Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole – Cozy Fall Breakfast or Brunch
Few dishes capture the warmth of autumn mornings like a Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole. Combining fluffy bread, creamy pumpkin custard, and cozy fall spices, this make-ahead dish is perfect for breakfast or brunch. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, serving a weekend treat, or preparing a stress-free morning meal, this casserole delivers comfort and flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This casserole is easy, festive, and guaranteed to impress. It’s baked to golden perfection with a spiced pumpkin custard base, then finished with a slightly crisp top. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it can be prepped ahead of time so your morning is relaxed and stress-free.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of this casserole provides cozy indulgence balanced with seasonal pumpkin goodness. Rich in flavor but lighter than traditional desserts, it’s a comforting way to enjoy pumpkin spice without overindulging.
Time Breakdown
This casserole keeps things simple with minimal active work. With just a few minutes of prep and less than an hour in the oven, you’ll have a delicious fall-inspired breakfast ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time (optional, for overnight prep): 4–12 hours
- Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus optional chill time)
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients are simple and familiar, making this recipe approachable. With bread, pumpkin purée, eggs, milk, and spices, you’ll create a casserole that feels homemade and full of seasonal flavor.
- Bread (day-old brioche or challah works best)
- Pumpkin purée
- Eggs
- Milk or cream
- Pumpkin spice blend
- Maple syrup or brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
✅ Condensed Grocery Checklist
Shopping for this recipe is easy thanks to a short list of essentials. With a loaf of bread, pumpkin purée, and a few pantry basics, you’ll have everything you need to whip up this cozy dish.
- Bread (brioche, challah, or French bread)
- Pumpkin purée
- Eggs
- Milk/cream
- Maple syrup or brown sugar
- Pumpkin spice mix
- Vanilla extract
How to Make – Step by Step
This recipe comes together in just a few steps: cut the bread, whisk the custard, pour it over, and bake. The process is simple yet rewarding, delivering warm and fragrant results every time.
- Cut bread into cubes and place them into a greased baking dish.
- Whisk together pumpkin purée, eggs, milk, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the custard over the bread, ensuring every piece is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (optional for deeper flavor).
- Bake until golden brown and slightly crisp on top.
- Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
This casserole is flexible, so you can adapt it to your tastes. Whether you want to make it dairy-free, less sweet, or extra crunchy with nuts or streusel, there’s room to customize.
- Bread: Try sourdough for a tangier flavor.
- Dairy-Free: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
- Sweetness: Swap maple syrup for honey or agave.
- Texture: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or streusel topping for crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this dish with toppings that complement its cozy flavor. From fresh fruit and maple syrup to whipped cream or cream cheese glaze, there are plenty of ways to dress it up.
- A drizzle of warm maple syrup
- Fresh berries for a burst of color
- Whipped cream or cream cheese glaze
- A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for extra coziness
Storing Tips
Leftovers keep well, so you can enjoy this dish beyond brunch. Store it in the fridge for a few days or freeze portions for a quick and easy breakfast later on.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap individual portions and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Chef’s Special Tips
A few small tricks make this casserole even better. Using day-old bread, letting it soak overnight, and adding a crunchy topping can transform it into a standout fall recipe.
- Use slightly stale bread for the best texture, it soaks up the custard without becoming mushy.
- Allowing the casserole to sit overnight enhances the flavors.
- For an extra treat, add a streusel topping of butter, flour, sugar, and cinnamon before baking.
Conclusion
This Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole is the perfect combination of cozy flavors, simple prep, and festive presentation. Whether for a holiday brunch, a fall weekend breakfast, or a cozy family gathering, it’s sure to become a seasonal favorite. Try it this weekend, share it with loved ones, and let the flavors of pumpkin spice bring warmth to your table! Don’t forget to save this recipe and explore more of my fall-inspired breakfasts.