAPPLE CHEESE CASSEROLE and our COWBOY RICE CASSEROLE.
How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole
Unlike our traditional casserole recipes, which often are mix, dump and cook, this one takes just a little more prep work. We make a sweet caramel sauce ahead and it makes all of the difference.
The full ingredient list and quantities are listed at the bottom of this post on a printable recipe card.
- French Bread
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Milk
- Eggs
- Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla
Easy French Toast Casserole, Step by Step
No special equipment is needed but I do suggest a durable PYREX CASSEROLE DISH. There is a helpful link to several items we used to make this recipe easier at the bottom of this post.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish lightly with cooking spray. Prep your French bread by cutting it into cubes and set aside.
Melt butter over low to medium heat in a sauce pan.
Add in brown sugar and mix until sugar has dissolved. Do not over heat as it does not need to boil.
Pour butter and brown sugar in prepared pan and place bread cubes on top in a single layer.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add vanilla and half of the cinnamon. Mix well.
Pour mixture over the top of prepared bread cubes.
Sprinkle with other half of cinnamon and a pinch more of brown sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is browned.
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The Best and Easiest French Toast Casserole Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store
Once cooled, this can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
What type of bread is best?
I prefer French Bread. It typically has a tougher outer layer which doesn’t soak up too much of the caramel or the egg mixture. It stands up to the cooking process at high heat much better than regular sandwich bread.
Will the bread get soggy?
If the bread is too fresh this can sometimes happen. If it does, place the casserole back into a 200 degree oven on the bottom rack to make sure the bottom gets a bit more done. Checking every 5-10 minutes, careful not to burn.
How long will it last?
It will last at room temperature for 4-6 hours in a cool area. If stored in the refrigerator, it will last up to a week.
Can you freeze French Toast Casserole?
Yes. Once cooled, cover in freezer safe packaging and it can be frozen for up to 3 months. When I know I am freezing the casserole, I prepare in a disposable pan.
Can you make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. You can mix up as normal, cover and refrigerate one to two days ahead of cooking time.
How to Reheat
If reheating from refrigerated, place casserole in a 250 degree oven just until center of casserole is warm.typically about 20 minute. If it has been frozen, remove from the freezer first and allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
What are some things I can add to this casserole?
Delicious add ins could be fruit like blueberries or strawberries. These can be added before cooking or even after for a fresh burst.
Powdered sugar sprinkled over the top is a fancy bit of sweetness. And if you wanted to make it really decadent, add in some mini chocolate chips while mixing before baking.
Also check out this recipe for CHOCOLATE CHIP FRENCH TOAST and you can use the leftovers for this recipe! Yum!
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More Special Casseroles
Casseroles are recipes that as a Southern Food Blogger, I specialize in. Be sure to check out some of our other popular casserole recipes below.
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/2 loaf French Bread
- 1 cup brown sugar packed firm
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish lightly with cooking spray. Prep your French bread by cutting it into cubes and set aside.
- Melt butter over low to medium heat in a sauce pan. Add in brown sugar and mix until sugar has dissolved. Do not over heat as it does not need to boil.
- Pour butter and brown sugar in prepared pan and place bread cubes on top in a single layer.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. Add vanilla and half of the cinnamon. Mix well.
- Pour mixture over the top of prepared bread cubes.
- Sprinkle with other half of cinnamon and a pinch more of brown sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is browned.
Where’s the caramel sauce?
“We make a sweet caramel sauce ahead and it makes all of the difference.”
It is the butter and brown sugar heated mixture in the first steps of the recipe that goes in the bottom of the pan.