Apple Cinnamon Upside Down French Toast
This Apple Cinnamon Upside Down French Toast is make-ahead easy, and a surprisingly low carb breakfast or brunch treat.
Who doesn't love a baked French toast casserole for a leisurely Sunday brunch? It's a great option to feed a group because you make it the night before, let it sit in the fridge, and then when it's time, you just pop it into the oven.
Unfortunately, most recipes tend to be pretty high on the carb scale, because in addition to the bread and syrup, there's usually a fair amount of sweetener involved in the egg mixture.
This recipe uses just a touch of maple syrup paired with naturally sweet apples and apple cider. You can also replace the syrup with a liquid nectar-like sweetener or a sugar free syrup.
This recipe is actually totally guilt free, and a balanced healthy meal - whole grain bread (I love the nutty kind from the bakery), eggs and milk for protein, and apples. Your kitchen will smell SO good too, from the apples, cinnamon, and spices getting all happy together.
Recipe
Apple Cinnamon Upside Down French Toast
Ingredients
- 5 medium sweet-tart apples I like macintosh
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon divided
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup apple cider
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup or sugar free syrup, divided
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup low fat milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5-7 thick slices of whole grain bread
Syrup
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Peel the apples and thinly slice them
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, and add the sliced apples to the pan.
- Mix the cinnamon and nutmeg with the apple cider and pour over the apples. Stir well to combine the apples with the cider/spice mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let apples simmer until they are softened and the liquid is thickened. Add 2 teaspoons of the syrup or sweetener and stir well to combine. Taste and add additional sweetener if desired.
- While the apples are simmering, spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch cake pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Combine the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and remaining syrup or sweetener in a measuring cup and set aside.
- Line the bottom of the pan with the cooked apples. Fit the slices of bread over the apples, trimming any pieces as needed so that all of the apples are covered.
- 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 cake pan with plastic wrap, and weight it down a bit with a plate. Refrigerate overnight or until ready to bake.
To Make the Syrup:
- Heat the cider, syrup, and vanilla in a large saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, and let it reduce until you have approximately ½ cup. It will thicken a bit, but will not be the same consistency as syrup. Taste and adjust sweetener as desired.
To Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap from the French toast, and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the bread is puffed, and lightly browned and the eggs are cooked through.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes, invert the pan onto a large serving plate, and cut into slices.
Notes
Nutrition
What's your favorite brunch food?
Eat well!
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!!