Sourdough French Toast Casserole
on Aug 17, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This sourdough French toast casserole is a cozy, make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings. It’s made with chunks of hearty sourdough bread baked in a creamy custard, so every bite is soft on the inside with just the right amount of golden crisp on top. Prep it the night before and bake it in the morning for an easy weekday breakfast or a comforting weekend brunch.
Everyone in my family loves French toast, but when school mornings get hectic, there’s no time to flip slices at the stove. That’s why this sourdough French toast casserole is such a game-changer! You can prep it the night before, let the bread soak up all the creamy custard, and then just bake it in the morning. It has all the flavors of classic French toast but in an easy, make-ahead bake that’s ready to pop in the oven when you need it. Leftovers also store and reheat well, so you can enjoy a warm, delicious breakfast any day of the week without extra effort.
If you’re looking for more make-ahead breakfast ideas for busy mornings, you’ll love these broccoli and cheese egg bites, cinnamon apple waffles, and banana blackberry muffins, all perfect for batch-making and reheating for an easy meal.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make this sourdough French toast casserole:
- Sourdough bread: Day-old bread works best so that it can soak up the custard without turning mushy.
- Eggs: Bind the casserole to give it structure.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness to the custard mixture.
- Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness and flavor to the custard.
- Vanilla Extract/Cinnamon: For warmth and sweetness.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon: Optional topping for added sweetness and texture.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions & Additions
- Bread: If you don’t have sourdough, brioche, challah, or French bread also work well in this French toast bake.
- Whole Milk: You can replace whole milk with half-and-half milk for a creamier custard. Swap for almond, oat, or coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- Maple Syrup: You can wwap maple syrup with honey or brown sugar.
- Mix-ins: Fresh berries, diced apples, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts make fun additions.
- Toppings: You can serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or whipped cream.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch by 9-inch baking pan.
STEP 2: Make the custard. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined (Images 1 & 2).
STEP 3: Place the chopped bread cubes into the greased pan (Image 3). Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes (Image 4), and use a spoon to stir everything in the pan until all of the bread cubes are fully coated with the custard (Images 5 & 6).
STEP 4: Make the cinnamon sugar coating. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the soaked bread cubes (Image 7).
STEP 5: Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and set in the middle. Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm with your favorite toppings (Image 8).
Storage Instructions
Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, store individual portions in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for about minutes or in the microwave for a quicker option.
Tips For Success
- Use day-old bread. Slightly stale sourdough soaks up the custard perfectly and keeps the casserole from getting too soggy.
- Make sure to give the bread cubes a good mix to ensure that all of the cubes are fully coated with the custard.
- If you have some time, you can soak it for 2 hours up to overnight to ensure the bread soaks up all of the moisture, but this isn’t necessary, and you can bake this right away.
- Toss in blueberries, chocolate chips, or diced apples, or chopped nuts for some fun flavor variations. You can also add these on as toppings after the casserole is baked.
Recipe FAQs
You can bake this right away! If you have some time, you can soak it for 2 hours up to overnight to ensure the bread soaks up all of the moisture, but it isn’t necessary.
Fresh bread tends to get mushy, so slightly stale or day-old bread works best. If that’s all you have, bake it right away so that it doesn’t get too mushy.
Yes! Bake the casserole, let it cool, then cut it into squares. Wrap individual portions for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Other French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
Healthy Blueberry French Toast Bake
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast
Strawberry Cheesecake Roll-Ups
If you tried this Sourdough French Toast Casserole, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Sourdough French Toast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
Casserole Base
- 5 cups cubed sourdough bread, about 10 oz cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
Cinnamon Sugar Topping (Optional)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch by 9-inch baking pan.
- Make the custard. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Place the chopped bread cubes into the greased pan. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, and use a spoon to stir everything in the pan until all of the bread cubes are fully coated with the custard. Lightly press down.
- Make the cinnamon sugar coating. Combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the soaked bread cubes.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and set in the middle. Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use day-old bread. Slightly stale sourdough soaks up the custard perfectly and keeps the casserole from getting too soggy.
- Make sure to give the bread cubes a good mix to ensure that all of the cubes are fully coated with the custard.
- If you have some time, you can soak it for 2 hours up to overnight to ensure the bread soaks up all of the moisture, but this isn’t necessary, and you can bake this right away.
- Toss in blueberries, chocolate chips, or diced apples, or chopped nuts for some fun flavor variations. You can also add these on as toppings after the casserole is baked.
