Crock Pot French Toast is an indulgent brunch recipe that is perfect for those lazy weekend mornings where you want a fancy breakfast but don't want to spend a ton of time making it. Take a few extra minutes to savor your morning while breakfast cooks itself in the crock pot!
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French toast is one of those breakfasts that just feels comforting and special at the same time. It's simple to make, but does require standing at the stove and getting the perfect flip so that the outside is golden and crispy without burning.
Plus, trying to time it right so everyone gets a hot serving around the same time can be tricky. If you want an easier, hands-off version of this sweet, gooey, decadent breakfast, you've found it. Slow cooker french toast casserole is easy, simple, and delicious.
Want a savory dish to go with it? Try our Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole or this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
Why You'll Love This French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Makes for a relaxed morning: Toss the ingredients in the slow cooker for hands-off cooking, no standing at the stove required.
- Great for a crowd (and kid-friendly!): This french toast in slow cooker recipe is perfect for feeding family or guests at brunch without needing to cook multiple batches. Plus, kids love it!
- Comforting and decadent: The warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla flavors make this a satisfying, memorable brunch option.
Ingredients
- French Bread: Choose a great bread from the bakery section (not the bread aisle) and then let it sit around for a few days. The dry texture of stale bread keeps the french toast from getting soggy. Brioche, Texas Toast, challah, sourdough, or even french toast sticks are all great options.
- Milk: For the richest results, opt for whole milk instead of skim or plant-based alternatives. That said, any type of milk will still work just fine.
- Eggs: If you can get farm fresh eggs, definitely go for it. They add a rich texture to the casserole and help bind everything together.
- Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, and Warming Spices: These are what create the classic French toast flavors. French toast just wouldn't be French toast without the hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. If you want to mix things up, try pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
- Butter: Cubed butter gets added on top to add a rich buttery flavor that soaks into the casserole as it slowly cooks.
Variations
- Go gluten free: Choose gluten-free bread (still crusty and a day old) instead of regular bread.
- Add a crunchy texture: Sprinkling on toasted pecans or walnuts gives added texture and crunch.
- Vary the toppings: You can try fruit toppings, infused syrups, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Serve as dessert: For a bread pudding-like dessert, serve with ice cream or caramel sauce.
How To Make French Toast in the Crock Pot
- Step 1: Prepare the bread: Cut the bread into two-inch cubes and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Step 2: Make the egg custard. Mix the milk, eggs, brown sugar, and spices and pour over the bread.
- Step 3: Add the butter. Dot the butter over the bread mixture.
- Step 4: Cook. Cover the casserole with the lid and cook.
- Step 5: Cool and serve. Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tips For Success
- Hold in Crock Pot for Serving: Keep the slow cooker on "warm" while everyone is eating, so if anyone wants seconds, the french toast stays heated up.
- Cut Evenly. Chop the bread into even bite-sized pieces to ensure that each piece cooks evenly.
- Add Some Toppings: Add extra flavor by sprinkling cinnamon or powdered sugar on top of your breakfast casserole, then finish with a drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey.
- Serving Ideas: Serve with something savory like bacon and scrambled eggs, or top with some fried apples.
Storing & Freezing
- Storing: Store the crock pot french toast leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If freezing, allow to cool completely first then store it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheating: Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat the casserole in the oven (350 degrees F) or microwave (30 second intervals) until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can easily prep this crockpot French toast the night before. Just coat the bread cubes in the custard, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add the butter and cook as usual.
The secret to perfect crockpot French toast is getting the bread-to-custard ratio just right. You want enough custard to soak the bread, but not so much that it turns soggy. Using day-old, drier bread is key-it soaks up the right amount of custard without getting mushy.
Toast the bread for ten minutes in a low-heat oven to dry it out. Or leave it out for a few minutes at room temperature, uncovered, once you have cubed it.
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes
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Crock Pot French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread (day-old and cut into 2" cubes)
- 2 cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 3 tbsp butter (cut into ½" cubes)
Instructions
- Add cubed French bread to the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Evenly pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread. Then, place cubed butter on top.
- Cover and cook on High for 2-2½ hours or Low for 4-4½ hours.
- Let the French toast cool down for 15 minutes before serving, and top with powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Notes
- Hold in Crock Pot for Serving: Keep the slow cooker on "warm" while everyone is eating, so if anyone wants seconds, the french toast stays heated up.
- Cut Evenly. Chop the bread into even bite-sized pieces to ensure that each piece cooks evenly.
- Add Some Toppings: Add extra flavor by sprinkling cinnamon or powdered sugar on top of your breakfast casserole, then finish with a drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey.
- Serving Ideas: Serve with something savory like bacon and scrambled eggs, or top with some fried apples.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Deb Beyer says
I'm very excited to try this recipe! My Green Bay Packers are playing an 8:30 am football game in London this coming Sunday. We will be watching the game at a local bar that is having a breakfast pot luck for the game. I'm going to add cubes of cream cheese and homemade cranberry sauce to the recipe. I will take pics and let you know how it goes over. I'm sure everyone will love it!
Ryan Allen says
Adding cranberry sauce sounds like a tasty addition.