This delicious Crock Pot French Toast Casserole is easy to make with simple ingredients and is perfect for special occasions like birthdays and holidays. It comes together quickly and cooks for just a couple of hours, but best of all? It can be prepared the night before!
This easy recipe for Crock Pot French Toast Casserole is the perfect breakfast! Leftover bread cubes are soaked in a delicious custard mixture, then "baked" until puffy and golden brown. A little drizzle of maple syrup and you're in breakfast heaven!
French toast casserole is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. Not only is it ready in just a couple of hours, but it's also a great way to use up a loaf of bread that otherwise might go to waste.
I know you'll love it just as much as we do!
Reasons to Love This Recipe:
- This delicious breakfast is perfect for any special occasion - from birthdays to Christmas morning!
- It's made with simple ingredients and pantry basics.
- An easy make-ahead recipe - just prepare, refrigerate, and pop the insert into the slow cooker the next morning.
- It's an easy breakfast recipe that the whole family will love!
For a traditional baked version, be sure to check out my Brioche French Toast Casserole!
Ingredients
- Bread: To prepare cubed bread, start with approximately 1 loaf of good quality bread. I used Sara Lee Artisano bread, but feel free to opt for any bakery-style loaf like brioche, French, challah, sourdough, or similar options.
- For best results, it's recommended to use bread that is dry or slightly stale. You can either purchase a day-old loaf or plan ahead to let the bread become drier. If you have fresh bread, you can lightly toast it in the oven to dry it out before proceeding:
- Spread the cubes of bread evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake the bread cubes at 275ºF for 5-10 minutes until they become crusty, but not browned.
- Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the bread cubes to cool briefly before using them.
- For best results, it's recommended to use bread that is dry or slightly stale. You can either purchase a day-old loaf or plan ahead to let the bread become drier. If you have fresh bread, you can lightly toast it in the oven to dry it out before proceeding:
- Half and half: This provides a balance of creaminess without being too heavy. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own by using half whole milk and half heavy cream.
- Eggs: These are an essential element in any French toast recipe!
- Brown sugar: Layered in two additions for the perfect balance of sweetness.
- Cinnamon: What's French toast without cinnamon!? If you want to add some extra warmth, sprinkle in some nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom.
- Other: You'll also need some salt and pure vanilla extract.
Optional serving suggestions:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
Check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and the quantities needed.
How to Make French Toast Casserole in a Slow Cooker
Step one: Add the eggs to a large bowl and whisk really well to combine.
Step two: Add the half-and-half, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, and half of the brown sugar.
Soaking the Bread Cubes
Step three: Add the bread cubes to a slow cooker, then pour in the egg mixture.
Step four: Allow the casserole to soak for about 20 minutes before soaking, pressing the cubes down into the liquid every so often.
Cooking on Low or High
Step five: Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining brown sugar and cook on "HIGH" for 2 hours, or on "LOW" for 4 hours.
Step six: Scoop portions onto serving plates and garnish with your favorite toppings (ex. maple syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, etc).
Make Ahead/Overnight Instructions
- Prepare the casserole through the soaking steps, and finally sprinkle the top with brown sugar.
- Remove the insert from the Crock Pot.
- Cover the insert tightly with foil or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, remove the slow cooker insert from the fridge and allow it to warm up a bit.
- Wipe any condensation off the crock, then remove the plastic wrap or foil.
- Place the insert back into the slow cooker, then cook on "Low" for 4 hours, or on "High" for 2 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
What to Serve with French Toast Casserole
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Scrambled eggs
- Egg custard
- Fruit salad
- Sliced fruit (berries, melons, pears, apples, etc)
- Hashbrown casserole
- Smoothies
- Mimosas
- Fresh-squeezed orange juice
Keeping it Warm
If you're serving guests you can keep the leftovers ready on the "warm" setting for 1-2 hours - just be sure to leave the lid in place to prevent it from drying out!
If you prefer to serve it at room temperature, you can turn off the slow cooker and leave it for up to 2 hours before moving it to the fridge.
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until cooked through.
Substitutions
- Half-and-half: Milk and heavy cream can be mixed and substituted for the half-and-half if you don’t have any on hand. Use 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream to substitute for 2 cups of half and half.
- Bread: You can use any kind of bread that you have on hand - as long as it is stale or dry. I used a fluffy bakery-style bread, but brioche bread, french, sourdough, and challah bread are all great options.
- No day-old bread? If you don't have any older or stale bread on hand, there is a quick and easy way to "fake" it.
- Slice the loaf of bread into small pieces or 1-inch cubes
- Place the cubes on a baking sheet.
- Cook at 275ºF for 5-10 minutes, or until crusty (but not browned)
- Remove and allow to cool briefly before using.
Variations
- Extra flavor: Add in some of your favorite warm spices like ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom.
- Fresh fruit: Serve this crock pot french toast bake with fresh fruit on the side, OR add some into the casserole before cooking. Chopped apples, pears, or berries all make delicious additions.
- Pumpkin French toast: If you want to add some cozy Fall and Winter flavors, try adding ½-1 cup of pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie filling. If using puree, be sure to add some extra brown sugar to help with sweetness.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, it can be kept warm in a crock pot! For the best results, switch the setting over to "warm" and keep the lid on the pot, removing it only to serve guests. This will prevent the casserole from drying out.
When it comes to making French toast, the choice of bread plays a significant role in the final outcome. Whether you're preparing traditional French toast or a baked casserole, opting for sturdy, crusty bread is essential, as it can withstand a longer soaking time without becoming soggy. While almost any stale bread can be used, some excellent options include brioche, sourdough, French bread, and challah bread.
Yes. No matter what type of bread you're using for French toast (sandwich, brioche, sourdough, etc), it will need to be soaked at least briefly so it can absorb the egg and milk mixture.
If you loved this recipe for Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Crock Pot French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Cooking spray
Ingredients
- 1 loaf bakery-style bread approx. 14 ounces
- 5 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half or 1 cup of each of milk and heavy cream*
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ½ cup packed brown sugar divided
For serving
- Fresh fruit optional
- Maple syrup optional
- Whipped cream optional
- Powdered sugar optional
Instructions
- Prepare the crock liner: Grease the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, or use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
- Cut the bread into cubes: Slice the bread into 1 ½” cubes and add them to the slow cooker insert in an even layer.
- Prepare the custard mixture: In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs until well beaten. Then add in the half & half, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, and half of the brown sugar. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing them into the liquid to ensure they are evenly soaked with no dry spots remaining.
- Soak the bread cubes: Let the bread absorb the liquid for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Alternatively, you can remove the slow cooker insert, cover it with foil, and allow it to soak overnight in the fridge.
- Right before cooking, sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the top of the casserole.
- Place the insert in the slow cooker and place the lid on top.
- Cook on “high” for 2 hours, or on “low” for 4 hours. You will know the baked French toast is done when the center is set and firm to the touch Note: Do not open the lid while cooking. If you do, add another 20 minutes to the cooking time for each time the lid is removed.
- Carefully remove the lid, quickly turning it upside down to avoid splashing the finished casserole with water due to condensation.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop portions onto serving plates and garnish with optional fresh berries, powdered sugar, maple syrup, or whipped cream.
Notes
Nutrition
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Becky
I made this according rooster directions. it was doughy and tasted eggy, as one of my children said. Very disappointed for Easter Brunch