Brioche French Toast Casserole

Substitutions, Optional Toppings, & Add-Ins

If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand or if a few of them aren’t compatible with your dietary restrictions, rest assured that you can still enjoy this delicious french toast brioche bake with a few simple swaps. Feel free to get creative with the toppings, too! Here are a few suggestions: 

• Type of bread: I love to use brioche for french toast because it offers a sweet, buttery richness and a fluffy texture. If you can’t find brioche at your local grocery store or don’t have the ingredients to make it, you can also make a french toast casserole with challah bread. Either buy it from the store or make your own Challah Bread for a great substitute that still provides that fluffy, rich flavor and texture. 
• Plant-based milk: If you follow a dairy-free diet, I recommend swapping full-fat coconut milk for the whole milk in this french toast brioche casserole. The fat content in the coconut milk will help you achieve that rich, decadent texture, but keep in mind that it will slightly alter the flavor. You can also use almond milk, which will result in a thinner, less rich texture.
• Heavy cream: If you don’t have heavy cream on hand or wish to cut down on the fat and calories, you can use an equal amount of half and half instead. For a dairy-free option, you can completely omit the cream and substitute an equal amount of dairy-free milk of your choice. Keep in mind that doing so will alter the texture and flavor of the recipe (not to say it won’t still taste delicious!). 
• Sugar: I prefer to use coconut sugar in this recipe since it’s unrefined, but you can also use brown sugar for a similar flavor. For another refined-sugar-free option, try using maple syrup instead. If you do choose to substitute maple syrup, just use ½ cup less milk than the recipe calls for. 
• Toppings: My favorite way to serve this easy french toast bake with brioche is to top it with fresh sliced strawberries or fresh berries, sliced almonds, and a dusting of powdered sugar. For an extra sweet and indulgent baked french toast casserole topping, whip up a cinnamon Streusel Topping to sprinkle on top of the casserole before baking it in the oven. 
• Chocolate brioche french toast: If you’re one of my chocolate-loving friends, you know that you can never go wrong with adding chocolate to a sweet breakfast recipe. You can incorporate some chocolate chips into your french brioche toast or simply sprinkle some on top before baking. Use as much chocolate as your heart desires! 

How to Make Ahead, Store, & Reheat Leftovers?

Since this brioche breakfast casserole requires some resting time, you can make it ahead. All you’ll have to do is pop it in the oven to reheat it before you’re ready to serve! You can also easily store leftovers to reheat and enjoy throughout the week. Here are some tips: 

• Make ahead brioche french toast casserole: You can certainly prep it right before going to bed and then pop it in the oven the next morning. However, you can make it a few days (no more than 2 days) ahead as well. It goes without saying that, like any other baked bread recipe, this easy breakfast casserole with brioche is best on the day it’s made. To make ahead, follow the recipe instructions through step 5. Once it has rested for at least 2 hours, remove the plastic wrap, add your toppings of choice, and bake it for only 30-35 minutes (instead of the full 45-50). Let it cool to room temperature, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in the fridge. The next day, bake it for another 15-20 minutes, let it cool slightly, and serve. 
• Store: Let your leftover brioche egg casserole cool to room temperature, tightly cover it or place it in an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also separate your leftovers into smaller, individual airtight containers so you can reheat individual servings. 
• Reheat: Reheat your leftover casserole in a 350-degree F oven for 15 minutes or until heated through. 

Expert Tips

The key to perfect oven-baked brioche french toast is achieving a moist, rich texture on the inside and a slightly crisp, golden brown exterior. With some trial and error, I’ve learned a few simple tips and tricks that I’d like to share with you to help you achieve expert results on your first try. Here’s what you need to know: 

• Use day-old bread: Stale bread might not sound too appetizing, but it’s actually crucial to use day-old bread to keep your baked french toast brioche from getting soggy. The idea is that the dry bread will evenly soak up all the liquid while still holding its shape. If you only have fresh bread available, you can dry it out in a low-heat oven for a few minutes. I recommend 300 degrees F for about 15 minutes. 
• Make sure the cubes aren’t too thin: Make sure to cut your bread slices into cubes no thinner than about an inch. Keeping your cubes on the thicker side will ensure they come out moist and rich instead of soggy. 
• Alternative method: For a classic french toast option, you can cut your brioche slices in half diagonally to form two triangles per slice. Dip each triangular slice into the milk mixture (making sure to soak both sides), line them up at the bottom of the pan, pour the remaining liquid on top, and bake as instructed above. Let it cool a bit before serving.