This Gluten Free French Toast Casserole is bursting with the flavors of fall. Tart pieces of apple and cubes of soft bread are slathered in a deliciously sweet maple glaze. This gluten-free french toast casserole is sure to be a hit, anytime of day!
When my friends at Canyon Bakehouse approached me and asked me to create a fall recipe using their new Gluten Free Heritage Style Bread Loaves, I immediately said yes. Fall is my favorite time of year. Not only do I love the chill in the air and the ability to wear fleece and down again (Naketano sweatshirts, anyone?), but I also love the flavors of fall. Pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, nutmeg, maple, clove… just to name a few!
Both the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Heritage Style Honey White and Heritage Style Whole Grain bread loaves are excellent. They are full sized loaves that are BIG on flavor and soft (you don’t even have to toast them!), perfect for all kinds of sandwiches, or for using in any recipe you’d need bread for.
This French Toast Casserole was so fun to make… and eat. 😉 The hardest part of creating it was deciding what to top it with. I ultimately decided on topping it with a maple syrup confectioner style glaze (that is out of this world good!!), but you could also top it with a nut-like topping, or a streusel topping. It all just depends on your preference.
I don’t know about you, but I like having options, and I like sharing options with you, too. ANY of these toppings would be absolutely delicious!
For a streusel topping, rather than a glaze, combine:
¾ cup gluten free all purpose flour
⅓ cup organic cane sugar
⅓ cup organic brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
5 tablespoons melted coconut oil.
Top the casserole with the streusel during the last 10 minutes of baking.
For a nut-like topping, rather than a glaze, combine:
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 tablespoons organic brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Top the casserole with the nut mixture during the last 7 minutes of baking.
This gluten-free breakfast casserole recipe is so decadent and delicious! It’s a dish I’d easily serve this gluten-free french toast on Christmas morning, but it’s also one I’d make during an average week night as a pick me up or a special treat. It’s such a special dish, my whole family loved it, and I’m sure yours will too.
Here are some of my favorite fall recipes:
Gluten Free Dairy Free Maple Pumpkin Pie
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apples
Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars from Faithfully Gluten Free
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
Gluten-Free Fresh Apple Cake from My Gluten-Free Kitchen
Perfect Gluten Free Dairy Free Cinnamon Rolls
GF French Toast Casserole Recipe:
Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole
This Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole is bursting with the flavors of fall. Tart pieces of apple and cubes of soft bread are slathered in a deliciously sweet maple glaze.
Ingredients
For the Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole:
- 1 Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Heritage Style Bread Loaf (1.5 lbs Whole Grain or Honey White)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups almond milk (or another dairy-free milk)
- ½ cup canned coconut milk, full fat
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- ¼ cup organic brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups diced Honeycrisp apples (about ½ inch cubes)
For the maple glaze:
- 1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
Hours prior:
- Cut the bread loaf up into 1.5 inch cubes (roughly) and spread the cubes out evenly on a large baking sheet to dry out/stale. (If the bread loaf is frozen, thaw prior to this step.)
To make the casserole:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and lightly grease a 9x13” baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, canned coconut milk, organic cane sugar, organic brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and vanilla extract.
- Add the stale bread cubes to the mixing bowl, and use a spatula to carefully fold the cubes into the liquid mixture, until all of the cubes are coated.
- Pour half of the bread cubes/liquid into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to evenly distribute the cubes over the bottom of the pan. Spread half of the diced apples on top of the layer of bread cubes.
- Pour the remaining bread cubes/liquid into the baking dish and evenly spread them out. Top evenly with remaining diced apples, and then use a spatula to gently press the apples and bread cubes down into the pan to compress the layers (gently, you don't want to squish anything).
- Bake for 30 minutes and then carefully remove the pan from the oven and tent the pan with aluminum foil (this prevents the casserole from burning). Do not seal the casserole with the foil (air still needs to be able to evaporate) only loosely tent. Bake for an additional 20 minutes; remove the foil, and then bake for an additional 5 minutes. The casserole will be done when the middle feels springy and pillowy when gently touched with a finger.
- Allow the casserole to sit for 15-20 minutes before glazing and serving.
To make the glaze:
- Sift the organic powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl (this helps prevent lumps in the glaze).
- Add the pure maple syrup and whisk until smooth.
Notes
Add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of maple extract to the maple glaze to enhance the maple flavor.
For a streusel topping, rather than a glaze (or in addition to), combine ¾ cup gluten free all purpose flour, ⅓ cup organic cane sugar, ⅓ cup organic brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt and 5 tablespoons melted coconut oil. Top the casserole with the streusel during the last 10 minutes of baking.
For a nut-like topping, combine ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, 3 tablespoons organic brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Top the casserole with the nut mixture during the last 7 minutes of baking.
This sponsored post was created through my partnership with Canyon Bakehouse. As always, all opinions are my own, as I only support and recommend companies I love.
Cindy Gordon says
This looks amazing, I can’t wait to make this!! YUMMMMM
Megan says
Thanks, Cindy! xo
Chrystal says
This apple cinnamon french toast casserole looks incredibly delicious. Such a great breakfast for feeding a crowd!
Megan says
Yes! Perfect for crowds and parties! Thanks, Chrystal!
Michelle Palin says
I’ve been wanting to make a gluten-free French Toast casserole for years. I love that you added apple to it too! This is going on my must make list!
Megan says
Thanks, Michelle!
connie says
Allergy Free??? 8 eggs. Would love to try this recipe, but can’t substitute 8 eggs, maybe 3.
Megan says
Hi Connie,
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and easily nut-free with a few adjustments. Not all of my recipes are egg-free, but I do have a handful of egg-free recipes on my website. Unfortunately I’m unable to make each recipe work for everyone’s dietary restrictions.
Allyson Zea says
I am totally sending this to my mom she is GF!!
Megan says
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Amanda says
Looks like a great idea for breakfast!!
Megan says
Yes, it definitely is! Thanks, Amanda!
Jen says
I’m pretty sure my kids will give me some type of mom award by making this for breakfast for them! They’re going to eat it up!!
Megan says
Right?! Mom of the year!! 🙂 Thanks, Jen!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
This is lovely! Perfect for the holidays or a special breakfast (how about Saturday??)!
Megan says
Saturday sounds perfect! Thanks Patricia!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
Yes please! Great brunch option!
Megan says
I totally agree! Thanks, Amy!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
This is a gorgeous french toast casserole! Perfect for fall. 🙂
Megan says
Thank you so much, Carrie!
Annie says
Megan, I was recently wishing for a recipe just like this one; it looks so delicious. Can I mix everything the night before and bake it in the morning like other type recipes allow? Thank you for making wishes come true!!
Megan says
Hi Annie!
That’s a great question. I actually haven’t tried it that way, but I’d imagine it would be fine. If you try it, would you please come back and let us know of your results?
jules says
Looks dreamy! As in, I could dream of this casserole being made the night before and ready to eat in pjs the next morning!!!
~jules
Krista says
Perfect for brunch this weekend!
Charlotte Moore says
It looks tasty!
Megan says
Thank you, Charlotte!
Julie says
I haven’t seen this bread in any of the Anchorage area stores. Do you know where we might find it?
Megan says
Hi Julie, you actually can’t find the Heritage style loaves here in Alaska yet. You can find the smaller Canyon Bakehouse loaves at Walmart though (in the GF section). Just make sure you use 1.5 lbs total of bread for this recipe.
Nicole says
This looks amazing, and plan to make
It to today. Quick question, do u peel the apples or leave the peeling on?
Thanks is so much and Merry Christmas!
Megan says
Hi Nicole, I peel the apples! Merry Christmas!
Ester says
This looks fabulous! Do you think this would work if I cut the recipe in half? I would love to serve this for breakfast during the week with some breakfast potatoes on the side. I don’t think I would need a full batch of this. I can use a smaller tray, what are your thoughts?
Warmly,
Ester
Mēgan says
Hi Ester,
Thank you! I think this would do just fine cut in half… I’m not sure how much you would need to adjust the baking time (if any at all). I would just watch it closely.
🙂 Megan
lisa clark says
do you think this recipe would still work with less eggs and a couple of flax or chia eggs ?
Mēgan says
Hi Lisa,
I don’t think it would work well if you substituted something for the eggs. Instead, you might look for a different recipe written specifically egg-free.