If you’re on the hunt for an easy and delicious breakfast, this Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is just what you need! With a few simple ingredients, you can prep it the night before, so in the morning, all that’s left to do is pop it in the oven. Your family will love waking up to the warm, cozy smell of this yummy casserole!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Seasonal Delight: Embrace the flavors of fall with this pumpkin-spiced breakfast favorite.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the night before for a stress-free, delicious morning meal.
- Crowd Pleaser: This pumpkin French toast casserole recipe is sure to impress at brunches, potlucks, or family gatherings.
🥘 Ingredients
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the casserole, helping bind all ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses a sweet, aromatic flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices.
- Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the dish with its warm, sweet-spicy taste, perfect for pumpkin recipes.
- Ground Cloves: Add a warm and spicy flavor, contributing to the overall autumnal feel of the casserole.
- Ground Nutmeg: Complements the pumpkin with its warm, nutty flavor, boosting the overall taste.
- White Sugar: Sweetens the casserole, balancing out the savory and spiced elements.
- Pumpkin Puree: Brings the essential pumpkin flavor, adding creaminess and a fall-themed twist to the classic French toast.
- Texas Toast Loaf: Ideal for soaking up the egg and pumpkin mixture, ensuring a soft and custardy interior.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a deeper sweetness, contributing to a caramel-like flavor when baked.
- All Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the casserole, ensuring it holds together well.
- Cold Butter: Adds richness and a buttery flavor to this pumpkin french toast casserole, enhancing its overall taste.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Maple Syrup: Drizzle maple syrup over the baked french toast casserole before serving for an extra touch of sweetness and depth.
- Cream Cheese: Makes toast casserole creamier and adds a yummy tangy taste. Just put little spoonfuls of cream cheese between the bread cubes and pumpkin mix for an extra special treat.
- Challah Bread: Replace the Texas toast with challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, to enhance your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole. The challah's rich, eggy texture superbly absorbs the custard, creating an indulgently soft and flavorful base.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Can be used as a substitute for the ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, simplifying the seasoning process with its all-in-one flavor. Add it to both the egg mixture and the topping for a consistent, warm spice throughout the casserole.
🔪 How To Make Pumpkin French Toast Casserole?
Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Crack your eggs into a bowl.
Step Two: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and white sugar.
Step Three: After adding the pumpkin puree, combine the ingredients and gently stir until you have a creamy pumpkin egg batter.
Step Four: Next arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish and pour the pumpkin and egg mixture over the bread cubes. Toss to coat the cubed bread.
Step Five: Stir brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter together with a fork in a small bowl until the mixture is crumbly.
Step Six: Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the pumpkin french toast cubes.
Step Seven: Place the baking pan or casserole dish in a preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown on top.
Step Eight: Your pumpkin french toast casserole ready to serve.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use Day-Old Bread: For the best texture, use day-old bread or slightly stale bread. It absorbs the pumpkin custard without getting too soggy, resulting in a more stable, well-textured casserole.
- Toast the Bread First: If you’re using fresh bread, lightly toast it before adding it to the egg mixture. This step helps prevent the bread from becoming too mushy while baking.
- Experiment with Spices: While cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are traditional, feel free to experiment with a pinch of ginger or allspice to elevate the flavors and make the casserole uniquely your own.
- Top with Nuts or Streusel: For extra crunch, add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the topping. This adds a delicious texture contrast to the soft casserole.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can use French bread in this recipe. Simply slice it into 1-inch pieces and proceed with the recipe as directed.
No, you don't have to use pumpkin puree in this recipe. You can substitute mashed banana, applesauce, or even pumpkin pie filling. The pumpkin flavor is what makes this pumpkin French toast stand out so if you can use it then do.
If you want to get creative, there are a few other things you can add to this casserole. Try adding some chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips. You could also top it with a streusel topping before baking.
The best way to keep this casserole from getting soggy is to make sure that the bread is nice and dry before you add it to the egg mixture. You can do this by letting the bread sit out overnight or by toasting it lightly. Additionally, make sure not to overcook the casserole. Using a day-old French bread or bread slices that are not fresh can help to prevent a soggy casserole.
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Place in an airtight container or freezer bag and store for up to three months.
If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
🧂Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite toppings to serve with pumpkin french toast casserole:
- Greek Yogurt: The Greek yogurt adds a creamy tanginess that perfectly complements the sweetness of the French toast.
- Whipped Cream: Whipped cream adds a fluffy and indulgent touch, enhancing the richness of the French toast.
- Cinnamon Apple Slices: Cinnamon apple slices provide a warm and comforting contrast, adding a burst of flavor and texture to the dish.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Best Pumpkin French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon White Sugar
- 1 Can Pumpkin Puree 15 Ounce Can
- 1 Loaf Thick Sliced Bread Texas Loaf Cut Into 1 Inch Cubes
- ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Butter Softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and white sugar.
- After adding the pumpkin puree, combine the ingredients and gently stir until you have a creamy pumpkin egg batter.
- Next arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish and pour the pumpkin and egg mixture over the bread cubes. Toss to coat the cubed bread.
- Stir brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and butter together with a fork in a small bowl until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the pumpkin french toast cubes.
- Place the baking pan or casserole dish in a preheated oven and bake until golden brown on top. This should take 30 to 40 minutes to make pumpkin french toast casserole ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Spiced Cinnamon Rolls
- Weight Watchers Crustless Pumpkin Pie
- Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
- Delicious Pumpkin Bread Buns
There is no liquid like milk to make the bread moist. I added 2 cups of milk, then it was the right consistency.