Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole (Cozy, Custardy & Perfect for Brunch!)

This Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole is everything you want in a cozy brunch bake with soft custardy bread, warm cinnamon, sweet apples, and just the right amount of maple drizzle on top. It’s easy to assemble, feeds a crowd, and bakes up golden and fragrant, making it perfect for holidays, weekend brunch, or breakfast-for-dinner.

You can prep it the morning of, or assemble it the night before and let it soak in the fridge for a true overnight French toast casserole. Serve it with warm maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a side of crispy bacon or sausage for a complete meal.

It pairs beautifully with your other cozy favorites like Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Chicken, Mushroom & Cheese Omelet, or Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for a full brunch spread. For a savory balance, add an Egg-in-a-Hole Grilled Cheese Sandwich or Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches to the table.

Recipe Card

Servings: 8–10 Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time (optional): 30 minutes–overnight Cook Time: 40–50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus optional chill)

Ingredients

For the Casserole

• 1 loaf day-old French bread or brioche, cubed (about 12–14 cups)

• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored & diced (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith)

• 8 large eggs

• 2 ½ cups milk (or half milk, half cream)

• ½ cup heavy cream (optional for extra richness; can sub milk)

• ½ cup pure maple syrup (or packed brown sugar)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

• 3 tbsp melted butter

For Serving

• Maple syrup

• Powdered sugar

• Extra cinnamon apples (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep the Dish:

   Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add cubed bread and diced apples, tossing lightly to distribute evenly.

2. Make the Custard:

   In a large bowl, whisk together:

   • eggs

   • milk

   • heavy cream (if using)

   • maple syrup

   • vanilla

   • cinnamon

   • nutmeg

   • salt

3. Assemble: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples, gently pressing down with a spatula so everything starts to soak.

4. Chill (Optional but Recommended): Let the casserole sit 30 minutes at room temp, or cover and refrigerate overnight for a deeper flavor and a more custardy texture.

5. Make the Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.

6. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the top of the casserole. Bake 40–50 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is mostly set (a little soft is okay for a custardy texture).

7. Serve: Let cool 10–15 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.

How to Serve

Serve warm squares topped with:

• Maple syrup

• Powdered sugar

• Extra cinnamon-sautéed apples

• Whipped cream or vanilla yogurt

For a complete brunch spread, pair with:

• Pumpkin Spice Bread or Cinnamon Swirl Bread

• Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches or Egg-in-a-Hole Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• A side of Cinnamon Sugar Pecans for snacking

Tips

• Use day-old bread so it soaks up the custard without turning mushy.

• For a less sweet casserole, reduce the maple syrup to ⅓ cup.

• Use Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for a sweeter apple.

• If it’s browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.

FAQ

Q: Can I make this the night before?

Yes — assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let it sit at room temperature 20–30 minutes while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.

Q: What bread works best?

Day-old French bread, brioche, or challah are all perfect — they soak up the custard while still holding their shape.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes — use dairy-free milk (like almond or oat) and a plant-based butter for the topping. The texture will be slightly less rich but still delicious.

Q: Can I make this without eggs?

French toast casseroles rely on eggs for structure, but you can experiment with an egg substitute (like a liquid egg replacer or flax “eggs”) if needed, knowing it may be softer.

Q: How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat individual pieces in the microwave or warm in the oven at 325°F until heated through.

Q: Can I freeze it?

Yes — freeze individual pieces wrapped well, then reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through.

Conclusion

This Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole brings all the cozy flavors of apple pie and French toast into one easy, bake-and-serve dish. It’s perfect for holidays, weekend brunches, or anytime you want a special breakfast that doesn’t require standing at the stove flipping slices. Serve it with warm maple syrup, fresh fruit, and a hot cup of coffee for a truly comforting start to the day.