Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole
There’s nothing easier for a hearty breakfast that feeds a crowd than this overnight maple and cinnamon-flavored apple French toast casserole. It features all of your favorite apple pie flavors, including lots of crisp apples and a crunchy oat, pecan, and brown sugar streusel topping.
Assemble this tasty baked French toast casserole ahead of time, refrigerate it overnight, and enjoy it for a tasty fall breakfast or holiday brunch the next day.
Looking for other overnight breakfast casserole recipes? Try this carrot cake baked oatmeal or spiced pumpkin baked oatmeal too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients needed to make this apple French toast casserole. Substitutions and variations are in the section below.
Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients with measurements.
Apples. Choose a sweeter apple, such as Gala or Fuji, to add natural sweetness and reduce the need for added sweeteners.
Bread. Use a whole-grain bread instead of soft, white bread for this recipe. It has more body, allowing it to soak up more of the custard and juices from the apples. Whole-grain bread also has more fiber.
Milk. I recommend regular whole milk for this recipe because it makes a richer custard.
Eggs. These, plus the milk, maple syrup, and spices, make the custard. Make sure you use large eggs so you yield enough custard.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it non-dairy by swapping plant milk for regular milk.
- Use more or less maple syrup to taste. The ⅓ cup called for in the recipe provides a touch of sweetness, but this recipe isn’t overly sweet. You can also swap sugar-free syrup if you prefer.
- Sprinkle about ⅓ cup of raisins or dried cranberries over the apples.
- Swap a zero-calorie brown sugar substitute for regular brown sugar to reduce the carbs. OR skip the streusel topping and sprinkle chopped nuts over the top.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the custard. Combine the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and spices in a large mixing bowl and whisk well.
2. Prepare the apples. Chop the apples into ½-inch pieces, or slice them thinly. Toss them with cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Layer the ingredients. Add half of the bread cubes to a greased 9 x 13 casserole or baking dish. Top with the apples, and then the remaining bread. Pour the custard evenly over the casserole.
4. Cover and refrigerate. Use a spatula to press the bread into the custard. Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least eight hours or overnight.
5. Make the streusel topping. Combine the oats, nuts, brown sugar, and cold butter cubes in a food processor. Pulse about 30 times or until the mixture resembles wet sand. Transfer this to a bowl and refrigerate it along with the casserole.
6. Add the streusel and bake. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top of the casserole. Use your fingers to break up any clumps. Bake the apple French toast casserole at 350ºF for one hour or until set. If the streusel topping starts to get too brown, cover the pan lightly with foil for the last 15 minutes.
Expert Tips
Choose a loaf of bread with thick slices and a softer crust to make this baked apple French toast recipe. A crispy crust on breads like French or Ciabatta won’t soften well in the custard and will end up tough when baked. And very thin slices will turn mushy and not provide any texture.
Slightly dried or stale bread works best for a French toast casserole recipe. Very soft, fresh bread will get soggy and mushy. To dry your bread, spread the slices out on a sheet pan and bake them in a 300ºF oven for about 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t get overly brown. You can also leave the pan out on the counter at room temperature for a few hours to stale your bread.
I recommend layering the bread cubes, apples, and then more bread cubes. Keeping the apples inside the bread layers makes this more of a stuffed French toast. It also keeps apples from turning brown.
What to Serve With an Apple French Toast Casserole
Top each serving of this breakfast casserole with:
- A dollop of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- Honey and sea salt labneh
- A drizzle of maple syrup, almond butter, or a chocolate hazelnut spread
Making this for a brunch party? Serve it with these other brunch favorites:
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can prepare it, cover it tightly, and freeze it for up to one month before baking. Make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator and then follow the baking instructions.
Make sure you whisk your custard well. It’s easiest if you whisk the eggs first, then add the other ingredients and whisk again. Whisk one more time before pouring the custard over the bread and apple cubes.
Cover any leftovers and refrigerate them for up to four days. To reheat, warm each portion in the microwave for about 45 seconds. You can also freeze the baked casserole or any leftovers. Thaw it in the refrigerator and heat it in the microwave.
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Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole grain bread cut into cubes to make about 9 cups
- 8 large eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon divided
- 5 medium sweet apples
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter cold
Instructions
- If your bread is soft and fresh, cut it into 1-inch cubes, lay them on a baking sheet, and toast them in an oven at 300℉ for about 15 minutes or until they feel slightly crisp. You can also lay the bread slices on baking pans and let them dry out for 3-4 hours on the counter before starting the recipe.
- Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl, then add the milk, vanilla, maple syrup, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Whisk well and set this aside.
- Dice the apples (you don't have to peel them unless you prefer to remove the skins) and toss them with the nutmeg and one teaspoon of cinnamon in a mixing bowl.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Cover the bottom of the pan evenly with half of the bread cubes. Then, spread the apples over, and top with the remaining bread cubes.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread and gently press down with a spatula to make sure the egg soaks into all of the bread.
- Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and press it gently with your hands. Refrigerate overnight or for up to 24 hours.
- To make the streusel topping, combine the oats, pecans, brown sugar, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse about 20 times or until the nuts are chopped well. Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the mixture. Pulse about 15 more times or until the streusel resembles wet sand. Transfer this to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate it with the casserole
- The next morning, preheat the oven to 350℉. Remove the plastic wrap from the apple French toast casserole and bake for 55-60 minutes or until the bread is puffed, lightly browned, and the eggs are cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition
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Sounds simply delish!
Thanks so much!
This looks mouthwatering! And I’m a big fan of Truvia Nectar so all the more excited about this recipe!
Thanks for stopping by Shannon!
Oooh this sounds delicious! The perfect brunch recipe for the holidays!
Thanks for visiting Lauren! Nothing better than a make-ahead recipe for the holidays!
What a lovely way to serve up French Toast. Looks beautiful and delicious! Macintosh are one of my favorite apples, too.
Thanks so much Lauren 🙂 Totally love Macintosh!
The perfect holiday breakfast! We usually make cinnamon rolls but this is much healthier!
I’ve always done cinnamon rolls for Xmas morning, but I’ve been trying to make it healthier the last few years now that we’re all getting old!!