Start you day with this flavorful Apple French Toast Casserole that combines crusty bread, sliced apples, a delicious streusel topping for a breakfast that’s a burst of cinnamon-spiced goodness. It’s easy to assemble the night before and makes the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch.
Updated September 2023
Delicious Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe: A Perfect Breakfast Treat
Looking for a scrumptious fall breakfast idea that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy morning at home? This Apple French Toast Casserole is a delightful dish combines the warm and comforting flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a casserole. It’s an ideal way to start your day or surprise your loved ones with a special breakfast treat.
Our baked french toast with apples is a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie in a convenient and satisfying breakfast format. With a little preparation and some flavorful ingredients, you can create a memorable meal that your family and friends will adore and it’s a great way to use up those apples from the apple orchard.
Whether you’re serving it on a special occasion or just to brighten up your morning, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Plus, it includes tons of options to make it gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before we get started, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients and why each one is crucial for creating this mouthwatering Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole:
- Gluten-Free Crusty Loaf: This serves as the base of our casserole, providing that perfect texture and structure. We like unbun, thornbury bakery, schar, bread srsly, awg bakery or california country gal for gluten-free / grain-free
- Apples: Thinly sliced apples bring a delightful natural sweetness and a burst of fruity flavor to the dish.
- Eggs: Eggs act as the binding agent, ensuring that the casserole holds together. You can opt for any egg-substitute of choice for a plant-based option.
- Almond Milk: We use almond milk for a creamy, dairy-free option, but you can choose your preferred milk for a personalized touch.
- Apple Pie Spice: This spice blend infuses the dish with that irresistible apple pie aroma and taste. You can use homemade apple pie spice or a premade spice blend.
- Maple Syrup: Adding a touch of sweetness, maple syrup complements the apple flavor beautifully. Liquid sweeteners such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup, allulose, yacon syrup can be used as low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives. Honey or organic agave work too, if preferred.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, giving it a warm and comforting twist.
Streusel Topping
Adds a delicious crunch and a hint of nuttiness to every bite.
- Gluten-Free Oat Flour or Alternative (e.g., almond flour or gluten-free 1-1 flour): Oat flour provides a slightly nutty flavor and a tender crumb to the streusel. Alternative flours like almond or gluten-free 1-1 flour can be used for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Coconut Sugar (or Granulated Brown Sweetener): Coconut sugar adds sweetness and a caramel-like flavor to the streusel. Granulated brown sweeteners like Swerve or golden monk fruit sweetener can be used as low-sugar or sugar-free alternatives.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon infuses the streusel with warm and aromatic spice, enhancing the overall flavor of the casserole.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in the streusel.
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats: Rolled oats contribute to the streusel’s texture, providing a pleasant chewiness and oat flavor.
- Chopped Pecans: Pecans add a delightful crunch and a rich, nutty taste to the streusel, complementing the apple flavor in the casserole.
- Vegan Butter (or Ghee/Unsalted Butter): Butter binds the streusel ingredients together and creates a crumbly, buttery texture when baked. Vegan butter is used for a dairy-free option, but you can also use ghee or regular unsalted butter based on your dietary preferences.
Instructions: How to make Apple French Toast Casserole:
- Prepare baking pan: Grease a 9×9 or 2.5-quart baking pan with non-stick spray. Arrange the bread cubes neatly in the pan.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, apple pie spice, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Pour over bread: Pour the mixture evenly over bread cubes and press them down slightly to soak up the liquid.
- Refrigerate: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least four hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Streusel Topping: Make the streusel topping by combining flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix in oats and pecans, then cut in the cold butter.
- Preheat: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add apples: Arrange a layer of sliced apples over the bread cubes. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly, add a few more apple slices, and drizzle caramel sauce on top.
- Bake: Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until set and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving, if desired, and enjoy.
Tips for Success
To make this Apple French Toast Bake a resounding success, keep these tips in mind:
- Bread: Use day-old bread for the best texture and absorption of the milk/egg mixture.
- Rest in Fridge: Allow the casserole to sit in the fridge for at least four hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Make-ahead: Feel free to prepare the streusel topping the night before or on the morning of baking.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
If you have leftovers or want to make this apple baked french toast in advance, here’s what you can do:
- How to store: Store any leftover apple casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- How to freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months.
How to reheat
- Reheating your Apple French Toast Casserole is easy and ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness once again. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover casserole, covered with aluminum foil, in the preheated oven.
- Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.
2. Microwave Method (for individual servings):
- For individual portions, transfer a slice of the casserole to a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe paper towel.
- Heat in the microwave on a low to medium setting for about 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to prevent overheating.
- 1. Oven Method:
Serving Suggestions
This Apple French Toast Casserole is a delightful standalone breakfast dish. However, you can also pair it with a few extra treats:
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert-like experience.
- Powdered sugar and caramel sauce: A dusting of powdered sugar and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for added sweetness.
Variations and Substitutions
Get creative with your baked apple french toast by trying out these variations and substitutions:
- Bread: Experiment with different types of bread, from French bread to sourdough or challah.
- Milk: Swap out the almond milk for your favorite milk alternative.
- Streusel: Customize the streusel topping with your preferred flour and sweetener choices.
- Fruit: Not ready for apple season? Use bananas, sliced pears, peaches, strawberries or blueberries like our Overnight Banana French Toast Bake, Blueberry French Toast Casserole or our Strawberry French Toast Casserole.
By making these small adjustments, you can tailor this dish to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
1. Can I use regular bread instead of gluten-free or other types of bread?
- Yes, you can use your preferred type of bread, whether it’s French bread, sourdough, challah, or gluten-free bread. Adjust according to your dietary preferences.
2. What can I substitute for almond milk?
- Feel free to use any milk of your choice, such as dairy milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Choose one that suits your dietary needs.
3. Can I prepare the streusel topping in advance?
- Absolutely! You can make the streusel topping the night before or in the morning before baking, whichever is more convenient for you.
4. How long can I store leftovers, and can I freeze them?
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For longer storage, wrap individual portions well and freeze for up to 3 months.
5. Are there any variations I can try with this recipe?
- Certainly! You can experiment with different types of bread, milk alternatives, or customize the streusel topping with your preferred flours and sweeteners. Get creative to suit your taste.
6. Can I skip the caramel sauce?
- Of course, the caramel sauce is optional. It adds extra sweetness, but the casserole is delicious on its own or with other toppings like whipped cream or powdered sugar.
7. Can I prepare this casserole the night before for a special breakfast?
- Yes, that’s a great idea! Preparing it the night before allows the flavors to meld for an even more delicious outcome.
More Make-ahead Breakfast Recipes you will love:
- 1 large gluten-free crusty loaf of choice, , cut into 1" cubes, with the two hard ends of the loaf discarded (day old bread works best). We like unbun, thornbury bakery, schar, bread srsly, awg bakery or california country gal for gluten-free / grain-free. Can also use any regular loaf of French bread, sourdough bread, or challah.
- 3 medium apples sliced thinly, (we used Gala and Granny Smith apples)
- 6 large eggs , or sub with egg-substitute of choice.
- 1-1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk , or milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1/3 cup maple syrup , you can use any preferred sticky liquid sweetener of choice such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup, allulose, honey, organic agave etc.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup gluten-free oat flour , you can also use superfine almond flour or gluten-free 1-1 flour. Regular all purpose flour works too if you're not gluten-free.
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar , you can also sub with granulated brown sweetener of choice such as Swerve or golden monk fruit sweetener. Light brown sugar works too.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp gluten-free rolled oats , optional for added crunch.
- 2 teaspoons chopped pecans
- 1 stick (8 Tablespoons) butter cold
- caramel sauce , homemade or store-bought, optional
Grease a 9x9 or 2.5-quart baking pan, with non-stick spray. Arrange the bread cubes into the pan.
- In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, apple pie spice mix, maple syrup, and vanilla.
Pour evenly over bread cubes. Press the bread cubes slightly down to absorb the milk/egg mixture. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for four hours. (You can bake this immediately as well too but the toast may not soak up as much of the flavor.)
When you are ready to bake
Remove the dish from refrigerator and uncover. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place an even layer of the sliced apples over the cubed bread.
Make the streusel topping
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon together. Mix in the oats and pecans. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly on top. Add a few more slices of apples. Drizzle an even layer of caramel sauce on top.
- Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional for 15 - 20 minutes or until the French toast is set and golden brown. (Watch oven time carefully as it may vary. )
Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving, if desired and enjoy.
- How to store: Store any leftover apple casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- How to freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. They'll stay good for up to 3 months.
How to reheat
Reheating your Apple French Toast Casserole is easy and ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness once again. Here's how to do it:
1. Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover casserole, covered with aluminum foil, in the preheated oven.
- Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it's warmed through.
2. Microwave Method (for individual servings):
- For individual portions, transfer a slice of the casserole to a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe paper towel.
- Heat in the microwave on a low to medium setting for about 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to prevent overheating.
Karly -
This looks so yummy!
Emma -
Another great breakfast treat Kelly, I’m loving the fall flavours in this one 🙂
mira -
I don’t have any experience with overnight french toasts, but this is a recipe I’d love to try! Looks delicious!
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen -
Kelly this look yummy! I need to try these overnight french toast, it will make my morning much easier 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks -
This is my kind of breakfast, girl! Set a place for me on Saturday morning!