Description
A delicious and easy Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole that is perfect for breakfast or brunch. Made with dry or slightly stale gluten-free bread soaked in a flavorful mixture of eggs, milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup, then baked to a golden perfection. Dairy-free options included for versatility, topped optionally with fresh fruits and nuts for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) loaf dry or slightly stale gluten-free bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 9-10 cups cubed bread)
- 5 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (regular or dairy-free such as unsweetened almond milk)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or white sugar, or brown sugar)
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- Pure maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
- Sliced peaches
- Toasted pecans
- Sliced almonds
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Cube the dry or slightly stale gluten-free bread into 1-inch pieces and place them evenly in a greased baking dish.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pure maple syrup, melted butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the cubed bread, pressing down gently to ensure all pieces absorb the custard. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the bread to soak.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Add optional toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or nuts as desired for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use dry or slightly stale bread to prevent sogginess. To quickly dry fresh bread, place slices on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute regular milk with almond, coconut, or oat milk and use vegan butter.
- Variations include adding chopped nuts or fresh fruits into the casserole before baking for added texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 289 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 429 mg
- Fat: 9.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.1 g
- Fiber: 2.2 g
- Protein: 8.1 g
- Cholesterol: 143 mg
