If you’re craving a cozy breakfast that’s bursting with warm apple flavors and just the right touch of cinnamon, then you’re going to absolutely adore this Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that’s perfect for lazy weekend mornings or special brunches, and the best part? You can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven the next day. Trust me, this recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it’s foolproof, crowd-pleasing, and the perfect comfort food.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-ahead convenience: Assemble it the night before and wake up to heavenly aromas in the morning.
Perfectly balanced flavors: Tart apples, cinnamon spice, and a buttery streusel topping create the best combo.
Great for feeding a crowd: This casserole serves a big group, making brunches super easy.
Customizable recipe: You can tweak the sugar or add your favorite toppings without losing any magic.

A white baking dish holds a multi-layered baked dessert with three visible layers. The bottom layer is made of soft cooked apple slices, pale yellow in color, resting on a thin, golden crust. Above this, there is a thick, light brown crumbly streusel layer that looks crunchy and uneven, covering the apples. A thin, slightly shiny drizzle of white icing runs lightly across the top streusel layer in wavy lines. The edges of the dish show some baked-on residue, adding a homemade feel. The white marbled surface beneath the dish adds a clean, bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple French Toast Casserole, Apple French Toast Bake, Easy Apple Breakfast, Cinnamon Apple Brunch, Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here brings something special to the table, from the soft, sweet apples to the custardy bread soak. Using day-old French bread is my secret for soaking up all that delicious custard without turning mushy.

Flat lay of peeled, cored, and sliced fresh apples arranged neatly, diced rustic French bread cubes, six whole large eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl holding ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground nutmeg, diced salted butter cubes arranged artfully on a simple white ceramic plate, and a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract placed symmetrically, all on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Apple French Toast Casserole, Apple French Toast Bake, Easy Apple Breakfast, Cinnamon Apple Brunch, Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Apples: I recommend tart varieties like Granny Smith to balance the sweetness perfectly.
Salted butter: Dividing the butter helps with cooking apples and creating a luscious streusel topping.
Granulated sugar: Adjust this depending on how sweet you like your casserole or what toppings you plan to use.
Ground cinnamon: The star spice here for that quintessential fall flavor.
Day-old French bread: Its firm texture holds up beautifully when soaked in custard.
Milk and heavy cream: A combo that gives the casserole richness without being too heavy.
Large eggs: They bind the custard together and add protein for a hearty breakfast.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and brightness to the custard.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch rounds out the spices nicely.
Light brown sugar: Used in the streusel topping for that deep, caramel-like sweetness.
All-purpose flour: Helps hold the streusel together, giving that perfect crumbly texture.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite parts about this Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I’ve played around with different add-ins and toppings over time, and it’s always a hit no matter what.

Add nuts: I love tossing chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping for a lovely crunch that pairs so well with the soft apples.
Swap fruits: Pears or berries work beautifully if you want to switch things up seasonally.
Make it dairy-free: Use almond or oat milk and a dairy-free butter alternative, and it still turns out rich and delicious.
Spice it up: A dash of cardamom adds a unique twist to the classic cinnamon flavor.

How to Make Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Apples to Perfection

Start by heating a medium skillet over medium-high heat and melting 2 tablespoons of butter. Add in 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, stirring until it’s all combined and bubbling. Toss in your peeled, cored, and sliced apples and let them cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so they soften but don’t turn to mush. I learned that perfectly cooked apples are the heart of this dish, giving it that tender texture and sweet-spiced flavor.

Step 2: Layer Bread and Apples in the Baking Dish

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray, then add your diced day-old French bread in an even layer. Next, spread the warm cooked apples on top of the bread. This way, the apples stay nicely layered instead of sinking to the bottom, giving your casserole great texture in every bite.

Step 3: Mix the Custard and Pour

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, sugar (adjust amount depending on your topping preference), and the remaining cinnamon. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples in your baking dish. You’ll want to make sure every piece soaks up some of that custard—this is what transforms the bread into silky, delicious French toast.

Step 4: Prepare and Add the Streusel Topping

For the streusel, mix the light brown sugar, diced butter, all-purpose flour, and remaining cinnamon with your fingertips until it resembles a crumbly texture. This little topping adds a beautiful buttery crunch and a hint of caramel flavor. Sprinkle it generously over the casserole. At this point, cover your dish and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, but overnight is even better if you have the time.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Set

Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and place the casserole on the center rack. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is set (no longer jiggly when you gently shake the dish) and the streusel has turned a gorgeous golden brown. If the top starts to brown too quickly, tent the casserole with foil to keep it from burning. My family goes crazy for this stage – the aroma fills the whole house and you just know breakfast is going to be amazing!

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Pro Tips for Making Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

Use day-old bread: Fresh bread can get soggy quickly, but day-old bread soaks up custard beautifully, giving a perfect texture.
Don’t skip cooking the apples: Sautéing the apples first softens them and infuses them with cinnamon and sugar, boosting the flavor immensely.
Overnight soak is key: Refrigerate the assembled casserole overnight to let flavors meld and improve custard absorption.
Tent with foil if needed: If your streusel starts browning too fast, tent it with foil to prevent burning while baking the custard fully.

How to Serve Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

The dish shows a white baking dish filled with a layered dessert that has a golden brown crumb topping with a rough, crumbly texture. A woman's hand is holding a spoon above the dish, slowly pouring a smooth, creamy white sauce over the crumbly top layer, creating small pools of sauce on the uneven surface. The dessert appears dense and thick with visible pieces of baked dough beneath the crumbly layer. The background and surface are white with a marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Apple French Toast Casserole, Apple French Toast Bake, Easy Apple Breakfast, Cinnamon Apple Brunch, Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping this casserole with a simple sour cream icing or just a dusting of powdered sugar. It adds a little tang or sweetness that complements the cinnamon apples so well. Sometimes I drizzle warm maple syrup, especially if I want an extra indulgent brunch. Fresh sliced apples or a sprinkling of chopped nuts also add beautiful texture and color when serving.

Side Dishes

This dish is wonderful on its own, but I love pairing it with some crispy bacon or sausage links for a savory contrast. A fresh fruit salad or simple green salad balances out the richness too. For a brunch party, serve with coffee, orange juice, and maybe some yogurt parfaits for a complete spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve mini portions of the Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe in individual ramekins—everyone feels special with their own personal dish! You can also layer in caramel sauce between the bread and apples for a decadent twist. Adding edible flowers or a sprig of fresh mint on top makes the presentation look effortless and beautiful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which might be rare with my family around!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for 3-4 days and taste great cold or reheated. I usually cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil to keep the streusel topping from drying out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen assembled Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe before baking, tightly wrapped in foil and plastic wrap. When ready to bake, I thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as usual—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. This trick is a lifesaver for busy mornings!

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, pop a serving in the oven at 350ºF for about 10-15 minutes until warm and the streusel gets crispy again. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that lovely crunch.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than French bread for this casserole?

Absolutely! While day-old French bread works best because of its sturdy texture, you can also use brioche, challah, or even a sturdy whole wheat bread. Just make sure the bread is a day old to soak up the custard properly without turning mushy.
Do I have to cook the apples before adding them?

Cooking the apples beforehand softens them and lets the cinnamon and sugar infuse the fruit, enhancing the flavor. If you skip this step, the apples may remain too firm or release too much liquid during baking, which can affect texture.
Can I prepare the entire casserole the night before?

Yes! In fact, refrigerating the assembled casserole overnight helps the bread soak up the custard fully and blend the flavors. It’s a major time-saver and makes breakfast effortless.
What toppings do you recommend?

I love a simple sour cream icing or a dusting of powdered sugar. Maple syrup is great, too, especially if you want extra sweetness. Chopped nuts or fresh fruit add texture and color for a fun presentation.

Final Thoughts

Making this Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe has become one of my favorite kitchen rituals, especially on chilly mornings when nothing else will do. It fills the house with such a comforting aroma and brings everyone to the table happy and hungry. I really encourage you to give it a try—whether it’s for a special occasion or just to treat yourself during the week. Once you get the hang of this recipe, you’ll see why it’s a staple in my home and hopefully in yours too.