Healthy French Toast Casserole
by Nicole Triebe
March 25, 2022 Jump To Recipe
Fluffy slices of brioche soaked in a cinnamon, maple, and vanilla custard, then baked until golden brown perfection! This Healthy French Toast Casserole is a deliciously easy breakfast, ready in under 30 minutes!
Why We Love This Recipe For Healthy French Toast Casserole
This easy one-pan breakfast is my favorite way to make french toast, especially for a crowd! It’s easy to make and you won’t have to spend time around the stove while your guests are in town! Pair it with a Grapefruit Champagne Cocktail for a beautiful Easter or Mother’s Day brunch!
Key Ingredients for this Baked French Toast Recipe
Bread
You can really use any kind of stale bread you’d like for french toast, but if you’re looking for a rich, creamy delicacy for breakfast, the best bread to use is brioche or challah bread. French toast soaks up the egg mixture for a creamy texture on the inside and a slightly crunchy texture on the outside. Thick slices of brioche bread are perfect because it’s both spongy and sturdy enough not to fall apart during cooking.
Eggs
Whole Eggs are used as a binder in this french toast casserole recipe. The protein in eggs solidify when heated, firming up the liquids in the bread. Make sure to whisk them well before adding them to the other liquids in the custard.
Oat Milk
Substituting dairy milk for oat milk in this healthy french toast recipe replaces saturated fats with unsaturated fats. Additionally, this non-dairy milk regulates blood sugar levels, is high in fiber, and is dairy free! Perfect for those with dairy sensitivity. Alternatively, you could substitute almond milk. Perfect for a healthy breakfast!
Pure Maple syrup
While french toast is typically served with a drizzle of maple syrup, in this healthy french toast, we’re using it as a sweetener in the custard! It’s a healthy alternative to brown sugar.
Fresh Berries
I used a mixture of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries to sprinkle over to top of the casserole, but feel free to use your favorites or what’s in season!
Additional ingredients
Vanilla Extract
Cinnamon
Step By Step Instructions To Make This Healthy French Toast Casserole with Berries
Step 1. Slice bread and make egg custard mixture
Cut bread slices into cubes. Spray 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add cubed bread to the prepared casserole dish.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and 1 tsp of cinnamon. Pour egg mixture over the top of the dry bread cubes.
Step two. Stir to ensure all bread cubes are saturated. Bake until golden.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
FAQs and Expert tips
Too soggy french toast is caused by too much egg mixture. This happens when your bread is too thin or not dry enough. Stale or day-old bread works best for healthy french toast casserole!
Brioche, Challah or French Bread is best for french toast casserole. You may also use an easy to digest loaf like sourdough bread !
You may substitute almond milk soy milk for the oat milk in this recipe.
Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest for a extra layer of flavor.
If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the casserole in your oven at 350 degrees until warm in the center, or microwave individual servings.b
Additional Recipes To Try
- Need breakfast recipes for on the go? This Greek Yogurt parfait is piled high with berries and granola for a quick and gluten-free breakfast option!
- Need a light and refreshing side dish for this breakfast? Try this Mint and Melon salad!
- Need a savory brunch option? Try this broccoli egg bake!
- Looking for another breakfast made to impress? Try these delicious crepes with apple cinnamon filling!
- This make-ahead breakfast strata is a savory breakfast casserole made with apple and chicken sausage.
- Our Cranberry Breakfast Casserole is another one to try during the winter holidays.
Thanks for reading! If you make this recipe please come back and let me know how you like it by leaving a rating and review.
Print
Healthy French Toast Casserole
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Fluffy slices of brioche soaked in a cinnamon, maple, and vanilla custard, then baked until golden brown perfection! This Healthy French Toast Casserole is a deliciously easy breakfast, ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
10 oz brioche bread, cut into 1” cubes
1/2 cup maple syrup
6 eggs
2 cups oat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup mixed berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Spray a 13×9 inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Add bread cubes to the prepared casserole dish.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour egg mixture over the top of bread cubes, insuring that all pieces of bread are saturated.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until top is golden brown. Remove from oven and add berries. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Why is my french toast soggy?
Too soggy french toast is caused by too much egg mixture. This happens when your bread is too thin or not dry enough. Stale or day-old bread works best for healthy french toast casserole!
What kind of bread is best for french toast casserole?
Brioche, Challah or French Bread is best for french toast casserole. You may also use an easy to digest loaf like sourdough bread !
Additions and substitutions
You may substitute almond milk soy milk for the oat milk in this recipe.
Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest for a extra layer of flavor.
Got leftovers?
If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the casserole in your oven at 350 degrees until warm in the center, or microwave individual servings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
- Calories: 372
- Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Protein: 12 g
Nicole Triebe
Born in Brazil and raised in Chicago, Nicole Triebe's passion for food began during her early teens when she would frequently help her mom in the kitchen. Great memories of her family gathering around her mom’s delicious and healthy home cooked meals were what prompted her to pursue her craft. After graduating from culinary school at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, she worked in a small restaurant in the Chicagoland area. Eventually she started Windy City Dinner Fairy where she focuses on easy dinner recipes, cooking techniques to make you look like a pro, culinary inspiration and tips to help you entertain beautifully!
If I use your function to double the recipe, the only item that increase is the bread. Should all the other ingredients double as well? And can it still be made in the same size baking dish or would I need a larger dish or two of the recommended size?
Love this recipe… I mash a ripe banana first and mix all of the ingredients over top of that in the bowl. Adds a nice richness to the recipe. Will sometimes squirt some fresh lemon over the top after baking to brighten it up a bit…
An afternoon drinking tea and eating cake is the best.
At what point is the maple syrup added?
I was wondering the same thing as it’s never mentioned in the instructions. Maybe it’s just for pouring on top when consuming?
Did she ever answer about when the maple syrup is added?
Hey Velma, I am sorry I did not see this comment. I do not get notifications for Nicole’s posts. I read through her post and it looks like she wanted it to go into the custard. I edited it to reflect that. I am sorry for the delay. I hope you were able to make it work out.
Thank you!! I’ve tried to stay away from French Toast. Don’t get me wrong — I love it. It just doesn’t agree with my hips. When I saw your recipe I couldn’t wait to test it. Well, I haven’t seen expansion in my hips yet, gut my taste buds were overwhelmed with the taste and they are sending you their heartfelt gratitude. I’ll be making the French Toast again next weekend.
I am glad you liked it! Thank you!
Can this be frozen?
The kids just loved this breakfast it was easier than I thought and so delicious we will make it again love the flavors!
I can’t believe this is healthy as it is so insanely good and tastes so very naughty! Gorgeous – thanks for the recipe.
French toast casserole is my go-to breakfast when preparing for a crowd. So easy and everyone always loves it. This healthy version will now be added to my repertoire too. 😉
What a special recipe! So perfect for a brunch party, and I love the healthier ingredients. So good with fresh berries! Thanks for another winner from Healthy Seasonal Recipes.