The best brioche french toast casserole recipe soaked in a sweet oat milk and maple syrup custard and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. Prepare it overnight and bake it in the morning; an easy sweet breakfast for busy mornings!
Best brioche french toast casserole recipe
I love French toast – especially these homemade French toast bagels and this protein French toast recipe. But I have to admit, this overnight French toast casserole is my favorite recipe. It’s made with soft and fluffy brioche bread soaked in sweet oat milk and maple syrup custard and topped with a homemade buttery cinnamon streusel made with coconut sugar. It’s the perfect dish to serve at a Sunday brunch, party, or family breakfast.
So, what makes this casserole the best? Well, it’s incredibly simple to put together. You won’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. These are just some basic items you likely already have in your kitchen. It takes under 10 minutes to prepare the night before, and then all you need to do is bake it in the morning!
Now, let’s talk about the flavor. It’s a delightful blend of sweet and buttery goodness. The brioche bread has a rich, cake-like texture and soaks up the custard mixture like a sponge, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. And the best part? This recipe is refined sugar-free so that you can savor every bite without the guilt.
But the real secret to its perfection is letting it sit overnight. Allowing the brioche bread to soak up the custard mixture in the fridge overnight ensures that each bite is like a warm, comforting hug. It’s a breakfast dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s a breakfast masterpiece!
Why you’ll love this easy recipe:
- Easy to make: this recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare
- Insane flavor: It is warm, buttery, and has a sweet cinnamon streusel on top
- Versatile: the perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- No refined sugar: This recipe is sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar
- Customizable: add your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, berries, or nuts
- Kid-approved: I tested it, and kids love this recipe
- Make ahead: easily prep french toast casserole the night before and bake it in the morning
- Warm and comforting: the cinnamon and vanilla-infused bread makes it a cozy breakfast
- Try these French toast bagels or this high-protein French toast next!
Recipe ingredients
This brioche french toast casserole calls for a handful of simple ingredients. You probably have everything in your pantry already! Here is a list of ingredients so you have everything prepared:
Brioche French toast casserole:
- Brioche Bread: First up, grab 1 loaf (14 – 16oz) of brioche bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes. Once soaked overnight and baked, brioche is warm, soft, and delicious! You can also use Texas Toast or Challah.
- Oat Milk or Almond Milk: Add oat milk or almond milk. It makes this French toast casserole so rich. You can also use 2% or whole cow’s milk.
- Eggs: The eggs to help this casserole hold together. It also adds protein!
- Maple Syrup: Add maple syrup for a little dash of natural sweetness. You can also use honey.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 Tablespoon seems like a lot of vanilla extract, but I promise it adds the BEST flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Finally, cinnamon adds that warm, cozy, and delicious classic French toast taste.
Sweet cinnamon streusel topping:
- All-Purpose Flour: For the base of this cinnamon streusel. You can use gluten-free flour if needed.
- Coconut Sugar: The key to making the crumble and sweet streusel so delicious! You can also use light brown sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon: For all the good flavors.
- Butter: Next, you need cold, cubed butter to make this streusel melt in your mouth.
Kitchen tools needed
You’ll need a few kitchen utensils to make this overnight brioche french toast casserole recipe – don’t worry, I bet you have all of them already!
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- 9×13 or 9×11 Baking Dish
- Measuring Tools: 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make brioche french toast casserole
This brioche french toast casserole comes together in two parts. We start by preparing and soaking the French toast overnight and baking it the following morning. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level baker can make them. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are in the recipe card’s bottom of this page.
Step 1:
First, lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray or butter. Then, add the cubed brioche to the greased baking dish.
Step 2:
Next, mix almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread and use your hands to ensure all bread pieces are saturated. Wrap the baking dish with tin foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight, if possible.
Step 3:
Once the casserole is ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, make the streusel topping by adding all the ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Use two knives or your hands to “cut” the cubed butter into the flour. It should be crumbly.
Step 4:
Once the oven is heated, remove the tin foil, evenly sprinkle the streusel on top of the casserole, and bake for 40 – 50 minutes until the top is golden brown. If browning too fast, add tin foil back on top during the last 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve with fresh berries. Enjoy!
Expert recipe tips for home bakers
- Soak the brioche: You MUST soak the French toast casserole in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best! This is my #1 tip for this recipe.
- Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes: nothing smaller, or the casserole can get mushy.
- Substitute the brioche bread: feel free to use Texas toast bread or challah if you don’t have brioche.
- If the casserole is browning too fast in the oven: add tin foil back on top during the last 15 minutes.
- It’s okay if the brioche french toast casserole deflates after you remove it from the oven: this means that moisture is releasing.
- Customize the flavor: feel free to experiment with flavor variations. You can add a handful of chocolate chips, raisins, or diced apples to the bread cubes for added flavor and texture. Just be mindful not to overcrowd the casserole with mix-ins.
- Top your casserole: I love dusting the top with powdered sugar and serving it with fresh berries for a little extra sweetness.
Easy ingredient substitution tips
This brioche french toast casserole is incredible as is, but here are ingredient substitution suggestions if you are missing an ingredient or two:
- Oat or Almond Milk: If you don’t have almond or oat milk, try 2% or whole cow’s milk!
- Brioche Bread: Use Texas Toast or Challah.
- Maple Syrup: You can use honey here.
- All-Purpose Flour: Try gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Butter: Use vegan butter or refined coconut oil (solid) and chilled.
- Coconut Sugar: Use light brown sugar.
What to serve with French toast casserole
- Fresh Fruit: We love fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
- Whipped Cream: Try adding a sweet dollop of whipped cream on top
- Greek Yogurt: For extra protein, try a dollop of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- Maple Syrup: Everyone loves that classic sweet, syrupy goodness
- Bacon or Sausage: For a heartier breakfast, serve your French toast casserole with crispy bacon strips or your favorite breakfast sausages.
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs or a quiche is savory and delicious.
- Hash Browns or Home Fries: Try these crispy hash browns or home fries for a salty and crispy side.
What is brioche?
Brioche bread is a rich and slightly sweet French bread known for its soft, tender crumb and buttery flavor. It’s an enriched dough made with a high proportion of butter and eggs, which gives it a delicate, cake-like texture, making it perfect for pastries, french toast, or a delicious standalone treat. It is very similar to Challah bread!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does brioche french toast casserole taste like?
This brioche French toast casserole is sweet, buttery, and tastes like classic French toast. The primary flavors come from the vanilla and cinnamon streusel topping.
What’s the texture?
Once baked, brioche french toast casserole is incredibly soft and fluffy inside with a crispy outside. The streusel topping is buttery and melts in your mouth. French toast casserole is not dry.
Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?
I highly recommend brioche bread, but you can use challah, Texas Toast, or French Bread if you do not have it.
Can I make French toast casserole without waiting overnight?
Yes! I recommend preparing the French toast casserole the night before and baking it in the morning. However, that’s unnecessary if you let it soak for 4 hours. Soaking it allows the brioche to soak up the oat milk and eggs to form a sweet custard filling.
Can I make a smaller portion of this recipe?
You can easily halve the recipe if you don’t need as much. Use a smaller 8×8-inch baking dish and reduce the recipe by half. You’ll also need to reduce baking by 5 – 10 minutes.
Can I make it dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, use room-temperature coconut oil instead of butter.
Is brioche gluten-free?
No, brioche bread is not naturally gluten-free. However, if you want to make this french toast casserole gluten-free, you can use homemade or special store-bought gluten-free brioche bread.
Why is my French toast casserole soggy?
If your french toast casserole is soggy, one of two things happened: (1) it did not soak long enough, or (2) you used the wrong bread. Use soft bread like Brioche, Challah, or Texas Toast.
How to store and reheat brioche French toast casserole:
Store leftovers by covering the original baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or in airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 – 4 days.
For best results, reheat in the original baking dish at 350°F for 5 – 10 minutes until warm and crisp. For quick reheating, use a microwave.
If you loved this recipe, try these next!
- French Toast Bagels
- Healthier Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
- Vegan Monkey Bread
- Lemon Poppy Seed Crumb Cake
- Healthy Coffee Cake
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Best Brioche French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
French Toast Casserole:
- 1 loaf brioche bread, 14 – 16oz, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- 1 ⅔ cups oat milk or unsweetened almond milk, vanilla or plain
- 6 eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping:
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, spoon & leveled
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 5 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
- Optional Topping: fresh berries, maple syrup and/or powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
Prepare (Night Before):
- Lightly grease a 9×13" baking pan with nonstick spray or butter.
- Add cubed brioche to the greased baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour mixture over bread and use your hands to make sure all pieces of bread are saturated.
- Wrap the baking dish with tin foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight, if possible.
Bake (Day Of):
- Once ready, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Make the streusel topping by adding all the ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Use two knives or your hands to “cut” the cubed butter into the flour. It should be crumbly.
- Once the oven is heated, remove the tin foil, evenly sprinkle the streusel on top of the casserole, and bake for 40 – 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown. If browning too fast, add tin foil back on top during the last 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve with fresh berries. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
Sharing is caring!
Lillian says
Made this for Easter. SO SO SO GOOD. Best french toast I have ever eaten. Thank you so much and I will definitely be making this recipe again for my family. It was perfect to soak overnight and then easy bake in the morning. The crumble on top was just wow and i served it with banana.
Jenny says
THE BEST!! Loved this recipe
Andrea says
Easy to make and so good. Everyone loved this recipe! Will be making again soon.