A Sweet, Warm Breakfast Perfect for Holidays or Lazy Weekends
Hola! I’m Emma, your Florida girl with a love for slow mornings and even slower cooking. This Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe is pure comfort in a crockpot. Imagine waking up to the scent of cinnamon, maple, and buttery bread, all gently baked into a custardy perfection.
It’s an easy, hands-off breakfast you can prep in minutes, making it perfect for Christmas morning or cozy family weekends.
The best part? Your slow cooker does all the work while you sip your coffee.
Quick Recipe Overview
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Servings | 12 |
| Calories | 395 |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Best Season | Holidays, weekends, or special brunches |
What Makes This Crockpot French Toast Special
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward: Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it bake itself into breakfast heaven.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Serves a big family or brunch group with ease.
- Customizable: Use brioche, challah, or French bread and mix in your favorite nuts or fruit.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the night before and cook fresh in the morning.
- Deliciously Aromatic: The blend of cinnamon, vanilla, and maple fills your home with the coziest scent.
Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole is a cozy, make-ahead breakfast full of cinnamon, maple, and buttery flavor. It’s perfect for holidays or lazy weekends when you want something sweet, warm, and effortless.
Ingredients
- 24 ounces stale brioche bread (or challah, French bread, or Texas toast)
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
- 8 large eggs
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Topping:
- 1/2 cup butter, sliced
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Grease a 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and layer with pecans in the slow cooker.
3. If your bread is fresh, bake the cubes at 250°F for 10 minutes to dry them slightly.
4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
5. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cubed bread and gently stir to coat. Let sit 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight if desired.
6. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon, then sprinkle evenly over the top. Dot with butter slices.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–2 1/2 hours or on LOW for 3–4 hours until golden and set.
8. Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh fruit.
Notes
Use slightly stale bread for the best texture.
Make it ahead by prepping the night before and refrigerating overnight.
For extra flavor, try adding blueberries, apples, or chocolate chips.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Slow Cooker
- Method: Crock Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/12 recipe)
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 478mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 166mg
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 24 ounces stale brioche bread (or challah, French bread, or Texas toast)
- 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
For the Topping
- ½ cup butter, sliced
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ingredient Tips and Swaps
| Ingredient | Pro Tip |
|---|---|
| Brioche Bread | Use slightly stale bread for better texture and absorption. Fresh bread can make the casserole soggy. |
| Milk | Whole milk gives richness; almond or oat milk works for dairy-free. |
| Maple Syrup | Use pure maple syrup for natural sweetness and deep flavor. |
| Pecans | Toast lightly before adding for extra crunch and nuttiness. |
| Spices | Cinnamon and nutmeg create that classic French toast flavor — adjust to taste. |
| Butter | Real butter adds a golden finish to the topping — margarine won’t give the same flavor. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Bread: Grease your slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and add to the slow cooker with pecans if using.
- Make It Stale (Optional but Best): If your bread isn’t stale, bake the cubes at 250°F for 10 minutes to dry them slightly.
- Mix the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the egg mixture over the cubed bread. Gently stir to coat evenly. Let sit for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor.
- Make the Topping: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread, then top with butter pieces.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–2½ hours or on LOW for 3–4 hours. The edges should be golden and the center set.
- Serve Warm: Scoop into bowls and serve with powdered sugar, extra maple syrup, or fresh fruit.
Expert Tips for Best Results
- Use Stale Bread: It absorbs the custard perfectly without turning mushy.
- Don’t Skip the Topping: The buttery brown sugar layer gives it a caramelized finish.
- Avoid Overcooking: Check at the 2-hour mark — every slow cooker heats differently.
- Make Overnight Magic: Assemble the night before, refrigerate, then cook fresh in the morning.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Apple Cinnamon: Add chopped apples or apple pie filling between the bread layers.
- Berry Bliss: Mix in blueberries or raspberries for a fruity twist.
- Pecan Praline: Add extra pecans and drizzle caramel sauce before serving.
- Chocolate Chip Delight: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips before cooking for a dessert-style breakfast.
What to Serve with It
Pair this warm casserole with crispy bacon, sausage links, or a fruit salad. For drinks, try hot cocoa, coffee, or orange juice. It also pairs beautifully with my Easy Overnight Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole for a complete brunch spread.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezer Tips
Assemble everything the night before, cover the crock insert, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, just pop it into your slow cooker and turn it on. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven. To freeze, cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Helpful Kitchen Notes
- Always grease the slow cooker generously to prevent sticking.
- Brioche or challah bread works best for rich flavor and soft texture.
- Letting it rest for 10 minutes after cooking helps it firm up for easy serving.
- Add your favorite toppings like powdered sugar, cinnamon, or maple drizzle for a beautiful presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this with French bread? Yes, French bread works perfectly and gives a slightly chewier texture.
2. Can I add fruit? Absolutely! Blueberries, apples, or sliced bananas make wonderful additions.
3. Can I prep this the night before? Yes, refrigerate overnight and cook in the morning. It’ll taste even better.
4. How do I keep it from getting soggy? Use stale bread and avoid adding too much liquid.
5. Can I make it dairy-free? Substitute milk with almond, coconut, or oat milk and use plant-based butter.
6. How can I make it less sweet? Reduce the maple syrup or brown sugar slightly.
7. What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? Microwave for 30–60 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 portion (1/12 recipe) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 395 |
| Protein | 12g |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Fat | 19g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 166mg |
| Sodium | 478mg |
| Sugar | 17g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Calcium | 170mg |
| Iron | 2mg |
Nutrition values are estimated using online tools and may vary based on brands and portion sizes.
Author’s Story
I remember my abuela teaching me how to make bread pudding-style breakfasts that filled our home with sweet aromas. This slow cooker version was born from those memories but made simple for today’s busy mornings. Every bite feels like a hug — soft, buttery, and perfectly spiced.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe becomes your go-to brunch dish. It’s cozy, sweet, and effortless. Just set it, forget it, and wake up to something truly special.
If you love creamy comfort food recipes, try my Chicken Gloria Casserole. It’s a tender, creamy chicken bake with mushrooms and cheese that makes the perfect cozy dinner.
