Simple French Toast Casserole with Apples

This crowd-pleasing Simple French Toast with Apples is easy to make casserole and is perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch. It has the perfect blend of cinnamon-infused French toast and the sweetness of apples.

Indulging in this Simple French Toast Casserole with Apples is like eating apple pie for breakfast. It’s a magical combination of French toast and apples with flavors of cinnamon French toast and a classic apple pie. Baked to golden brown perfection and then drizzled with a vanilla glaze, it’s simple yet can be served for a special occasion.

If you love French toast, then this breakfast casserole will become a much-loved favorite. It’s one of our favorites to make when we are having a lazy Sunday morning or breakfast for dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple French Toast Casserole with Apples

This simple dish couldn’t be easier to prepare by using a loaf of French bread, an egg custard mixture, and a can of apple pie filling.

This French toast casserole is great for serving a crowd. There is a little prep that is required before tossing it in the oven and letting it bake. No standing at the stove making an abundance of French toast which while easy can be time-consuming if you’re feeding a lot of people.

The recipe can be prepared the morning you are going to enjoy it or you can prep it the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator until the morning. Whatever way it’s made, it comes together quickly, giving you more time to do the things you love, like enjoying a cup of coffee while it bakes or catching up with your family and the latest news.

Why do you use stale bread for French Toast?

Stale bread will allow the bread to absorb more of the custard mixture, giving the French toast a richer flavor and creamier texture.  Bread can be left out the night before you are cooking or if you are in a pinch, dry the bread slices in a 275-degree oven for 10 minutes before soaking them in the custard. I like to check the bakery section for the clearance breads and choose one to use when I make this casserole.

Can I Freeze Baked French Toast Casserole?

Yes, this apple pie french toast casserole is perfect to freeze. Once it’s baked and cooled, cover the freeze-safe casserole dish with aluminum foil. When ready to eat, thaw overnight and then bake covered, in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until you find it is warmed all the way through. 

Time-Saving Tips and Variations

• Store leftovers in an airtight container (or cover the dish with plastic wrap), and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350-degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until it’s fully warmed through.
• While you can make your own apple filling for this dish, using a can of apple pie filling saves time and money.
• Using a loaf of stale bread is recommended for best results.
• You can use any type of bread: cinnamon bread, brioche, challah, sourdough, Texas toast, or your favorite hearty white bread.
• Make ahead: prepare this casserole the night before (for at least 8 hours) and keep it in the refrigerator until morning then bake as directed.
• Not fond of apples? Use another pie filling, blueberry or cherry are great choices.
• I recommend that you taste this dish before adding maple syrup, the sweetness of the apples should be enough to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Other breakfast ideas to enjoy

💡Explore my favorite Baking Essentials (Amazon affiliate link)

🥣Equipment

• 13 by 9 inch casserole dish
• large bowl
• small bowl
• spoon
• whisk

📃Ingredients

• 1 loaf (16 ounce) French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 (21-ounce can) apple pie filling

For the Drizzle:

• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoon milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Set aside. Cut the loaf of bread into one-inch cubes. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add the bread cubes to the bowl, and toss gently to coat it all in the batter.

Pour the soaked bread into the casserole dish and spread evenly. Then, spoon apple pie filling over the bread mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.

Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 50-55 minutes, then remove from the oven. Add the drizzle ingredients (powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla) to a small bowl, and stir until smooth. Drizzle over the top of the casserole.

Serve warm and enjoy this irresistible combination of creamy French toast and spiced apples!

Brunch Week Recipes

Every year around this time, a few of my blogger friends and I virtually celebrate Brunch together. Thanks to our delightful hostess, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures, for gathering us together this year. Three delicious days of recipes to serve for any breakfast, brunch, or even dinner if you choose.

• Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Crepes from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Coffee Cake Donuts from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Fried Deviled Eggs from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Lemon Blueberry Quick Bread from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
• Masala Papad from Magical Ingredients
• Mocha Latte Coffee Cake from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Sopes with Chorizo and Egg from Palatable Pastime
• Tex-Mex Breakfast Crepes from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Virgin Strawberry Margarita from Art of Natural Living

I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this one! I hope you try it, enjoy it, comment and rate it, and share it with your friends and family!

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