This overnight Gluten Free French Toast Casserole is perfect for breakfast! It's moist and made with brioche bread that's baked in the oven.
If you enjoy French toast, you'll love this Overnight French Toast Casserole! It's made with cubed bread that's baked in a custard flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, and lemon zest.

I love this French toast casserole for many reasons, one of them being that it is so easy to make. It's also rich and decadent, lightly sweetened, and can be made ahead so all that's needed is to pop it in the oven right before serving.
The fact that this dish is prepared ahead of time and soaked overnight in the refrigerator makes it a great choice when serving guests during the holidays. It smells amazing as it bakes and your guests are sure to love it.
It feeds a crowd and there's no need to stand in front of the stove top preparing slices of French toast one at a time. The fact that it's made in one pan helps to take some of the pressure off the cooking process during the holidays.
This dish is perfect served for breakfast or brunch alongside all of your favorite dishes. It can be enjoyed on its own, or topped with maple syrup and some fresh berries.
Jump to:
- What Is The Best Bread To Use For French Toast?
- Ingredients For Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
- How To Make French Toast Casserole
- How To Make The Custard Mixture
- What Is Cardamom?
- Why Let The Bread Mixture Soak Overnight?
- How Long Does French Toast Casserole Take To Bake?
- What To Serve With French Toast Casserole
- How Long Does This Casserole Last In The Fridge?
- Can It Be Frozen?
- Gluten Free French Toast Casserole

What Is The Best Bread To Use For French Toast?
It's important to use quality bread with some structure when making French toast or French toast casserole. In general, it's recommended to use brioche, challah, French bread, or sourdough.
If possible, it's best to use an entire loaf and cut it into cubes yourself and to let it dry out a bit before adding the custard. This allows the bread to retain it's structure as it soaks up the custard.
Flimsy sliced white bread right from the package will likely become oversaturated in the custard and result in a soggy texture when baked.
This recipe is gluten free and finding a gluten free bread that's suitable for dishes like this one can be tricky. Many brands of gluten free bread have a sub-par taste and texture.
Earlier this year, I discovered the gluten free Brioche-style sweet rolls from Canyon Bakehouse and they are perfect for this Gluten Free French Toast Casserole.
These brioche-style rolls are lightly sweetened, great texture, and contain the same buttery decadence of regular brioche bread. You can find them in the gluten free section of your local grocery store or food coop, or ordered online from Amazon or the retailer.
The Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Hawaiian Rolls are another great option, as are gluten free challah, French bread, or sourdough bread if you can find it. Alternately, you can use your favorite brand of gluten free buns or dinner rolls.
If gluten is not an issue for you, feel free to use a regular loaf of brioche, challah, French bread, or sourdough to make this French toast casserole.

Ingredients For Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
Here's what you'll need to make it.
- 1 lb. Gluten Free Brioche Bread, Buns, or Rolls (or gluten free bread or rolls of choice) (equals 16 oz.)
- 8 Eggs
- 1 ¼ cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 ¼ cups Whole Milk
- 1 Lemon (zest only) (can sub orange zest)
- 1 ¼ tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 ¼ tsp. Cardamom
- ½ packed cup Brown Sugar (or dark brown sugar)
- 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
- 1 Tbsp. Butter (for greasing the casserole dish)
- Maple Syrup for serving (optional)
This recipe calls for 1 lb. (or 16 oz.) of bread. If using the Canyon Bakehouse brioche-style rolls, you will need 2 packages. There are 6 rolls to a package and this recipe calls for 8 rolls.
The great thing about these rolls is that the leftovers can be stored in the freezer and used at a later time.

How To Make French Toast Casserole
As mentioned, this gluten free French toast casserole is super easy to make.
All that's needed is to cut the bread (or rolls) into cubes, place them into a buttered casserole dish, top the bread with the custard mixture and store it in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake it in the oven until the custard is set.
The process of making French toast casserole is very similar to that of bread pudding.
- The first step is to cut 1 lb. of gluten free bread, buns, or rolls into large cubes. It's important that the bread cubes are relatively the same size to ensure that they cook evenly.
- Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch casserole dish with butter. This will prevent the casserole from sticking as it bakes in the oven.
- Place the cubed bread into the casserole dish and spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish.

How To Make The Custard Mixture
You cannot make a French toast casserole without the custard mixture that's poured over the top of the bread. It provides the dish with its irresistible decadent texture and flavor.
This is a simple mixture made with eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, brown sugar, spices, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. It's creamy and has a great balance of sweetness and spice.
This custard is prepared with a mixture of heavy cream and whole milk. The combination of these two ingredients makes for a rich flavor and optimal texture.
You can use half-and-half in place of these two ingredients if needed. It is not recommended to use low-fat milk when making French toast casserole.
- To make the custard, crack 8 eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until completely combined.
- Pour 1 ¼ cup each heavy cream and whole milk into the bowl (alternately, you can use 2 ½ cups half-and-half) and stir until combined.
- Using a Microplane or small grater, zest 1 lemon (or orange) into the bowl.
- Add 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, ½ packed cup light (or dark) brown sugar, 1 ¼ tsp. each ground cinnamon and cardamom, and ¼ tsp. kosher salt to the bowl. Stir all of these ingredients until completely combined.
What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice that's related to ginger and turmeric and is native to Southern India. It's made from the seed pods of the cardamom plant and can be purchased ground or in pods.
It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes and adds delicious flavor to any dish.
If you don't have or can't find cardamom, you can substitute ground nutmeg or allspice, but make sure to reduce the amount to ½ tsp., so as not to overwhelm the dish.


Why Let The Bread Mixture Soak Overnight?
It's important that the bread and egg mixture soak overnight so that the bread properly soaks up the egg mixture. This helps to create the optimal custardy texture that we all know and love about French toast casserole.
If the bread does not soak up enough of the egg mixture, the casserole may become soggy and the bread dry.
For the best results, allow the bread and mixture to soak in the refrigerator for 8 hours. It can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- After the custard is ready, pour it over the bread cubes and stir with a large spoon to make sure that the bread is evenly coated in the custard.
- Wrap the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
- Store at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours before baking.
It may look like you have added too much liquid to the bread at first, but it will absorb the egg mixture as it sits in the fridge overnight.


How Long Does French Toast Casserole Take To Bake?
After the casserole has soaked in the refrigerator overnight, it's time to bake it in the oven.
It's best to remove the casserole from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. This helps to ensure that the casserole bakes evenly.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and allow it to sit at room temperature.
- After 30 minutes, remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish and place it in the oven.
- Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, or until the custard has set and the top of the bread cubes are slightly crispy.
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Baking times may vary slightly, but this casserole should be fully cooked in 45-50 minutes.
The custard mixture in the middle of the casserole should be set and not jiggly at the end of the cooking time. The top of the bread cubes will become golden brown and slightly crispy.

What To Serve With French Toast Casserole
This casserole can be served on its own or with your favorite toppings.
I love it with some maple syrup and fresh berries. Raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries are all great options.
You can also top it with some powdered sugar, homemade whipped cream, yogurt, fruit compote, or any of your favorite syrups.
This French toast casserole is lightly sweetened, so it's great served with savory sides like eggs, hash browns, sausage, or bacon. It's perfect for lunch or brunch.
It's delicious paired with a savory ham and asparagus frittata or Denver omelet egg cups or sweet treats like these baked lemon doughnuts or maple pumpkin scones.
Of course, you can't serve dishes like this one without some coffee or tea.
Love French toast? Check out this Cardamom French Toast and Eggnog French Toast!

How Long Does This Casserole Last In The Fridge?
Any leftover French toast casserole may be stored in an airtight container or in the baking dish tightly covered with tinfoil for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
It may be reheated in the microwave or by placing the baking dish covered with tinfoil in an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and baked just until heated through.
Can It Be Frozen?
Yes, this casserole can be frozen.
How To Freeze
- Prepare the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish (such as a disposable aluminum foil pan) and bake as directed, then allow it to cool completely.
- Wrap both in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, label with the date, and freeze up to three months.
How To Thaw
- Transfer the casserole to the refrigerator 24 hours before reheating and allow it to thaw completely.
- Bake the uncovered casserole for 30 minutes in an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Looking for more breakfast recipes? Don't miss these!
- Buttermilk Bread Pudding
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
- Rhubarb Muffins
- Southwest Sweet Potato Frittata
- Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes
- Apple Streusel Muffins
Looking For More Holiday Breakfast Recipes? Don't Miss These!
Eggs Benedict Casserole
Baked Donuts
Gingerbread Pancakes

Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb. gluten free bread, buns, or rolls such as brioche, challah, or French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- 1 lemon zest only, can use orange zest instead
- 1 ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 ¼ tsp. cardamom
- ½ packed cup brown sugar light or dark
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 Tbsp. butter for greasing casserole dish
- maple syrup for serving, optional
Instructions
- Cut 1 lb. (equals 16 oz.) of gluten free bread, buns, or rolls into large cubes. It's important that the bread cubes are relatively the same size to ensure that they cook evenly.If using Canyon Bakehouse brioche-style rolls, make sure to purchase two packages, as this recipe calls for 8 rolls and there are only 6 to a package. Feel free to freeze the extra rolls and use in another recipe.Can use 1 lb. regular brioche, challah, French bread, or sourdough if not gluten free.
- Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch casserole dish with butter. This will prevent the casserole from sticking as it bakes in the oven.
- Place the cubed bread into the casserole dish and spread it out evenly across the bottom.
- Crack 8 large eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until completely combined. Pour 1 ¼ cup each heavy cream and whole milk into the bowl (alternately, you can use 2 ½ cups half-and-half) and stir until combined.
- Using a Microplane or small grater, zest 1 lemon (or orange) into the bowl.
- Add 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, ½ packed cup light (or dark) brown sugar, 1 ¼ tsp. each ground cinnamon and cardamom, and ¼ tsp. kosher salt to the bowl. Stir all of these ingredients until completely combined.Alternately, you can use ½ tsp. ground nutmeg or allspice in place of the 1 ¼ tsp. cardamom.
- Pour the custard over the bread cubes and stir with a large spoon to make sure that the bread is evenly coated in it.
- Wrap the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Store at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours before baking.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and allow it to sit at room temperature. This helps the casserole to bake more evenly.
- After 30 minutes, remove the plastic wrap from the casserole dish and place it in the oven. Bake the casserole for 45-50 minutes, or until the custard has set and the top of the bread cubes are slightly crispy.
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- To Serve: Serve casserole with maple syrup and some fresh berries (optional).
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