There’s something so cozy about waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon and pecans wafting through the house. This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is exactly that kind of comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that makes weekends and special mornings feel a little extra special. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to whip up the night before!

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

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe has quickly become one of my favorites for serving family and friends without stressing about multiple pans or last-minute prep. It’s that wonderful mix of buttery, nutty, and sweet flavors with minimal fuss—perfect for hosting or a relaxing weekend brunch.

Make-Ahead Genius: You can assemble it the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning.
Perfect Texture: The challah bread soaks up the custard just right—soft inside with a slightly crispy pecan topping.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy stuff here—just pantry staples and a few fresh additions that come together beautifully.
Feeds a Crowd: Makes enough to serve 8 to 12, ideal for big family breakfasts or brunch parties.

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

Every ingredient in this dish has a role that comes together to create that classic French toast casserole magic. From the rich custard soak to the crunchy pecans on top, you’ll want to pick ingredients that bring freshness and good flavor.

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

Unsalted butter or coconut oil: Great for greasing so nothing sticks and adds a subtle richness.
Challah bread: Slightly sweet and sturdy, challah soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart into mush.
Large eggs: The base of the custard, binding everything together into that luscious texture.
Milk: I like whole milk here for creaminess, but any milk works if that’s what you have.
Brown sugar: Adds warmth and a slight caramel note in both custard and topping.
Vanilla extract: A splash lifts all the flavors and gives a gentle sweetness.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: Classic spices that bring cozy, warming notes.
Sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Chopped pecans: Toasty crunch on top that pairs perfectly with sweet syrup and custard.
Maple syrup: The finishing touch that’s pure breakfast happiness.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is how flexible it is. I often switch up the nuts, spices, or even bread depending on what’s in my pantry or what flavor mood I’m in. It’s all about making it yours!

Variation: I once swapped pecans with chopped walnuts and added a sprinkle of orange zest—an unexpected but delightful twist that my family loved.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut oil and almond milk to make it dairy-free without losing any of that creamy goodness.
Gluten-Free: Gluten-free bread works in a pinch, just make sure it’s sturdy so it can soak up the custard well.
Add Fruit: Toss in fresh berries or sliced apples before baking for added juice and texture.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Bread Cubes

Start by greasing your 9x13 baking dish with butter or coconut oil to prevent sticking. Then cut your challah bread into 1-inch cubes—day-old bread is best because it soaks up the custard without falling apart. Pop the cubes evenly into the pan; this makes sure every bite is luscious and flavorful.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt until everything is fully combined. This custard is where all those classic French toast flavors come alive, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Pour and Soak

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure to coat every piece. For best results, cover and refrigerate overnight so the bread really soaks up the custard. Short on time? Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes—you’ll still get delicious results.

Step 4: Add the Topping and Bake

Drizzle melted butter over the top, sprinkle on the brown sugar and chopped pecans evenly. Cover and bake the casserole at 350°F for 35 minutes. Then uncover and bake another 10 to 20 minutes until the pecans are toasted and the custard mostly set but still custardy—not dry. The wait is worth it!

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, loosely cover with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This lets the casserole finish setting and makes it easier to cut and serve. Grab your favorite maple syrup and dig in!

Top Tip

After making this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference between a good casserole and a standout one. Trust me, these tips will keep you stress-free and thrilled with the results.

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread gets too soggy and can turn mushy. One or two days old is ideal for soaking up the custard perfectly.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the casserole sit after baking helps it set nicely and keeps each slice from falling apart.
Toast Your Pecans: Before adding to the topping, toasting nuts brings out so much more flavor and crunch.
Cover During Baking: This prevents the top from browning too quickly while the inside cooks through.

How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

French toast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple because the casserole itself is brimming with flavor. A drizzle of pure maple syrup is a must for me, and sometimes I sprinkle a little powdered sugar or pop on a few extra toasted pecans for that added crunch and polish.

Side Dishes

To round things out, I love serving it alongside fresh fruit like sliced strawberries or a citrusy fruit salad to cut through the sweetness. Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage are great savory contrasts if you want a heartier brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or breakfast gatherings, I sometimes serve the casserole in individual ramekins right from the oven—that's always impressed guests, plus it means easier serving! Another fun idea is layering in thin apple slices or berries throughout the casserole for little bursts of flavor and color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover casserole keeps well covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always make sure it’s fully cooled before tucking it in airtight containers or wrapping tightly with foil. This keeps the custard creamy and the pecans from getting soggy.

Freezing

You can freeze the casserole either before baking (already soaked) or after baking and cooling. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake until warmed through and crispy on top.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes. This revives the crisp pecan topping while warming the custard inside. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture from turning rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of bread in this French toast casserole?

Absolutely! While challah is ideal for its texture and slight sweetness, brioche, Texas toast, or even rustic white bread can work well. Just choose bread that’s dense enough to hold the custard without becoming mushy.

How far ahead can I prepare this casserole?

You can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it, allowing the bread to soak up all that delicious custard. This makes your morning hassle-free and the flavor even richer.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute coconut oil for butter and use any non-dairy milk to make it dairy-free. Swap challah for gluten-free bread to accommodate gluten-free diets while still enjoying a delicious casserole.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover French toast casserole?

The best way to reheat leftover casserole is in the oven at 325°F for about 15 to 20 minutes to maintain texture and warmth. Microwaving can make it rubbery and less enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe has been a go-to for me whenever I want to feel that cozy weekend vibe without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s forgiving, delicious, and just the kind of dish that brings people together around the table. Give it a try—I promise you’ll be reaching for the recipe again and again.