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Easy Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe for a Cozy Dinner

Easy Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

A make-ahead French toast casserole made with French bread, cinnamon custard, apples, and brown-sugar pecan or walnut streusel. Serve it warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 1 16-ounce loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 Large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups Whole or 2% milk
  • 1 cup Half-and-half
  • 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped or thinly sliced
Streusel Topping
  • 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup Cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Optional Serving Ingredients
  • As desired Maple syrup
  • As desired Powdered sugar
  • As desired Whipped cream

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Spread the cubed French bread evenly in the dish, then scatter the chopped or sliced apples over the top.
  2. Whisk together the eggs, milk, half-and-half, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Pour the custard evenly over the bread and apples, pressing the bread down gently so it absorbs the liquid.
  3. Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. For the best texture, let the custard soak deeply into the bread before baking.
  4. Combine the brown sugar, flour, chopped nuts, and cinnamon for the streusel. Cut in the cold butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until coarse crumbs form.
  5. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the chilled casserole. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes, until puffed, golden, and set in the center.
  6. If the top browns too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time. Let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use day-old or slightly stale French bread. If the bread is fresh, dry the cubes in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious apples work well. Toss apples with a small amount of lemon juice if preparing them ahead to help prevent browning.