If you’re a fan of cozy, comforting breakfasts that feel like a warm hug, you’re going to love this Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish brings together tender apples, cinnamon-spiced custard, and a buttery streusel topping, all baked into a gorgeous golden casserole the whole family can dive into. Whether you’re planning a leisurely weekend brunch or a special weekday treat, this recipe is a game-changer that you’ll want to make again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it the night before, so breakfast is effortless and still incredibly fresh.
Perfect Apple Cinnamon Flavor: The sautéed apples with cinnamon add warmth and sweetness that feels just right.
Family Favorite: My family absolutely goes crazy for this — it’s the centerpiece of our holiday brunch every year.
Comfort Food at its Best: It’s rich, custardy, and topped with a buttery streusel — pure breakfast happiness.

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 cinnamon breakfast, easy baked french toast, cozy brunch dish, apple dessert casserole

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create layers of flavor and texture. Using day-old French bread gives the casserole the perfect chewy texture without turning mushy, while the combination of milk and heavy cream keeps the custard rich and silky.

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 cinnamon breakfast, easy baked french toast, cozy brunch dish, apple dessert casserole

Apples: I like using a crisp apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for just the right balance of tart and sweet.
Salted butter: Divided for sautéing apples and making the streusel — it adds richness you don’t want to skip.
Granulated sugar: Used to gently caramelize the apples and sweeten the custard.
Ground cinnamon: Splitting it between apples, custard, and streusel layers ensures warm, cozy cinnamon notes throughout.
French bread: Using day-old bread is key—it soaks up the custard without falling apart.
Milk and heavy cream: Combined for that creamy base in the custard.
Large eggs: The backbone of the custard, adding structure and richness.
Vanilla extract: Offers a lovely fragrant sweetness that rounds out the flavors.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds warmth without overpowering the apples.
Light brown sugar: For a deep caramel flavor in the streusel topping.
All-purpose flour: Helps the streusel hold together with a 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 things about this Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I’ve played around with a few tweaks depending on the season or dietary preferences, and honestly, each variation brings something new and delicious to the table.

Add nuts: I love adding chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping for an extra crunch — it’s a hit with guests.
Switch the bread: If you want a richer base, brioche or challah work beautifully instead of French bread.
Make it dairy-free: Swap the milk and cream for almond or oat milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative for the apples and streusel.
Spice it up: A dash of ground ginger or cardamom in the custard adds a lovely twist that pairs well with apples.

How to Make Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Apples to Perfection

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter melts, add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon — this creates a lightly caramelized base that makes the apples shine. Toss in your peeled, cored, and sliced apples, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 5 minutes until the apples soften but still hold their shape. Let them cool while you prepare the rest — this step is what gives the casserole its irresistible layered sweetness.

Step 2: Assemble the Bread and Apple Layers

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray so nothing sticks later — I like to use coconut oil spray for a subtle flavor touch. Spread the diced day-old French bread evenly across the dish, then layer the cooled sautéed apples on top. This layering keeps the apples nestled within the bread, so each bite bursts with cinnamon apple goodness.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Custard and Pour

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar (adjust between ½ cup or 1 cup depending on whether you’re serving with maple syrup), milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla, nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. This custard mixture is the magic that soaks into the bread and apples, and you want to make sure all ingredients are well combined for a silky texture. Pour it evenly over the bread and apple layers, pressing gently if needed to help the bread soak up the custard.

Step 4: Make and Add the Streusel Topping

Mix the light brown sugar, diced butter, flour, and remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Use your fingertips to crumble the butter into smaller pieces — this is key for that perfect streusel texture that bakes into a crisp, buttery topping. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the prepared casserole. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, but overnight is ideal — this soaking time lets the flavors meld and the bread fully absorb the custard.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350ºF and place the rack in the center. Remove the casserole from the fridge, uncover it, and bake for 45-55 minutes. The casserole should be set — not jiggly in the middle — and the streusel topping golden brown. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent with foil to protect it. When it’s done, let it cool for a few minutes so it firms up slightly before digging in.

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Pro Tips for Making Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread soaks up too much custard and turns mushy; using bread that’s a day old ensures a perfect texture.
Don’t Skip the Soaking Time: Refrigerating overnight really helps the bread absorb custard evenly for creamy, clean slices.
Protect Your Topping: If the streusel browns too fast, tent with foil mid-bake to avoid burning while the center finishes cooking.
Customize Your Sweetness: Adjust sugar amounts in custard based on your serving preferences, especially if topping with syrup or sour cream icing.

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 cinnamon breakfast, easy baked french toast, cozy brunch dish, apple dessert casserole

Garnishes

I usually top my apple French toast casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of sour cream icing — it adds a tangy contrast that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. Fresh apple slices and a sprinkle of chopped nuts elevate the look and texture for guests. And yes, maple syrup is optional here because the casserole is already full of flavor, but it’s always available for those who want it.

Side Dishes

For a full morning feast, I love serving this casserole with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage on the side — the salty-savory contrast is incredible. Fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette also pair nicely, making the meal feel lighter and adding fresh notes.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve served this for special occasions like holiday brunches or birthdays, I like to bake it in individual ramekins for personalized servings — it feels fancy but is so easy! Another fun idea is to layer the casserole in a clear glass dish so your guests can see all those gorgeous apple cinnamon layers before you bake it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, I recommend covering the casserole tightly with foil or transferring portions to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just remember, it’s best eaten within that time frame for maximum flavor and texture.

Freezing

Freezing this casserole works okay if you’re in a pinch, but I’ve noticed the texture can be slightly affected after thawing. To freeze, cool completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat slices in a 350ºF oven for about 15-20 minutes to bring back the crisp topping and warm the custard through without drying it out. Microwaving is quicker but can make the bread a bit soggy, so I prefer the oven method when I have time.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! While I recommend tart apples like Granny Smith or sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp for a nice balance, you can use any apples you enjoy. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples may make the casserole less tart, so adjust sugar accordingly.
Can I prepare this casserole the morning of and bake immediately?

While you can bake it right away, I’ve found that letting the casserole soak in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours or overnight results in a creamier texture and more evenly flavored dish. If you’re short on time, an hour will help, but overnight is best.
Do I have to add the streusel topping?

The streusel topping adds a wonderful buttery crunch and texture contrast, but if you’re in a hurry or prefer a simpler version, you can skip it. The casserole will still be delicious, but that streusel definitely takes it to the next level.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Cover leftovers tightly with foil or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. I usually aim to eat them within 3-4 days for best taste and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Apple French Toast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s that “wow” breakfast I crave when I want something a little extra special but still easy to make. It’s perfect for gatherings, but honestly, treating yourself on any morning is the best reason to make it. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do; once you try it, it just might become your go-to cozy breakfast staple too!