By Wendy Stoltz and Gusti Ayu Wahyuni Mertawati / Last Modified On February 19, 2023

This gluten-free French toast casserole is so easy to make and perfect for breakfast or brunch. It has a soft and fluffy custardy center with crispy golden-brown caramelized edges topped off with pops of strawberries, blueberries, and honey butter-roasted pecans. It is so good!

You can also prepare it overnight and pop it in the oven for those Thanksgiving overnight guests or any other special occasions when you need to feed a crowd.

If you like the simplicity of casseroles as I do, try this gluten-free breakfast casserole. If you prefer regular gluten-free French toast this is so delicious, easy to make, and perfect for breakfast or brunch. If you prefer a sweet treat to satisfy that sweet tooth this gluten-free cinnamon roll cake is so easy to make. 

GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE RECIPE

I really love this recipe for when I have overnight guests. I like the simplicity of making it. It becomes a showstopper for guests when it's all dressed up with fruit and nuts. We like to add blueberries, strawberries, and honey butter-roasted pecans.

It really is made of simple ingredients so you can really make this gluten-free French toast casserole when the cravings strikes.

WHY YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Make-ahead recipe - You can make this gluten-free French toast casserole ahead of time. 

Feed a crowd - This recipe is so good to make for Thanksgiving or special holidays when you need to feed a crowd.

Simple ingredients - With a handful of simple ingredients you can start this recipe now.

INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

FOR THE CASSEROLE:

Gluten-free bread - 1 pound gluten-free white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes. You can use whatever bread you like; I used my gluten-free bread. Store-bought works well like the Schar artisan white bread.

Eggs - 6 large eggs, you read that correctly. You need the eggs to bind the bread together for that delicious custardy center. 

Milk - I used whole milk. But you can use any kind.

Vanilla extract - I use pure vanilla extract. 

Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a key component to a good gluten-free French toast casserole. 

Sugar - Use brown sugar or coconut palm sugar.

Butter - The melted butter gives it a rich buttery taste. You can use melted coconut oil. 

Orange - Orange zest adds a nice pop of flavor. I highly recommend it, but you can exclude it. 

Salt - I used sea salt.

TOPPINGS:

Fruit - I used blueberries and chopped strawberries.

Seasoning - Cinnamon and powdered sugar. Don't skimp on this!

Nuts - I used chopped honey butter roasted pecans.

SERVE:

Powdered sugar - Sprinkled on top of the casserole once cooked. Be generous here!

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Casserole dish - I have used a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Measuring jug - I like these measuring jugs in multiple sizes. This helps to pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread.

If you have any questions about making gluten-free French toast casserole, please leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish, and grease it with butter.
2. Add the bread cubes into the baking dish and bake for 5-7 minutes just until it’s getting golden brown.
3. In a large measuring jar or pouring jar, mix eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, melted butter, orange zest, and sea salt. Whisk together until everything is well combined.
4. Pour the liquid mixture evenly into the baked bread. Top with frozen blueberries and strawberries.
5. Bake for 60 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the cinnamon and powdered sugar on top of the toast.
7. Add the roasted pecans and fresh strawberries. Enjoy!

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the complete recipe below.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Dried-out bread - Make sure your gluten-free bread is dried out. Dried-out bread soaks up the custard mixture better. 

Make sure the bread absorbs the liquid - The liquid absorbed into the bread is a key to this recipe. 

WHY IS MY FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE SOGGY?

Your gluten-free bread was not dried out enough. Dried-out bread soaks up the custard mixture better. 

HOW DO I DRY OUT THE BREAD?

Grease the baking dish. Add the bread cubes into the baking dish and bake for 5-7 minutes just until it’s getting golden brown. 

WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE FOR MILK IN FRENCH TOAST?

If you can't have dairy milk, you can use a milk substitute. I have not tried all of them, but I have considered using heavy cream, almond milk, soy milk, or powdered milk. The only thing to mention is the flavor of the substitute will then be in the custardy mixture. 

CAN I USE REGULAR BREAD?

Yes, you can use regular bread in this recipe if you do not need a gluten-free dish.

CAN YOU MAKE THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE IN ADVANCE?

For sure. Here's some make-ahead tips. Prepare the gluten-free French toast casserole overnight and place it in the refrigerator. In the morning you can top the bread with a custard mixture with frozen blueberries and strawberries and bake it. 

WHAT SUBSTITUTIONS CAN I MAKE WITH THIS RECIPE?

Dairy-free and Vegan - You would need to substitute the eggs, milk, and butter for dairy-free / vegan options. I have not tried this. 

HOW DO I STORE THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?

Cover the casserole or transfer it into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 

CAN I FREEZE THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?

Wrap the gluten-free French toast casserole to protect it from freezer burn. It can be frozen for 3 months. 

HOW DO I SERVE THIS GLUTEN-FREE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?

I like to sprinkle cinnamon and powdered sugar on top of the toast. I then add the roasted pecans and fresh strawberries. Here's a few other options:

Syrup - You can also serve it with syrup of your choice. I like maple syrup, but you can try different flavored syrups.

Yogurt - Coconut yogurt works well.

Different fruit - Fresh berries and slices of banana will be delicious.

Nuts - Try different types of nuts too. 

Continue to Content

Yield: 12 servings

Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole

Print

This gluten-free French toast casserole is so easy to make and perfect for breakfast or brunch. It has a soft and fluffy custardy center with crispy golden-brown caramelized edges.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

For casserole

• 1 pound gluten-free white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ⅓ cup brown sugar or coconut palm sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ¼ tsp. sea salt

Toppings:

• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• ½ cup chopped strawberries
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• ½ cup chopped honey butter roasted pecans

Serving:

• Powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish, and grease it with butter.
2. Add the bread cubes into the baking dish and bake for 5-7 minutes just until it’s getting golden brown.
3. In a large measuring jar or pouring jar, mix eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, melted butter, orange zest, and sea salt. Whisk together until everything is well combined.
4. Pour the liquid mixture evenly into the baked bread. Top with frozen blueberries and strawberries.
5. Bake for 60 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the cinnamon and powdered sugar on top of the toast.
7. Add the roasted pecans and fresh strawberries. Enjoy!

Notes

• Make -ahead - You can prepare the casserole the night before.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass Liquid Measuring Cups, Dishwasher, Freezer, Microwave, and Preheated Oven Safe, Essential Kitchen Tools
• 
  Pyrex Basics 3 Quart Oblong Glass Baking Dish, Clear 9 x 13 inch (Set of 2)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 336Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 372mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used at the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.