Apple pie and French toast — two classic comfort foods come together in this irresistibly cozy and indulgent dish. Layers of buttery brioche, juicy apple pie filling, and a rich custard bake up into a warm, gooey, and utterly satisfying breakfast casserole. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or anytime you need a little comfort in a bite.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast Bake
This recipe combines the best of both worlds — the flavors of sweet, cinnamon-spiced apple pie and the custardy, crispy-edged goodness of French toast. With just a few simple steps, you can create a show-stopping breakfast (or dessert!) that’s sure to delight everyone around the table. The layers of buttery brioche, juicy apple pie filling, and a rich custard bake up into a comforting, craveable dish that’s both impressive and incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect recipe for special occasions or cozy weekend mornings when you want something a little extra special.
Ingredients
This easy apple pie French toast bake comes together with just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients. You’ll need brioche bread, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and of course, apples. The combination of tart, juicy apples, warm spices, and a rich custard base creates an irresistible balance of flavors and textures.
- 1 loaf (16 oz) brioche bread, cubed – for a rich, buttery texture
- 8 large eggs – to create a custard-like base
- 2 cups whole milk – for a creamy, indulgent custard
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar – to sweeten the custard and apples
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – for that signature apple pie flavor
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – to enhance all the cozy flavors
Ingredient Substitutions
- Brioche Bread: Challah or day-old sourdough bread (both provide a similarly soft, tender texture)
- Cinnamon: Nutmeg or cardamom (for a more subtle spice note)
How to Make Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast Bake
This easy-to-follow process ensures your apple pie French toast bake turns out perfectly gooey and delicious every time.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. Slice the brioche into 1-inch cubes and arrange them in the prepared dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup of the sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the vanilla until well combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the cubed brioche, making sure all the pieces are coated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a separate bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and diced apples with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Scatter the apple mixture over the custard-soaked brioche cubes, pressing down gently to create an even layer.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden brown and the custard is set, about 15-20 minutes more.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Let the apple pie French toast bake cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Protein Boost: Add a layer of cooked, crumbled sausage or bacon in between the brioche and apples for a heartier version.
- Extra Fancy: Swirl in a cream cheese filling or top it with a streusel topping for an elevated presentation.
- Less Sweet: Reduce the sugar in the custard and apple mixture to suit your taste preferences.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake in the morning.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: powdered sugar, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven before serving.
Reheat: For best results, reheat individual servings in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake in the morning.
Nutrition Information
This indulgent apple pie stuffed French toast bake is a true comfort food treat. Each serving provides a satisfying balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to keep you fueled and satisfied. It’s a delicious way to start your day or enjoy as a special occasion dessert.
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 356 kcal
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 46 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 411 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While brioche provides an extra-rich and tender texture, you can use challah, sourdough, or even day-old sandwich bread if that’s what you have on hand.
Can I make this gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the brioche for your favorite gluten-free bread or even gluten-free bagels or rolls.
Can I prep this the night before?
Yes, this apple pie French toast bake is the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Then, just pop it in the oven in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast.
How do I know when it’s done?
The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and the custard is set. You can also insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the dish is fully baked.
Can I add any other ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and add extras like chopped pecans, raisins, or a cream cheese swirl. You can also swap the apples for another fruit, like pears or berries.
Try These Next
- maple bacon french toast bake with vanilla cream
- cinnamon roll french toast bake with cream cheese drizzle
- cinnamon roll french toast bake 2
Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast Bake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: 🍰 Sweet & Savory Mashups
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast Bake is a delightful combination of classic French toast and apple pie. It’s perfect for brunch and can be prepared ahead of time for a stress-free morning.
Ingredients
1 loaf of thick bread (such as challah or brioche)
4 large eggs
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups diced apples (peeled and cored)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.
4. 3. Cut the bread into cubes and place half of the cubes in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. 4. In a separate bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice, flour, and salt. Add the walnuts if using.
6. 5. Spread the apple mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
7. 6. Top with the remaining bread cubes and pour the egg mixture evenly over everything.
8. 7. Cover the baking dish with foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight).
9. 8. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
10. 9. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup.
11.
Notes
– You can prepare this dish the night before and bake it in the morning for a hassle-free brunch.
– Feel free to substitute other fruits such as pears or berries for the apple filling.
– For a sweeter dish, add a dusting of powdered sugar on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: French Toast, Apple Pie, Breakfast, Brunch