There's something incredibly cozy about waking up to a warm, nutty breakfast that feels both indulgent and easy to make. This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is exactly that—comfort in a casserole dish that's perfect for busy mornings or leisurely weekends. The sweet aroma of cinnamon, pecans, and baked bread will have everyone asking for seconds.

A close-up image shows a white plate with a rich bread pudding made of bright golden-brown toasted bread chunks layered evenly and topped with scattered toasted pecans. A glossy amber syrup is being poured from a glass container by a woman's hand, slowly flowing over the bread pudding, adding shine and wet texture that contrasts with the soft bread. In the background, a white ceramic baking dish holds the rest of the bread pudding, slightly out of focus. A silver fork rests on the white plate near the pudding. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a folded striped cloth napkin nearby. 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

I honestly love how foolproof this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is. It feels like a special treat but needs very little hands-on time, making it a favorite when I want to impress with minimal fuss.

Minimal prep: You toss everything together, then let the casserole do the work in the oven.
Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it the night before for an effortless, grab-and-bake breakfast.
Crispy, nutty topping: The pecans add a wonderful crunch and depth that you won’t get from regular French toast.
Feeds a crowd: It’s perfect for family gatherings or sleepy holiday mornings.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a golden brown bread pudding topped with scattered chopped pecans. The bread chunks are large, uneven, and have a soft, slightly crisp texture with a toasted surface in various shades of light to dark amber. The chopped pecans are sprinkled evenly over the top, adding a rough texture and deeper brown color contrast. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe blends classic French toast staples with pecans for texture and a nutty flavor boost. Using challah bread is key because its slightly sweet, rich crumb soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart.

Flat lay of a small loaf of challah bread cut into 1-inch cubes, five whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl of brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped pecans, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract placed symmetrically 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 soft, eggy texture holds the custard well and gives a tender inside with a slight chew.
Eggs: Create the custard base that binds the bread cubes together, providing richness and structure.
Milk: I prefer whole milk for creaminess but any milk will work.
Brown sugar: Adds deep, caramel notes enhancing the natural sweetness.
Vanilla extract: This gives a warm, fragrant sweetness that's subtle but essential.
Cinnamon & nutmeg: Classic warm spices that bring a cozy, aromatic flavor.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and brighten the flavors.
Pecans: Toasted or raw, they add crunch and a buttery flavor that pairs beautifully here.
Butter or coconut oil: Used for greasing the pan and topping, adding richness and helping the casserole brown.
Maple syrup: For serving—it's the perfect sweet drizzle that complements the casserole.

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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’ve played around with this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe quite a bit. Adding a handful of dried cranberries or swapping pecans for walnuts can completely change the game. Feel free to tweak toppings and spices to suit your tastes!

Variation: I once swapped half the milk for cream for an extra rich custard—totally decadent and worth the splurge on special occasions.
Dietary tweak: Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version, which also adds a subtle coconut twist.
Seasonal change: In fall, I love adding a pinch of pumpkin pie spice along with the cinnamon and nutmeg for a seasonal flair.

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

Step 1: Prep the bread and pan

I start by greasing my 9x13 baking dish generously with unsalted butter (or coconut oil when I want that tropical note). Then, I cut the challah into 1-inch cubes—day-old bread works best since it soaks up the custard without turning mushy. Spread the cubes evenly in the pan so each bite bakes uniformly.

Step 2: Whisk your custard mixture

In a large bowl, I mix together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until everything's nicely combined. The aroma as you whisk this is already making me hungry! Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring each cube gets coated well—this is the magic that binds it all once baked.

Step 3: Let the flavors soak in

For best results, cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight, especially if you want to prep ahead. If you’re in a rush, letting it sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature works too, but overnight soaking makes it extra custardy and tender. I've done both, and overnight is my personal favorite.

Step 4: Add the topping and bake

Before baking, drizzle melted butter over the casserole then sprinkle on brown sugar and chopped pecans for that irresistible crunchy sweet layer. Cover the pan and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes to gently cook the custard through, then uncover and bake 10–20 more minutes until the pecans are golden and the custard mostly set. You’ll know it’s done when the top is nicely browned but the casserole is still creamy inside.

Step 5: Rest and serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest covered loosely with foil for 10 minutes. This rest time lets the custard finish setting without drying out. Serve warm with a generous drizzle of maple syrup—you’ll want that sweet, sticky finish on each bite.

Top Tip

After trying this recipe many times, I’ve found these small tweaks really step up the dish and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Use day-old bread: Fresh bread can get soggy and fall apart, but firm day-old challah soaks custard just right.
Don’t skip the resting time: Letting the casserole sit after baking helps it set perfectly without drying out.
Even coating: Pour custard slowly and press lightly on larger bread cubes to help them absorb the custard evenly.
Watch the topping: During the last bake phase, keep an eye on the pecans so they don’t burn but still get golden for crunch.

How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

French toast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sturdy drizzle of real maple syrup. Sometimes, I throw on fresh berries or sliced bananas for a fresher finish. Pecans on top already bring a delightful crunch, so extra nuts aren’t necessary in the garnish.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I like serving this casserole alongside crisp bacon or sausage links—salty meets sweet perfectly here. A fresh fruit salad or even a spinach salad with a light vinaigrette also balances the richness nicely for brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve split the casserole into mini ramekins for individual servings—super cute and restaurant-style elegant. You could also layer the pecans and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar between bread layers to create visual interest as you scoop.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully without losing its creamy texture, especially if you cover the casserole to keep it from drying out.

Freezing

Freezing works well too. I portion into freezer-safe containers and bake directly from frozen, adding a little extra baking time. The pecans on top might soften slightly, but the casserole itself stays perfectly custardy.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered with foil in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Microwave works in a pinch, but oven reheating keeps the edges crisp and custard silky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of bread?

You can! Brioche, French baguette, or even a sturdy sandwich bread will work, but challah remains ideal because of its texture and slight sweetness. Avoid very soft breads that won’t hold up when soaked.

How long can I soak the bread in the egg mixture?

Ideally, overnight soaking in the fridge allows the custard to deeply penetrate the bread for a creamier texture. If you’re short on time, a minimum of 30 minutes at room temperature is fine but may result in a less custardy bite.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk and use coconut oil instead of butter for greasing and topping—this recipe adapts well and still tastes amazing. Keep in mind the flavor might shift slightly depending on your milk choice.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

The oven is your best bet to keep the texture intact. Cover the casserole with foil and heat at 325°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwaving works but can make the edges a bit soggy or tough.

Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe has become my go-to for breakfast when I want something delicious, impressive, yet worry-free. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, and sharing it with friends and family always brings a smile. Give it a try—you might find it becomes your new weekend tradition, just like it did for me.