Golden brown on top and soft and spongy in the center, this brioche French toast casserole recipe is all the things you love about classic French toast, only better because it bakes in the oven and makes enough to feed a crowd. Three cheers for enjoying piping hot French toast together!
One thing I love about the weekend is making a big family breakfast and over-caffeinating while the kids run around like little lunatics.
With its sweet, golden brown exterior and soft, spongy center —this easy but beautiful, brunch-worthy brioche French toast casserole is one of our favorites and a regular part of our weekend mornings.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, it’s everything you love about classic French toast but in an easy, no-fuss form. This easy French toast bake takes about 10 minutes to put together and 25 minutes to bake, leaving you plenty of time (and free hands!) to fry up some bacon, set the table, and even pour yourself a second cup of coffee.
Another great thing about this easy breakfast casserole is everyone eats hot French toast at the same time. There are no parents left behind grumbling over the griddle while the rest of the crew scrapes their plates.
Leftovers are rare if you’re feeding a crowd, but when I make this for the four of us, we usually have enough for 1-2 additional breakfasts later in the week. A fast, hearty breakfast for the win!
Why I love this brioche French toast casserole recipe
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Bakes in the oven so you can pull the rest of the breakfast together (or sip a second cup of coffee!)
- Beautiful, golden brown exterior while soft and spongy in the center
- Hot French toast for a crowd (or just your fam!)
- Leftovers are the perfect breakfast for busy mornings
Ingredients to make this French toast recipe
You need just a handful of ingredients for this brioche French toast casserole recipe:
- Brioche bread
- Eggs
- Milk
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Plus, whatever toppings and sides you like. I like to top ours with toasted walnuts, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and warm maple syrup with a bowl of fresh berries on the side.
Ingredient substitutions & variations
- Brioche: If you can’t find brioche, challah bread would be a comparable substitution
- Seasonal variations: Change up the spices to put a seasonal spin on this delicious French toast casserole. Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice for the cinnamon in the fall or DIY Gingerbread spice for the holidays or Christmas morning.
How to make this easy French toast casserole
Here’s how to make this quick and easy brioche French toast breakfast, step-by-step:
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Step 2: Slice the brioche into 1” cubes and transfer to a large bowl.
- Step 3: In a small mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk until well combined.
- Step 4: Slowly pour half of the egg mixture (custard) over the brioche. With clean hands, gently fold the brioche over once or twice to coat it. Add the remaining custard and fold everything once more with your hands just until the custard mixture has been absorbed and the brioche is well coated.
- Step 5: Gently transfer the brioche to your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even single layer. Sprinkle on the remaining brown sugar and bake until golden brown and the custard has set, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with desired toppings, and serve immediately.
Helpful equipment & tools
- Silicone brush for greasing the casserole dish with melted butter
- Nordic Ware 9×13 aluminum baking pan (love the lid for prepping the night before and easy potluck transport)
- Stasher bags for storing leftovers in the fridge or freezer (I personally like the ½ gallon or stand-up style for this recipe)
How kids can help
Involving little ones can decrease picky eating and increase appetite and willingness to try new foods. Here are a few ways they can help:
- Toddlers: Help measure ingredients, beat the eggs/make the custard, help tear the bread (vs. cutting it), transfer bread mixture to baking dish
- Little Kids: All of the above plus practice cutting the bread
- Big Kids: Give them the recipe and see how they do!
Recipe tips & tricks
- If you have a busy morning planned, assemble this casserole the night before. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator the next morning and let it rest on the counter for 60-90 minutes before baking.
- Have leftover brioche? Transfer it to an airtight food storage bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and freeze it for the next batch!
What to serve with this baked French toast casserole
- Warm maple syrup
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
- Fresh fruit salad
- Orange slices
- Melon slices
- Bacon
- Cheesy scrambled eggs
- Chicken or pork breakfast sausage
- Coffee (duh!)
Storing and reheating
Leftover French toast casserole makes a quick and satisfying breakfast later in the week.
Refrigerating
To store in the fridge, slice cooled leftovers into individual servings. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.
Freezing
To freeze, slice cooled leftovers into individual portions. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 2-3 hours. Transfer frozen slices to a freezer bag (I love these ½-gallon or stand-up Stasher bags), pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Defrost individual slices in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat leftover French toast casserole in the microwave or in the oven (covered) until warmed through, about 45-60 seconds in the microwave or 10-15 minutes at 300°F in the oven. If reheating in the oven, let the French toast sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before transferring it to the oven to help it reheat more evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bread is best for French toast?
Buttery brioche bread is a favorite and arguably the best kind of bread for French toast. Made with butter and egg, it’s a richer version of sandwich bread that can hold a lot of custard and keep its shape. It bakes up crisp on the outside and soft and spongy on the inside. Brioche also freezes well — just pull the loaf out of the freezer and let it defrost overnight.
In addition to brioche, challah also works well for this French toast. Challah is rich and buttery and, when baked, will have a soft and spongy center like brioche.
Can you make this French toast casserole ahead of time?
You can assemble this baked french toast the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Remove it from the refrigerator 60-90 minutes before baking the next day.
Other delicious breakfast recipes you might like:
- These French Toast Muffins are very similar and in a fun-to-eat form
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins make a great breakfast or snack
- This healthy No Added Sugar Banana Bread is a reader favorite, as is my No Added Sugar Pumpkin Banana Bread and No Added Sugar Zucchini Banana Bread
Easy Brioche French Toast Casserole Recipe
This easy, baked brioche French toast casserole recipe is so simple and delicious! It’s perfect for a big brunch or a make-ahead breakfast.
- Prep Time:
10 minutes - Total Time:
35 minutes - Makes:
12 slices 1x
10 minutes
35 minutes
12 slices 1x
Ingredients
- 24 ounces brioche bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 5 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: Toasted walnuts or pecans, powdered sugar, maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Slice the bread. Slice the brioche into 1-inch cubes and transfer the cubed bread to a large mixing bowl.
- Make the custard. In a small mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk until well combined.
- Combine the brioche and custard. Slowly pour half of the egg mixture (custard) over the brioche. With clean hands, gently fold the brioche over once or twice to coat. Add the remaining custard and fold everything once more with your hands just until the custard has been absorbed and the brioche is well coated.
- Bake and serve. Gently transfer the brioche to your prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the casserole and bake until golden brown and the custard has set, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven, top with desired toppings, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition information was calculated using 20 ounces of French brioche bread (Trader Joe’s) and whole milk; does not include toppings or maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 478 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 179 mg
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