Savory Apple French Toast Casserole

Getting a hot, homemade breakfast on the table during busy mornings can feel nearly impossible. Between packing lunches, finding missing shoes, and trying to get everyone out the door on time, there’s usually no chance to stand over the stove flipping individual pieces of French toast.

That’s why this apple French toast casserole has become my go-to breakfast solution: you can prep it the night before, pop it in the oven when you wake up, and serve up warm, cinnamon-scented comfort food without any morning stress. Plus, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that works just as well for lazy weekend brunches as it does for hectic weekdays.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

For a French toast casserole, you’ll want to pick apples that hold their shape when baked and offer a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady apples are all great choices since they won’t turn mushy during baking. If you’re using sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady, they’ll add natural sweetness to your casserole, while Granny Smith will give it a pleasant tartness that balances out the sugary elements. When prepping your apples, try to chop them into evenly-sized pieces about 1/2 inch thick so they cook uniformly and make sure to remove the peels if you don’t want them in your finished dish.

Options for Substitutions

This cozy breakfast casserole is pretty adaptable! Here are some handy swaps you can try:

• Bread: While sourdough or French bread work best, you can use brioche, challah, or even regular white bread. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or day-old for the best texture.
• Apples: Any firm baking apple works here – try Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji. You could even mix in some pears for a different twist.
• Dairy: For the milk and cream combo, you can use all whole milk instead. For dairy-free options, try almond milk or oat milk, though the result might be slightly less rich.
• Apple pie spice: No apple pie spice? Mix together 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice instead.
• Brown sugar: You can swap brown sugar with white sugar plus 1 tablespoon of molasses, or coconut sugar for a different flavor.
• Vanilla essence: Vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or even a splash of bourbon can work in place of vanilla essence.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making apple French toast casserole is preventing a mushy bottom layer – make sure to use day-old bread and arrange it in a single layer first, then add your apple mixture on top rather than mixing everything together. Another common mistake is using overly ripe or soft apples, which can turn to mush during baking; instead, choose firm apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn that will hold their shape and provide a nice texture contrast. To get that perfect streusel topping, avoid melting your butter completely – it should be cold and cut into small pieces so it creates those desirable crumbly bits when mixed with the flour and sugar. For the best flavor development, don’t skip the resting time – letting your assembled casserole sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight) allows the bread to soak up all those wonderful spiced custard flavors.

What to Serve With Apple French Toast Casserole?

This sweet and cozy breakfast casserole pairs really well with some savory sides to balance out the meal. Try serving it with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links to add a salty contrast to the sweet apple-cinnamon flavors. A bowl of fresh fruit on the side, like berries or citrus segments, adds a bright and fresh element to the plate. For drinks, hot coffee or fresh-squeezed orange juice are perfect matches – the slight bitterness of coffee or tanginess of orange juice helps cut through the richness of the French toast casserole.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your apple french toast casserole has cooled down, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they meld together overnight, making this perfect for a make-ahead breakfast!

Freeze: This casserole is super freezer-friendly! After baking and cooling completely, wrap it well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. You can freeze it whole or cut it into individual portions for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.

Reheat: To warm up your casserole from the fridge, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. For single servings, the microwave works great – just heat for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of milk if it seems dry. Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings after reheating!

Make Ahead: Want to prep this the night before? Assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats, then bake as directed. The extra soaking time makes it even more flavorful!

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	40-45 minutes
Total Time	60-75 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3600-4000
• Protein: 90-100 g
• Fat: 250-270 g
• Carbohydrates: 400-450 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound loaf of sourdough or french bread, cut into pieces
• 3 cups chopped apples (2 large, about 326g)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk (480ml)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (120ml)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (104g)
• 1/4 cup unpacked light brown sugar (36g)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (98g)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (169g)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice mix
• 1/2 cup salted butter, divided into pieces (112g)
• Optional toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or caramel sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Apples

Begin by greasing a 9×13 inch casserole dish thoroughly.

Using a serrated knife, chop the bread into bite-sized chunks and place them into a large bowl.

Next, chop the apples into small chunks, with the option to peel the apples if you prefer.

Add the chopped apples to the bowl with the bread and gently stir to combine them well.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

Evenly distribute the bread chunks and chopped apples in the bottom of the greased casserole dish.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla until well combined.

Pour this mixture evenly over the bread and apples in the dish, ensuring that the bread is fully saturated.

Cover the casserole and store it in the fridge overnight to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 3: Bake the Casserole

When you’re ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).

Bake the casserole uncovered for about 35-40 minutes, until it starts to set and turn golden brown.

Step 4: Prepare and Add the Streusel Topping

While the casserole is baking, prepare the streusel topping by combining the dry ingredients in a small bowl.

Add the butter and mash it into the dry mixture using a fork or pastry cutter until it becomes crumbly.

After the initial baking time, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the streusel over the top.

Step 5: Finish Baking and Serve

Return the casserole to the oven and bake for about 5 more minutes, or until the streusel melts and turns crisp.

Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.

Serve warm with syrup or any other desired toppings.

Enjoy your delicious casserole!

Store any leftovers in the fridge, as it tastes best when eaten within 4 days.