Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

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Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

Who doesn’t love French toast? It’s delicious—warm, sweet, total comfort breakfast vibes. But this Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole makes everything even easier, tastier, and seriously effortless. It’s exactly what you need on a lazy Sunday. Just mix everything, let your slow cooker work its magic, and enjoy a soft, fluffy dish with that cinnamon touch everyone goes crazy for. So, let’s make it!

Servings:8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:3 minutes

Total Time:3 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 loaf of brioche or French bread, cut into cubes (about 20 oz / 570 g)
6 large eggs
2 cups (473 ml) whole milk
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated or brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons (28 g) butter for greasing

Glaze Topping

1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Equipment Needed

6-qt slow cooker
Medium bowls
Whisk
Knife and cutting board
Spoon or spatula

See 5 variations of the recipe at the end.

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Did You Know?

French toast has been around for centuries and is actually older than France as a modern country. People used it to rescue old bread and turn it into something sweet and comforting. Your slow cooker French Toast Casserole is basically the “millennial” version of that same idea: toss everything in the pot, let it do its thing, and end up with hotel-style breakfast… while you're still in your slippers.

Instructions

First things first, grease the inside of your slow cooker really well with some butter—don’t forget the sides. This helps keep the bread from sticking, gives you those nice golden edges, and honestly makes cleanup way easier later.
Next, cut your bread into medium cubes, about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm). Try to keep them the same size so everything cooks evenly and looks great. Drop them into your slow cooker and spread them out evenly.
Now grab a large bowl and whisk your eggs. Then add the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt. Mix everything until it’s fully combined and you don’t see any streaks of egg white.
Slowly pour this liquid mixture over the bread cubes, making sure every piece gets soaked. Use a plastic spatula to gently press the bread down—just enough to help it absorb the mixture and avoid any dry spots.

Place the lid on and cook on LOW for 3 hours. Try not to lift the lid early, because that releases heat and stretches the cooking time. You’ll know it’s ready when the center feels firm to the touch but still soft—kind of like a bread pudding.
For the glaze, grab a small bowl and combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix with a spoon until you get a smooth, pourable consistency. Add more milk if you want it thinner, or less if you prefer it thicker.
And that’s it! Serve your French Toast Casserole warm in individual portions and drizzle the glaze on top right before eating. It’ll look shiny, fresh, and seriously irresistible. Enjoy!

Ingredient Substitutions

Bread: If you don’t have brioche, you can use challah or even thick sandwich bread—just make sure it’s a little dry so it can really soak up the custard.
Whole milk: Swap it for 2% milk or any unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy).
Heavy cream: If you don’t have it, use half-and-half or more milk if you want to cut the fat—just keep in mind the texture will be less creamy.
Sugar: You can use light brown sugar, or even honey or maple syrup—just adjust to taste.
Butter: If you're out, nonstick spray or a little coconut oil works great for greasing the slow cooker.
Vanilla: You can totally use vanilla paste or even artificial extract if that’s what you have on hand.
Nutmeg: You can skip it or replace it with an extra touch of cinnamon or some pumpkin spice—it works beautifully.
Powdered sugar: If you don’t have any, mix regular sugar with a little hot water and vanilla for a syrup-style topping that tastes amazing.

Prep Tips

Cut the bread evenly: This helps everything cook uniformly with no dry spots.
Toast fresh bread: Dry bread always works better, so a few minutes in the oven helps it absorb the mixture perfectly.
Whisk the eggs well: Make sure they’re fully combined with the milk and sugar to avoid streaks of egg white.
Press the bread gently: Just enough so everything gets soaked, but without smashing the cubes.
Uncover at the end for browning: If you like it a little golden, uncover the last 20–30 minutes for a firmer top.
Check the center: It should be firm but still soft in the middle, just like bread pudding.
Glaze at the end: Always drizzle the glaze right before serving for the best flavor and presentation.

Common Mistakes (What NOT to Do)

Don’t fill the slow cooker to the top: Never do that—stick to about 3/4 full so the bread has room to expand.
Don’t use very moist bread: Dry is best, otherwise the mixture turns watery and loses its shape.
Don’t forget to grease well: If you skip this, it’ll stick and serving clean portions will be a nightmare—trust me.
Don’t cook on HIGH: Always use LOW or it’ll burn on the outside and stay raw inside. Nobody wants that.
Don’t lift the lid: Remember—every time you do, you lose heat and the cooking takes longer.
Don’t add extra milk: Not unless you increase the eggs too, or the custard will be way too runny.
Don’t glaze while boiling hot: If you do, the glaze melts completely and disappears.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I prepare it the night before?

Yes, totally. Just mix everything and let the bread soak in the fridge. In the morning, pour it into the slow cooker and cook.
Can I use whole wheat bread?

Yes, just make sure it’s soft. The flavor will be more rustic.
How do I make it lighter?

Use 2% milk, reduce the sugar, and replace the heavy cream with more milk.
How long can it stay on WARM?

About 30 to 60 minutes—longer than that and the edges start to dry out.
Can I double the recipe?

Yes, but only if your slow cooker is big enough to fit everything comfortably.
What texture should it have?

Firm on the outside but soft in the center—just like a good bread pudding.
Can I skip the glaze?

Yes, and you can replace it with maple syrup, honey, fruit, or yogurt.
Is it safe to leave it cooking while I sleep?

Better not—always follow your slow cooker’s safety guidelines.
Can I use liquid egg substitute?

Yes, as long as it’s pasteurized and equivalent to whole eggs.
Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes, use plant milks and vegan butter—just know the texture will change a bit.

Storing & Reheating

Refrigeration: You can store it in the fridge and it stays good for about 3–4 days.
Freezing: To freeze it, just cut it into portions, wrap them up, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Microwave reheating: Just heat each portion for 30–60 seconds, and you're good to go.
Oven reheating: Honestly, the oven gives you the best results. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes covered with foil.
Glaze: Always add a little extra glaze or maple syrup right before serving—don’t freeze the glaze, it never comes back the same.

Serving Suggestions

Pair it with a warm latte or a good cappuccino to balance the sweetness of the casserole.
A glass of fresh orange juice or even a mimosa is perfect for a special brunch vibe.
A small bowl of fresh fruit—berries, grapes, and orange slices—goes super well with it.
Enjoy it with some vanilla Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
And for a light little dessert, a fruit cup with a bit of whipped cream is the perfect finish.

Suggestions for Kids and Teens

Serve it with cold milk or chocolate milk—both go amazing with the cinnamon flavors.
Add mini chocolate chips on top right before serving to make it extra fun.
You can also serve it with sliced strawberries and bananas—super yummy combo.
Offer them a small bowl of vanilla or strawberry yogurt so they can “dip” their bites.
Or serve it in individual “mug-style” portions so each kid gets their own little French toast cup.

Recipe Variations

French Toast Casserole with berries: For this delicious twist, just add blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries between the bread layers before pouring the custard. Extra delicious.
Apple cinnamon version: If you’re into cozy fall flavors, add diced apples sautéed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon for a warmer, autumn vibe.
Chocolate lovers: For all the chocolate lovers, mix in dark or semisweet chocolate chips with the bread. You’ll get a richer, dessert-style version—so good.
Nutty crunch: If you want some crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before cooking.
Pumpkin spice: This one goes with pretty much everything—swap part of the milk for pumpkin purée and add pumpkin spice for the perfect seasonal brunch.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 345
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 14 g
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Sugars: 22 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sodium: 310 mg

Tastes of La Paz.