Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole

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This make-ahead Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole is crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy in the center, and full of sweet flavor. Made with a cinnamon sugar topping and optional caramelized bottom, it’s a decadent breakfast or brunch perfect for special occasions like Christmas morning! Dairy-free option, too.

An overhead photo of gluten-free French toast casserole in a casserole dish

I’ll admit, it took me a while to embrace stale gluten-free bread. But once I realized its potential, I saw it in a whole new light—it’s perfect for recipes like strata or a French toast casserole! No need to waste a loaf that didn’t quite hit the mark. Instead, it can transform into something amazing. My go-to? This French Toast Casserole recipe. Bonus—it’s incredibly flexible, letting you tweak the flavors to craft a brunch dish that fits the season and your taste!

Prep Tips Before You Begin

Choose Bread Wisely. Opt for sturdy bread loaves like gluten-free brioche, gluten-free French bread, gluten-free Challah bread, or gluten-free sourdough with a thicker crust. These hold up better to the custard without falling apart. Avoid bread with a very soft texture or thin crust, as it can become soggy.
Buy an Extra Loaf: Always grab an extra loaf of bread, just in case! Some gluten-free breads can vary in size, and you don’t want to run out while prepping.
Dry the Bread. If all you have is fresh bread, arrange the bread cubes in an even layer on a sheet pan. Bake at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or until they’re dry to the touch but not browned.
Cut the Bread into Larger Pieces: Cubes or thick slices work better than small ones. They soak up the custard beautifully and create that satisfying texture once baked.
Create a caramelized bottom layer. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Then, stir in maple syrup or sugar until smooth, and coat the bottom of the greased baking dish with the butter mixture.
Even Custard Soak. Make sure every piece of bread is coated with the custard, but avoid oversaturating. Press the bread gently into the custard mixture if needed.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this gluten-free brioche French toast casserole. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and instructions!

Ingredients for gluten free French toast casserole on a white marble countertop.

Butter – Use unsalted butter to grease the baking dish. Or, swap it for vegan butter or coconut oil to keep this recipe dairy-free.
Stale Gluten-Free Bread – Use any thick, crusty, gluten-free bread you like best such as French bread or Brioche bread.

Note: I used Franz gluten-free brioche bread, but Udis also has a great French bread that I’ve used to make our gluten-free strata. Both work well!

Optional Maple Syrup – If you want a caramelized bottom layer, combine maple syrup (or coconut sugar or brown sugar) and a little extra butter.
Eggs – These create the custard base, adding richness and helping the ingredients hold together. This recipe does not work with egg substitutes!
Heavy Cream or Coconut Milk – Feel free to substitute full-fat canned coconut milk for a dairy-free option. The coconut flavor is super subtle, so it won’t overpower the dish, and it still adds a deliciously creamy texture to the custard batter!
Non-Dairy Milk – Use any dairy-free milk you like best such as almond milk. This helps balance out the richness from the heavy cream.
Cane Sugar – We use this in the custard and topping to add sweetness to the dish.
Vanilla Extract – Use high-quality pure vanilla extract, not imitation varieties
Orange Zest – The citrus flavor helps balance out the heaviness of the casserole without altering the custard mixture’s taste or texture.
Kosher Salt – Just a pinch helps enhance the rest of the ingredients.
Ground Cinnamon – We use this in the topping to add warmth to the dish and help balance some of the sweetness.

How to Make French Toast Casserole

Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, grease a casserole dish with butter or coconut oil, and set it aside. (See the notes above or in the recipe card below if you want a caramelized bottom!)

Prepare the custard. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the wet ingredients, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Layer. Add the cubed bread pieces to the greased baking dish, and pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. When adding the bread cubes to the dish, lightly press them into the butter mixture before spreading them evenly. Then, proceed with custard assembly and baking steps. This helps the bread absorb the liquid so that it becomes nice and crisp on the outside and remains soft in the center with lots of flavor.

A whisk mixing together eggs, milk and spices in a glass mixing bowl.

A custard mixture being poured over stale gluten free bread cubes in a baking dish.

Chill. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Note: This recipe is best when prepared a day in advance! If possible, let the bread pieces soak for up to 12 hours.

Prepare the topping. Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, and sprinkle it over the casserole just before baking.
Bake. Transfer the dish to the oven, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Then, loosely cover the baking dish with foil, and continue to bake until the casserole is golden brown, puffed, and set in the center.

Cinnamon sugar mixture sprinkled on unbaked french toast casserole.

Cinnamon sugar mixture sprinkled on baked french toast casserole.

Pro-Tip: If you prefer a firmer texture with a crispy top, bake the casserole uncovered for 45 minutes. Then, loosely cover it with foil, and continue to bake until golden brown and set, about 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy! Slice the casserole into squares, and serve warm with your favorite toppings

Serving Suggestions

Everything is better with toppings, right? Serve this gluten-free French toast casserole warm with options like maple syrup, fresh berries, sliced bananas, toasted coconut, chopped nuts, or even coconut whip.

If you want to serve it as part of a larger breakfast spread, it pairs well with options such as cooked bacon, sausage, oven baked scrambled eggs, super fruit kale smoothies, or eggs in olive oil.

A fork slicing into a slice of gluten free French toast casserole on a white plate.

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Common Questions

Why is my gluten-free French toast casserole soggy?

The most common reasons for this recipe to turn out soggy are not using stale bread, not allowing the casserole plenty of time to soak, and not baking long enough. It’s best to soak the batter in the bread for at least 30 minutes.

Can I include add-ins in this gluten-free French toast bake?

Sure! Feel free to include different ingredients such as blueberries, strawberries, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips to make this delicious gluten-free casserole your own.

Do I have to make this ahead of time?

Technically, you don’t. However, if you don’t allow the bread time to soak, it’s likely to turn out soggy and won’t have the rich flavor we want throughout the casserole

How long do leftovers last?

Stored in an airtight container, leftover gluten-free French toast casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze Brioche French toast casserole?

Yes! Stored in an airtight container, leftover casserole will keep fresh in the freezer for 3-6 months. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.