Looking for a breakfast that’s as comforting as it is delicious? This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is going to be your new favorite! It’s the perfect way to start your day with warm, spiced flavors and a touch of sweetness.
What is Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake?
This dish takes the cozy, traditional breakfast favorite and gives it a fun twist by layering it with juicy apples and warm spices. It’s like apple pie met French toast, and they became the best of friends!
Not only is this French toast bake perfect for feeding a crowd, but it’s also an easy make-ahead dish that’s ready when you are. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or just want to spoil yourself with a special breakfast, this casserole is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Plus, the aroma that fills your home while it’s baking? Absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You Need
Casserole:
- Large Loaf Bread – We love using a hearty bread that soaks up all the delicious flavors while staying soft on the inside. Think challah or brioche for the best texture.
- Apples, Diced – Choose your favorite apple variety for this dish. We like a mix of sweet and tart apples to keep the flavor balanced.
- Salted Butter, Melted – This adds a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the apples and spices.
- Light Brown Sugar – A touch of this sweetens the dish and helps caramelize the apples for a mouthwatering finish.
- Corn Starch – This is our secret to thickening the apple mixture, giving you that luscious, pie-like filling.
- Ground Cinnamon – A must-have spice that adds warmth and depth to the dish. It’s the star of the show!
- Ground Nutmeg – We add this to enhance the cinnamon and give the dish an extra layer of spiced goodness.
- Lemon Juice – A little bit of citrus brightens the flavors and keeps the apples from browning.
- Large Eggs – These are the backbone of the custard, giving it that classic French toast texture.
- Whole Milk – We use this to create a rich and creamy custard that’s perfectly smooth.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla adds warmth and depth of flavor to the custard.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out all the other flavors.
Topping:
- Salted Butter, Sliced – Slicing the butter ensures it melts evenly over the casserole, creating a gorgeously golden, crispy topping.
- Light Brown Sugar – This sweetens the topping and caramelizes as it bakes, adding a delicious crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon – A little more of this on top ties the flavors together and makes the topping extra flavorful.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake
- Cut and add the bread. Slice your loaf evenly into bite-sized cubes and spread them out in the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the apple mixture. Add the diced apples, melted butter, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Assemble the bake. Pour the apple mixture over the bread cubes in the dish, tossing everything together until the bread is evenly coated.
- Whisk the custard. Place the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt in another bowl and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the custard. Carefully pour the egg mixture into the baking dish with the bread and apple mixture.
- Chill the dish. Cover the dish and place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to let the flavors meld.
- Add the topping. Just before baking, combine the sliced butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl and crumble it all over the top of the bread, apples, and custard.
- Bake the casserole. Use foil to cover the dish and bake until it’s almost done, then uncover it and bake a little longer to let the top get golden and crispy.
Variations
- Pears – Use pears instead for a delicate, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the spices.
- Extract – Swap out the vanilla for almond extract which gives the dish a nutty, fragrant twist.
- Nuts – We recommend chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy contrast to the soft bread and apples.
- Bread – Brioche or challah works beautifully, but a sturdy sourdough can add a nice tangy flavor.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Absolutely! This is a great dish to make that you can reheat whenever you want it. To make sure it’s crisp, reheat it in the oven.
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
More French Toast Recipes
If you’re as big a fan of French toast recipes as we are, you won’t want to miss out on our other easy versions of the classic dish!
Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Easy French Toast with Caramel Sauce
Croissant French Toast with Almonds
Apple Cinnamon French Toast Recipe
Apple cinnamon french toast is sweet, perfectly spiced, and easy to make in advance for a breakfast you'll look forward to eating!
Servings: 12 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf bread
- 3 cups apples diced
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter melted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 Tablespoon corn starch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter sliced
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cube the bread into small 1-inch cubes and place in the prepared baking dish (make sure to butter the dish).1 large loaf bread
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the diced apples, melted butter, brown sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.3 cups apples, 1 Tablespoon salted butter, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 Tablespoon corn starch, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Toss the apple mixture with the bread in the baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt.6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon salt
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, ensuring all of the bread is soaked with the egg mixture.
- Cover the dish and chill for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the fridge and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the sliced butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the topping.4 Tablespoons salted butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Crumble or clump the topping evenly over the breakfast casserole.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, and bake for about 40 minutes.
- Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the casserole is golden and cooked through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 349IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg