If you’re searching for a cozy, crowd-pleasing brunch recipe that captures the heart of fall (and the aroma of your favorite bakery), look no further than this Apple Pie French Toast Casserole. It combines everything you love about classic French toast with the sweet, spiced comfort of apple pie, all in a single, delightful bake. With chewy cubes of brioche, a creamy custard, and gooey pockets of apple pie filling, this dish is guaranteed to make your mornings shine and your kitchen smell absolutely irresistible!

Apple Pie French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Apple Pie French Toast Casserole lies in its simplicity—each ingredient brings something special, whether it’s creaminess, warmth, or that signature apple-pie sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need (and how to make the most of every component):

Brioche loaf: Rich, tender, and slightly sweet bread is the key to a luscious, custardy texture.
Half and Half: Adds luxurious creaminess to the custard—whole milk is a decent substitute, but half and half takes it up a notch.
Apple butter: Just a touch intensifies the apple flavor and adds subtle sweetness.
Large Eggs: Bind everything together for that classic French toast feel and a silky texture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavors with its warm, inviting fragrance.
Ground Cinnamon: Bring those cinnamon-apple vibes to life for the ultimate comfort food aroma.
Ground Nutmeg: Just half a teaspoon imparts complexity and depth—don’t skip it!
Apple pie filling: The star of the show—sweet and spiced apples bring gooey goodness to every bite.

How to Make Apple Pie French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prep the Bread

Start by cutting your brioche loaf into 1-inch cubes. This size is perfect for soaking up the custard without getting mushy, ensuring every bite has a mix of golden surface and tender inside. Toss the cubes into a large bowl and try to resist snacking on them—they’re the backbone of the casserole’s texture!

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

In a medium bowl, whisk together the half and half, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The half and half makes this custard extra rich, while the spices scent the whole thing like a cinnamon roll. Make sure your eggs are thoroughly blended for even soaking later on.

Step 3: Combine Apples and Brioche

Pour your apple pie filling over the brioche cubes in the large bowl. Give everything a gentle toss—this ensures gooey apple goodness gets tucked into every nook and cranny. Lift the cubes as you mix rather than stirring vigorously, to keep the bread cubes from breaking down.

Step 4: Coat Everything with Custard

Pour the luscious custard mixture over the bread and apples. Toss gently until the bread is thoroughly coated but still holds its shape. It’s this step that transforms humble bread into pillowy bites of French toast studded with apples—so don’t rush it!

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the mixture to a greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly, pressing down just a little so everything’s snug. Bake in your preheated 350 degree oven for 45–60 minutes, or until the Apple Pie French Toast Casserole is puffed up and beautifully golden brown. Your entire home will smell absolutely dreamy as it bakes!

How to Serve Apple Pie French Toast Casserole

Garnishes

Presentation is everything! Dust the top with powdered sugar right before serving for a snowy, bakery-worthy finish. A drizzle of warm maple syrup or a dollop of freshly whipped cream is the cherry on top, elevating this Apple Pie French Toast Casserole from comforting to completely swoon-worthy.

Side Dishes

This dish shines as the centerpiece of a brunch spread, but it also loves company. Pair it with crisp bacon, maple sausage links, or a tangy citrus fruit salad to add variety and balance to your meal. A steaming carafe of coffee or mugs of spiced chai make perfect sipping partners.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Apple Pie French Toast Casserole into personalized portions by baking it in individual ramekins, or cut it into squares and stack them for a playful “cake” presentation. For a party, set up a “topping bar” with toasted pecans, caramel sauce, or vanilla yogurt to let each guest customize their slice—the possibilities are endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Apple Pie French Toast Casserole will keep beautifully. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container, then refrigerate for up to three days. The flavor deepens overnight, making those next-day bites extra satisfying.

Freezing

Want to savor this goodness for weeks to come? Freeze cooled slices on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to two months. Defrost overnight in the fridge so you’re always just a quick warm-up away from apple pie French toast bliss.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to their gooey, just-baked glory, reheat individual slices in the microwave, or warm the whole baking dish (covered with foil) in a 325 degree oven until hot. For a crispier top, pop individual squares under the broiler for a minute or two—just keep an eye on them!

FAQs

Can I prepare Apple Pie French Toast Casserole the night before?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole the evening before, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply pop it in the oven—no extra fuss required. This makes it a dream for holiday mornings or overnight guests.

What can I use if I don’t have brioche?

Brioche is ideal for its rich, soft crumb, but challah or thick Texas toast are great alternatives. Any sturdy, slightly sweet bread will hold up well to the custard without getting soggy.

Is apple butter necessary?

While apple butter intensifies the apple flavor, it’s not strictly essential. If you don’t have any, you can substitute with extra cinnamon or a touch of maple syrup to maintain the warmth and depth of flavor.

How do I prevent the casserole from getting soggy?

Use day-old or slightly stale brioche for the best texture, since fresh bread soaks up too much custard and can become mushy. Also, be sure to bake it until golden and set—if it still looks wet in the center, give it a few more minutes in the oven.

Can I make this Apple Pie French Toast Casserole gluten-free?

Definitely! Just substitute your favorite gluten-free bread for the brioche, and double-check that your apple pie filling and apple butter are gluten-free. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so you won’t miss out on any of the flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about sharing a bubbling dish of Apple Pie French Toast Casserole with friends or family at the breakfast table. From its irresistible aroma to that dreamy, apple-laced bite, it’s a recipe guaranteed to bring joy to any morning. Give it a try—you might just discover your new go-to brunch favorite!

Apple Pie French Toast Casserole Recipe

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Indulge in the delicious flavors of apple pie and French toast combined in this delightful Apple Pie French Toast Casserole. Perfect for holiday brunches or anytime you want a special breakfast treat!

Author: Paula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Brioche loaf:

1 lb, cubed

Half and Half:

2 cups

Apple Butter:

1/4 cup

Eggs:

6 large

Pure Vanilla Extract:

1 teaspoon

Ground Cinnamon:

1 teaspoon

Ground Nutmeg:

1/2 teaspoon

Apple Pie Filling:

2 cups

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut brioche: Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
Prepare egg mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together half and half, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Combine ingredients: Pour apple pie filling over the brioche and toss to combine. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and toss gently to coat.
Transfer to baking dish: Transfer the mixture to a 13×9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Bake: Bake for 45-60 minutes until puffed up and golden brown.
Serve: Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve.