If you’re after a fuss-free breakfast that’s guaranteed to impress, the Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe is pure magic. Imagine waking up to the cozy aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla wafting through your kitchen, all thanks to a scrumptious dish that comes together with minimal effort. Creamy custard, pillowy brioche, and a buttery brown sugar topping unite in the slow cooker to make every bite a celebration. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday brunch, lazy Saturday, or crave-worthy weekday treat, this recipe delivers delicious results every time.

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe special is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. Each element brings its own texture, flavor, or touch of luxury, creating layers of decadence you’ll absolutely love.

Stale Brioche Bread: The richness and density of brioche soaks up custard perfectly—day-old or a quick toast in the oven makes it ideal.
Pecans (optional): Add crunch and a subtle nutty twist, but you can skip them if you prefer a classic texture.
Large Eggs: Form the heart of the creamy custard base, binding the casserole together.
Whole Milk: Lends a velvety richness and ensures the casserole is never dry or bland.
Real Maple Syrup: Gives a deep, pure sweetness with that unmistakable maple flavor—skip the artificial stuff if you can.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances all those cozy breakfast flavors.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out all the subtle notes in this comforting dish.
Ground Cinnamon: Offers classic French toast flavor and the ultimate breakfast fragrance.
Ground Nutmeg: Provides a hint of spice that feels fancy without any fuss.
Butter: Sliced and dotted on top, this makes for a rich, golden finish.
Packed Brown Sugar: Combined with cinnamon and butter, it becomes an irresistible caramelized topping.
Cooking Spray/Butter (for greasing): Prevents sticking, so you get every bit of that gooey goodness out of the slow cooker.

How to Make Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Slow Cooker

Spritz your slow cooker insert generously with nonstick cooking spray or rub it with a little butter. This is your insurance policy against sticking, and it makes cleanup so much easier—so don’t skip it!

Step 2: Cut and Layer Bread & Pecans

Slice your brioche into thick, 1-inch cubes. Layer them evenly into the slow cooker, tossing in chopped pecans as you go if you’re using them. Using stale bread is key—if it’s fresh, just toast the cubes in a 250 F oven for about 10 minutes to dry them out. The drier the bread, the better it will absorb the custard without getting soggy.

Step 3: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and fully combined. This mixture is what transforms cubes of bread into a rich, custardy casserole that feels like an indulgent treat.

Step 4: Soak the Bread

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and pecans in your slow cooker. Gently stir or press so all the bread cubes soak up the goodness. If you have some extra time, let it sit for an hour or two—this gives the bread more time to absorb the custard, but don’t worry if you’re short on time; it’ll work just fine without.

Step 5: Make the Topping

Cut the butter into small pieces and set them aside. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with an extra dash of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously on top of the soaked bread, then dot the chopped butter all over so it melts into those sweet, crispy pockets as it cooks.

Step 6: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover your slow cooker and set it to HIGH for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or LOW for 3 to 4 hours. When it’s done, the custard will be set, the topping golden and bubbling, and your kitchen filled with the heavenly scent of breakfast bliss. Scoop out generous portions and serve immediately, with all your favorite toppings.

How to Serve Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

The best finishing touches for the Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe are a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of extra real maple syrup, and a sprinkle of fresh berries. If you’re feeling decadent, a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt can add a lovely creamy contrast to each bite.

Side Dishes

Round out your morning feast by pairing this casserole with crispy bacon, savory sausage links, or a refreshing fruit salad. If you’re serving brunch, hot coffee and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice make a perfect match.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions (or pure fun), try layering the casserole in glass jars for individual servings, or cut it into neat squares and arrange them on a platter. You can even create a build-your-own French toast casserole bar with a variety of toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, or flavored syrups for everyone to customize.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once everyone’s had their fill, cover any remaining Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe tightly and refrigerate. It’ll keep beautifully for up to four days. The flavors deepen and the texture stays just as satisfying, making leftovers a real treat.

Freezing

Want to save some for another day? Let the casserole cool completely, then wrap slices individually or portion out into airtight containers. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a portion into the microwave for about a minute until warmed through, or reheat larger amounts in the oven at 350 F for about 15 minutes. Top with a fresh drizzle of maple syrup to revive all the flavors.

FAQs

Can I assemble the casserole the night before?

Absolutely! Assemble everything right up to the topping, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add the topping, then start the slow cooker according to the recipe. This makes mornings so much easier!

What type of bread works best for the Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe?

Brioche is my go-to for its richness and tender crumb, but thick-cut French bread, challah, or Texas toast also work beautifully. Just make sure the bread is dry or stale to soak up the custard without falling apart.

Can this recipe be made dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap in your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk) and use a plant-based butter. The result will be every bit as indulgent.

How do I know when the casserole is done?

The casserole is finished when the custard is set, the edges are golden, and the topping has caramelized. A quick poke with a knife should come out mostly clean (a little moisture is okay—that’s part of the charm!).

Can I make this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Choose a gluten-free brioche loaf or sturdy white gluten-free bread. The custard and topping are naturally gluten-free, so you won’t miss out on any flavor or texture.

Final Thoughts

If anything deserves a spot in your breakfast or brunch rotation, it’s this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s easy, comforting, and sure to bring everyone to the table with a smile. So go on—give it a try, and get ready to be wowed by just how delicious and simple the slow cooker can make your mornings!

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 3 hours
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in a delicious and easy-to-make Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole that’s perfect for lazy weekend mornings or special brunch gatherings. This recipe yields a comforting dish with a hint of sweetness and warm spices, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker.

Instructions

Grease Slow Cooker: Grease the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
Prepare Bread: Cut the bread into cubes, layer it in the slow cooker with pecans.
Make Egg Mixture: Whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl.
Soak Bread: Pour the egg mixture over the bread in the slow cooker, allowing it to soak.
Add Topping: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over bread, and top with butter.
Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-2.5 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours.
Serve: Enjoy with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit.

Notes

This recipe works best with stale bread.
You can customize with your favorite nuts or fruits.
Adjust sweetness to your preference.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5 hours
Category: Breakfast/Brunch
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 410 kcal
Sugar: 24g
Sodium: 490mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 200mg

Keywords: Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole, French Toast Casserole Recipe, Slow Cooker Breakfast Recipe