Croissant French Toast Casserole

Name: Quick Croissant French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3-4 large croissants (roughly ripped); 4 large eggs; 1 1/2 cup milk; 1 tbsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1 cups blueberries; 1 cup strawberries; 1 tbsp brown sugar; maple syrup (to taste)

TL; DR Recipe Summary:

👩🏼‍🍳 Bake Level: Easy/Beginner.

⏱️ Bake Time: ~30 minutes.

😋 Taste: Buttery, creamy texture with a slight custardy filling and flavor. Warm cinnamon, syrupy with a little crunch on the top from the croissants.

🍽️ Pair With: You can also make a beautiful breakfast spread with a broccoli cheddar quiche, chocolate chip banana muffins, and a big stack of lemon poppyseed pancakes. If you're looking for a brunch cocktail to pair, no one can say no to this creamy espresso martini recipe.

Trusted Tips and Reminders

When pouring the egg and milk mixture, that all of the croissant pieces get soaked. You might want to turn a few pieces over and dip into the mixture in the casserole dish. When I first made this recipe, some of the pieces came out dry, so learn from my mistakes.

It really doesn't matter if you use fresh, thawed, or day old croissants. As long as you use enough egg batter to coat all of the bread.

This is perfect for meal prep! Prep ahead the night before you want to make it, then fire up the oven and throw it in. No fuss necessary!

The Main Ingredients

Ingredients to make a croissant french toast bake.

Croissants - Croissants does not need to be fresh, you can buy from a store like Trader Joe's or your local bakery. I like to choose ones that are little more well done on top rather than underbaked.

Eggs - all french toast recipes require egg, especially in casseroles or bakes to help the bind together and get that decadent texture we aim for.

Milk - more liquid to help bind the croissants together as they bake.

Vanilla extract - Using vanilla extract or vanilla paste gives more flavor throughout the entire dish, and also can enhance other ingredients.

Cinnamon - its an important flavor profile for this dish! Add it into the milk and eggs.

Berries - for this updated version, I solely used fresh blueberries and strawberries, but feel free to swap for raspberries or blackberries..

Syrup - for this updated version, I swapped the honey for raw, pure maple syrup. I like a darker amber, but go with what you have on hand. Agave nectar works really well too.

Brown sugar - the brown sugar can be optional for on top, added right before we bake the casserole. I highly recommend it as it adds a delightful crispy top and a light touch of sweetness.

Simple Swaps and Subs

If you want to ladle a little nutella on top of the croissant dish after it bakes, or even drizzle on top, it will be a fabulously decadent treat.

Use gluten free croissants if you need to, and swap out the milk for almond milk.

If you can find gluten free croissants those will work great here too.

How to make a croissant french toast casserole

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon well, then set aside.

ripped croissants in a large casserole dish

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 375º and prep an oven-safe baking dish.

Rip the croissants into large chunks and place into a casserole dish.

ripped croissants in a large casserole dish soaked with egg and milk.

Step 3: Pour over the top of the croissants, making sure to coat each piece.

ripped croissants in a large casserole dish soaked with egg and milk topped with brown sugar

Step 4: Top with a little brown sugar and bake for 25 minutes at 375°. Let cool slightly before adding berries.

Scoop a serving of the french toast and drizzle with syrup.

Croissant French Toast FAQs

How do I store this french toast casserole? Can I add it to the freezer for another time?

This french toast bake will do well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You could also divvy it out into smaller containers for ease of grabbing and heading out for work (or for kids for breakfast).

If you would like to place this in the freezer, I highly recommend you do so in the dish it was baked in, wrapped with plastic wrap with a label on it, indicating the date the dish was baked. Consume within one month.

Can I use other types of milk like cashew, almond, or soy?

You can use virtually any type of milk you'd like! Just know it may change the texture and taste.

Should I use stale croissants?

Using stale croissants will keep the bread from become too soggy if you happen to use too much batter. If you want to use day old or stale croissants, cut them into small cubes and follow the steps in the recipe card.

Is this croissant french toast meal-prep friendly?

Yes!! You can make this ahead of time and let it sit overnight covered in plastic food wrap. Right before you want to bake it, preheat the oven and take it out of the fridge.