This savory French toast casserole dish is going to change the way you see breakfast, or dinner! This "breakfast" bake is great with everything from bacon or sausage to meatballs or chicken parm! Simple to make and easily customizable, your whole family is going to love it!
Why I Love This Recipe
One thing I never thought to add to French toast is mozzarella cheese. But I am so glad I did! The mixture of egg, herbs, and mozz is amazing!
And this savory and easy French toast casserole is a great recipe for people who don’t like a sweet breakfast and it’s made with ingredients you probably already have around.
It’s a great option on its own or as a savory side dish for breakfast or dinner! I love to make it ahead for Christmas morning or for Mother's Day so my boys can "make me breakfast in bed" the next day.
- Savory spin on traditional French toast!
- Great for people who don’t love super sugary breakfasts.
- Just a few ingredients required, and you probably have them on hand already.
- Use leftovers as a savory bread side dish.
- You can even make sandwiches from leftovers!
Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen to make this savory French toast bake recipe.
Bread - Break or cut slices of bread into bite-size pieces. Any type of bread can be used from a loaf of French bread to regular white bread.
Eggs - I use large eggs in my recipes.
Milk - I use whole milk for the creamiest results, but any variety will work.
Salt and pepper - Go simple or use other favorite seasonings such as garlic or onion powder or paprika or cayenne pepper.
Fresh Italian parsley - Or other fresh or freeze-dried herbs, such as chives or herbs de provence.
Shredded mozzarella cheese - Or other melty shredded cheese.
How to Make Savory French Toast
This savory casserole can be put together in just a few minutes. Then just pop it in the oven, sit back, and wait to enjoy.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2
Spread half of the bread pieces into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Step 3
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper and parsley until mixed well. Pour half of the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces. Top with half of the cheese.
Step 4
Add the remaining bread cubes, remaining egg mixture and cheese. Sprinkle extra parsley over the top, if desired.
Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
How to Prep Savory French Toast Ahead of Time
- Prepare the recipe as directed up until baking.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or airtight lid.
- Place the covered dish in the fridge overnight.
- Bake as directed the next morning.
-OR- - Bake the casserole in its entirety according to the recipe the day before, allow it to cool completely and store it in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Remove from the fridge and allow to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes
- Reheat before serving for approximately 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Or heat individual servings in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
These are some of my top tips to get the best results every time.
- My favorite bread choices to use for baked French toast are French bread, sourdough bread, brioche, challah, or Texas toast.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than the packaged, pre- shredded cheese.
- Add some grated or shredded parmesan cheese for even more flavor!
- You can use half milk and half heavy cream for an even more decadent result.
- Add some shredded pepperoni or ground Italian sausage for a big flavor addition.
Can You Make French Toast with Sourdough Bread
Absolutely! Sourdough is a great option for French toast or for this French toast casserole. And this delicious sourdough French toast recipe is sure to be a big hit with your family.
Tangy sourdough bread in a sweetened egg batter and fried to golden brown perfection. Top with the traditional butter and maple syrup or try some fresh fruit or even a chocolate sauce.
How to Make Bread Stale for French Toast Bake
You can cube the bread slices in advance and leave it out for a few hours or, ideally, overnight. Or you can cube it and bake in the oven or air fryer at 200-250° F for 15-20 minutes. Remember, you just want stale bread, not toast, so check it often.
More Savory French Toast Ideas
- Shredded Chicken and Cheddar Cheese French Toast Casserole
- Margherita Pizza French Toast - just add some tomato sauce and fresh basil to the existing ingredients of this recipe.
- Ham and Swiss cheese French Toast Bake aka “The Monte Cristo Casserole”
- Bacon, gruyere, and caramelized onions French toast Casserole
- Sun-dried tomatoes, fennel, and sausage breakfast casserole
- Also, this recipe for Masala French Toast from Ministry of Curry really caught my attention!
What to Serve With Savory French Toast Casserole
This casserole is great for breakfast or dinner! These are just a few of my favorite pairings that go really well with this.
- You can never go wrong with bacon or breakfast sausage. Cook it beforehand and crumble it in or serve it on the side.
- The mozzarella in the French toast really lends itself well with Meatballs
- It’s great with Chicken Parmesan or Chicken Piccata
- Keep it simple with some Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
How to Store Leftover French Toast Casserole
Allow any extra French toast casserole to cool completely before attempting to refrigerate or freeze leftovers. This will help condensation from forming in the container.
Stored properly in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag, the French toast bake will be best in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How To Freeze French Toast Casserole
- Slice the cooled casserole in individual slices and allow to cool completely to avoid condensation when storing.
- Cut some parchment paper or wax paper into squares and place a square between each piece so the slices don’t stick together when freezing.
- Place the French toast casserole slices in a freezer safe ziploc bag or container.
- Stored properly, leftovers will be best for 2 months.
How to Reheat French Toast Casserole
You can reheat French toast in the microwave or in your regular old oven!
To reheat in the microwave - place 2 to 3 pieces of French toast casserole in a single layer on a plate with a paper towel under and over them. Heat in 30 second increments, checking every thirty seconds, until warmed through completely.
To reheat in the oven - Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the casserole slices in an oven-safe dish and heat for 7-10 minutes or until warmed through.
More French Toast Recipes
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- French Toast Made with Buttermilk
- Brioche French Toast Casserole
- Sourdough French Toast
Savory French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 slices bread cut or broken into bite-sized pieces
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley finely chopped, can use other fresh herbs
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Spread half of the bread pieces into the bottom of the prepared pan. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and parsley. Mix well and pour half of the mixture evenly over the bread pieces. Top with half of the cheese.
- Top with the remaining bread pieces, egg mixture and cheese. Sprinkle extra parsley over the top, if desired.Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
Notes
- My favorite bread choices to use for baked French toast are French bread, sourdough bread, brioche, challah, or Texas toast.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than the packaged, pre- shredded cheese.
- Add some grated or shredded parmesan cheese for even more flavor!
- You can use half milk and half heavy cream for an even more decadent result.
- Add some shredded pepperoni or ground Italian sausage for a big flavor addition.
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