Brioche French Toast Casserole

I don’t think it gets any better than my easy brioche French toast casserole! My recipe calls for brioche bread soaked in a mixture of cream, cinnamon, and vanilla, then baked to golden, decadent perfection!

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My Easy Make Ahead French Toast Casserole

My brioche French toast casserole is one of my favorite weekend breakfasts! I love that it’s such an easy recipe, so I can relax a little in the morning before getting into the craziness of weekend sports for my kids.

The first time I tried this recipe, I decided to prep it on Friday night so it had time to chill overnight in the fridge. Saturday morning, I woke up and popped it in the oven.

My kids woke up just as I was pulling the French toast casserole out of the oven. I honestly wonder if they could smell the cinnamon wafting through the house.

We were almost through breakfast when my daughter Leah blurted out, “I want this every morning!” I told her I could definitely make it more often!

Now, it’s become one of my favorite ways to get the whole family around the breakfast table, especially on Christmas morning!

And, if you love a good, easy breakfast recipe, try my recipes for cinnamon roll casserole, Bisquick coffee cake, banana fosters pancakes, hash brown casserole, french toast pancakes, and pancake in a mug.

Overnight French Toast Casserole Ingredients

• Brioche bread — I find day-old bread is best
• Eggs
• Heavy cream — more milk will work, but heavy cream gets the best flavor and creaminess
• Milk — I use whole milk because it has a higher fat content
• Sugar — I mainly use granulated sugar, but have made it with half light brown sugar with success
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Powdered sugar — for dusting on top of the casserole at the end

How To Make French Toast Casserole

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with non-stick spray or butter all over so nothing sticks, and set it aside. Then, cut up the bread into 1-inch cubes and toss them evenly in the dish.

STEP TWO: Place the eggs, heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. 

STEP THREE: Pour the mixture over the bread and press down to make sure that every piece is evenly soaked. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 8 hours. 

STEP FOUR: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and place it inside the oven.

STEP FIVE: Bake the casserole for 45-60 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and is baked all the way through then sprinkle it with powdered sugar and top with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, or whipped cream.

Tips and tricks for the best Brioche French toast casserole

• Use day-old brioche for French toast casserole. I’ve found that fresh bread can turn out a little mushy, but day-old bread is perfect for absorbing the egg mixture without falling apart.
• Generously grease the casserole dish to prevent it from sticking. I always butter the dish really well to help it achieve that perfect golden crust.
• Make sure every piece of bread is coated with the custard mixture. I focus on pouring over the top pieces really well since it will naturally drip into the bottom pieces.
• Chill the French toast casserole for at least 8 hours. I like to let my chill in the refrigerator overnight to really maximize the flavor.
• Bake the casserole until golden brown. I think the combination of the golden crust with the gooey interior is absolute heaven!

French Toast Casserole with Brioche Variations and Substitutions

• Use challah bread instead of brioche bread. I find challah is very comparable to brioche when it comes to its egg and fat content, making it a great choice for a change up!
• Add some Nutella to the french toast casserole once it’s removed from the oven. This is my daughter’s favorite way to eat it.
• Add in small pieces of fresh fruit throughout the casserole. I’ve used blueberries, thin apple slices, and thin slices of strawberries.
• Add room temperature cream cheese to the mixture before pouring it on the bread. I love how this gives it an extra creamy texture.
• Turn it into a savory breakfast by adding some cheddar cheese, swiss, or Gruyere with some ham or even bacon.

What to serve with Make Ahead French Toast Casserole

I like serving some savory sides with this rich, decadent breakfast. Some of my favorites are turkey bacon in the oven, bacon in the oven, or air fryer sausage!

I also love pairing French toast casserole with shredded hash browns or air fryer egg bites!

Brioche French Toast Casserole FAQs

What goes with this easy French toast casserole?

My favorite way to enjoy brioche baked French toast is with a drizzle of maple syrup or some melted butter. Either one really adds to the richness of the meal!

For something lighter, berries are my go-to. Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries are always a hit. And when I want something sweet, I always go for a dollop of whipped cream on top or even some Nutella!

Why is my Overnight French toast casserole soggy?

A soggy brioche French toast bake usually means there was too much egg mixture or the bread was too new. I always make sure to use enough bread for the amount of liquid and that the bread is at least a day old.

Does French toast casserole need to be refrigerated?

I store my leftover easy French toast casserole in the refrigerator. I make sure to let it fully cool first, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 

I like to reheat mine in the oven, but the microwave will also work!

What bread is best for an easy french toast casserole?

Buttery brioche bread is hands down my favorite bread to use for french toast casseroles. It’s sweeter and fluffier than other breads, which really enhances the overall flavor!

I’ve also tried this recipe with challah or day-old baguette, and those work nicely. But for me, nothing will ever beat French toast casserole with brioche.

Can brioche french toast casserole be made ahead of time? 

Absolutely! My French toast casserole with brioche is best when it can chill in the refrigerator overnight before baking, so it’s best when made ahead. I say it’s perfect for Christmas and Easter mornings while it can bake while opening presents or searching for Easter eggs.

I’ve also tried make ahead French toast casserole where I soak it overnight, bake the next day, let it cool, then store it covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the refrigerator overnight. I heated it up in the oven the next morning, and it was superb!

More Easy Recipes

• Cream cheese fruit dip
• Jello with fruit
• Baked chicken tenders
• Cottage cheese jello salad
• Watergate salad
• Peach pie using canned peaches
• Orange dreamsicle salad
• Oreo mug cake
• Cherry dump cake