If you're looking for a decadent breakfast, look no further than this gluten free french toast casserole. It's the perfect breakfast to feed hungry bellies in the morning and you can even prepare it the night before to make things easier.
This recipe combines gluten free bread with a creamy, sweet egg mixture that's then topped with dollops of homemade apple pie filling and a caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon topping. It's perfect for a a Sunday brunch or a special breakfast on a holiday morning!
While I love sweet breakfasts like grain free pancakes, a cinnamon roll mug cake, or oat flour waffles topped with syrup, this baked french toast may be my all-time favorite!
Why You 'll Love This Delicious Gluten-Free Recipe
- Sweet Flavor - This baked French toast is the perfect warm, sweet start to the day.
- Make-Ahead Dish - You can make this easy recipe the night before and pop it in the oven the next morning.
- Feeds a Crowd - Instead of standing in front of the stove making traditional French toast for a weekend brunch, you can easily bake this and spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen.
- Versatile - You can make this dish to settle down with on weekend mornings but it's also a great breakfast for a special occasions. Try making it for Mother's Day, Easter morning, Thanksgiving, or Christmas morning.
- Allergen Friendly - This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and nut free as written making it a great option for the whole family.
Ingredient Notes
This easy french toast bake uses simple ingredients that should be available at most grocery stores.
- Day-old Gluten-Free Bread - For this recipe, I used a 2-pound loaf of homemade gluten free brioche bread. However, if you use a store-bought gluten-free version, those tend to be smaller so you will need 2 loaves to make the recipe. You will want to use stale bread, but luckily for us gluten free bread dries out very quickly if it's left out.
- Eggs - These help to give French toast its richness. If you need an egg free recipe, I recommend replacing the eggs with the vegan product Just Eggs.
- Non-Dairy Milk - Use any kind that you prefer. Oat milk, soy milk, and unsweetened almond milk will all work well. If you're not dairy free, use regular milk in the same measure.
- Vegan Cream - This helps to make the egg mixture creamy. I like the Silk brand of vegan cream. If you're not dairy free, use heavy cream in the same measure or make it special for the holidays with a little eggnog instead.
- Sugar - Sugar is the key sweetener in this French toast.
- Vanilla - Vanilla extract balances all of the flavors and gives it a warm aroma.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon also contributes to the French toast's warm fragrance and flavor.
- Salt - Salt enhances the sweetness as well as the flavors of vanilla and cinnamon.
- Apple Pie Filling (optional) - This optional filling makes the French toast casserole even more decadent. You can make your own homemade apple pie filling or buy it at the grocery store. If you prefer, you can replace the apple pie filling with fresh fruit.
Topping:
- Light Brown Sugar - Light brown sugar caramelizes as it bakes, creating texture and imparting sweetness.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon adds even more flavor to the topping.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Upgrade Your Bread Selection - Use my gluten free cinnamon raisin bread for a delicious spin on this recipe.
- Casserole - Slice the bread into 1-inch bread cubes before soaking to make it more like a bread pudding.
- Fruit - Use any type of fruit filling that you like. This is a great recipe to make seasonal by using fresh berries in the summer and apples or pumpkin filling in the fall. Or make it peach flavored by replacing the apple pie filling with my homemade peach compote.
- Dairy - If you're not dairy free, you can use whole milk and heavy cream in the same measure.
- Chocolate Chips - Instead of apple pie filling, add a sprinkle of chocolate chips before sprinkling the brown sugar topping over top.
- Make it Vegan / Egg Free - If you're vegan or avoiding eggs, I recommend using a product like Just Egg as a replacement. It works great in this type of casserole. Also make sure to use a vegan gluten free bread.
How to Make a Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
Start by spraying a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP 1: Add eggs to a bowl that is wide enough to fit an entire slice of bread. Whisk the eggs until they are completely mixed.
STEP 2: Add the milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt to the eggs. Whisk together until well mixed.
STEP 3: Slice your bread into smaller pieces. I cut mine in half on the diagonal.
STEP 4: Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture. Flip it over and coat both sides. Then place the slice of bread in the prepared baking dish.
STEP 5: Once all of the bread slices are in the baking dish, spoon the apples over the bread.
STEP 6: Pour the remaining custard mixture over the pan of french toast. Then sprinkle the brown sugar cinnamon over the top and bake until golden brown.
Storage
Store leftover french toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, bread for French toast should be dry. You can achieve this by using day-old bread or by toasting it briefly at a low temperature if you don't have time to wait.
French toast can become soggy if you've used too many eggs or milk in relation to the amount of bread. Also, using fresh bread instead of dry bread can cause the same problem.
Thick breads like brioche, French bread, or Challah are great options for the best French toast. For store bought gluten free breads, I like Canyon Bakehouse brand and usually get either Country White of Sweet Hawaiian bread for French toast.
The ratio of milk to eggs must be right for French toast to turn out right. To avoid a too-eggy French toast, measure precisely.
More gluten free breakfast recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Day Old Gluten Free Brioche Bread see note below
- 6 Eggs
- 1 ½ Cup Non Dairy Milk
- ½ Cup Plant Based Cream
- 6 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
- ¾ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ½ Cups Apple Pie Filling optional
Topping:
- 3 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.6 Eggs, 1 ½ Cup Non Dairy Milk, ½ Cup Plant Based Cream, 6 Tablespoons Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Vanilla, ¾ teaspoon Cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Salt
- Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture and let it soak for a few seconds on each side. Place the soaked bread into your prepared baking dish.2 pounds Day Old Gluten Free Brioche Bread
- Once all of the bread has been fit into the dish, pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread.
- Dollop the apple pie filling over the bread.1 ½ Cups Apple Pie Filling
- Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon to make the topping. Sprinkle it over the bread.3 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar, ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 20 minutes more.
- Remove from the oven and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Top with syrup or your favorite french toast toppings.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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