This Apple Crisp French Toast has decadent layers of moist French bread, rich creamy custard, buttery spiced apples and crumbly streusel that bake together to perfection!
This Apple Crisp French Toast has decadent layers of moist French bread, rich creamy custard, buttery spiced apples and crumbly streusel that bake together to perfection!
We all know the age old adage that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and I will be the first one to endorse it. Whenever I visited my Big Mama, she made the biggest breakfast every single morning. We are talking grits, eggs, bacon, salmon croquettes, biscuits and everything in between.
Nowadays, I cannot survive a day without having breakfast. When I first get up in the morning I find myself starving and in need of fuel: the kind of fuel that will keep me going all day. Most mornings, it is a smoothie but during the holiday season especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I put a little extra effort in for the ones I love. That’s where this Apple Crisp Overnight French Toast comes in! (It’s a mouthful I know haha).
The Heart and Soul of this Apple Crisp French Toast Recipe
Cuisine Inspiration: American Fusion
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Dietary Info: Vegetarian-friendly, Full of fruits
Key Flavor: Sweet, spiced, and everything nice
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sweet Highlights:
- Apple Extravaganza: Dive into the fruity goodness of this dish, where apples aren’t just an ingredient—they’re the star of the show, imparting a natural sweetness and delightful texture.
- Crunch and Munch: The crispy topping brings the perfect contrast to the soft, soaked bread beneath, ensuring every bite is a symphony of textures.
- Spice It Up: The warm, comforting spices elevate the flavor profile, creating a cozy dish that’s perfect for brunch or a decadent breakfast.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This recipe is a fantastic time-saver, allowing you to prep ahead and simply bake when ready, making your kitchen endeavors as easy as pie.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a family breakfast or a brunch gathering, this Apple Crisp French Toast Bake is guaranteed to win hearts and tantalize taste buds.
Ingredients
An Overnight Apple Crisp French Toast is the ultimate combination of two different sweet treats into one. You take the tender, spiced apples and the crunchy streusel topping from the crisp and the moist, caramelized bread from French toast to make this delicious mutant breakfast.
For the Apples:
- Brown Sugar: Sweetness and a hint of molasses – it’s the brown sugar’s time to shine.
- Unsalted Butter: Bringing the richness to the party, because butter makes everything better!
- Apple Cider: A splash of autumn vibes with a fruity twist.
- Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices are like the cool kids of the pantry, bringing warmth and depth to the apple fiesta.
- Granny Smith Apples: Tart, crisp, and absolutely fabulous – these apples are ready to be the soul of the dish.
For the French Toast:
- Eggs: The binders, the lifters, the overall rockstars of this ensemble.
- Whole Milk & Half and Half: Creamy, dreamy, and utterly delightful.
- Light Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, & Nutmeg: More sweetness, more warmth, and a lot more “Yum!”
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of liquid gold for that extra pizzazz.
- French Bread: Whether you cube it or stack it, this bread is ready to soak up all the goodness.
For the Streusel Topping:
- Quick Cooking Oats: Bringing the crunch and turning up the texture.
- Light Brown Sugar & All-Purpose Flour: It’s time to get crumbly and bring that sweet, sweet streusel magic.
- Ground Cinnamon & A Pinch of Salt: Because what’s a streusel without a sprinkle of spice and a dash of salt?
- Melted Butter: Because, once again, butter makes the world go ‘round.
- Caramel Sauce (Optional): Drizzle it on if you’re feeling saucy and ready to take this dish to the next level of yum.
How to Make Apple Crisp French Toast
For the Apples: Simmer brown sugar, butter, and apple cider in a saucepan, adding in apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg until tender. Let it cool.
For the French Toast: Whisk together eggs, dairy, sugar, and spices. Layer bread cubes and apple mixture in a greased dish, pour egg mix over, and let it soak overnight.
For the Topping: Mix oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter to create a crumbly streusel.
To Bake: Let the dish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 40-50 minutes until set. Optional: drizzle with caramel and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup or whipped cream and enjoy your brunch masterpiece!
Tips
Tip 1: Start by selecting your apples! Granny Smith Apples are currently in season and they supply the perfect balance of sweet and tart while also maintaining a wonderful texture after being cooked. But Pink Lady, Honeycrisp or Braeburn will work as well!
Tip 2: Taste every element of this recipe as it’s being made!
This way, you will make sure that the balance of spices is to your liking. Add more brown sugar for a stronger molasses flavor or layer on warmth with a touch of more nutmeg. It’s yours to play with!
Tip 3: Use day old French bread for your French toast mixture!
This will help create a more substantial base that won’t succumb to your liquid ingredients. You could even slightly toast the bread in the oven at a low temperature before use. Toasting the bread will dry out some of its moisture.
Tip 4: Keep watch during the last 10 minutes of baking!
This recipe can dry out quickly if left in the oven too long. The middle should be completely set. Lots of eggs in this one so be sure not to under bake either!
How to Make Overnight
An overnight recipe is the best way to make your morning just a little less hectic and even give you some extra time to sleep in. While you’re fast asleep your crisp is soaking up all those spices and getting ready to be devoured warm and smothered with caramel. Is there anything better than that?
Okay, so you guys know I always keep you in the loop when it comes to my favorite kitchen gadgets. I’m a big believer in investing in your kitchen. The tools you choose to use are often what determines the ease of the recipe and ultimately, its outcome.
Other Breakfast Recipes to Make
If you love other amazing breakfast and brunch recipes like this, try my Best Bread Pudding, Apple Brown Betty, Pumpkin Spice French Toast, French Toast Pancakes,
Apple Crisp French Toast
Ingredients
For the Apples
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 6 cups peeled and chopped Granny Smith Apples
For the French Toast
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup half and half
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 14-15 oz loaf French bread cut into cubes or whole and stacked up against the baking dish
For the Streusel Topping
- 1/3 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted1/3
- 1/3 cup caramel sauce optional
Instructions
For the Apples
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter and apple cider. Stir until combined.
- Once the mixture comes to a simmer add the cinnamon, nutmeg and apples. Cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the liquid has thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Set aside to cool to room temp.
For the French Toast
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, half and half, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
- Grease a 9×13 Pyrex deep. Place half the bread cubes into the casserole dish.
- Top with half the apples. Place the remaining bread cubes on top and pour the egg mixture evenly over the top.
- Spoon the remaining apple mixture over the top. Allow everything to soak together overnight in the refrigerator. Continue with the topping.
For the Topping
- In a medium bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add melted butter and stir until well combined.
To Bake
- Remove french toast dish from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Crumble the topping over the top of the French toast and bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until the center is completely set.
- Optional: Drizzle with caramel sauce then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Serve warm with maple syrup and/or whipped cream.
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Would you change the cook time if making this in an aluminum throw away pan?
Yes you may have to slightly adjust because it holds more heat so it can bake a bit faster so I would start checking earlier to ensure it doesn’t dry out.
Can croissants be used for this recipe
I have not made this recipe with croissants, but I don’t see why no! If you try it you’ll have to let me know how it turned out.
Love this recipe!!! I make creme anglais to pour over the crisp. Also have used your recipe using dried out cinnamon rolls. Frosting included! That’s yummy too.
That sounds amazing!!!
I made this for Christmas breakfast, and it was delicious!
Oh my god this sounds amazing!!! I think I got a cavity just reading about it!
Phenomenal make ahead dish for the holidays. Made for thanksgiving morning and was a smashing hit with everyone of all ages. Not too sweet and has lots of great flavor.