Joanna Gaines French Toast Casserole

This delicious French Toast Casserole by Joanna Gaines is a quick and easy breakfast or brunch favorite, perfect for feeding a crowd. With its creamy custard base and crispy caramelized topping, it’s a comforting dish made with simple, everyday ingredients. Prep it the night before for a stress-free, warm, and indulgent start to your day!

Recipe Ingredients

French Toast: 

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 (8 ounce) loaf crusty French bread, cut into bite-sized pieces, or more as needed
• 2 cups milk
• 6 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste

How To Make French Toast Casserole?

1. Prepare the dish and ingredients: Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish and gather all ingredients.
2. Make the caramel base: Melt 200g / 1 cup brown sugar and 115g / ½ cup butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves (2–4 minutes). Pour into the greased baking dish.
3. Layer the bread: Arrange 225g / 8 oz of bread pieces on top of the caramel in a 1½ to 2-inch (4–5 cm) layer.
4. Mix and pour the custard: Whisk together 480ml / 2 cups milk, 6 eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread, pressing down with a spatula to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
5. Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator, discard the plastic wrap, and preheat the oven to 230°C / 450°F.
6. Add the topping: Combine 15g / 1 tbsp brown sugar and ¼ tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the bread.
7. Bake the casserole: Bake for 30 minutes, until the casserole is golden and bubbling. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil.
8. Serve and enjoy: Cut into squares and invert onto serving plates for a stunning presentation.

Recipe Tips:

• Use stale bread for the best texture: Day-old or slightly dried-out French bread works better because it absorbs the custard without becoming soggy. Fresh bread can make the casserole too soft.
• Let it rest overnight: For maximum flavor and texture, refrigerate the casserole overnight so the bread soaks up all the liquid. It makes a big difference in the final dish!
• Cover while baking if needed: If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the casserole with foil for the last 10–15 minutes of baking. This ensures the center cooks evenly without burning the top.
• Customize with toppings: Add fresh fruit, nuts, or even a drizzle of maple syrup after baking for extra flavor and texture. You can also mix in chocolate chips for a sweet twist!
• Don’t skip pressing the bread down: After pouring the custard over the bread, gently press it with a spatula to make sure all the bread pieces soak in the liquid. This will help the casserole bake evenly and stay moist.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Allow the leftover French Toast Casserole to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: To freeze, first let the casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil or store it in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. 
• Reheat:   Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the casserole in the basket and heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking for warmth.

Check out More Recipes:

• Joanna Gaines Cupcake Recipe
• Joanna Gaines Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread