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This Crockpot French toast casserole makes the best French toast with little effort. Custard-soaked brioche transforms into a rich pudding with crumble topping.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Not a morning person? This Crockpot French toast casserole might change your mind!
It’s super easy to make, and most of the process is hands-free. Made with cozy spices and vanilla, let the mouthwatering aroma of this slow cooker French toast casserole wake you up. 🤤
Soft pieces of brioche are soaked in a creamy custard mixture and then slow-cooked. The result?
A pudding-like delight with a soft and creamy interior and buttery, crispy exterior!
You don’t need to watch the oven or stove like a hawk to enjoy this delectable take on French toast. Just let your Crockpot do its magic and transform dry, stale bread and a few simple ingredients into something so divine that it can also pass as a dessert.
What is Crockpot French Toast Casserole?
French toast casserole is like a French toast converted into a bread pudding. Sounds like a treat, right?
However, most recipes for this delicious take on French toast are baked, and you’ll need to watch the casserole to ensure the top won’t brown too quickly.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer something I can set and forget for breakfast and brunch.
This is why you’ll love this Crockpot French toast casserole!
Just grab that dry loaf of bread you’ve been ignoring for days, cut it into cubes, and soak it in a custard mixture for 4 hours. Trust me, the wait will be worth it once you dig into the French toast crockpot casserole.
Then, add the soaked bread cubes into the slow cooker, top it with butter and brown sugar mixture, and cook on low for 7 hours.
This cooking time means you can prepare this Crockpot breakfast French toast before bed!
It’ll be great for busy weekdays and lazy weekends because of its minimal prep work.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Perfect For Breakfast: Besides the assembly, this slow cooker French toast cooks itself! You can prepare it right before bed and wake up to a delightful breakfast.
- Classic Favorite With a Twist: This Crockpot French toast breakfast casserole is made with familiar French toast ingredients with a custardy, pudding-like makeover. It’s so delicious and versatile; you can also enjoy it as a dessert!
- Great Use of Stale Bread: Got leftover bread loaves? They’re perfect for this French toast Crockpot casserole! You can also try it with add-ins like nuts, fresh fruit slices, chocolates, or whatever treats you already have in your pantry.
What Does Crockpot French Toast Casserole Taste Like?
This Crockpot French toast casserole tastes sweet, buttery, and gently spiced. The vanilla is also a lovely addition!
It’s good on its own, but this casserole can easily welcome some syrup or whipped cream on top. I can also imagine it with candied pecans or bananas on the side.
But what makes this French toast Crockpot casserole crave-worthy is the texture.
It’ll remind you of a rich bread pudding. It’s definitely a good excuse to have dessert for breakfast! 😉
Each warm slice is delightfully moist with crispy bits and sides from the crumble on top. The contrast between this treat’s soft, creamy interior and crispy exterior will make it hard to return to regular French toast.
This is why it’s important to use the right type of bread when making French toast casserole in the slow cooker. Nobody wants a soggy piece of French toast casserole!
Ingredients For French Toast Crockpot Casserole
- Brioche – The base of our Crockpot French toast casserole. You can also use other types of bread, so read on to find out what makes the best bread for French toast casserole.
- Eggs – For the custard mixture, so make sure to give your brioche bread cubes enough time to soak it up!Â
- Whole milk – For perfectly soft slow cooker French toast casserole. Milk also adds moisture to the casserole as it rehydrates the dry bread pieces.Â
- Cinnamon – You can’t go wrong with warm spices for this decadent French toast Crockpot casserole.
- Nutmeg – Its sweet, nutty taste complements the milk mixture well.
- Fine sea salt – Don’t worry; this won’t make your Crockpot breakfast French toast salty. It just balances the sweetness of the casserole.Â
- Vanilla extract – Believe it or not, the humble vanilla takes this French toast casserole to another level by giving it a nice depth of flavor.Â
- Butter – Creates caramelized bits and edges all over the Crockpot French toast casserole. You also need some extra unsalted butter to grease the slow cooker insert.
- Brown sugar – For the streusel topping.Â
Tools Needed To Prepare French Toast Casserole in Crockpot
- Mixing bowls for combining the ingredients
- Whisk for mixing the custard
- Plastic wrap for covering the bowl
- Slow cooker for cooking the French toast casserole
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Slow Cooker French Toast
What is the best bread for French toast?
Cubed brioche bread is the top choice for Crockpot breakfast French toast because it will soak the custard nicely without disintegrating. But if you can’t find one, you can always use baguette or challah bread cubes.Â
Cooked sausage
Why add the sausages on top before serving when you can combine them directly into this slow cooker French toast casserole?Â
Just cook and dice them up, then arrange them all over the bread mixture in the Crockpot. The result is an incredible casserole for breakfast!Â
Raspberries and chocolate
Making French toast casserole in Crockpot is also an opportunity to get creative with different add-ins and flavor combinations for the morning treat.
If you have a sweet tooth, I bet you’ll love this casserole with chocolate chips and raspberries for a luxurious breakfast treat.Â
How to Make French Toast Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 loaves brioche, cubed
- 8 large eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature, cubed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- Softened butter for greasing the Crockpot
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your Crockpot French toast casserole.
STEP 2: Combine the eggs, milk, spices, salt, and vanilla extract.
STEP 3: Add half the bread cubes in a large bowl and pour half the egg mixture on top. Toss gently until the bread cubes are coated evenly. Repeat with the remaining bread cubes and egg mixture.
STEP 4: Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
STEP 5: For the crumble, mix the butter cubes and brown sugar in another bowl. Cover and set aside in the fridge.
STEP 6: Grease the inside of the Crockpot. Add the soaked bread cubes and spread them out evenly.
STEP 7: Top with the crumble. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
STEP 8: Let your French toast casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
What to Serve with French Toast Casserole
This Crockpot French toast casserole is already good on its own, and having it even with just a cup of coffee will surely make it easy to rise and shine. ☕
Our brunch charcuterie board also has a space for this casserole if you have people over!
But of course, this is a French toast recipe, AKA an all-time breakfast favorite. You can’t go wrong with powdered sugar, maple syrup, nuts, or fresh fruits on top of it for a decadent breakfast.
For something savory, hash browns, bacon strips, and eggs will pair well with this cozy breakfast creation. But instead of scrambled eggs, how about some air fryer soft boiled eggs?
And before I forget, let me remind you that no one will stop you from having this treat as a dessert!
Go a la mode and have a slice of French toast casserole with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Imagine a warm slice of this French toast with creamy ice cream… 😋
Tips About Making Crockpot French Toast Breakfast Casserole
- When making French toast casserole in Crockpot, don’t forget to grease the inside of the slow cooker with butter. Otherwise, the soaked bread cubes can stick. This step will also give the casserole crispy edges. Yum!
- Toss your bread cubes well so they are evenly coated with the egg mixture. You don’t want dry spots in your Crockpot breakfast French toast.
- Use stale, dry bread for your French toast crockpot casserole to keep it from getting soggy. But if you only have a fresh loaf of bread, just cut it into cubes, spread them out on a baking sheet, and dry them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 170°F.
How To Store Crockpot Breakfast French Toast
- Fridge:Â This Crockpot French toast breakfast casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also assemble the French toast casserole in the Crockpot insert and refrigerate it so it’s ready to go the next day. Just remember to bring the insert to room temperature before putting it in the slow cooker.
- Freezer: For longer storage, keep your Crockpot French toast casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. And when you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the casserole in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- How to reheat French toast casserole: Reheat the French toast casserole on a skillet over medium heat. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals. If you’re worried it will dry out, drizzle the casserole slice with syrup before reheating.Â
Why Is My French Toast Casserole Soggy?
The best Crockpot French toast casserole offers delightful textures that contrast each other. It should be soft inside and buttery crisp outside, not one mushy blob.
If your French toast casserole ends up soggy, your chosen bread is likely not sturdy enough for soaking, or the ingredient ratio is off. You don’t want to use too much liquid for your casserole!
Can You Use Brioche Bread for French Toast Casserole?
Yes, and actually, brioche bread is perfect for this French toast casserole Crockpot recipe.
Its rich flavor goes well with the custard, and its tender crumb is ideal for soaking and slow cooking.
The bread is literally the foundation of the decadent French toast casserole, so you want to pick something with a tight crumb. Bread with large holes won’t hold up well when soaked in the creamy, spice-infused custard.
And when picking a supermarket bread for your Crockpot French toast, avoid loaves of bread with thick crusts as they won’t soften and produce that delectable creamy interior on your casserole.
Why does bread need to be stale for French toast?
Bread must be stale and dry for French toast, or it will easily disintegrate after soaking in the custard. If your bread cubes are not dry enough, your French toast casserole can turn out soggy.
But what if you only have fresh bread?
You can still make the perfect slow cooker French toast casserole.
Just dry it out at room temperature for a day or two. If you can’t wait that long, pop the bread cubes in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 170°F or 10 to 15 minutes at 275°F.
FAQ About French Toast Casserole
How long does it take to bake French toast casserole?
For the best French toast casserole that’s crispy on the outside and soft and custardy inside, bake it for 15 minutes at 450°F, then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for another 30 minutes.Â
Can you freeze French toast casserole before baking?
Yes, you can freeze your French toast casserole before baking. Just do not put the crumble topping yet. Wrap the casserole in plastic wrap and foil, and thaw it in the fridge overnight before baking.Â
Do you cover French toast casserole when baking?
You can cover the French toast casserole with foil at any point if the top is browning too much.
Can you freeze French toast casserole?
You can freeze French toast casserole before and after baking. For the latter, wait for the casserole to cool, then wrap it with plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze it for 2 to 3 months.Â
Can you make French toast casserole 2 days ahead?
Of course. Just cover and keep the French toast casserole in the fridge. You can reheat it at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Crockpot French Toast Casserole
This Crockpot French toast casserole makes the best French toast with little effort. Custard-soaked brioche transforms into a rich pudding with crumble topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients for your Crockpot French toast casserole.
- Combine the eggs, milk, spices, salt, and vanilla extract.
- Add half the bread cubes in a large bowl and pour half the egg mixture on top. Toss gently until the bread cubes are coated evenly. Repeat with the remaining bread cubes and egg mixture.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- For the crumble, mix the butter cubes and brown sugar in another bowl. Cover and set aside in the fridge.
- Grease the inside of the Crockpot. Add the soaked bread cubes and spread them out evenly.
- Top with the crumble. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
- Let your French toast casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don't forget to grease the inside of your slow cooker with softened butter before adding the soaked bread cubes to keep them from sticking. This is also the secret to getting those nice, crispy edges!
- Make sure the bread cubes are evenly coated with the egg mixture, or you can end up with dry spots in your Crockpot French toast casserole.Â
- This slow cooker French toast casserole recipe is best made with slightly stale bread so that it won't get soggy. But if you only have fresh loaves of bread, just cut them into cubes, spread them out on a baking sheet, and dry them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 170°F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 489Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 326mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 0gSugar: 36gProtein: 1g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
Whether for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert, this Crockpot French toast casserole will satisfy your cravings for bread pudding and decadent custard French toast.
Using the slow cooker makes this French toast casserole mostly hands-free!
It’s also perfect for make-ahead so that you can enjoy something scrumptious even on the busiest mornings.
Next time you have some stale French bread loaves lying around, let your Crockpot transform them into something divine with or without toppings.
Use your slow cooker and whip up delicious, comforting recipes that don’t require micro-managing. Here are some of our favorites: