Transform a classic French Toast recipe into an appley indulgence! Prepare this easy breakfast the night before to eliminate morning prep! It’s also wonderful as a make and bake option. Pour maple syrup over the steamy cinnamon apples and you’ll have a tasty breakfast for one or many!
I don’t know what is going on with me. I haven’t been this obsessed with apples, or any food for that matter, ever. The last ten or twelve apples from our recent orchard outing screamed at me today: Use me! I ran them through our juicer and after taking six huge gulps of fresh apple juice (SO DELICIOUS!), I turned the rest into Apple Cider.
Last weekend in a different apple-related frenzy, I made this French Toast Bake and my boys ate it for breakfast every day this week. It is ridiculously tasty. Think apple pie for breakfast. With syrup. But instead of preparing your breakfast one slice at a time, you can put this together and know you’ll be able to feed the whole family at one time. Plus you don’t have to stand over the stove – a nice change! Because this is easy and takes time off your hands, you can actually sit down for breakfast with everyone and enjoy a conversation over the breakfast table!
HOW TO MAKE APPLE FRENCH TOAST BAKE
Let this easy french toast casserole recipe become a weekend family favorite – a perfect baked french toast casserole is filling! Also a fun Christmas morning tradition for breakfast!
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish.
Cut 10 slices of bread into 1-inch pieces. Toss the bread cubes into the baking pan.
STEP 2
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla.
Mix well and pour the egg mixture over the bread pieces and spread evenly.
STEP 3
In a large bowl, add apples, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon, melted butter, lemon juice and nutmeg.
Mix well and pour evenly over the top. Go ahead and squish some apples into the nooks and crannies of the bread.
STEP 4
Now that you have an amazing meal ready to bake, place the baking dish in the oven uncovered at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Serve warm with syrup!
RECIPE TIPS: MAKE THE MOST DELICIOUS FRENCH TOAST BAKE!
There are several bread options for you to use in this recipe. Primarily, any bread you have that is on the dry end is going to be perfect. But french bread is a great option, I also like Texas Toast. Use whole wheat bread if you want a healthier version or white for a more sinful option.
Almond milk can be substituted for regular milk if you’re trying to reduce dairy from your diet.
Topping variations: sifted powdered sugar, Salted Caramel Sauce, Cherry Berry Jam.
Make up some delicious homemade whipping cream and you can make this breakfast into a decadent meal!
Cutting the bread into bite-size pieces makes this such an easy recipe to eat.
AVOID MAKING A SOGGY BAKE
If you have day old bread (or several days!) that is dried out and on its way out, this is the perfect option for your breakfast casserole!
PREPARE THE MAKE AND BAKE OPTION
I love the overnight option, as there is nothing better than popping breakfast in the oven with NO PREP in the morning. Cover your breakfast casserole with aluminum foil and refrigerate it overnight. Uncover it minutes before baking, then throw it in the oven uncovered at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes.
HOW LONG CAN YOU REFRIGERATE APPLE FRENCH TOAST BAKE?
One of the things I love about this dish is that it is a great prep-ahead and bake later option. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 36 hours before adding it to the oven in the morning for baking. After the casserole has baked, it can be kept in the fridge for 3 days and still taste fresh and delish. But don’t limit yourself to breakfast or brunch, you can have it for a popular brinner!
WHAT TYPES OF APPLES ARE GOOD FOR BAKING?
I recommend using a variety of apples and at the very least, use two kinds: one sweet and one tart. My favorite combo is Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples.
Sweet/Softer Apple Brands
Fuji
Honeycrisp
Red Delicious
Golden Delicious
Cortland
Gala
Tart (or a little Sour) Apple Brands
Granny Smith
McIntosh
Ida Red
Braeburn
Empire
Jonathan
KEEP YOUR APPLES FROM BROWNING
When chopping and peeling the apples, fill a large bowl about half with cool water and squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into it. The lemon juice will keep your apples from getting brown while you get them prepped for the recipe. Use an apple corer/peeler if you have one because they will make this process go super fast. If you don’t have one, use a potato peeler and a knife to get the job done. You’ll need to peel, core and chop the apples. Place them into the water-lemon juice mixture as you work.
CAN DOGS EAT APPLES
Apple seeds contain cyanide, so avoid feeding apple cores to dogs. The flesh and skin are safe and even healthy for dogs!
HOW MANY CALORIES IN AN APPLE
One medium apple contains approximately 95 calories.
HOW MANY CARBS IN AN APPLE
One medium apple contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.
CHECK OUT THESE SUGARY BREAKFAST ITEMS
I love a good savory breakfast, but there is something so special and yummy about a nice sugary breakfast, am I right? Kids especially go bananas over pancakes and cinnamon rolls and any breakfast food that contains sugar. Here are a few delicious ideas to make any day of the week or for the next time you host breakfast or brunch!
FALL APPLE RECIPES
Appledoodles – Appledoodles are a fun twist on the classic snickerdoodles! Great way to use up apples in the fall!
Easy Homemade Crockpot Applesauce – Homemade Applesauce is fun to prepare because it’s so easy to make. Use an assortment of green and red apples and you’ll have a flavorful snack you can enjoy; better than the store stuff!
Apple Pie Jam – this fall make this Amazing Apple Pie Jam! This jam tastes just like Apple Pie because it’s similar to pie filling. So get ready to be addicted. Put it on your English muffins, pancakes or with peanut butter! This is a great, DELICIOUS way to use up extra apples in the fall! Also a great gift idea!
Apple Coffee Cake – This is the best Apple Coffee Cake recipe you’ll find. Enjoy as an indulgent breakfast treat or an any-time snack or dessert!
Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples – sprinkling of sea salt and a bit of chocolate turns Caramel Apples into an extravagant dessert.. Salted Chocolate Caramel Apples!
Apple Carrot Cake Muffins – Apples and carrots create the most delicious little muffin you could ever imagine. These babies are moist and yummy and will not last long in your kitchen. Great as a snack, breakfast or dessert!
Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake – the only thing better than salted caramel apples is Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake! This is the perfect fall treat and a great way to use up any type of apples.
Apple French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 10 slices bread cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5 apples peeled, cored and chopped
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 tbsp. butter melted
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Instructions
- If baking immediately after prep, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Spread bread pieces into the bottom of prepared pan. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well and pour evenly over the bread.
- In a separate bowl, combine the apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well and pour evenly over the top. Tuck some of the apple slices down between the bread creases.
- If baking immediately, bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. If storing overnight, cover pan with foil and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, remove foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes. Serve warm with syrup.
Seems more like bread pudding to me. What’s the difference?
This is my version of it!
I am so into this!! What an awesome recipe!