This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole is the perfect recipe for holidays or any time you want a fun breakfast without a ton of work. This easy breakfast casserole loaded with fresh apples and a delicious streusel topping!
Overnight French Toast Makes Breakfast Easy
The past few days, I’ve been spending time with some awesome bloggers in San Francisco. I’m home now, but I had a blast with everyone. It was a super relaxed trip. There was a general agenda of some fun things to do to explore the city but no pressure or strict schedule. I finally got to see the Golden Gate Bridge too! The last time I was in San Fran with the hubs, there was so much fog you’d have thought the bridge wasn’t real. This time we had amazing weather every day. And since Dorothy (from Crazy for Crust) grew up there, she was the perfect guide!
To give you an idea of the relaxed nature of the trip, one morning when I walked into the suite at the hotel that acted as our gathering space and “home base”, I asked if there was coffee creamer when I made coffee. The response I got was, “There’s Baileys!” Oh, how I love Lisa (from Wine and Glue)! 🙂 And I did have Baileys. I mean, that’s what vacation – and friends – are for, right? The weekend was full of just the right mix of blogging talk and relaxing with friends.
One of the great things about this french toast casserole is that because it’s so easy to prepare, you can totally enjoy time with your family rather than spend a bunch of time making breakfast. Particularly at the holidays, with so much going on and so much food being prepared, it allows you to get some prep work done ahead so you can spend the morning with your family. That’s how I like it. Not to mention that it’s cinnamon apple, which I love.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole
Preparing this breakfast casserole is quite easy and uses pretty standard ingredients, which I’m into. You’ll want a nice sized loaf of bread, about 1 pound. I personally am a big fan of sourdough bread in all things, so it’s what I use in this casserole. Feel free to use another kind of bread, but I wouldn’t suggest regular sandwich bread. That would be a little soft and wouldn’t bake quick as nicely. Add some chopped apples to the bread and add it to a casserole dish.
The egg and milk mixture that’s poured over the bread is all mixed together in a big bowl. Easy, right? You’ll combine eggs, milk, cream, sugars and some flavorings. I like to use a mix of 2% milk and heavy cream to get some good fat in there and keep this casserole soft and moist. I also love using a mix of regular and brown sugars. The brown sugar adds some nice flavor to compliment the cinnamon and apples. For additional flavor, we’ve got some vanilla and cinnamon.
I like to try to be sure when I pour the mixture over the bread that I get all the bread on top a little wet. It’ll moisten and soak up the liquid overnight, but that’ll help make sure that nothing gets too dry when it bakes later. On top of the casserole is some cinnamon streusel – which is basically like magic when sprinkled over anything.
How Long Does French Toast Casserole Need To Cook?
The casserole should be baked for about 35-40 minutes. It’ll depend a bit on your preference – some people like a little moister center and some like it a little more cooked. One way to test the doneness is to stick a knife in the middle and see how much moisture comes out on it.
I like to serve the french toast casserole with some maple syrup, but powdered sugar and even caramel sauce could make fun additions. You know me – always finding a way to satisfy that sweet tooth. 😉
Your Whole Family Will Love This Easy Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole was a big hit! The cinnamon and apples are such a great flavor for breakfast. The apples soften while baking, but they aren’t soggy. The inside is soft and moist, the top is just crunchy enough. I can’t wait to make it again when the holidays roll around. 🙂
More French Toast Recipes You Might Like
- Pumpkin Bread French Toast
- Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole
- Overnight Funfetti Cake Batter French Toast Casserole
- Berry French Toast Casserole
- Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
- Overnight Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole is the perfect easy recipe for holidays or any time you want a fun breakfast without a ton of work. It’s loaded with fresh apples and a delicious streusel topping!
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 lb loaf Sourdough Or French Bread, cut into chunks
- 3 cups (326g) chopped apples (2 large apples)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (36g) light brown sugar, unpacked
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping and Additional Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (169g) firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, cut into pieces
- Additional toppings such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream or caramel sauce, optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Then chop the bread into bite-sized chunks with a serrated knife and place the chunks in a large bowl.
- Chop the apples into small chunks. (The skin can be peeled off or left on according to personal preference.) Add the apples to the bowl with the bread and stir gently to combine.
- Lay the bread chunks and chopped apples in an even layer in the bottom of the dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread, making sure the top is saturated.
- Cover the casserole and store in the fridge overnight.
- When ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Bake the casserole uncovered for about 35-40 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, combine the dry ingredients for the streusel in a small bowl. Add the butter and mash it into the dry mixture until it becomes crumbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the streusel over the top of the casserole.
- Bake casserole for about 5 more minutes, or until the streusel is melted and crisp.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly. Serve warm with syrup or other desired toppings.
- Store in the fridge. Tastes best when eaten within 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 457
- Sugar: 30.4 g
- Sodium: 405.4 mg
- Fat: 17.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 60.8 g
- Protein: 14.7 g
- Cholesterol: 161.7 mg
Enjoy!
I have made this recipe at least a dozen times and it’s always a hit! However I found out the hard way that you can not use a disposable aluminum serving dish at the same cooking time and temperature! Just thought I would put it out there so nobody else decides to bring a dish over to the in laws for a holiday and wonder why it’s not working!!!
Thank you for sharing! Glad you enjoy the recipe!
I made this recipe in the morning. Let the milk and eggs soak into the bread while I cut up the apples. Turned out great, everyone loved it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Do you have to chill overnight?
I think it helps everything soak into the bread and make it a little more moisture throughout, but you don’t have to.
I made this for Christmas morning. Definitely sugar overload. Can it be made with less of the sugars?
Sure, you can definitely reduce them to your desired amount. You just may not need to bake the casserole as long.
What kind of apples, green, red, mixed?
You can use whatever you prefer. I believe I used red, but I think a combo of red and green would be great too.
Could you use gluten free bread?
I would think so. That should be fine.
I followed the recipe exactly and baked it for over 2 hours my eggs are still not cooked, the apples are still hard and crunchy and it did not work at all! Thanksgiving breakfast fail!
Hmm, something sounds like it was off. I made my overnight berry french toast casserole and the recipe is the same, but with different fruit. It only baked for 45 minutes. If yours wasn’t cooked after two hours, you might want to check your oven. Or perhaps an ingredient was mis-measured? Or did you add apple pie filling instead of fresh chopped apples?
Same thing happened to me! After 40 min in the oven pulled it out to find the eggs still liquid
You would just want to bake it longer. All ovens vary.
I used gluten free bread and lactose-free cottage cheese instead of the heavy whipping cream, how many milk instead of the whole milk and everyone loved it… And it was gluten and lactose-free!
I made this for Mother’s Day and it was a huge hit. Everyone asked me for the recipe. I will definitely make it again. I used sourdough bread, honey crisp apples, and forgot the apple pie spice.
So glad it was a hit!
Excellent! Made this when family was visiting. No leftovers, everyone loved it. Only had Italian bread. Toasted in over before cubing.
I’m so glad it was a hit!
Do the apples discolor?
You can see what they look like in the photos, if that helps. I don’t think they really discolor.
What’s in “apple pie spice?” I don’t want to buy it since I’m sure I have what’s needed in my spice cabinet. Looking forward to making this recipe!
I am making this for Christmas breakfast and can’t wait! Question: would I be able to use Challah bread instead?
I think that’d be fine. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi..I am going to make this.. sounds yummy.!!!!!..can I make it and freeze it before baking?…would like to make a few days before company comes! also how many does this serve? I need it for 10 people!!!
I’ve really never tried freezing an egg-based casserole like this before baking it. I don’t know if it would affect the texture or not. I think the eggs would be fine, but I’m not sure if it would break the bread down or not. I really am not sure. But it should be enough to serve 10, as long as people aren’t taking huge portions. I often serve it along with my sausage and egg casserole.
I made this last Christmas and it was great! Will definitely make again this year.
A few notes:
• Made a half-recipe in an 8×8 pan.
• Didn’t use cream – just used additional milk instead.
• Added some frozen cranberries – tasted great and looked very festive!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!