Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Your holiday brunch isn’t complete without this cinnamon apple French toast casserole! The whole house will smell amazing as it bakes in the oven, and with tender brioche, apple butter, apple pie filling, and cozy spices, you can be sure everyone will want a second helping.

Although it would seem like French toast casserole is more complicated than making traditional French toast, I think the opposite is true. Casserole is the easier option! 

Take this cinnamon apple French toast casserole recipe. Instead of dipping slices of bread in an egg and milk mixture, then standing over the stove and flipping each individual slice as it cooks, you can just assemble everything in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. There’s no leftover custard to pour down the drain and it’s the best way to make French toast if you’re serving more than one or two people.

Because it serves a crowd and it’s largely hands-off, this cinnamon apple French toast casserole is perfect for special occasions, like holiday brunches. But be warned that if you make it once, it’s going to become your new Christmas morning tradition. Your family will demand it every year!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Brioche Loaf – Or another type of enriched bread like cinnamon babka. 
• Half-and-Half – Using half-and-half rather than whole milk makes for a richer custard, but not quite as rich and heavy as one made with heavy cream.
• Apple Butter – If you’re an over-achiever, use homemade apple butter.
• Eggs – French toast is a custard, and that means eggs are a critical component.
• Pure Vanilla Extract – For something a little different, you can try almond extract.
• Spices – Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg add cozy flavor.
• Apple Pie Filling – A good quality store-bought filling or homemade apple pie filling.

How to Make Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.

1. Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and cut the brioche into cubes. Set the cubes in a large bowl.
2. Make the custard. In another bowl, whisk the half-and-half, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Finish the French toast mixture. Toss the apple pie filling with the brioche, then pour in the custard and toss again.
4. Bake. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish coated with cooking spray, then bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the French toast casserole is puffy and golden brown.
5. Serve. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then cut into slices and serve. 

Tips for Making French Toast Casserole

This recipe is easy, but here are some tips to help make it perfect!

• Use a GOOD apple pie filling. Canned store-bought apple pie filling can be unpleasantly sweet and mushy. It’s an easy way to ruin a recipe. I like to use homemade apple pie filling when I have the time to make it, but failing that, a good jarred filling will work.
• Use day-old bread. It does a better job soaking up the custard without getting mushy. If your bread isn’t stale, you can toast the cubes in the oven if you’d like.
• Make it ahead. French toast casserole is perfect for busy holiday mornings because you can prepare it the night before and simply pop it in the oven the next day. Just cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some ideas for customizing your cinnamon apple French toast casserole.

• Add some crunch. Tuck pecans or walnuts in with the bread cubes or top your French toast casserole with candied pecans. 
• Mix in some raisins. If you’re a raisin hater, avert your eyes! Otherwise, consider adding raisins to this recipe. They plump up in the custard, making them extra delicious.
• Switch up the bread. While brioche is my go-to for French toast casserole, you can really use any type of bread, or even a sweet bagel (like cinnamon raisin) or croissants.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

To store leftover cinnamon apple French toast casserole, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or transfer smaller portions to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. (If you freeze the casserole, let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.)

You can warm up your leftovers in a 350ºF oven until heated through or in the microwave.

What to Serve With Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

• Over Easy Eggs
• Turkey Breakfast Sausage
• Fruit Kabobs
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
• How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

More French Toast Recipes

• Peach Cobbler French Toast Bake
• Air Fryer French Toast
• Stuffed Panettone French Toast Casserole
• Brioche French Toast Casserole
• French Toast Sticks
• Eggnog French Toast
• Triple Berry Stuffed French Toast Casserole

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