Sourdough French Toast Casserole Recipe

Sourdough French Toast Casserole Recipe: Enjoy a delicious, no-waste breakfast with this easy, make-ahead casserole made with sweet, custardy sourdough bread.

Can I be honest with you? I was never a huge fan of French Toast growing up. 

I know what you must be thinking. Then why are you sharing a French Toast Casserole recipe?

One thing I disliked even more than French Toast is waste!

Early in my sourdough baking journey, I was looking for a way to use up some sourdough bread that was starting to go stale. I made sourdough breadcrumbs and croutons, and then thought, why not try Sourdough French Toast Casserole?

Life changed!

Warm soft, custardy sourdough bread sweetened with pure maple syrup and spiced with ground cinnamon – heavenly! Top it off with a crispy streusel topping and drizzle with more maple syrup – even better.

I love that I can always use this recipe whenever I have leftover bread so that none goes to waste, plus it can be prepped the night before for a quick and easy breakfast!

Hope you enjoy the recipe that made me fall in love with Sourdough French Toast Casserole!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This sourdough French toast casserole is seriously a winner. It’s soft and creamy from the eggs and cream, with just the right amount of sweetness from the maple syrup. The streusel topping adds the perfect crunch. Plus, you can prep it the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven the next morning. It’s an easy, delicious breakfast that looks like you put in way more work than you did.

Prepare the night before

This casserole is perfect for those mornings when you just want to take it easy. Make it the night before, cover it, and stick it in the fridge. Then, in the morning, pop it in the oven, and you’ll have a hot, homemade breakfast ready in no time. It’s great for holidays, brunch, or whenever you want something easy that still tastes like a dream come true.

Perfect no-waste recipe

Got leftover bread? Don’t toss it! Turn it into this casserole instead. It’s the best way to use up stale bread, and the bread soaks up all the sweet, creamy goodness. No waste here, just a yummy breakfast that’s perfect for using up those odds and ends.

Ingredients Needed

Sourdough bread – This recipe works with traditional, crusty sourdough bread or soft sourdough sandwich bread! If you prefer a more chewy texture, use an artisanal loaf, but if you are wanting a softer texture, like a brioche, use a sandwich bread loaf.

Large eggs: Helps bind the French toast bake together.

Milk: I used whole milk for this recipe, but any dairy and non-dairy option, like almond milk, will work.

Heavy whipping cream: Adding heavy cream to the milk mixture gives this breakfast bake a custard-like texture, almost like a bread pudding.

Maple syrup: I love using this natural sweetener to give this special treat just a touch of extra sweetness. Be sure to use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup.

Vanilla: I used vanilla extract, but you can just use what you have.

Ground cinnamon: The star ingredients of this recipe!

Salt: Just a pinch of salt will help elevate the sweetness of this Sourdough French Toast Casserole.

Streusel Topping

Brown sugar: For a more caramel flair, use dark brown sugar!

Flour: I used all-purpose flour.

Cinnamon: Adds a warm, comforting flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness and richness of the casserole.

Butter: Be sure to use cold butter! Using room-temperature or melted butter will cause the topping to spread out and flatten when it bakes.

* To find precise measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the recipe card*

Supplies

Large mixing bowl

Medium bowl

Whisk

9×13 baking dish

How to Make Sourdough French Toast Casserole

Streusel Topping

In a small bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Whisk until combined. Using clean fingers, press the diced cold butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the streusel topping together to create large crumble pieces. 

Place the streusel topping in the fridge while you prepare the French toast bake.

Sourdough French Toast Casserole

This recipe works perfectly with my artisanal Sourdough Bread or my Sourdough Sandwich Bread. Using sandwich bread will provide a softer bake, while a sourdough boule will give the French Toast Casserole more of a chewy texture. You can use a fresh loaf or a loaf that is starting to go stale.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Cube the bread into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. If you are using a crusty loaf of sourdough, I typically will remove really tough pieces of the crust. Place the bread in a large bowl and set to the side.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until combined.

Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until all of the bread pieces have been coated with the liquids.

Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and place it into the preheated oven.

This Sourdough French Toast Casserole can be prepped at night for a quick breakfast option the following morning! Cover the casserole and store in the fridge until ready to bake.

Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the middle is cooked through with no more liquids and the top of the casserole is golden brown and slightly crisp. I found that the casserole made with sourdough sandwich bread baked faster than traditional sourdough bread, so check the casserole at 45 minutes and then continue to bake for increments of 5 minutes more, if needed.

How to Serve

Serve the Sourdough French Toast Casserole hot, topped with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

You can also add fresh berries, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a comforting dessert! Enjoy every bite of this warm, custardy goodness.

How to Store

Store leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat individual scoops, microwave in 30-second increments until heated through. For reheating the entire casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F and bake covered for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Helpful Tips

If the top of the Sourdough French Toast is browning too much before it has finished baking, cover the top with aluminum foil and continue to bake.

If you only have 1/2 of a loaf, cut the recipe in half and bake the casserole in an 8×8 baking dish for the same amount of time.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time for special occasions like Christmas or Easter brunch?

For sure! This make-ahead breakfast is perfect for special occasions like Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or even just a laid-back Sunday breakfast. You can throw the casserole together the night before, cover it, and stick it in the fridge overnight. That way, you’ve got an easy, crowd-pleasing dish ready to go the next morning—no stress at all! Just pop it in the oven and bake. If you’re hosting a holiday breakfast or a family get-together, this casserole is a great way to feed a crowd with hardly any effort.

What are some fun ways to mix this up?

You can toss in a few dollops of cream cheese between the bread cubes for extra creaminess or fold in some fresh fruit like berries or bananas for a burst of flavor. Want to make it more seasonal? Try adding some pumpkin spice or a little orange zest. And once it’s out of the oven, drizzle on a little more maple syrup for extra sweetness. The possibilities are endless, just make it the way you love it!

How can I make this Sourdough French Toast Casserole recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Just swap the full-fat milk for coconut milk or any plant-based milk like almond milk. For the heavy cream, you can use non-dairy cream or coconut cream. Instead of butter, go with a plant-based butter or coconut oil for the topping. This recipe is super flexible, so you can make it work for your diet while still keeping that creamy, custardy goodness with simple ingredients.

Happy baking!

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