• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
  • Lovely Ideas
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
She Keeps a Lovely Home
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lovely Ideas
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
×
Home » Autumn » Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole

Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole

Published: Sep 25, 2023 by Genevieve Morrison · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
A chai apple french toast on a table beside 2 apples and flowers.

This easy, overnight French toast casserole is a perfect Fall breakfast recipe! Soft and crispy, chai-spiced and packed with juicy apples, this streusel-topped French toast makes a wonderful addition to a Thanksgiving or Halloween breakfast menu! Prepare it the night before, then simply pop it in the oven in the morning!

A chai apple french toast on a table beside 2 apples and flowers.
Contents hide
1 The Simple Process
2 Ingredient Notes
3 How to Make This French Toast – Step-by-Step
4 Common Questions
5 Special Note
6 What to Serve with This French Toast

Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole

This recipe is a GREAT way to use all of those apple-picking apples! A perfect Thanksgiving morning breakfast for the family, elegantly chai-spiced, sweet and tart, and easy to prep the night before and bake! It’s also easy to bake, then simply reheat later if you want to have it ready even faster!

I use masala chai spice instead of cinnamon to really give it that flavor of chai latte autumn goodness! If you can’t find a good masala chai spice, though, you can substitute with pumpkin spice for a similar, yummy fall flavor.

I made this French toast for my Autumn lady’s brunch, and this was such a hit! I served it with creamy pumpkin polenta, a charming, crustless butternut squash quiche, crispy sweet potato hash, and a gorgeous apple kale salad. I had to get rid of all those apples somehow! This brunch menu really did the trick.

A sliced of french toast on a plate in front of a baking dish, beside 3 apples.

The Simple Process

First, we’ll peel and dice apples, and mix them with sugar and spices.

Next, we’ll slice brioche, mix the spiced custard, pour it over the apples and bread, and let it sit overnight.

Then, we’ll bake the French toast.

Finally, we’ll make a streusel topping, sprinkle it over the French toast, bake for a few minutes more, and serve.

Ingredient Notes

14 ingredients on a table with labels describing what they are.

brioche – You can substitute with a challah or even a French baguette, but brioche and challah are best.

whole milk – Don’t substitute with low-fat milk. You want a nice, creamy custard for that toast.

heavy cream – Also called “double cream” in Europe. Don’t substitute with half-and-half.

apples – I used a mix of Red Delicious and Granny Smith apples for this recipe, but you can use any apples you like!

chai masala – I used Spicewalla’s chai masala spice for this French Toast. It’s my favorite chai spice of all! If you have trouble getting ahold of a good masala chai spice, you can substitute with pumpkin spice.

vanilla extract – Use a nice quality, real vanilla extract like Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract. A quality vanilla really makes this French toast shine!

How to Make This French Toast – Step-by-Step

A collage of 4 numbered images showing how to prep chai apple french toast.

1. Peel and dice 4 large apples (I used mixed Granny Smith and Red Delicious). Place diced apples in a mixing bowl.

2. Toss apples with 1 tsp. chai masala spice and 1 tbsp. white granulated sugar.

3. Slice 15 oz. brioche into small pieces. In an 11″ x 8″ baking dish, add sliced brioche and spiced apples, making sure there are apples in between the bread slices and sprinkled on top.

4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, ⅔ cup heavy cream, 2 tsp. chai masala spice, ⅓ cup white granulated sugar, ¼ tsp. sea salt, and 2 tsp. real vanilla extract.

A collage of 4 numbered images showing how to make chai apple french toast.

5. Pour mixture evenly over the bread and apples, give it a small sprinkle of chai spice or cinnamon, cover with cellophane and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 350 F. (175 C.). Bake French toast for 35 minutes. 

6. While it bakes, create streusel topping. Mix ½ cup flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 oz. soft salted butter and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a bowl until combined. It can help to use your hands.

7. After 35 minutes, remove French toast (don’t turn off heat) and crumble streusel topping on top. Place French toast back in the oven for 10 minutes.

8. Remove French toast, sprinkle with 1 tsp. powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup (optional), and serve.

The top of a powdered french toast beside an apple and flowers.

Common Questions

Does this have to be prepped the night before?

Nope. You can let the bread and apples soak for just 20 minutes in the custard if you like. It will taste the same. I just personally don’t want to fuss about in the morning when cooking for family so I like to prep the night before, and simply pop it in the oven in the morning.

Can I make the French toast and reheat it later?

Yup! And it will be just as delicious. Simply bake the French toast, allow it to cool, cover with cellophane, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake uncovered for 20 minutes on a lower rack at 350 F. (175 C.).

Special Note

This is a very moist French Toast. If you want it to be less moist, use only ½ cup milk and ½ cup heavy cream.

Maple syrup pouring onto a slice of chai apple french toast.

For more inspiration, subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram, on Pinterest, tiktok, and Facebook! And if you ever make any of my tasty drinks or treats, take a picture and tag me. I want to see!

What to Serve with This French Toast

  • The top of an apple salad beside 2 apples on a table.
    Massaged Kale Salad with Apple
  • A butternut squash goat cheese quiche on a wooden board, surrounded by flowers.
    Crustless Butternut Squash Quiche
  • Sweet potato hash in a bowl, sprinkled with scallions.
    Crispy, Baked Sweet Potatoes
  • Pumpkin polenta with mushrooms in a bowl.
    Pumpkin Polenta with Mushrooms and Sausage
A book cover with a title that says “Elegant Appetizers,” beside a title that says “Don’t forget your free ebook! Subscribe.”
A chai apple french toast on a table beside 1 apple.

Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole

This easy overnight apple French toast casserole is a perfect Fall breakfast recipe! Soft and crispy, chai-spiced and packed with juicy apples, this streusel-topped French toast makes a wonderful addition to a Thanksgiving or Halloween breakfast menu! Prepare it the night before, then simply pop it in the oven in the morning!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: International
Diet: Low Salt
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
overnight soak: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 463kcal
Author: Genevieve Morrison

Equipment

  • 1  11” x 8” baking dish
  • 1  cutting board & sharp knife
  • 1  large mixing bowl
  • 1  mixing spoon
  • 1  whisk

Ingredients

For French Toast

  • 15 oz. brioche – or challah 
  • 4 large apples – I used mixed Granny Smith and Red Delicious
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ⅔ cup heavy cream
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 tsp. chai masala spice – or pumpkin spice
  • ⅓ cup white granulated sugar – and 1 tbsp. for mixing with apples
  • ¼ tsp. sea salt
  • 2 tsp. real vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. powdered sugar – optional

For Streusel Topping

  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar – packed
  • 2 oz. salted butter – soft (not melted)
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

  • Peel and dice 4 large apples, place in a mixing bowl. Toss apples with 1 tsp. chai masala spice and 1 tbsp. white granulated sugar.
  • Slice 15 oz. brioche into small pieces. In a baking dish, add sliced brioche and spiced apples, making sure there are apples in between the bread slices and sprinkled on top.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, ⅔ cup heavy cream, 2 tsp. chai masala spice, ⅓ cup white granulated sugar, ¼ tsp. sea salt, and 2 tsp. real vanilla extract.
  • Pour mixture evenly over the bread and apples, give it a small sprinkle of chai spice or cinnamon, cover with cellophane and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 350 F. (175 C.). Bake French toast for 35 minutes. 
  • While it bakes, create streusel topping. Mix ½ cup flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 oz. soft salted butter and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a bowl until combined. It can help to use your hands.
  • After 35 minutes, remove French toast (don’t turn off heat) and crumble streusel topping on top. Place French toast back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove French toast, sprinkle with 1 tsp. powdered sugar (optional), and serve.

Notes

This is a very moist French Toast. If you want it to be less moist, use only ½ cup milk and ½ cup heavy cream.
You can allow this French toast to soak in the custard for anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours overnight.
To make ahead and reheat later, simply bake the French toast, allow it to cool, cover with cellophane, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake uncovered for 20 minutes on a lower rack at 350 F. (175 C.).

Nutrition

Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 937IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 1mg
« Pumpkin Polenta with Mushrooms and Sausage
Crustless Butternut Squash Quiche »
  • Facebook96
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet

    October 19, 2023 at 1:12 am

    You mention that the recipe is vegan. This is not vegan but can be made into a vegan recipe.

    Reply
    • Genevieve Morrison

      October 25, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      Oh, thank you for pointing that out! That was actually a mistake in the recipe card. I fixed it. I really appreciate your letting me know!

      Reply
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




I accept the Privacy Policy

Primary Sidebar

Hello there!

Hello there!

My name is Genevieve, and I'm just trying to be a little fancier today than I was yesterday. Sharing recipes for the creative host or hostess that are simple, elegant and colorful too!

Winner!

Awards Banner

Get Your Free e-book!

The cover of a cookbook that says "Elegant Appetizers” with deviled eggs on a marble background with flowers in the corners.

Winter Inspiration

A sliced piece of chicken with Herbs de Provence and white wine mushroom sauce on a plate with salad and potatoes.

Herbed Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

2 bowls of cauliflower soup and a small bowl of croutons on a lace table cloth.

Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup

A white cocktail, rimmed with powdered sugar, on a black table, sprinkled with sugar and with a few snowflake ornaments.

A RumChata Coconut Snowflake Cocktail

3 chai-spiced eggnog panna cottas with raisins on a serving tray.

Chai Spiced Eggnog Panna Cotta

A pear and ginger cocktail, garnished with sliced pears on a cocktail pin and a few baby's breath flowers.

Sparkling Pear & Ginger Cocktail

A flamboyantly garnished cocktail with a title that says "10 Beautiful Holiday Cocktails."

10 Beautiful Holiday Cocktails

Featured In

A list of 7 logos.

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Footer

↑ back to top

About

About Me

Privacy Policy

Newsletter

Sign Up! for my newsletter

Contact

Email Me!

Copyright © 2024 She Keeps a Lovely Home

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.