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You're going to love this crazy delicious overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole. Prep it the night before and in the morning, breakfast is easy peasy!
An extra package of Hawaiian rolls in the freezer, leftover from a meal some friends had brought was the inspiration for this Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole. We had guests spending the night and I wanted something easy that could be pooped in the oven in the morning. I cut up the sweet dinner rolls and poured a mixture of milk, eggs and sugar over the top.
In the morning, I added a crumbly topping and it wasn't long before a wonderful aroma filled the house to draw the sleepy heads out of bed. Everyone loved this easy breakfast casserole.
I've tweaked the recipe a bit over the last few weeks, adding diced apples and cinnamon and adjusting the ingredient ratios and baking time. I served the French toast casserole again for an Easter brunch and it was super well received with lots of second helpings.
With all the special occasions coming up, i.e., Mother's Day, graduations, showers, etc. I thought this make-ahead Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole might come in handy for you too. Just throw it all together the night before and all that's left to do is to bake it in the morning.
I like to serve this dish with slices of smokey, glazed ham, but bacon or sausage would also be wonderful. A pretty dish of fresh fruit completes the easy, but elegant meal. You can serve the French toast with just a sprinkle of powdered sugar or indulge with a drizzle of pure maple syrup - or both!. No matter which way you decide, you'll be sure to receive rave reviews!
- soft butter for greasing pan
- 1 14-ounce package Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- 1 large golden delicious apple peeled, cored, and diced
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons soft butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
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Generously grease a 2-quart casserole dish* with soft butter. Place cubed Hawaiian rolls in pan.
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Combine diced apples with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss to coat apples with sugar mixture. Sprinkle apples on top of bread.
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Combine eggs and remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar. Whisk together to combine, then add half and half, vanilla and salt. Pour mixture evenly over bread. Cover with plastic wrap. If bread extends slightly over the top of the pan, don’t try to squish it down. Just covered it loosely and then seal at the edges. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or as long as 12.
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To make the crumble, combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium size bowl. Stir well. Add the softened butter and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. If mixture is too moist to form crumbs, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring well after each addition, until crumbs form. (You shouldn’t need more than 2 tablespoons of flour.) Cover crumbs with plastic wrap and refrigerate until just before baking French toast.
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In the morning (or at least 6 hours later), remove casserole and crumble mixture from refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
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Place casserole on a sheet pan** and sprinkle crumble mixture evening over the top. Bake (on sheet pan**) for 30 minutes, then cover loosely with foil and bake another 15-20 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup - or both!
*You can also use a 9x13-inch baking pan. **Baking it on a sheet pan will prevent the bottom of the French toast from getting too brown.
Caitlin says
This looks so yummy! What would you say about freezing before? We are going on a weekend trip and I'd love to prep a few days in advance, freeze, travel about 1 hour by car to the Air BNB, thaw in fridge Friday night and then heat Saturday morning. Would you suggest going through Step 4, putting on crumble then freezing? It would be less than a week frozen...hmmm, just thinking out loud... Thoughts?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Caitlin, I haven't tried freezing this dish but I think it should work fine.
Denise says
Which size glass baking dish works better - 11x7 or 9x13?
Chris Scheuer says
11x7 would be better.
Denise says
A 2 quart dish would be approximately 11x7" correct? Which works better - 11x7 or 9x13" ? I need to fix this for my daughter and grandkids. You know how kids can be kind of picky, but I think everyone would like this one.
Chris Scheuer says
I think they will love it!
Susan Gapinski says
This is an absolutely delicous recipe! I made it for supper, for my husband and I and will be making it again for family, but I think I will have to make two, because we have a large family. Thank you for all your recipes, they never fail me.
Meagan says
Making this this weekend!! Looks so yummy. Thinking about subbing strawberries sometime too. This looks delish!
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy! Strawberries would be wonderful!
Christina Roth says
Thank you for this delicious recipe. So nice to be able to prepare ahead overnight. I baked this today for a Thanksgiving weekend brunch. I used day old French bread and doubled the apple/cinnamon/sugar filling, it was a huge hit! I will definitely make this again!
Chris Scheuer says
That's awesome Christina, I love your adaptations!
Sandra L Garth says
In my imaginary world where calories and fat grams don't count, I would eat this every day! Hats off to those friends that cared for you and your family.
Susan says
You certainly have been on a wild ride, Chris! How sweet and thoughtful of your friends to put together a wonderful dinner like that and how smart of you to turn those Hawaiian rolls into a scrumptious brunch dish like this! I honestly haven't seen Hawaiian rolls here in my part of the Midwest but maybe I've just never looked for them. I'd love to know what they taste like 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Absolutely beautiful! Sadly, we don't have Hawaiian Rolls here in Canada, but I'm sure this would be perfect with so many kinds of bread! Sharing 🙂
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
There's nothing like the love of friends and family during the challenging times of life - so glad you have an amazing support network to lean on! And this French toast casserole looks incredible, what a wonderful treat to wake up to!
Pauly Heller says
So sorry to read about your recent loss and upheaval, Chris. I love your posts, and every one of your recipes I've tried has been spot-on. Your photos are delicious, too. Please be comforted in your sorrow and encouraged to keep going with your lovely and tasty recipes. I often pass them along to my daughter and daughter-in-law.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I absolutely love this french toast casserole Chris! And I love that you used the Hawaiian rolls! My son Casey is going to love this.
Jenna says
This sounds wonderful Chris, the use of Hawaiian rolls is brilliant! I am sorry about the recent turmoil in your life and am happy to know you and your family were well taken care of, not easy times...Southerners love to share food, I wonder if this is where the term comfort food comes from...
Liz says
I'm so glad you were enveloped by love from family and friends during this difficult time. For a last minute recipe, this French toast is phenomenal! Glad you're getting back to semi-normal. The loss of a parent is tough to process. xoxo
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
What a perfect company breakfast! I'd need help eating it or I'd eat it ALL myself. You make the most beautiful food. I love this.
Monique says
I could tell you were taking a step back..life has a way of happening and I am so sorry for everything you went through..I often think it will be our turn one day to be the ones that are the older ones..I am not surprised that you were cradled in comfort by friends and family.♥
Not one tiny bit.
This looks great and maybe Christmas morn:)!!Thank you.
Monique says
PS in reply to Antoinette's question re HRs..the only place that MAY carry them is a Walmart?
I have not seen them here either..in the US,everywhere..
Antoinette says
Sounds awesome!. Can you tell me what are Hawaiian rolls? Don't think we have them in Canada.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Antoinette,
Hawaiian rolls are a sweeter type of bread roll that are sold everywhere here in the US. You could substitute brioche bread or another type of dinner roll. Just use about 14 ounces and cut it into cubes.
Ginny Hartzler says
I can almost smell it through the screen! So delicious looking, and I do love the Hawaiian rolls.I am so very sorry about what you have both been through. Truly, words just cannot say. I think back to when my mom and Phil's mom both died within a few months. It is so hard. Take care my friend. Give Scott my best regards, and let me know whenever he has that blog up, I think I am already a follower.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
It looks almost like a coffee cake with that gorgeous layer of crumbly topping :-)) Excellent!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Angie!
Sharon says
This looks delicious however I'm a little confused. Looking at the photos the bottom layer of the casserole doesn't appear to be cubed rolls but Hawaiian rolls opened up, am I missing something? Thanks in advance Chris...
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Sharon, it is cubed rolls. After the casserole is refrigerated overnight, the cubes are sort of "melted" into the egg mixture so it looks like one big piece of bread.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I wish my mom was still alive so I could make this for her...I guess someone's just going to have to make it for me :))
Charlotte Moore says
This looks delicious with the apples and cinnamon. Love those flavors.
It is so nice to have good friends at a time like you all went through. GOD BLESS!!
cheri says
I always struggle to find a breakfast when entertaining, but no anymore after setting my eyes on this wonderful casserole, looks eggy and full of flavor. Perfection!
So sorry for your loss and the struggles you and your family are going through......Cheri
Jackie says
Love this recipe thank you for sharing with us, sorry for your loss stay strong and I'm sure the support of family' and friends will help you al xx
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Jackie for your kind and encouraging words 🙂
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
You have been through a lot these last few months and it's wonderful that the bright spots are what are shinning through. Love this casserole and can't wait to give it a try! Have a nice weekend.