Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

This Easy French Toast Casserole is a hybrid of traditional French toast and Southern bread pudding.  The two marry together in one delicious breakfast treat that is perfect for enjoying on the weekends and/or serving to company.

This simple French Toast Casserole recipe is easy to make and no special skills or equipment are needed.  Simply a knife for cutting bread, a whisk and bowl for making the creamy custard, and a 9 x 13 baking dish.

How To Make French Toast Casserole

For this recipe, you need the following ingredients

• King’s Hawaiian Rolls (dinner rolls or sub rolls work best)
• Chopped Pecans
• Eggs
• Half and half
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

To make it, begin by cutting the Hawaiian bread into 1-inch cubes.  If they aren’t exactly 1-inch, don’t sweat it.  Place the cut cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 15 – 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.  This will help to prevent the French toast from becoming too soggy.  Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.

Next, toast the pecans.  There are three ways that you can toast them: 1) in the microwave, 2) in the oven, and 3) in a skillet.  Whichever method you choose, keep an eye on them so that they don’t burn.  Once they have toasted, set them aside.

Once cool, place the cut bread into a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray or softened butter.  Sprinkle the bread with the chopped pecans.

In a large mixing bowl or blender, whisk or blend the eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Tip:  If whisking in a bowl, start off by using only about 1/3 of the half-and-half.  After the ingredients are well combined, whisk in the remaining half-and-half. 

Pour the custard mixture over the bread and pecans being careful to make sure that the tops of all the pieces are coated with the mixture.  To make things easy on yourself, use a measuring cup to scoop out the custard and pour over the bread cubes.

Allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.  This allows the bread time to soak up all of that custard goodness.  Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

When the time is up, bake the French Toast Casserole for 35 to 45 minutes.  You will want to bake it until the top starts to brown. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.

Serve with additional maple syrup, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, or whipped cream.  Whatever toppings you enjoy with French toast, you will enjoy with this casserole.

I chose to create this recipe to be baked the same day rather than as an Overnight French Toast Casserole because 1) I don’t always have enough storage space in my refrigerator and 2) You have to let refrigerated items sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour before baking anyway.

If you are wondering if you can freeze the casserole, the answer is “Yes.”  Simply prepare and bake the casserole as directed.  Let the casserole cool to room temperature then place it in a freezer-safe container and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  Freeze for 1 – 2 months.

To reheat the casserole, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight then place it in an oven-safe container, wrap with foil, and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or until warmed through.

A Note About 360 Cookware

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Hungry for more breakfast ideas? Check out these other tasty recipes:

• Bakery-Style Blueberry Muffins
• Homemade Banana Nut Muffins
• Blueberry Breakfast Bake
• Quick Cinnamon Roll Muffins