Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Easy French Toast Casserole is a hybrid of the classic breakfast recipe, French toast, and Southern bread pudding. The two marry in one delicious breakfast treat, perfect for weekends or for serving to company.
This simple French Toast Casserole recipe is easy to make and no special skills or equipment are needed. It’s comfort food with a great French toast flavor in one simple casserole.
Ingredients
For this delicious breakfast recipe, you need the following:
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls (dinner rolls or sub rolls work best)
- Pecans
- Eggs
- Half and half
- Real maple syrup
- Vanilla
- Ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan or casserole dish
How To Make French Toast Casserole
- Cut 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.
- In a large 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.
- Place the cut bread in a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray or coated with softened butter. Sprinkle the bread with chopped pecans.
Pour the custard mixture over the bread and pecans, making sure the tops of all the pieces are coated.
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.
- Bake the baking dish in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. You will want to bake it until the top starts to become golden brown.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, or whipped cream. Whatever toppings you enjoy with French toast, you will enjoy with this casserole. You could even serve this for dessert with scoops of vanilla ice cream!
If you love easy, make-ahead breakfast recipes, be sure to try my Bakery-Style Blueberry Muffins for a classic morning treat, Homemade Banana Nut Muffins for a cozy, nutty option, How To Make French Toast for the traditional version of this brunch favorite, and Quick Cinnamon Roll Muffins when you’re craving something sweet and ready fast.
Easy French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9 x 13 Baking Pan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1.5 packages King's Hawaiian Rolls
- 1 cup pecans chopped
- 6 eggs
- 1 quart half and half
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Cut the Hawaiian bread into 1-inch cubes. Place in an oven that has been preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
- Chopped the pecans and toast in a 350 degree oven for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Place bread cubes in 9 x 13 baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Sprinkle the pecans over the bread cubes. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and pecans being careful to cover the tops of all of the bread cubes. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Check around the 25 minute mark to help prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
FAQs
Yes. Prepare and bake the casserole as directed. Let the casserole cool to room temperature, then place it in a freezer-safe container and wrap it 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 it with foil, and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or until warmed through.
This recipe works with other stale bread, like an old crusty loaf of French bread, challah bread, or brioche bread. Pretty much any plain, crusty bread will work, but dense bread works best.
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Last Bite
Did you make this French Toast Casserole? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to pin or share this recipe so you can make it again for your next holiday brunch or cozy weekend breakfast.
Good recipe and easy to make but too much nutmeg for my taste. It overpowered everything else. Next time I’ll just use cinnamon or reduce it to 1/4 of teaspoon.