French Toast Casserole Recipe

French bread: A loaf of this bread, cut into cubes, provides the base for the casserole.

Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and add richness.

Milk: Helps to create the custard mixture that soaks into the bread.

Heavy cream: Adds a luxurious, creamy texture to the dish.

Sugar: Provides sweetness to the casserole.

Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.

Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the dish.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.

When preparing the french bread for this recipe, it's best to use slightly stale bread. Fresh bread can become too soggy when soaked in the egg mixture. If your bread is fresh, you can dry it out by cutting it into cubes and letting it sit out overnight or by toasting the cubes in the oven at a low temperature for about 10 minutes. This will help the bread cubes absorb the custard mixture more effectively, resulting in a better texture for your french toast casserole.

• french bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, providing a similar texture and flavor profile to french bread.

• french bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and has a soft texture, making it a great alternative for french toast casseroles.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This works well as a binding agent for a vegan option.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that provides a similar consistency and mild flavor.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is a dairy-free option that offers a similar richness and thickness.

• heavy cream - Substitute with half-and-half: Half-and-half is a lighter alternative that still provides a creamy texture.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness and a unique flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar has a similar texture and a slightly caramel-like flavor.

• brown sugar - Substitute with maple sugar: Maple sugar offers a similar sweetness with a hint of maple flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract adds a unique twist with its distinct flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices for a more complex flavor.

• ground cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm, slightly sweet flavor that complements the dish.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a similar level of saltiness with a slightly different mineral content.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and a purer flavor, making it a good alternative.

• Allow the French toast casserole to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the casserole soggy.

• Transfer the cooled casserole to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.

• Store the covered casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

• For longer storage, consider freezing the French toast casserole. First, cut the casserole into individual servings. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.

• Wrap each serving tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.

• Freeze the wrapped servings for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw the servings in the refrigerator overnight.

• Reheat the thawed servings in the microwave or oven. For the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through. For the microwave, heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.

• If you prefer a crispier texture, consider reheating the servings in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes after microwaving. This will help restore some of the original texture and flavor.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover French toast casserole in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a portion of the French toast casserole on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until warm.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
  3. Place a portion of the French toast casserole in the skillet.
  4. Cover with a lid and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast casserole in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. If necessary, add an extra 2-3 minutes until fully warmed and crispy on top.

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) to bake the casserole.

• Baking dish: Grease this to hold the cubed French bread and the egg mixture.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly mixing the wet ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Needed to measure out the milk, heavy cream, and sugars accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Use these to measure the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.

• Knife: For cutting the French bread into cubes.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to safely cut the French bread.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes.

• Cooling rack: Place the baking dish on this after baking to let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the french bread into cubes and mix the egg mixture the night before. Store them separately in the fridge.

Use a large mixing bowl: This allows you to whisk the eggs, milk, and other ingredients quickly and efficiently.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the casserole to save time.

Grease the dish well: This ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking, saving you time on scrubbing later.

Soak bread thoroughly: Make sure all bread cubes are soaked to avoid dry spots, ensuring even baking.