TWO desserts collide into one irresistible breakfast with this Apple Pie French Toast Bake! This casserole, also known as bread pudding, is a family favourite breakfast!
All I can say is; this Apple Pie French Toast Bake made my oven and stomach happy!
Soft french toast sits beneath cinnamon flavoured apple slices, topped with an incredible crumble for a crunch texture (WHICH IS OPTIONAL), and finished with a drizzle of maple flavoured frosting.
If you’re looking for a savory casserole to feed a crowd, check out this LOADED Sweet Potato Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. However, if you’re a hopeless romantic sweet tooth like me, this would be right up your cravings alley; around the corner from hormone city and down the street to dessert haven.
Not a bad place to be in. If you remember the Easy Cinnamon Apple Crisp from a month ago — way back in time — THAT crisp has stayed with me, haunting and taunting me to be made again….and again….and again. But, how to make it completely acceptable for breakfast, a long with some protein to fill us up enough to wait for the next meal, without being thrown into a fit of starving mad rage.
French toast. The logic side of my brain says NO, this is not a healthy breakfast food. Oh, but the apple pie / french toast lover that resides deep in my soul says yes a thousand times over. The side of me I try to squash down with smoothie bowls and chia puddings.
NOT TODAY.
Just like our Chocolate Pecan Pie, this Apple Pie French Toast Bake. For thanksgiving. Or for any time, really. Is. Just. Everything.
Need more cheeky treats? Try these:
3-ingredient double chocolate Mousse
Cinnamon and Raisin Rice Pudding
World’s Best Fudgiest Brownies
Apple Pie French Toast Bake
Ingredients
APPLE FILLING:
- 21 ounces apple pie filling canned
OR
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 apples large, sliced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoons ground cinnamon
FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
- 15 ounce loaf vienna french bread or challah, roughly cubed
- 8 eggs large
- 3 cups milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
CRISP TOPPING (OPTIONAL FOR ADDED CRUNCH):
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats or rolled oats for a chewier crumb
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour or plain flour
- â…“ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch baking powder
- 3 tablespoons butter melted (I use light or reduced fat)
FROSTING (OPTIONAL):
- ½ cup confectioners sugar or icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk
Instructions
FOR APPLE PIE FILLING (If not using Apple Pie Filling):
- Heat a medium-sized pot over medium-high heat. Melt butter; add apple slices, sugar and cinnamon; mix through to evenly coat. Cook for 10-15 minutes until apples are soft and tender.
FOR FRENCH TOAST:
- Spray a 9×13 dish with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the diced bread in the baking dish; set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar (or sweetener), vanilla and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Press bread down into the egg wash to completely soak.
- Pour the apple pie filling over the top of the soaked bread.
FOR THE CRISP TOPPING:
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and melted butter. Mix well using a spatula or your fingertips,to soak the butter through the dry ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread in the baking dish.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
READY TO BAKE:
- Preheat oven to 175°C | 350°F. Remove baking dish from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Then bake for 40-50 minutes until the crisp is golden browned and the casserole is completely cooked through.
FOR THE FROSTING:
- In small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients. Drizzle over casserole.
- Serve warm.
Kacey says
Great recipe! It was loaded with flavor!
KM says
This was fantastic! I thinly sliced a Granny Smith apple to put between the bread and pie filling, for extra fruit. Skipped the glaze because I don’t like things super sweet, and it came out nicely balanced. Coffee and breakfast sausage, and brunch was complete! Don’t skip the crunchy topping, it really adds some kick to the experience
Happier At Home says
I have this in the oven as I’m typing this! I am SO beyond excited to taste this yummy breakfast! It’s perfect for this Sunday morning – and who knows, maybe every Sunday morning from here out! 🙂 (I cheated and added more apple pie filling to the top!) Thanks for sharing this recipe! Blessings!
Kelly Geen says
How does this do if you freeze it and then bake? Thanks
Elise says
Uh, yeah, this is in the oven right now…. For dinner. I couldn’t wait until breakfast!! It smells amazing. If it tastes half as good as it smells, I will be a very popular person at my house!!
Update…It was awesome!! Total keeper!
Michelle says
This looks AMAZING! I think I will prepare this for Christmas morning. My kids will love it! We never have really sweet stuff for breakfast, so your recipe will be something extra special. Thank you!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
How dreamy does this french toast bake look? Apple pie + bread pudding sounds like heaven! Defs would eat this is bressert!
Karina says
Bethany! YES! I love how you speak my language!