Go Back
Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

This Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole is a cozy, convenient breakfast bake perfect for holiday mornings or lazy Sundays. It transforms simple ingredients into a warm, custardy dish resembling bread pudding, with a caramelized crust. The make-ahead recipe allows you to prepare everything the night before, so you can wake up to a delicious, stress-free breakfast.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 395
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 24 ounces stale Brioche bread
  • ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ¼ cup real maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup butter, sliced into small pieces
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Large mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula
  • Baking sheet (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prep Your Slow Cooker and Bread: First things first, give the inside of your slow cooker a good coating with nonstick spray or butter. This is key to making sure your beautiful casserole comes out cleanly. Now, take your stale bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes. If you’re using pecans, toss them in with the bread cubes and layer them evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. A Note on Bread: This recipe truly shines with stale, day-old bread. If your bread is fresh, it will absorb the custard too quickly and can become mushy. To fix this, just spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake them at 250°F for about 10-15 minutes until they feel dry to the touch.
  3. Mix the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, crack your 8 eggs and give them a good whisk. Pour in the milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and the nutmeg. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined. You want to make sure the egg is completely incorporated.
  4. Soak the Bread: Gently pour this glorious egg mixture all over the bread cubes in the slow cooker. Use a spatula to press down lightly and stir a bit, ensuring every single piece of bread gets a chance to soak up the custard. For the absolute Best Crockpot French Toast, cover and refrigerate it at this stage for a few hours or even overnight. This allows the bread to become fully saturated, leading to a creamier final product.
  5. Create the Topping: In a separate small bowl, mix together the packed brown sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the soaked bread. Finally, dot the top with your slices of butter. As it cooks, this will melt and create an irresistible, gooey, caramelized crust.
  6. Cook and Serve: Place the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook. You can cook it on HIGH for 2 to 2.5 hours or on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking times can vary slightly between slow cooker models, so keep an eye on it. The casserole is done when the center is set and no longer liquidy. Serve your Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole warm, with a drizzle of extra maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a handful of fresh berries.

Notes

To prevent a soggy casserole, place a clean kitchen towel under the slow cooker lid to catch condensation. For the best texture, allow the bread to soak in the custard for at least a few hours, or preferably overnight. The casserole is done when the center is set and a knife inserted comes out clean. Variations include adding fruit (blueberries, peaches, apples), chocolate chips, or extra spices like ginger and cardamom.