Skip to content

Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

The Best Texas French Toast Casserole Recipe also happens to be an easy overnight dish that can be completely prepared ahead of time. This is a jackpot breakfast bake that’ll become a fast favorite among your family and friends.

(This is an updated post with new step-by-step photos and instructions. You can read original post with tons of comments here.)

breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
This Texas French Toast is the BEST brunch for every weekend.

Best French Toast Casserole

I don’t often remake recipes once they’ve been thoroughly tested and have earned a spot on the blog. After all, there are approximately 27 times more brand new recipes I want to create than I actually have time for.

I’m tickled when people ask me whether it’s hard to come up with recipes to make…I’ve totally got the opposite problem. Buried in my files is a mountainous pile of yummy ideas that I’m craving to make with time I don’t have. My please-cook-me collection keeps growing with a life of its own.

But. This Best French Toast Casserole? It gets ongoing requests for repeat appearances. Ever since Miss Texas French Toast casserole hit the Pinterest runway back in 2012 (here’s my original blog post), it’s been hot 🔥 It’s one of the most Pinned breakfast bakes on the scene for years now.

Apparently, everyone loves a French toast bake with a crispy bottom layer that tastes so good, it doesn’t need maple syrup.

People who try this French Toast Bake are rewarded with a perfect pan of mouthwatering magic. Occasionally, someone asks for help. So today, I’m updating this breakfast casserole post to include some new how-to photos. I’ve updated specific instructions to ensure a super easy, fail proof, jaw dropping result every time.

You’ll end up with pan that’s no-crumbs-left empty. You’ve been warned: leftovers are highly unlikely…

breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
Use fresh Texas Toast bread loaf, found in the sandwich bread aisle.

Tips for the best French Toast Casserole:

  • Be absolutely sure you have the right kind of bread. (See above image.) You can find fluffy, white, thick loaves of Texas Toast in the fresh bread aisle of your grocery store. Not all stores carry it, but I have always been able to find it at major grocery stores, including Target.
  • If you can’t find Texas Toast, you can slice up a big loaf of French or Italian bread — just make sure to slice each piece about 1 1/4″ thick. The slices need to be thick for this hearty breakfast casserole.
  • If you’re staring at frozen garlic/cheese type “Texas Toast” – this is not the right kind of bread. Run away from frozen garlic bread labeled Texas Toast (unless you’re serving it with Lemon Basil Orzo with Chicken for dinner, in which case it would be all good.)
  • Hand whisk the egg mixture ingredients together: eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and a bit of salt. No fancy electric mixers needed.
breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
Almond extract is your secret ingredient.

Don’t skip the extract

Don’t skip the almond extract. It’s SO worth it to grab yourself a little bottle of almond extract if you don’t have any in your spice cabinet.

The almond extract truly imparts a sensational flavor to the dish. You can also use your almond extract to make Award Winning Almond Dessert Bars and Lemon Almond Poppy Seed Bread.

breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
Take the time to ensure every piece of bread is fully soaked through.

How to avoid any sogginess

  • Use pastry brush or even the back of a spoon to slowly brush on 1 cup of the egg mixture to first layer of bread slices.
  • Take your time. It’s worth a few extra seconds to ensure an even coating and thorough bread soaking, so you don’t end up with any risk of sog-factor at the bottom. If you pour the egg mixture too quickly over the bread slices, it won’t soak into the bread; it’ll just slide right into the bottom of your pan.
  • Be sure to get lots of wonderful egg mixture into the edges of each bread slice. It will make a difference.
  • Yes, you can just hand-dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture if you prefer; however, I find that’s actually messier and trickier than simply using my pastry brush.
breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
These thick slices of bread should soak up all the liquid.

Layering instructions

  • Generously sprinkle delightful cinnamon-sugar over that first layer of sliced bread.
  • Repeat it all for a second layer of sliced bread.
  • I like to sprinkle most of the dry cinnamon-sugar mix in the middle, reserving just a bit for the top. It helps prevent the top from getting too overly browned in the oven.
  • Cover tightly with foil, chill overnight, and bake in the morning.
  • Serve with maple syrup and berries, if you like.
  • But really, it’s so good you don’t need syrup at all.
breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
Hello, Golden Deliciousness.

Final tips

  • Sleep in a little, bake, and eat. Repeat.
  • Repeat again next weekend (and maybe all the weekends from now and forever more.)
breakfast casserole breakfast bake texas french toast casserole french toast bake
Add maple syrup, berries, or just dig right in.

Watch this recipe in action:

Best Texas French Toast Casserole Recipe

4.79 from 170 ratings
The Best Texas French Toast Casserole Recipe also happens to be an easy overnight dish that can be completely prepared ahead of time. This is a jackpot breakfast bake that'll become a fast favorite among your family and friends.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 20
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • ½ cup salted, melted butter (1 stick)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 fresh-sliced bread loaf of Texas Toast, Not frozen; found in fresh sliced bread aisle
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cup whole or lowfat milk
  • 1 TB pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp pure almond extract
  • tsp table salt
  • Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: 2 TB light brown sugar, packed 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Optional Toppings: powdered sugar, real maple syrup, fresh berries

Instructions

  • Put butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Add 1 cup brown sugar and stir until well incorporated.
  • Use rubber spatula to evenly press mixture into bottom of a greased 9×13 pan, spreading mixture evenly.
  • Use hand whisk to combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until fully incorporated. Mixture should be about 2 3/4 cup total. Set aside.
  • Lay a single layer of Texas Toast in pan (about 6 whole slices,) cutting additional pieces to fill pan bottom, if needed. Very gradually and slowly brush 1 cup of egg mixture evenly over every slice of bread, taking care to saturate edges (do not hastily pour egg mixture or all of it will end up at the bottom.)
  • Sprinkle evenly with most of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture, reserving about 2 tsp of the mixture for topping. Repeat with second layer, using another 6 slices or so of bread. Slowly brush remaining egg mixture over that layer, again paying special attention to the edges. Ensure all slices are well saturated. End with sprinkling of remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Cover tightly and chill overnight in fridge, or at least long enough for custard to thoroughly soak bread. Preheat oven to 350F, with rack on lower middle position. Let casserole rest at room temp while oven preheats. Bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for the first 30 minutes, and uncovered after that.
  • Be sure to scrape up all the bottom sticky goodness when serving. Serve with optional toppings, if desired.

Notes

*If you don't have time to chill overnight, let the casserole soak for at least 35 minutes at room temp before baking.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Method: Bake

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @chewoutloud on Instagram

Breakfast Bakes We Love:

  1. Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole
  1. Sweet Potato Sausage Breakfast Casserole
  1. Breakfast Enchilada Bake
  1. Baked French Toast Casserole with Streusel

Add a comment

Recipe Rating




78 comments

    • Janet

    Can this be cut down for a 9×9” pan? Should I just cut all ingredients in half? I’d like to make this for 4 people. Thanks.

      • Amy Dong

      Yes, you can cut all ingredients in half for a square pan. Enjoy!

    • Pam

    Made this for breakfast this am for our friends and it was a hit! Next time I will spray my foil with Pam so it doesn’t stick. No syrup needed!

    • Pam

    Made this French toast this am and it was a hit. So very moist! Next time I’ll spray the foil with Pam so it doesn’t stick. Excellent breakfast food!

    • Lisa
    • 5 stars

    What a nice looking breakfast idea.

    • Pam

    Can you layer four pieces. Of bread instead of three? Would you need more liquid?

      • Amy Dong

      If you increase the bread, yes, you’ll need to increase the liquid proportionally. Enjoy! 🙂

    • Sadie

    If I’m making it in a 9×9 do I cook it for the same length of time?

      • Amy Dong

      I would start checking 10-15 minutes early, to check for doneness. 🙂

    • Liz
    • 5 stars

    Absolutely delicious!!! Made it for a family brunch and it was a major hit!

    • nancy
    • 5 stars

    wonderful and perfect brunch recipe

    • Liz
    • 5 stars

    So yummy!!! I did a practice run for the holidays and will make it again on Thanksgiving—the family loved it.

    • Haley
    • 5 stars

    Made this yesterday and it was delicious. We don’t have Texas toast where I live so I had to substitute with a sliced brioche loaf, and I only had an 11×7 casserole, but other than that I kept everything the same. The leftovers disappeared before I could get them to the fridge and the family is already asking when I’ll make it again! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

      • Amy Dong

      You’re so welcome, Haley!

    • Maureen Fox

    Can leftovers be refrigerated and reheated. If so, what do you recommend?
    Thanks

      • Amy Dong

      Reheat uncovered in the oven, just until warmed through. Enjoy!

    • Dawn
    • 5 stars

    Made this for a church function, everyone raved how good it was. Made it for my family and they want to know how soon I will make it again.
    Thank you so much for sharing!

      • Amy Dong

      Yay, Dawn… this is one of our go-to’s for gatherings 🙂

    • D Miller
    • 5 stars

    Followed your recipe and tips. Everyone enjoyed! Thank you!

    • Diane Hamilton
    • 5 stars

    Oh. My. Gosh!!!!! I made this last evening and baked it this morning. This was deliciously heavenly!!! No syrup needed. Wow!!! No words to describe how great this was. You could serve this in a fine restaurant. And to top it off…. It was so easy to make!!! I’m making this for our Mother’s Day brunch for my 10 cousins who are flying in from California, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida. I can’t wait to fix this for them! Thank you for this recipe!

    • AndreaK
    • 5 stars

    This was fantastic! I made it 3 layers, dipped each slice of bread, and drizzled melted butter and just a little maple syrup over the top when I uncovered for the last 20 minutes in the oven. My whole family raved about it!

    • Eneida
    • 5 stars

    We all love this recipe it was a hit 7 years ago in Xmas morning & ever since. ❤️❤️ the best yummy

      • chewoutloud

      SO happy you all loved it!

    • Robin
    • 5 stars

    I have made this recipe every year for Christmas for the last 4 years. My family just loves it. This year I tried with the almond extract and oh my it brings it over the top. This is such a favorite my family requests it for other family gatherings. The best part is you can prepare ahead of time. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    • Jami Adams
    • 5 stars

    My family loves it! We make it all the time for a low key Saturday morning breakfast!

      • chewoutloud

      Yay! It’s a family favorite here, too 🙂

    • Pinky Pincus
    • 5 stars

    I haven’t tried this yet, but I recommend using challah for the bread. It’s the Jewish braided Sabbath bread, available in most grocery stores.. Brioche is a later version of this bread, but that would work also.

Get our free email series: 5 Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less

Plus our newest recipes each week