Apple Pie French Toast Casserole (Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast)
This Apple Pie French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish that combines the comforting flavors of apple pie with rich, custardy French toast. Cubed French bread is soaked in a cinnamon-spiced egg mixture, layered with sweet apple pie filling, topped with a buttery oat streusel, and baked until golden and bubbly. Finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence, this casserole is perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for an easy morning treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (plus at least 1 hour chilling time)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread, cut into cubes
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling
Streusel Topping
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats (or old-fashioned oats)
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Bread: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Place the cubed French bread evenly in the pan, then sprinkle the cinnamon over the bread cubes to coat them.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. This mixture will soak into the bread, creating a custardy base.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread so it soaks up the liquid well. This step ensures the bread becomes moist and flavorful.
- Add Apple Pie Filling: Spoon the canned apple pie filling evenly across the soaked bread layer. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to fully absorb the custard.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Streusel: When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and oats to create the streusel topping. Mix until crumbly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the apple-covered casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until the casserole is set, the topping is golden brown, and the custard is cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and drizzle the caramel sauce over the top just before serving. This adds a wonderful sweet finishing touch to the dish.
Notes
- For best results, allow the casserole to soak overnight so the flavors fully develop and the bread becomes perfectly custardy.
- Use day-old French bread if possible, as it absorbs the custard better without becoming too soggy.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar in the custard or the streusel topping.
- You can substitute apple pie filling with homemade cooked apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for a fresher taste.
- Serve warm, optionally with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.