Name: Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 eggs; ¾ cup almond milk (or any milk); 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon; Pinch of sea salt; 10 to 12 1-inch slices challah bread, about 1 loaf, cut on a slight diagonal; Non-stick spray or olive oil (for greasing); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; ¼ heaping teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ cup sliced almonds (toasted); ¼ cup pomegranate arils (or desired fruit); Maple syrup (optional)

If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that practically makes itself, you’ve got to try this Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe. It’s warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon—plus, it’s baked to golden, custardy perfection. I absolutely love how this turns out because it’s easy to prep ahead and feeds a whole family (or your hungry brunch guests!). Keep reading, and I’ll share all my tips to help you nail this delicious bake every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple to Prep: You just whisk, dip, layer, sprinkle, and bake – no flipping required!
Perfect Make-Ahead: Prep it the night before and bake fresh the next morning – stress-free breakfast win.
Crowd Favorite: My family goes crazy for this on weekends, and it’s great for holidays too.
Deliciously Balanced Flavor: Cinnamon’s warmth blends beautifully with just the right touch of brown sugar and crunch from almonds.

The dish shows three thick slices of bread pudding arranged diagonally in a white baking dish, with a golden brown top layer that looks slightly crispy. The pudding layers have a soft beige inside, while the top is sprinkled with small red pomegranate seeds and thin light brown almond slices. There is also a light dusting of white powdered sugar and some crushed crumbs scattered on top, giving a textured look. The white marbled surface underneath the dish is partly visible along with the edge of a white plate with red rings and some silver forks nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that perfect baked French toast: custardy eggs, a hint of sweetness, warm cinnamon, and the richness of challah bread. Choosing good bread makes all the difference, so I always go for day-old challah if I can find it.

Eggs: The base of this bake, providing that luscious custard; fresh eggs make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Almond milk: I use almond milk for a subtle nutty taste and dairy-free option, but any milk will do.
Brown sugar: Adds warmth and depth of sweetness; I used both in the custard and as a topping for caramelized goodness.
Cinnamon: The star spice that ties everything together, be generous for that cozy aroma.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
Challah bread: Thick-sliced and slightly stale challah soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart.
Non-stick spray or olive oil: For greasing the dish and ensuring easy cleanup.
Sliced almonds: Toasted for an irresistible crunch and nuttiness on top.
Pomegranate arils: I love their juicy burst and festive color, but you can swap these for any fresh fruit you like.
Maple syrup (optional): Because, well, who doesn’t love a drizzle of maple-y sweetness on French toast?

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe is how it welcomes customization. Whether you prefer a dairy-free twist or like to add seasonal fruits, making it your own is half the fun.

Dairy-Free Version: Using almond milk works great, and coconut milk is another creamy option I’ve tried with delicious results.
Fruit Swap: Instead of pomegranate, I’ve used fresh berries, sliced apples, or even peaches for a seasonal touch.
Nut-Free: Skip the almonds or replace them with sunflower seeds if you have nut allergies—still gets that satisfying crunch.
Extra Cozy: Adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the custard deepens the flavor beautifully.

How to Make Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe

Step 1: Whisk the Custard Mixture

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, a heaping teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth. This custard mixture is where all the magic begins—make sure it’s well blended so every slice soaks up those flavors evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Topping

In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. This topping caramelizes as it bakes, giving the top that irresistible golden crust that keeps my family coming back for more. I like to keep this ready so I can sprinkle it right before baking.

Step 3: Soak and Layer the Bread

Dip each slice of challah lightly into the custard, letting it soak for a few seconds but not so long that it falls apart. Arrange the slices slightly overlapping and tilted in your baking dish. If one side of your loaf is thicker or taller than the other (which challah often is), alternate the slices so the tops are evenly aligned—this trick ensures even baking and browning. Once layered, sprinkle on the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the eggs have fully set and the top is beautifully golden and slightly crisp. I usually check around 25 minutes because ovens vary, and you want that perfect balance of soft custardy inside with a lightly crunchy top. If your oven tends to brown unevenly, you can rotate the pan halfway through baking.

Step 5: Add Crunch and Freshness

Once out of the oven, sprinkle toasted sliced almonds and pomegranate arils generously over the top. The almonds add a lovely textural contrast while the pomegranate gives a juicy pop of color and tartness. Serve warm with maple syrup on the side, and get ready for the compliments!

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Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale challah soaks up the custard without turning mushy; fresh bread can make your bake too soggy.
Don’t Over-Soak: Dip the bread quickly so it absorbs enough custard but stays structurally intact for beautiful layering and baking.
Even Bake Heights: Alternating taller and shorter slices makes a uniform bake and prevents uneven cooking or browning—game changer!
Check Baking Time: Ovens vary, so start checking at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the custard.

How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a baked dessert in a white square baking dish placed on a white marbled surface. The dessert has several layers of golden brown toasted bread slices tightly packed together, drizzled with a rich, slightly glossy chocolate or caramel sauce on top. There are thinly sliced almonds sprinkled over the surface, along with small, bright red pomegranate seeds scattered across, adding color contrast. A light dusting of powdered sugar is spread evenly, creating a soft white layer on the top edges of the dessert. The texture of the bread looks soft yet crisp on the edges, and the topping appears slightly cracked and baked. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping mine with toasted sliced almonds for a satisfying crunch and fresh pomegranate arils for a juicy, vibrant pop of flavor and color. Sometimes I swap the fruit depending on the season—blueberries or chopped apples work wonders too. And, of course, a drizzle of real maple syrup is optional but highly recommended for that classic sweet finish.

Side Dishes

My family often pairs this bake with crispy breakfast sausages or turkey bacon for a savory balance. A side of fresh fruit salad or yogurt with honey complements the sweetness nicely, too—making for a well-rounded brunch spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday mornings, I like to dust the top with powdered sugar and scatter extra pomegranate seeds for a festive look. Serving individual slices on colorful plates with a ramekin of syrup on the side turns brunch into a special occasion. You can even make mini versions in muffin tins for perfect single servings that look adorable and bake faster!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually cover the whole dish tightly with foil if I plan to keep it until the next morning. The flavor actually develops nicely overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this French toast bake successfully by covering the unbaked assembled dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then baking it straight from the freezer – just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time. It’s a fantastic option for busy mornings!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftover slices in a toaster oven or regular oven set to 325°F until warmed through and a bit crisp on top. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the texture a little soggy, so I avoid it when possible.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than challah for this Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe?

Absolutely! Challah is great because it’s rich, slightly sweet, and soaks the custard well without falling apart. But you can also use brioche, French bread, or even thick-sliced sandwich bread. The key is slightly stale bread that holds together and absorbs the custard nicely.
Can I make this Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! This bake is fantastic for make-ahead breakfasts. You can assemble it the night before, cover it tightly, and bake it fresh in the morning. It saves time and lets the bread soak overnight, deepening the flavors.
How do I prevent the French toast bake from turning soggy?

To avoid sogginess, don’t oversoak the bread slices in the custard—just a quick dip is enough. Also, make sure to bake it until the custard is fully set and the top is golden and crisp. Using slightly stale bread helps because it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
Can I add other spices besides cinnamon?

Definitely! While cinnamon is classic here, I like adding a pinch of nutmeg or even ground cloves to the custard for a warm, cozy depth. You can experiment to find your perfect spice blend.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so easy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or a holiday brunch, this dish brings people together around the table, sharing cozy smiles and second (or third!) helpings. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this recipe as much as I do—trust me, once you try it, it will become your go-to French toast that everyone loves!