There’s something truly comforting about waking up to the warm, cinnamon-kissed aroma of a breakfast that practically makes itself overnight. That’s exactly why this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is my go-to for weekend brunches or holiday mornings—simple to prep, beautiful to serve, and downright delicious every single time.

A white plate holds several thick, golden-brown pieces of bread pudding, layered unevenly with a soft, spongy texture visible inside. Scattered pecans rest on and around the pudding, adding a crunchy contrast. A woman's hand pours amber syrup from a small glass jar over the bread pudding, creating shiny, flowing streams that catch the light. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, with a silver fork resting nearby and a white dish filled with more bread pudding in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my many mornings spent experimenting with French toast variations, this casserole stands out because it combines ease with an irresistible nutty crunch. Plus, it’s perfect when you want a cozy dish that feeds a crowd without fuss.

Hands-off prep: Simply assemble the night before and bake when ready—it’s brunch magic with minimal morning effort.
Crunchy pecan topping: Adds a delightful texture contrast that takes it from ordinary to special.
Rich and flavorful custard: Thanks to cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, every bite bursts with comfort.
Feeds a crowd: Perfect for family gatherings or when you have guests—serves 8 to 12 with ease.

A white rectangular dish filled with a layered bread dessert made of golden brown bread pieces that are toasted and soft inside. The chunks of bread are piled together, some shiny from syrup or butter, and scattered with small pieces of pecans that add a crunchy texture. The bread shows a mix of light yellow, golden, and deep brown tones. The dish is set on a white marbled surface with a folded striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in creating that tender, custardy French toast with the perfect crunchy finish. Using challah bread and warming spices combined with pecans turns a simple casserole into a delightful treat you’ll want to make again and again.

Flat lay of a small loaf of challah bread cut into 1-inch cubes, five large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of milk, a small white bowl of light brown sugar, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, a small white bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt, a small white bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl of chopped pecans, and a small white bowl of golden maple syrup, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Challah bread: Its slightly sweet, soft texture soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart.
Eggs: They bind everything together, providing structure and that golden richness.
Milk: Adds creaminess that helps give the custard its luscious texture.
Brown sugar: Offers a deep caramel flavor that’s sweeter and more complex than white sugar.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the other flavors.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic spices that bring cozy, aromatic notes.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance and deepen all those sweet flavors.
Pecans: Provide crunch and a toasty, buttery note that contrasts beautifully with the soft casserole.
Unsalted butter or coconut oil: Used both for greasing the dish and in the pecan topping for richness and flavor.
Maple syrup: Optional but highly recommended for serving—it adds that perfect sticky sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is. You can easily tailor it depending on what you have on hand or who you’re feeding, and it still turns out amazing every time.

Variation: I sometimes swap challah for brioche or even thick-cut Texas toast when I want a different texture, and it still soaks up the custard perfectly.
Dairy-free option: Use coconut milk and coconut oil instead of dairy and butter to suit vegan or lactose intolerance needs without losing flavor.
Add fruit: Try folding in blueberries or sliced apples before baking for a fresh twist.
Spice it up: For a festive feel, add a pinch of ground cloves or pumpkin pie spice during mixing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Bread

First, I generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with unsalted butter or coconut oil to keep everything from sticking—and bonus, it adds a bit of extra flavor. Then, I cut the challah bread into roughly 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the dish. Using bread that's a day or two old works best because it's just the right texture to soak up the custard without turning mushy.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard

In a large bowl, I mix the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Whisk thoroughly until everything is combined and you get that lovely smooth custard mixture. This part is where all the flavors start to come together, so don’t skip on the spices—they add that cozy vibe we're after.

Step 3: Combine and Soak

Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, gently pressing some down so they're coated thoroughly. If you can, cover and refrigerate the dish overnight—that’s the secret to deeply soaked, custardy bread that’s bursting with flavor. If you’re short on time, letting it sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature will still give you a fantastic result.

Step 4: Add the Topping and Bake

Before baking, drizzle melted butter over the casserole, sprinkle with brown sugar, and scatter chopped pecans evenly on top. I like to cover it with foil for the first 35 minutes to keep the moisture in, then uncover for the last 10-20 minutes so the topping gets beautifully browned and crisp. The smell alone is worth the wait!

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, I loosely cover the casserole with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps it set up perfectly so you get clean slices without it being too wet or runny. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of real maple syrup, and maybe a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling indulgent.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few small tricks that make this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe foolproof and extra special every time.

Use day-old challah: It’s less likely to make the casserole soggy and soaks up the custard just right.
Don’t skip the resting phase: Allowing the casserole to soak overnight or at least 30 minutes makes all the difference in texture and flavor.
Cover then uncover when baking: This technique helps the middle cook through without drying out the top, then caramelizes the pecans and sugar beautifully.
Let it rest after baking: This final step lets everything set up for clean, tasty slices.

How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

French toast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping it simple with a generous pour of warm maple syrup and a sprinkle of extra chopped pecans for crunch. On special occasions, a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream instantly makes it feel festive and indulgent.

Side Dishes

Some fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a mixed fruit salad balances the richness nicely. Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage on the side adds savory contrast that everyone at my table appreciates.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunch, I’ve tried layering the casserole in individual ramekins for a cute personal touch. You can also add a festive drizzle of caramel sauce or a handful of fresh berries on top to impress your guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover any leftovers tightly with foil or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay tasty for up to 3 days, which is great for quick breakfasts or snacks during the week.

Freezing

This casserole also freezes beautifully. I recommend freezing portion-sized slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, then reheating straight from frozen in the oven or toaster oven to keep that delicious texture intact.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop slices into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp on top. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crunchy pecan topping from going soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bread other than challah for this casserole?

Absolutely! While challah is ideal because of its texture and subtle sweetness, you can use brioche, Texas toast, or even a sturdy white bread. Just make sure the bread isn’t too fresh so it can soak up the custard well without falling apart.

How far ahead can I prepare this French toast casserole?

You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate it overnight. This resting time is crucial for soaking the bread deeply, resulting in a custardy, flavorful dish. Just cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap before refrigerating.

Is there a way to make this casserole dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the milk for a plant-based option like almond, oat, or coconut milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter. The pecans and spices will still shine through, making it just as delicious.

Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Definitely! This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe scales up well — just use a larger baking dish or two and adjust the cooking time slightly to make sure it cooks through. Keep an eye on the topping to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe has become one of those dishes I make whenever I want the warmth of home on a plate with minimal morning effort. I love how it brings people together around the breakfast table, and I’m confident once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to it for holidays, lazy weekends, or whenever you need a little sweetness in your life.