Home » Course » Breakfast

Apple French Toast Casserole

It is absolutely wonderful to wake up to this Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole Bake. Moist on the inside, slightly crispy on the outside, french toast cubes are combined with yummy apples, and topped with a cinnamon brown sugar crumb topping.

Hello, breakfast of my dreams!

Baked Apple French Toast Casserole in a rectangular dish

Love Apple French Toast Casserole? I think you will equally adore these delicious breakfast casserole recipes: Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole, Cinnamon Raisin Rolls and Sausage Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.

Baked French Toast Casserole…with Apples!

What’s magical about this apple French Toast Casseroles recipe is that not only is it easy to make, you can prep them ahead of time, keep it in the refrigerator overnight ,and bake them in the morning when you are ready to brunch your heart out.

I shared this Berry French Toast Casserole recipe a few years ago and it is still one of my most popular posts on the blog.

So here is a twist to your beloved classic. Apple French Toast Casserole.

This oven baked apple French toast casserole recipe incorporates apples instead of berries, and then we top it with a crumbly cinnamon brown sugar streusel topping.

French toast bread is soft and fluffy, infused with cinnamon flavors, combined with juicy apples and a brown sugar crumb top, drizzled with sticky maple syrup to round it up.

I highly recommend serving it with a cup of hot coffee or tea…

I’m telling you you’re going to love Apple French Toast Casserole!

Ingredient Notes

Here are some of the ingredients you will need for the Apple French Toast Casserole:

A plate of Apple French Toast with the casserole dish behind it
  • apples – slice them into very thin slices so they cook easily. I like using honey crisp apples or other baking apples for this. They can be peeled or unpeeled.
  • French bread – dryer, stale bread works better as they will soak up the egg mixture better. You can also use sourdough, challah, regular white bread, or even healthier breads such as whole wheat. I typically prefer bread with a touch of sweetness for my french toast bake.
  • eggs
  • milk – 2% or more will make your French Toast Casserole creamier, but you can also use lower fat or even milk substitute such as oat milk and almond milk
  • vanilla extract – pure vanilla extract gives it the best flavor!
  • brown sugar
  • powdered sugar – used as the dusting on the top of the French toast bake.
  • maple syrup – highly recommend 100% pure maple syrup for the best taste.

We are going to top our apple French toast casserole with a streusel topping that is to die for. It’s seriously a must so don not skip this step if you want the ultimate gastronomical experience.

Here’s what you will need for the streusel topping:

  • brown sugar
  • all purpose flour
  • ground cinnamon
  • unsalted butter

How to Make Apple French Toast Casserole

Brunch is one of my favorite things about the weekends. I love to slowly get up in the morning, enjoy the relaxing pace of the weekend, and savor the meal that is breakfast and brunch.

When brunch can be made ahead of time, life is even better.

I typically make Apple French Toast Casserole the night before, let it sit overnight, and then bake it in the morning. This way you can wake up, and pretty much have breakfast close to being ready. Trust me, it’s the best feeling.

If you are really press for time, and wanted Apple French Toast Casserole at the last minute, then go ahead and skip the soaking step. It’s not the best way to make it but it’s still totally edible and will still be yummy.

Drizzling maple syrup onto Apple French Toast
Don’t forget to drizzle with maple syrup!

Step 1: Bring together casserole

The first thing I do when I make Apple French Toast Casserole is to whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl.

I then prepare a 9″x13″ casserole by greasing it with cooking oil spray.

Spread half the cubed French bread to casserole dish, add half of the sliced apples, then pour half of the egg mixture.

Add the rest of the French bread, then add the rest of the sliced apples, then the rest of the egg mixture.

Step 2: Let it rest

Cover and store Apple French Toast Casserole overnight or for a couple of hours in the refrigerator. This will let the egg mixture soaks into the bread thus making it moist and flavorful.

Make the crumb topping separately by combining all the ingredients in a bowl.

Let the crumble sit in the refrigerator overnight too, but do not add it to the Apple French Toast Casserole until you are ready to bake it.

Right before french toast casserole is ready to be sent into the oven, spread the top with crumble. This is going to give you apple french toast casserole an additional dimension of sweetness and texture.

Frankly, it is also one of my favorite parts of this recipe.

Sliced apple, egg mixture, French bread, and crumble topping in a casserole dish
Apple French Toast Casserole before baking

Step 3: Bake

After sprinkling Apple French Toast Casserole with that brown sugar crumble topping before baking, bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes at 350℉.

When it is done, your french toast bake will crusty on the edges and soft on the insides.

If the insides are still watery, go ahead and cook it for slightly longer.

When done, sprinkle some powdered sugar on Apple French Toast Bake for that “snow top” look, and serve it with maple syrup because you know you love that maple syrup! 🙂

Using a spatula to lift up a square slice of Baked French Toast Casserole from a rectangular dish.
Apple French Toast Casserole after baking

Tips and Tricks

A few things to note to ensure success when making Apple French Toast Bake!

  • Soaking bread in egg mixture overnight or for a few hours help produce a moist flavorful french toast!
  • Use dry, a-few-day-old bread so that egg mixture can soak into the bread more effectively.
  • Remember to grease casserole dish before adding items to it to french toast from sticking to it
  • Use Honey Crispy apples or other “baking-friendly” apples for this recipe.
  • Slice the apples thinly so that it cooks well in the oven.

Storage and Reheat

Keep apple French toast casserole the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. Store maple syrup separately. When ready to serve, heat in microwave and serve with maple syrup.

You can also freeze it in an airtight container for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, bring it to a complete defrost before reheating in the microwave.

Leftover apple French toast casserole is seriously the gift that keeps on giving. We make this for breakfast during the weekends, and then eat it throughout the week.

It’s just as lovely to wake up on weekdays and to heat up a warm, filling, delicious breakfast.

A plate of Apple French Toast Bake with maple syrup on it, apples and a fork on the side

If you want to be extra: serve apple French toast casserole with some bacon or breakfast sausage on the side, accompanied by a warm (or iced) coffee.

Is that not the breakfast of dreams or what!

Enjoy the loveliness that is this Apple French Toast Casserole!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the step where it sits in the refrigerator for a few hours/overnight?

You can if you are press for time. It’s not ideal but it’s still edible and tasty! We let it sit so that the dry bread can soak up the egg mixture.

How do I make apples less crunchy?

Peel apple and slice into very thin slices. If you want it to be super soft, you can saute them in a skillet beforehand.

Can I make this with almond milk or oatmilk?

Absolutely!

French Toast Casserole topped with sliced apples and powdered sugar in a rectangular dish

DID YOU ENJOY THIS RECIPE? Please comment below and give us a 5-star rating! This will help others find this recipe on Google and Pinterest. We very much appreciate your help! 🤍

Other Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Other Breakfast Favorites

wooden spatula scooping out a square piece of french toast bake

Apple French Toast Casserole

Delicious french toast casserole loaded with sliced apples a topped with a cinnamon brown sugar crumble. A yummy breakfast and brunch casserole recipe that you can make ahead and bake in the mornings.
4.97 from 30 votes
Print Pin
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Refrigerate time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours
Servings: 10 seervings
Calories: 410kcal
Author: MinShien

Ingredients

  • 12-14 cups French bread cubed
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 apple thinly sliced
  • cooking oil spray
  • powdered sugar
  • maple syrup

Streusel Topping

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted

Instructions

  • Thinly slice apple. Cube French bread.
  • Grease a 9″x13″ casserole with cooking oil.
  • In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Whisk egg mixture.
  • Add 1/2 of the cubed French bread to casserole dish, add 1/2 of the sliced apples, then pour 1/2 of the egg mixture. Add the rest of the French bread, then add the rest of the sliced apples, then the rest of the egg mixture. Remember to spread cubed French bread and sliced apples out evenly.
  • Wrap the casserole dish with saran wrap and refrigerate for four hours, or up to overnight.
  • In another small bowl, combine all "stresuel" topping and mix well. Refrigerate topping as well for four hours, or up to overnight.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Unwrap casserole dish. Stir stresuel topping with a spoon. Top casserole dish with the stresuel topping.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is fully cooked.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 349IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Take a pic and tag me at @joyous.apron, or hashtag #joyousapron on Instagram!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Looks delicious & easy to make . Will try out your recipe.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That’s great!! I hope you enjoy it!

  2. Mrs. Hersum says:

    5 stars
    Can this apple french toast casserole stay unbaked in the refrigerator for 48 hours instead of 24 hours?

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      That should be fine!

  3. 5 stars
    We made this for Christmas! We had to use oat milk because of allergies and it was still delicious!! Thanks for the great recipe!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I’m so glad it went so well, Amy! Thanks for the feedback!

  4. 5 stars
    This was the perfect make-ahead breakfast last Saturday when we had overnight guests! Easy to prep the night before and we had a relaxed and lazy morning with our friends while the delicious French Toast baked in the oven.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Glad you and your friends enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast !

  5. 5 stars
    Made this for a church brunch this past weekend, I’m not even sure there were crumbs left! So good!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!

  6. 5 stars
    I have made this several times and it’s always a hit. I love the crumble topping and there were so many juicy and tender apples in every bite. It’s like eating dessert for breakfast, and I’m not complaining!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you for sharing, Lynn! Dessert for breakfast sounds like a dream!

  7. 5 stars
    Officially *obsessed* with this baked French toast casserole! My kids and I had fun making it and then consuming half of the pan in one sitting! Seriously… such a delicious combination.

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Thank you, Erin! So glad you and your kids had fun making it together. Happy to hear it came out so well too!

  8. Priya Srinivasan says:

    5 stars
    We loved this overnight apple French toast casserole! This was our weekend breakfast, enjoyed making it with my boys, and the aroma while it was baking was fabulous!!!

    1. Joyous Apron says:

      Yay! I just love hearing that! Thank you for sharing and I’m happy you liked it!