If you’re on the hunt for a breakfast that feels like a warm hug, look no further—I’m sharing the Best French Toast Casserole Recipe that you’ll actually want to make again and again. It’s got this dreamy custardy middle with a delightfully crisp brown sugar and pecan topping that just sends my taste buds over the moon. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a cozy weekend brunch, this casserole is a guaranteed fan-freaking-tastic winner.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly Delicious: You let the bread soak overnight or at least 30 minutes for an incredibly tender, custardy inside.
Crunchy Sweet Topping: The brown sugar and pecans add a perfectly caramelized crunch that my family goes nuts for every time.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it the night before and wake up to a ready-to-bake miracle, making mornings stress-free.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for holidays, brunches, or a lazy weekend treat—everyone asks for seconds, guaranteed.

A white rectangular dish filled with a golden toasted bread pudding showing thick, chunky pieces of bread that are crispy on the edges and soft inside, mixed evenly with small to medium pieces of pecans scattered on top and throughout. The bread has a rich, slightly uneven golden-brown color with a light texture that makes it look fluffy yet firm. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible underneath on one side and a white spatula beside it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Best French Toast Casserole Recipe is chosen to create that amazing balance between creamy custard and crunchy topping. Using day-old challah bread is key because it absorbs the custard without turning mushy. Plus, I love that pecans bring a warm nuttiness that pairs so well with cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg.

Unsalted butter (or coconut oil): Use this to grease your pan so the casserole doesn’t stick — I like using coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist.
Challah bread (1 loaf): This bread’s soft texture and slightly sweet flavor are perfect; just make sure it’s a day or two old to soak up the custard nicely.
Large eggs (5): They’re the backbone of the custard, binding everything together beautifully.
Milk (1½ cups): Whole milk works best for richness, but any milk you have on hand will do.
Brown sugar (2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons for topping): Adds sweetness and helps create that caramelized crust on top.
Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): A little vanilla goes a long way to amp up the flavor.
Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): For that cozy spice aroma that’s so classic in French toast.
Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Just a sprinkle for warmth without overpowering.
Sea salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all those rich flavors.
Maple syrup: The essential finishing touch—pour it on generously!
Unsalted butter (or coconut oil), melted (2 tablespoons): Used in the topping to create that buttery caramel effect.
Chopped pecans (½ cup): Adds crunch and a toasty nutty flavor that I always look forward to.

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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

I love tinkering with this Best French Toast Casserole Recipe depending on the season or the mood in my kitchen. You should definitely feel free to make it your own with add-ins or substitutions—you’ll soon find your favorite version!

Fruit Twist: I’ve stirred in fresh berries or sliced apples before baking for a juicy pop that freshens things up beautifully.
Nut Alternatives: If pecans aren’t your thing, walnuts or almonds work just as well in the topping.
Dairy-Free: Swap milk for almond or oat milk, and use coconut oil if avoiding butter—it still comes out amazing.
Extra Indulgent: Adding a splash of bourbon or rum in the egg mixture once made it feel so luxe for a holiday brunch.

How to Make Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Layer the Bread

First, get your baking dish nice and greased with unsalted butter or coconut oil. This little step saves you from any sticky surprises later. Then, toss your challah bread cubes evenly into the dish. I always use a sturdy bread knife to get nice, even 1-inch cubes—that’s key for soaking up just the right amount of the custard without falling apart.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt until everything’s smooth and the sugar starts to dissolve. This is where your kitchen smells irresistible already—I swear my dog always shows up when I make this! Pour this mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure every piece gets some love.

Step 3: Let the Bread Soak

If you have time, cover the dish and pop it into the fridge overnight—this makes the bread soak up all those flavors and custard magic. If you’re short on time, no worries—just let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, which still gives great results. I discovered this trick when hosting last-minute brunches, and it saved the day every time!

Step 4: Add the Topping and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Drizzle the casserole with melted butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar and chopped pecans evenly on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crisp, with the custard mostly set but still tender inside. Don’t skip the resting time—cover loosely with foil and let it stand for 10 minutes when it comes out to finish setting up beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread will get soggy; let your challah loaf sit a day or two to better soak up the custard without falling apart.
Don’t Skip Resting: Letting the casserole rest 10 minutes post-oven lets the custard finish setting for perfect slicing.
Even Cubes for Even Soaking: Cutting your bread into uniform 1-inch cubes ensures each bite is consistently amazing.
Cover While Baking Initially: Covering the dish at first prevents the casserole from drying out while it gently sets.

How to Serve Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

The image shows a white plate with a stack of four large, square bread pieces that are golden brown and slightly crispy on top while soft inside. Scattered around and between the bread pieces are dark brown pecan halves adding texture. A thick amber syrup is being poured slowly over the bread, glistening as it flows and pools. A silver fork rests on the front left side of the plate. The plate is on a white marbled texture surface, with a striped cloth visible softly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always top mine with a generous drizzle of real maple syrup—it adds that perfect sweet, woody flavor you just can’t replace. Sometimes I add a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh berries for a pop of color and fresh brightness. If I’m feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (yes, for breakfast sometimes!) makes it extra special.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are crispy breakfast sausages or thick-cut bacon—they complement the sweetness wonderfully. Fresh fruit salad or simple sautéed greens also balance the richness if you want to keep things lighter. For a brunch crowd? A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette brightens everything up beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I baked individual portions in small ramekins for a brunch party, which looked so cute and made serving effortless. Another time, I layered it in a glass casserole, showing off the beautiful textures, which always gets compliments. I even added edible flowers on top for a spring celebration—totally Instagram-worthy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, I cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days without losing much of that custardy goodness. I’ve found that letting it come to room temp before reheating helps bring out the best texture.

Freezing

This casserole freezes surprisingly well! I portion out servings and wrap them tightly in plastic and foil before popping them into the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently for a nearly fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Reheating

I like reheating slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F until warmed through—this keeps the topping crisp instead of soggy like the microwave. If I’m in a hurry, the microwave works but I add a minute of broiling at the end to revive the crunch.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than challah for this French toast casserole?

Absolutely! Challah is ideal because it’s slightly sweet and holds up well after soaking, but brioche, French bread, or even a sturdy sandwich loaf can work. Just make sure the bread is a day or two old so it soaks up the custard without turning mushy.
Can I make this French toast casserole dairy-free?

Yes, switch to your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter. The texture and flavor remain deliciously satisfying, making it a great option for dairy-free friends.
How far ahead can I assemble this casserole?

You can assemble it up to 24 hours ahead — just cover and refrigerate overnight. This make-ahead step is what really takes the stress out of morning prep and helps the bread soak up all the flavors.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

I recommend reheating in an oven or toaster oven at a moderate temperature to keep the topping crisp and the inside tender. A quick broil at the end can revive any lost crunch from refrigeration or microwaving.

Final Thoughts

This Best French Toast Casserole Recipe has become a true staple in my kitchen and family brunches—it’s like having all the best parts of French toast without standing over the stove. I love how easy it is to make ahead and how it pleases a crowd every time. If you try it, I guarantee you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe over and over, just like I do. Go ahead, give it a whirl and enjoy a cozy, comforting breakfast that tastes like pure love.