Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

This Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast is a simple, crowd-pleasing make-ahead breakfast. Crusty French bread is soaked in a sweet batter, topped with homemade apple crisp, and baked until soft in the middle and crispy on top.

Okay, fine, I admit it! This Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast is really just an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast.

Since making my French Toast Casserole and my Overnight Caramel French Toast, I’ve been so excited to put together another delicious breakfast. I got to thinking, “why couldn’t I build an apple crisp on top of baked French toast? So, I did.

Best. Decision. Ever.

This just might be the best French toast I’ve ever eaten.

And if you love apple crisp as much as I do, check out my Maple-Glazed Apple Crisp Cookies, Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Cinnamon Buns, Baked Maple Glazed Apple Crisp Doughnuts (Donuts) or Apple Crisp Pancakes (yep, I’ve done it all!).

Ingredients Needed:

This Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast Casserole is made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

• Bread: I stick to French bread, but feel free to use another variety. Brioche or challah are both also great options. Day old works best! If you don’t have day old bread, I like to throw the slices in the toaster to dry them out slightly.
• Eggs and Milk or Half-and-Half: the main ingredients in our batter
• Sweetener: you can sweeten the batter using either brown sugar or maple syrup. Both are great!
• Vanilla: adds flavor depth and a little extra sweetness.
• Cinnamon: adds a subtle sweet spiciness.
• Salt: a pinch of salt enhances the flavor.
• Apples: just use your favorite variety! The apples should be peeled, cored, and very thinly sliced.
• Streusel: we’re topping the French toast bake off with a simple streusel made with rolled oats, flour, cold butter, and brown sugar.

How to Make Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast

This delicious sweet breakfast takes a quick 20 minutes to prep. Full instructions are included in the recipe card down below.

1. Soak the bread: In a bowl, mix together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over the bread slices, then cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
2. Make the streusel: In a separate bowl, cut together oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar.
3. Assemble and bake: Spread the apples over the bread, top with streusel, then bake until the apples are tender and the streusel is golden.

Overnight French Toast Casserole FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Slice the apples thinly. The thin apples get nice and soft as they bake.
• Remove the peel. Apple peel can take on an unpleasant chewy texture in the oven. I recommend removing it before you slice the apples.
• Use old bread. Okay, not too old, but bread that is slightly stale holds up better next to the batter.
• Use cold butter. The cold butter steams in the oven and creates little pockets of air which makes the streusel topping lighter and fluffier.
• Try another bread. French bread is, of course, a classic. However, other kinds like brioche or challah would be delicious too.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this breakfast with any of your favorite breakfast/brunch recipes!

I love it with a smoothie on the side, a scoop of Creamy Fruit Salad, bacon and eggs, or a refreshing glass of Cold Brew Coffee!

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