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This French Toast Bake is the perfect low carb make-ahead casserole for a weekend brunch. It tastes just like cinnamon rolls without all the work. Made with gluten free keto-friendly cinnamon bread, topped with a gooey sugar-free glaze and grain-free cinnamon streusel.
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Updated December 2019
EASY FRENCH TOAST BAKE
Craving french toast but don’t feel like pan-frying individual slices of bread over the stove? That’s when an easy french toast casserole comes to the rescue. Since you can make baked french toast in advance, it is perfect for weekend brunch, special holidays and on Christmas morning when you have overnight guests.
We have quite a few french toast recipes on our site already like this Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake, Apple Streusel French Toast Bake and this Strawberry Overnight French Toast Casserole.
This easy French Toast Bake has bee updated with grain-free and low carb ingredients so it’s perfect for guests who have dietary concerns. My family loves french toast and this healthier french toast recipe is always a hit at our house.
What I love the most about making baked french toast is that they are super easy to make and come together quickly.
All you have to do is throw everything into a dish and let the oven do the work! You can even assemble everything the night before and bake it the next morning.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
A traditional french toast casserole is usually made with french bread, Texas Toast or sour dough bread and a cup of brown sugar. Since our version is a healthy baked french toast, we are using:
- loaf of Keto Bread OR your favorite gluten-free paleo bread for paleo french toast casserole – for store-bought, you can also use store-bought keto bread such as California Girl Sandwich Bread or Solia
- eggs
- almond milk (we love using Malk)
- golden monk fruit sweetener OR brown sugar subsitute of your choice (can also sub with coconut sugar for paleo)
- Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or pure maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon
FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:
- superfine blanched almond flour
- golden monk fruit sweetener OR brown sugar subsitute of your choice (can also sub with coconut sugar for paleo)
- grass-fed butter, ghee or organic refined coconut oil
- cinnamon
- fine sea salt
ICING – optional:
- powdered sugar substitute – we like to use monk fruit sweetener but you can also use powdered coconut sugar for paleo
- almond milk
- 2 tablespoons Kite Hill cream cheese OR regular cream cheese if not dairy-free
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH TOAST BAKE
- CUT BREAD INTO CHUNKS: Preheat oven to 300F. Using your favorite grain-free bread, cut into slices and then even-sized chunks or cubes. Spread out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Once cooled add them to the bottom of greased casserole dish.
- MAKE THE STREUSEL: In a medium bowl, add the ingredients for the streusel topping and combine with a fork. Use you hands to pinch into pea-sized crumbs.
- MAKE THE EGG MIXTURE: Whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, sweetener and vanilla in a large measuring cup and pour over the bread. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Cover and store in the fridge (preferably overnight) until needed.
- Bake at 350 F and serve warm with desired toppings or glaze.
Variations and toppings
Everyone loves a little variety so feel free to switch things up:
- Add some fruit like cranberries, blueberries or strawberries
- Toss in some chocolate chips for a chocolate french toast bake
- Use any non-dairy milk you prefer
What are the best ways to serve french toast?
French toast is amazing on its on but you can also serve it as a complete brunch with an egg casserole,
Can french toast be frozen?
Yes, the great thing about make ahead french toast is that you can freeze it before baking it or even after. Simply cover it with plastic wrap and then a layer of foil to prevent freezer burn. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake at 350F for 55 minutes or 25 minutes if you had baked it beforehand.
Why everyone loves overnight french toast bake:
This Cinnamon French Toast Bake should definitely make an appearance for brunch on Christmas, New Years, Mother’s Day or any weekend morning. It’s not only simple to assemble, it makes your house smell absolutely amazing while it’s baking in the oven.
Less than 20 minutes of prep the night before, wake up the next morning and pop it in the oven while everyone is opening their gifts. My family loves cinnamon rolls and french toast and this casserole has both of those delicious flavors combined.
More French Toast Recipes:
Mixed Berry French Toast Bake
Blueberry French Toast Bake
Banana Pecan Streusel French Toast Bake
5 from 1 vote
French Toast Bake
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best brunch ideas, breakfast casserole, Casserole ideas, christmas morning breakfast recipes, Cinnamon casserole, Cinnamon french toast bake, french toast bake, keto french toast, low carb french toast, paleo breakfast, paleo french toast
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 335 kcal
Author: Kelly
Ingredients
STREUSEL TOPPING:
- 1/3 cup superfine blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted grass-fed butter cold and cubed, OR solid ghee or refined coconut oil
- 1/4 cup golden monk fruit sweetener OR brown sugar substiute of your choice (can also use coconut sugar for paleo_
FOR THE FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
- 1 loaf Keto bread OR paleo bread
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups almond milk OR non-dairy milk
- 1/4 cup golden monk fruit sweetener OR brown sugar substiute of your choice (can also use coconut sugar for paleo_
- 2 tablespoons Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup OR pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
ICING:
- 1-2 teaspoons Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup OR maple syrup
- 4 Tablespoons Kitehill dairy free cream cheese OR regular cream cheese, softened
- 1-2 Tablespoons almond milk
Instructions
Lightly grease a 9x9-inch square baking dish or 2.5-quart casserole dish.
CUT BREAD INTO CHUNKS: Preheat oven to 300F. Using your favorite grain-free bread, cut into slices and then even-sized chunks or cubes. Spread out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Once cooled add them to the bottom of greased casserole dish.
Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt together. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks.
In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.
Arrange half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the pan. Pour with 1/3 of the egg mixture and sprinkle with 1/3 of the streusel topping. Top with remaining bread cubes. Pour in remaining egg mixture, pressing down the bread cubes to absorb mixture.
Cover pan with foil. Allow to chill in therefrigerator for an hour or overnight. When ready to bake, remove french toast from thefridge.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 22-25 minutes or until fluffy and golden.
Meanwhile, make the icing: Combine maple syrup, cream cheese and milk in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add more or less milk depending on consistency desired.
Remove french toast from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Top with syrup and or cream cheese icing, if desired. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
French Toast Bake
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 335 Calories from Fat 261
% Daily Value*
Fat 29g45%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 9g18%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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