I’ve always loved french toast casserole for brunch and holiday mornings. Why? Well, you can prep it the night before and then bake it the next day to make things go quicker. Now I’ve started making this even easier air fryer french toast casserole instead and I’m never going back.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
French toast casserole is everything you love about french toast, in a creamy, delicious casserole format. It’s still best topped with syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit, but I think it takes way less work than traditional french toast!
The air fryer does a great job of getting browned edges and a creamy, perfect interior. It’s easy to portion size it for 2 or a crowd, and it cooks up in less time than the oven as well.
I just put everything together the night before and pop it in to air fry in the morning. It’s perfect for low stress holidays, Mother’s Day, or fancy brunches. You can even make it on a weekday morning and let it cook while you get ready!
Katie’s tip
For an ever faster option, check out my Frozen French Toast Sticks in the Air Fryer as an alternative. Or, enjoy some summertime gourmet flavors with my Crown Peach Whiskey French Toast!
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Ingredients to Grab
- 8 slices of cinnamon swirl brioche bread (slightly stale is best)
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup milk or half and half
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Ingredient Tips and Variations
- If you don’t use a brioche bread, sprinkle a cubed Tbsp of butter over the casserole before cooking
- You can also use other types of bread with a sturdy texture, such as Challah bread, French bread, Italian bread, chocolate or vanilla brioche, other cinnamon-raisin bread, or even cubed up cinnamon rolls for extra flavor
- For a creamier casserole, swap half of the milk for heavy cream. For dairy-free alternatives, try soy milk or coconut milk
- The amount of seasoning may be adjusted to taste. Feel free to add other spices such as nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice in as well
- Variations: Add ¼ cup of raisins, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit and about 4 Tbsp cubed cream cheese in for a different twist
special equipment note:
You’ll need an oven-safe pan that fits in your air fryer basket or rack for this recipe. A cake pan, casserole dish, springform pan, or similar should do the trick. I’m using two small rectangular casserole dishes because I have a Ninja Foodi dual zone air fryer with two compartments. However, in most other cases, one single dish is sufficient.
How to Make French Toast Casserole in the Air Fryer
- Cut your bread into approximately 1” cubes (it doesn’t have to be perfect)
- In a large bowl, add eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk until thoroughly combined
- Add the bread cubes to the egg mixture and toss to coat
- Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes to give the bread time to absorb the custard (or cover and place in the refrigerator up to overnight if desired)
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Place the saturated bread cubes into a greased casserole dish, cake pan, or similar that fits into your air fryer, spreading into an even layer
- Set the casserole dish into the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is browned and the center is set and reaches at least 165°F
- Serve warm or at room temperature with syrup, or your favorite toppings
What to Serve With French Toast Casserole
- Eggs
- Quiche
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Bananas foster
- Caramelized apples
- Grilled peaches
- Fresh fruit
- Yogurt
- Maple syrup
- Apple or pumpkin butter
- Peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Frosting or glaze
- Hot cider
- French toast coffee or latte
- Fruit juice
Serve your air fryer french toast casserole with my easy Frozen Sausage Patties in the Air Fryer, Grilled Peaches in the Air Fryer with raspberry melba sauce, or this tasty Air Fryer Quiche With Crust.
Recipe FAQs
Why is My French Toast Casserole Soggy?
Your french toast casserole is soggy if there is too much liquid or the bread is too soft to start.
The recipe is best made using day-old or stale bread, which absorbs the custard better. Make sure to let the bread sit and soak up the liquid so it’s not pooled in the bottom of the pan.
Should I Use Stale Bread or Fresh Bread for the Casserole?
Stale or slightly dried out bread is ideal for this casserole because it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming overly soggy.
However, if you don’t have stale bread, you can use fresh bread and let it sit out for a while to dry. Alternatively, you may lightly toast your bread cubes in the oven or air fryer to draw out some moisture.
How Long Does it Take to Cook French Toast Casserole in the Air Fryer?
Typically, it takes around 15-20 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to achieve a golden and crispy texture.
Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model, type of bread used, and the size of your casserole dish.
What Ingredients Can I Add to Customize My Casserole?
You can customize your casserole with ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts like pecans or walnuts to suit your taste preferences.
For a savory alternative, use a non-sweet bread, omit the vanilla and cinnamon, and instead add ingredients like cheese, bacon, or vegetables for a savory breakfast or brunch dish.
Can I Make Air Fryer French Toast Casserole in Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it. In the morning, simply air fry as indicated. This cuts down on preparation time, which is ideal when entertaining.
Alternatively, you may also cook the casserole completely ahead of time, and then just reheat individual portions for a few minutes before serving.
Tips For the Best French Toast Casserole
- You do not need to flip or stir your casserole during the air frying process. If it begins to get too brown on top, cover the baking dish with a piece of foil
- A dark brown, slightly crusty top is normal, with a soft, custard like texture underneath (similar to a bread pudding)
- The pan will be hot when you remove it from the air fryer, just like an oven would, so use caution (and oven mitts)!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap well in plastic wrap and foil (or an airtight container), and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating (depending if it’s cooked or not)
- To reheat french toast casserole, place a portion in the air fryer (I recommend placing it on a piece of aluminum foil or parchment unless it’s still in the baking dish). Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped on top. Exact time will vary based on the size of your piece
More Great Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
- Air Fryer Grit Cakes
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer french toast casserole is perfect for Mother’s Day, brunch, weekends, and even holiday mornings, and is loved by kids and adults alike. Of course, it’s so simple to put together in advance, you can even enjoy it for breakfast during the week!
This breakfast casserole needs just a few minutes to put together, keeps well overnight in the fridge, and takes only about 15 minutes to cook when you’re ready. Then, top it up with your favorite french toast toppings for a treat!
I love some syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries with baked French toast, but you can choose your favorites for a great way to start your morning.
Katie’s tip
For another warming breakfast casserole, make sure to check out my air fryer baked oatmeal!
Easy Air Fryer French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Bread knife (or similar serrated knife)
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
- Oven-safe casserole or cake pan that fits in your air fryer basket
Ingredients
- 8 Slices cinnamon brioche bread (slightly stale is best)
- 4 Large eggs
- ½ Cup milk or half and half
- 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ Tsp salt
Instructions
- Cut your bread into approximately 1” cubes (it doesn’t have to be perfect) using a bread knife and a cutting board8 Slices cinnamon brioche bread
- In a medium bowl, add eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, and whisk until thoroughly combined (I use a fork to break up my eggs)4 Large eggs, ½ Cup milk or half and half, 1 Tsp ground cinnamon, 1 Tsp vanilla extract, ¼ Tsp salt
- Add the bread cubes to the egg mixture and use a spoon or spatula to toss to coat
- Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes to give the bread time to absorb the custard (or cover and place in the refrigerator up to overnight if desired)
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
- Place the saturated bread cubes into a greased casserole dish, cake pan, or similar oven-safe dish that fits into your air fryer, spreading into an even layer
- Set the casserole dish into the preheated air fryer basket
- Cook on the air fry setting for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is browned and the center is set and reaches at least 165°F
- Serve warm with syrup, or your favorite toppings
Notes
- If you don’t use a brioche bread, sprinkle a cubed Tbsp of butter over the casserole before cooking
- You can also use other types of bread, such as Challah, French bread, chocolate or vanilla brioche, other cinnamon or raisin bread, or even cubed up cinnamon rolls
- My bread was sliced about ¾” thick off a fairly standard sandwich loaf size. If yours are larger or smaller, you may need less or more slices
- For a creamier casserole, swap half of the milk for heavy cream
- The amount of seasoning may be adjusted to taste. Feel free to add other spices such as nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice in as well
- Variations: Add ¼ cup of raisins, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit and about 4 Tbsp cubed cream cheese in for a different twist
- You do not need to flip or stir your casserole during the air frying process. If it begins to get too brown on top, cover the baking dish with a piece of foil
- A dark brown, slightly crusty top is normal, with a soft, custard like texture underneath (similar to a bread pudding)
- The pan will be hot when you remove it from the air fryer, just like an oven would, so use caution (and possibly oven mitts)!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
