French Toast Casserole Recipe – Love and Lemons

This overnight French toast casserole recipe is the perfect breakfast for a crowd! It’s simple and delicious, with a crisp topping and custardy middle.

This French toast casserole recipe is the easiest way to make French toast for a crowd. Instead of standing at the stove, flipping slices to order, you pile cubed bread into a casserole dish, douse it in a rich, cinnamon-spiced custard, and bake it with pecans and brown sugar on top.

It’s a breeze to make on the morning you plan to serve it, but you can also assemble it a day ahead and let it sit overnight in the fridge. The next morning, just add the nutty topping, pop it in the oven, and bake!

This French toast casserole is crisp on top and moist and custardy in the middle, sort of like a breakfast bread pudding. Topped with a drizzle of maple syrup, it’s just as good as classic French toast, if not better. I hope you love it!

French Toast Casserole Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy French toast casserole recipe:

• Bread – Choose a good loaf of challah, brioche, French bread, or sourdough bread.
• Eggs – They add richness and bind the bread cubes together.
• Milk – For moisture. Feel free to use any kind you like. I’ve had great results with almond milk, whole milk, and oat milk.
• Brown sugar – You’ll whisk some into the custard mixture and sprinkle more on top of the casserole.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract – For warm, cozy depth of flavor.
• Butter or coconut oil – It helps the top of the casserole crisp up in the oven.
• Pecans – They add rich, nutty crunch.
• And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole

You can find the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post. For now, here’s a quick overview of how it goes:

First, prep the bread. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and layer them in a greased 9×13-inch pan.

Then, whisk together the custard mixture and pour it over the bread. Try to pour it evenly, moistening as much of the bread as possible. A few dry spots are ok—they get nice and crispy!

• If you’re making the casserole ahead, cover and refrigerate it overnight.
• If you’re making it day-of, let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Both options give the bread a chance to soften and soak up the rich egg mixture.

When you’re ready to bake, drizzle with the melted butter and sprinkle with the brown sugar and pecan topping. Cover and bake for 35 minutes at 350°F, then uncover and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the topping is browned and the egg mixture has mostly set.

Remove the casserole from the oven, cover it loosely with foil, and let it stand for 10 minutes before digging in. Enjoy!

What to Serve with French Toast Casserole

Don’t skip the maple syrup! I love the sweet maple flavor with the toasted pecans and warm spices. This casserole also isn’t overly sweet on its own, so I don’t recommend skipping it.

Want to add even more toppings? Here are some other options we love:

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries, like strawberries or blueberries
• Other fresh fruit, like banana slices or pomegranate seeds

This recipe is perfect for special occasions like Christmas morning, but it would also be at home at any weekend brunch. Pair it with something savory, like a frittata or scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Don’t forget the coffee, tea, or mimosas to drink!

More Favorite Brunch Recipes

If you love this casserole, try one of these delicious brunch recipes next: