French Toast Casserole

Sep 26, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Breakfast Pancakes waffles french toast Vanilla: Beans Medium

A stack of thick golden slices of french toast casserole on a plate, dusted with powdered sugar

This baked French toast casserole uses thick slices of brioche soaked in a vanilla bean custard, topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar crumble. It’s creamy, rich, and perfect for a comforting brunch.

Prep 15 min

Cook 35 min

Cooling 5 min

Total 55 min

Servings 4

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

8.0 slices (240.0 g)brioche bread, thick-cut
4.0 (200.0 g)large eggs
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
3.0 tbsp (38.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (2.6 g)ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
3.0 tbsp (43.0 g)unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup (50.0 g)light brown sugar, packed, for crumble
¼ cup (30.0 g)all-purpose flour, for crumble
2.0 tbsp (28.0 g)cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, for crumble

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Arrange the brioche slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly if needed.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt until smooth.
Scrape the seeds from the split vanilla bean into the custard mixture and whisk to combine.
Pour the custard evenly over the brioche slices, pressing down gently to soak the bread well. Let sit for 10 minutes.
For the crumble topping, combine the light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and cold butter pieces in a small bowl.
Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the soaked bread in the baking dish.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the custard is set and the crumble is golden and crisp.
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving warm.

Tips

Use day-old brioche or challah for the best texture that absorbs custard without falling apart.
Vanilla bean seeds add the best natural vanilla flavor, but vanilla bean paste or extract can be substituted.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make french toast casserole?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking, plus 5 minutes to rest. The recipe makes 4 servings.

How should I store french toast casserole?

Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in a microwave or warm gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven.

Can I make french toast casserole ahead?

Prepare the casserole up to step 8 and refrigerate overnight before baking.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 4 servings this recipe makes.

558 Calories / serving

29.1g Fat

60.0g Carbs

15.0g Protein

31.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (4 servings): ~2232 cal · 116g fat · 240g carbs · 60g protein · 124g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 558 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 105 min·6.1 mi·~12300 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 76 min·3.8 mi·~7600 steps
Moderate cycling 57 min·11.4 mi
Swimming laps 78 min
Jogging 55 min·4.6 mi·~8800 steps
Stair climbing 52 min·~4700 steps
Dancing 91 min
Bodyweight circuit training 57 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 130 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.