This French Toast Casserole Recipe has everything you want for breakfast! Bread sliced dredged in a delicious cinnamon maple mixture and topped with pecans. The breakfast casserole is baked then drizzled with a homemade maple glaze.
A breakfast casserole can be sweet or savory. If you love this sweet French toast casserole, be sure to try our easy sausage and egg casserole.
If you like French toast our Classic French Toast and Stuffed French Toast are just as popular!
FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE RECIPE-
The added flavor from the maple and pecan brings this simple French Toast Casserole Recipe to a whole new level! Bread sliced and dredged in a vanilla and maple egg and milk mixture then drizzled with a homemade maple glaze, the ultimate breakfast recipe. We love serving this casserole on Christmas morning and any other time when serving guests.
INGREDIENTS FOR FRENCH TOAST BAKE-
- BREAD– You want to be sure to use thick bread such as texas toast, brioche bread, french bread or even challah bread!
- EGGS– We use eggs as the binding factor in this recipe.
- MILK– This recipe calls for whole milk but you can use skim milk, 2% milk or any non dairy milk.
- HEAVY CREAM– You can use heavy whipping cream or half and half for this recipe.
- MAPLE SYRUP– Your favorite maple syrup will work great in this recipe!
- SUGAR– This recipe calls for granulated sugar but you can also substitute it with brown sugar.
- VANILLA– Vanilla extract for extra flavor!
- CINNAMON– Ground cinnamon for added flavor.
- PECANS– You want to use chopped pecans and whole pecans for this recipe. You can also opt out of the pecans if you don’t like pecans.
- MAPLE GLAZE– For the glaze we use melted butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and heavy whipping cream.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE-
The French Toast Casserole comes together so quickly and is so easy to make!
- PREP– Start by cutting the bread loaf or slices into about 1-inch cubes. Add the bread cubes into a 9”×13” baking dish.
- EGG MIXTURE– Combine the ingredients for the milk and egg mixture in a large bowl. Pour over the bread coating all bread pieces. TIP: If not all of the bread was coated, gently mix to coat and press the bread down.
- BAKE– Top with the whole pecans, cover with foil and bake the French toast casserole.
- MAPLE GLAZE– Whisk together the maple glaze and pour the syrup over the casserole right before serving.
- ENJOY– Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.
OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE-
There are two methods to prepare this casserole the night before so you can enjoy it in the morning.
- OPTION 1– The casserole may be prepared exactly per instructions, covered and refrigerated. Additional baking time will be needed as all of the ingredients are cold.
- OPTION 2– Cut the bread, top with pecans and cover in a casserole dish. In a bowl combine all of the ingredients for the milk/egg mixture. Cover bowl and refrigerate. Before baking, pour the milk mixture over the bread.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-
What kind of bread do I use for this French Toast Casserole?
You want to use thick-cut bread. Challah, Loaf of Italian, or brioche, or French bread are all great choices. Cut bread to about 1″ thick cubes.
Do I need to cover the casserole with foil for baking?
You want to cover the casserole dish for half of the baking time. If you don’t, the tops of the bread will become really crispy while the center will be uncooked.
Can French Toast Casserole be frozen?
We don’t recommend freezing this casserole.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, read above about how to make this recipe an overnight French toast casserole.
Can I substitute the pecans?
Yes, you can substitute it for any other nuts such as almonds or walnuts. You can also totally opt out of the pecans.
OTHER BREAKFAST RECIPES-
There is nothing better than starting off the day right with a hearty and delicious breakfast!
Here are some of our other family favorite breakfast recipes to try:
- Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- Easy Pancake Recipe
- Homemade Oatmeal
- Breakfast Sandwich
- Egg Frittata Recipe
- Blueberry Pancakes
French Toast Casserole Recipe
Author: Valentina
5 from 5 votes
This French Toast Casserole Recipe has everything you want for breakfast! Bread sliced dredged in a delicious cinnamon maple mixture and topped with pecans. The breakfast casserole is baked then drizzled with a homemade maple glaze.
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 ` loaf of bread
- 1/2 cup whole pecans, topping
egg & milk mixture-
- 8 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
maple glaze-
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp heavy whipping cream
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut bread loaf evenly into 1-inch pieces.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Add chopped pecans to mixture and mix with a spatula.
Layout bread pieces into a deep casserole dish. Pour egg mixture into casserole dish. Gently toss the coat all the bread. Add whole pecans.
Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. Remove foil, bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until tops of bread are golden.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan melt butter and maple syrup. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream until well combined and thick glaze forms.
Once the casserole is baked, drizzle glaze on top and serve immediately.
Enjoy.
Notes
OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE-
- OPTION 1- The casserole may be prepared exactly per instructions, covered, and refrigerated. Additional baking time will be needed as all of the ingredients are cold.
- OPTION 2- Cut the bread, top with pecans, and cover in a casserole dish. In a bowl combine all of the ingredients for the milk/egg mixture. Cover bowl and refrigerate. Before baking, pour the milk mixture over the bread.
Nutrition
831kcal Calories68g Carbs14g Protein56g Fat24g Saturated Fat208mg Cholesterol355mg Sodium407mg Potassium4g Fiber48g Sugar760IU Vitamin A0.2mg Vitamin C132mg Calcium2.8mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
French Toast Casserole Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 831Calories from Fat 504
% Daily Value*
Fat 56g86%
Saturated Fat 24g150%
Cholesterol 208mg69%
Sodium 355mg15%
Potassium 407mg12%
Carbohydrates 68g23%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 48g53%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 760IU15%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 132mg13%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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Leave a comment
12 comments
- Jenya
Hi Valentina,
Could i add any berries or apples to it at baking? Hust thinking of ways to add a little tartness to this.- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
You sure can use your favorite berries, Jenya.
- Reply
- dolores
Valentina, do you know how to crack a pecan open, without crumbling into pieces? I need halves, and can’t seem to crack them right. Thank you, Hope you all have a Very Marry Christmas!!!!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Dolores, the best way we know how to open our pecans is by using a nutcracker. But if you do not have one, just use a meat mallet gently, and to avoid mess add the pecans into a plastic bag and crack in there.
- Reply
- Sharlay
Making it now. I am excited!!!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Sharlay, I hope you love the French Toast Casserole as much as we do! 🙂 Thanks for visiting our online home.
- Reply
- Inna
My family loves bread, maple syrup, and pecans, all in one and THEY WONT STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!! They loved it so much they ask me every morning for the “really soft and really good bread stuff”. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Thanks, Inna! That makes me so happy that your family enjoyed the French Toast Casserole. 🙂
- Reply
- JESSICA
This casserole looks so delicious! I’m sure emy family will love this!!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Thanks, Jessica for the sweet comment! I agree, I think they will love the French Toast Casserole.
- Reply
- Anna
This was amazing! My favorite French toast casserole so far. The flavor is like the middle of a cinnamon roll, but not as heavy and overly-sweet. So so delightful! Thank you!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback on the French toast casserole. Made me smile BIG. So glad you thought it wasn’t overly sweet because that’s what we were going for. 🙂 🙂
Thanks for visiting our online home.- Reply