Breakfast for a crowd doesn’t have to be stressful (yep, bold claim, but stay with me). This baked French toast casserole is here to back me up! Picture all the nutty, buttery deliciousness of a bakery-style almond croissant but in a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-serve casserole form. And here’s the kicker: overnight prep! Just assemble it before bed, pop it in the oven in the morning, and let the magic happen. It’s practically made for lazy Sunday mornings or hosting guests without breaking a sweat.
Fall in Love with Brunch Again
Perfect For A Crowd: Preparing a big batch is a breeze, making it ideal for brunches, holiday breakfasts, or any time you’re playing host. Bring The Bakery Home: The combo of almond paste, extract, and sliced almonds brings a mouthwatering twist to classic French toast. Foolproof: With easy step-by-step photos and pantry staples, even beginner cooks can ace this French toast bake!
Grab These Ingredients
Great news! All the ingredients in this almond French toast casserole are either pantry staples or easy to find. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
Bread: Sourdough provides a hearty yet tender texture that perfectly soaks up the egg mixture. To prevent a soggy casserole, you’ll want to use stale bread here (about 1-2 days old). Almond Paste: We’ll use almond paste to add a sweet, nutty flavor that makes the recipe taste exactly like almond croissant French toast. (Find out how to make almond paste here!) Custard: To keep the casserole moist and creamy, we’ll combine eggs, whole milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and almond extract (the secret to that bakery-style almond flavor). Crumble Topping: Last but not least, top this casserole off with a crumble topping made of all-purpose flour, brown sugar, butter (make sure it’s cold!), extra almond paste, and sliced almonds.
Making This Is So Easy
Trust me, the hardest part about this French toast casserole is waiting for it to bake while your kitchen fills with the aroma of almond croissants! This is just an overview. For the full printable recipe, jump to the recipe card. For the best results, use plain, unsweetened almond milk, which keeps the sweetness and flavors balanced. Also, swap the butter in the crumble topping for a dairy-free butter alternative (just make sure it’s nice and cold!).
Got Leftovers?
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the oven or microwave for convenient grab-and-go breakfasts all week long. You can also freeze this casserole! Let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Then, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until warm again.
Make a Brunch Spread
What’s better than one brunch dish? A whole smorgasbord of them! Pair your almond French toast bake with one (or all) of these mouthwatering ideas.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Oatmeal: If you want to keep things hands-off, you can’t go wrong with this fall-inspired slow cooker treat. Stovetop Breakfast Potatoes: Whip up some crispy taters while your casserole bakes (they’re done in 20 minutes)! Breakfast Fruit Salad: This sugar-free, vitamin-loaded fruit salad is the perfect way to balance your brunch spread.
