Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

This easy Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is the ultimate cozy fall breakfast. Thick cubes of Texas toast are soaked in a creamy pumpkin spice custard, topped with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon crumble, and baked until golden on top and soft and custardy in the center.

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If you love pumpkin recipes but don’t want to stand over the stove flipping individual pieces of French toast, this pumpkin French toast bake is such an easy alternative. Everything comes together in one baking dish, and you can even assemble it the night before for an easy overnight pumpkin French toast casserole.

It’s perfect for a slow fall weekend, feeding a crowd for brunch, or serving on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning. Add warm maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar and you have one of those cozy fall breakfasts everyone will want seconds of.

If you’re looking for more easy fall breakfast ideas, try my 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Donuts, Pumpkin Coffee Cake Muffins, or Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast next!

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

There is so much to love about this easy fall breakfast:

• Easy to make: There’s no standing at the stove flipping French toast. Just assemble everything in one baking dish and let the oven do the work.
• Perfect for fall: Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg give every bite that warm pumpkin spice flavor.
• Soft and custardy: The thick pieces of Texas toast soak up the pumpkin custard while staying soft and fluffy in the center.
• That crumble topping: A buttery brown sugar and cinnamon crumble gives the casserole a sweet, slightly crisp topping.
• Great for a crowd: One 9×13-inch casserole makes plenty for a family breakfast or holiday brunch.
• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning.
• Perfect for the holidays: This is an easy Thanksgiving or Christmas morning breakfast when you don’t want to spend all morning in the kitchen.

Ingredients You Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy pumpkin French toast casserole. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

For the Pumpkin French Toast

• Texas toast or Brioche Bread: Thick-sliced bread is perfect for French toast casserole because it absorbs the pumpkin custard without completely falling apart. Slightly stale bread works even better.
• Eggs: Form the base of the custard and help the French toast casserole set as it bakes.
• Pumpkin puree: Gives the casserole its pumpkin flavor and helps create a rich, creamy custard. Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
• Lifeway Plain Whole Milk Kefir: Adds creaminess to the pumpkin custard along with a slight tang that balances the sweetness. You can substitute an equal amount of whole milk if you don’t have kefir.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to the pumpkin custard without making the casserole overly sweet.
• Cinnamon: Gives the casserole that classic warm fall flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the pumpkin and spices.
• Ground cloves: You only need a little to add depth to the pumpkin spice flavor.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds another layer of cozy fall spice.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.

For the Brown Sugar Crumble

• Brown sugar: Melts into a sweet, caramel-like topping as the casserole bakes.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the crumble its structure.
• Cinnamon: Adds another layer of warm cinnamon flavor.
• Butter: Creates a rich, buttery crumble that gets golden on top.

How to Make Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

1. Prepare the Bread

Preheat your oven and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cut the Texas toast into approximately 1-inch cubes and arrange the bread evenly throughout the baking dish.

Slightly stale bread is especially good for French toast casserole because it can absorb more of the custard without becoming overly soft.

2. Make the Pumpkin Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, kefir, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg and salt.

Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the pumpkin is completely incorporated.

3. Pour the Custard Over the Bread

Slowly pour the pumpkin mixture evenly over the bread cubes.

Gently toss the bread to make sure all of the pieces are coated, then lightly press the bread down into the custard.

Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before baking. This gives the thick pieces of Texas toast time to absorb the pumpkin custard.

4. Make the Brown Sugar Crumble

While the bread is soaking, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and softened butter in a small bowl.

Use a fork or your fingertips to work everything together until a crumbly mixture forms.

Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the top of the casserole.

5. Bake

Bake the pumpkin French toast casserole uncovered until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

If the crumble begins getting too dark before the center has finished baking, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.

6. Serve

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven.

Serve it warm with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Watch How to Make It

Expert Tips for the Best Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

• Use thick bread: Thin sandwich bread can become mushy after soaking in the custard. Thick Texas toast, brioche or challah will give you a much better texture.
• Slightly stale bread works best: Day-old bread absorbs the pumpkin custard without becoming overly soft. If your bread is very fresh, cube it and leave it uncovered for a few hours before assembling the casserole.
• Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling: Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices and will change the sweetness and flavor of the recipe.
• Give the bread time to soak: Even if you’re baking the casserole right away, let it sit before putting it in the oven so the custard can soak into the center of the bread.
• Don’t overbake it: The center should be set but still soft and custardy. Overbaking can make French toast casserole dry.
• Cover the top if needed: If the crumble starts getting too brown before the center is ready, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Let it rest before serving: Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes after baking so the custard can finish setting and the casserole is easier to serve.

Variations

• Add pecans: Mix chopped pecans into the brown sugar crumble for extra crunch and even more fall flavor.
• Add chocolate chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips throughout the bread before pouring the pumpkin custard over the top.
• Make a maple glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with maple syrup and a splash of kefir or whole milk, then drizzle it over the casserole before serving.
• Add cream cheese: Tuck small cubes of cream cheese between the pieces of bread before adding the pumpkin custard.
• Add extra crunch: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the top before baking.
• Add more pumpkin spice: If you really love warm fall spices, add a little pumpkin pie spice to the custard along with the cinnamon.

What to Serve with Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

Because this casserole is sweet and rich, I love pairing it with something savory or fresh to balance everything out.

• Crispy bacon
• Breakfast sausage
• Scrambled eggs
• Fresh berries
• Sliced apples
• Fresh fruit salad
• Greek yogurt
• Hot coffee
• Apple cider
• Mimosas for brunch

For Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, keep it simple with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and a big bowl of fresh fruit.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make ahead: Assemble the bread and pumpkin custard in the baking dish, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Prepare the crumble separately and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Sprinkle the crumble over the casserole just before it goes into the oven.
• Baking from the refrigerator: If the casserole has been refrigerated overnight, it may need a few additional minutes in the oven because the baking dish and ingredients are cold.
• Refrigerator: Store leftover pumpkin French toast casserole in an airtight container or tightly cover the baking dish. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
• Reheating: Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. For several servings, reheat the casserole in the oven until warmed through to help maintain more of the texture of the crumble topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of bread for pumpkin French toast casserole?

Yes. Brioche, challah or another thick-cut white bread can be used instead of Texas toast. The most important thing is choosing a sturdy bread that can absorb the pumpkin custard without completely falling apart.

Why is my French toast casserole soggy in the middle?

A soggy center can happen if the casserole hasn’t baked long enough or if the bread was especially soft and fresh. The center should look set rather than wet before you remove it from the oven. Using thick, slightly stale bread will also help give you the best texture.

Do I need to toast the bread before making French toast casserole?

You don’t have to toast the bread, especially if your Texas toast is already slightly stale. If you’re starting with very fresh, soft bread, however, drying it out first can help it absorb the pumpkin custard without becoming mushy. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and lightly dry them in the oven before assembling the casserole. Slightly dry bread is commonly recommended for French toast casseroles because it holds up better once the custard is added.

You’ll Also Love

If you love easy breakfast recipes, try these next:

• Croissants Breakfast Casserole
• Lemon Blueberry French Toast
• Baked Bagel Egg in the Hole