Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Make this stunning gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole for holiday breakfasts! Crispy crumb topping, fluffy custard, and sweet glaze perfection.
Picture this: it’s Christmas morning, your kitchen smells like cinnamon and vanilla, and you’re serving something so impressive that your guests think you’ve been up since dawn. That’s exactly what happened when I first made this gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole—everyone asked for the recipe, and I realized I’d stumbled onto something truly special.
This gluten-free French toast casserole recipe combines all the cozy vibes of traditional cinnamon roll French toast with zero stress. You’ve got layers of toasted gluten-free bread soaked in a silky custard, topped with a buttery crumb topping that gets perfectly golden and crispy.
Whether you’re hosting brunch for a crowd or treating your family to a special weekend breakfast, this gluten-free dessert casserole delivers pure comfort and joy. It’s naturally dairy-free friendly, incredibly easy to customize, and guaranteed to become your new favorite gluten-free breakfast solution.
Table of Contents
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- 13×9 inch baking dish
- Small bowl
- Large measuring cup or medium bowl
- Whisk
- Oven
- Toothpick
- Gluten-free cooking spray
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 1 loaf Gluten-free bread, toasted
- ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
Egg Mixture
- 6 large Eggs, whisked
- 2 cups Milk (dairy-free or regular) use almond, cashew, or coconut milk for dairy-free
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp Pure vanilla extract
Crumb Topping
- 1 cup All-purpose gluten-free flour Pillsbury brand recommended
- ½ cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Unsalted butter, melted
Glaze
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Milk (dairy-free or regular) use almond, cashew, or coconut milk for dairy-free
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and cut one loaf of gluten-free bread into small, bite-sized pieces. The size doesn’t need to be perfect—you’re going for texture and absorption rather than precision here.
- Spread the gluten-free bread pieces evenly on an ungreased baking sheet and toast them for 5–10 minutes until nicely golden and crispy. Watch your oven closely since all ovens bake differently, and pull the bread out when it’s toasted but not burnt. Set the toasted pieces aside—they’re about to become the foundation of this gluten-free French toast casserole.
- Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray, then mix together ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture on the bottom of your dish, then add your toasted bread pieces on top, creating an even layer that’ll catch all those delicious flavors.
- In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This custardy mixture is what transforms your gluten-free bread into a creamy, indulgent breakfast that tastes absolutely luxurious.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces, making sure every piece gets thoroughly soaked in that golden custard. This is where the magic happens—the bread absorbs all those cinnamon-vanilla flavors and becomes something absolutely wonderful.
- In a small bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter, stirring until the mixture looks like wet crumbs. This topping will bake up into a crispy, buttery layer that adds incredible texture to your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly across the top of your casserole, then place it on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, watching for the edges to pull away from the pan and the toothpick test to come out clean—this gluten-free French toast casserole with bread is done when it’s firm and not jiggly.
- While the casserole bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a small bowl until you have a smooth, pourable consistency. You want it thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle beautifully.
- Let your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole cool for a few minutes, then drizzle the glaze generously over the top. This sweet, silky topping is the finishing flourish that makes every slice feel special.
Notes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bottom Layer | |
| Gluten-free bread, toasted | 1 loaf |
| Brown sugar, packed | ½ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tbsp |
| Egg Mixture | |
| Large eggs, whisked | 6 |
| Milk (dairy-free or regular) | 2 cups |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 tbsp |
| Crumb Topping | |
| All-purpose gluten-free flour | 1 cup |
| Brown sugar, packed | ½ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Unsalted butter, melted | ½ cup |
| Glaze | |
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Milk (dairy-free or regular) | 2 tbsp |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Bread
Preheat your oven to 350°F and cut one loaf of gluten-free bread into small, bite-sized pieces. The size doesn’t need to be perfect—you’re going for texture and absorption rather than precision here.
Step 2: Toast Your Bread
Spread the gluten-free bread pieces evenly on an ungreased baking sheet and toast them for 5–10 minutes until nicely golden and crispy. Watch your oven closely since all ovens bake differently, and pull the bread out when it’s toasted but not burnt. Set the toasted pieces aside—they’re about to become the foundation of this gluten-free French toast casserole.
Step 3: Create Your Base Layer
Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray, then mix together ½ cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture on the bottom of your dish, then add your toasted bread pieces on top, creating an even layer that’ll catch all those delicious flavors.
Step 4: Make the Custard
In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This custardy mixture is what transforms your gluten-free bread into a creamy, indulgent breakfast that tastes absolutely luxurious.
Step 5: Pour and Soak
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces, making sure every piece gets thoroughly soaked in that golden custard. This is where the magic happens—the bread absorbs all those cinnamon-vanilla flavors and becomes something absolutely wonderful.
Step 6: Build Your Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter, stirring until the mixture looks like wet crumbs. This topping will bake up into a crispy, buttery layer that adds incredible texture to your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole.
Step 7: Top and Bake
Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly across the top of your casserole, then place it on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, watching for the edges to pull away from the pan and the toothpick test to come out clean—this gluten-free French toast casserole with bread is done when it’s firm and not jiggly.
Step 8: Make Your Glaze
While the casserole bakes, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a small bowl until you have a smooth, pourable consistency. You want it thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle beautifully.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Let your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole cool for a few minutes, then drizzle the glaze generously over the top. This sweet, silky topping is the finishing flourish that makes every slice feel special.
Substitutions for Your Kitchen
Dairy-Free Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole
Swap the regular milk for unsweetened almond, cashew, or coconut milk in both the egg mixture and glaze. Your gluten-free French toast casserole recipe will be just as creamy and delicious, with a subtly different flavor profile depending on which alternative you choose.
Egg-Free Version
Replace the 6 eggs with a flax or chia egg mixture (6 tablespoons ground flax or chia seeds mixed with 18 tablespoons water, then let sit for 10 minutes). The custard won’t be quite as rich, but this gluten-free dessert casserole will still bake up beautifully and taste wonderful.
Bread Swap Options
Use any gluten-free bread you love—brioche, sourdough, or even store-bought gluten-free sandwich bread all work beautifully. The key is toasting it first to give your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole structure and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Brown Butter Magic
Well, if you want to elevate this gluten-free French toast casserole with bread, try browning your butter in a small saucepan until it’s nutty and fragrant, then use it in both the crumb topping and glaze. This adds incredible depth and sophistication to every single bite.
Make-It-Spicy Sugar-Free
Replace the brown and granulated sugars with coconut sugar or allulose in a one-to-one ratio to keep this gluten-free dessert casserole lower in refined sugars. You won’t notice much difference in flavor or texture, but you’ll feel better about what you’re serving.
Troubleshooting Tips
The Casserole Looks Watery in the Middle
If your gluten-free French toast casserole seems too wet when you check it partway through baking, it might need a few extra minutes. The custard sets as it cooks, so don’t panic—just keep baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
My Crumb Topping Isn’t Crispy
A soft crumb topping usually means it didn’t get enough butter or the oven temperature is running cool. Next time, try increasing the melted butter by a tablespoon or two, and make sure your oven is actually at 350°F with an oven thermometer.
The Bread Is Still Too Soggy
If your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole turned out mushier than you’d like, toast your bread a bit longer next time. Firmer bread holds its shape better during soaking and baking.
The Glaze Is Too Thick or Too Thin
Simply adjust by adding more milk to thin it out or more powdered sugar to thicken it up. You want it to drizzle beautifully without pooling or being impossible to spread.
Storage and Make-Ahead Magic
Refrigerator Storage
Your gluten-free French toast casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days when covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole thing gently in a 300°F oven until heated through.
Freezing for Later
Prepare your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole completely through step 7 (before baking), cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 15–20 minutes to the baking time until a toothpick comes out clean.
Overnight Assembly
Assemble your casserole the night before (through step 5), cover it, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply add the crumb topping and bake as directed—this makes holiday breakfasts incredibly stress-free.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Breakfast Presentation
Serve your gluten-free French toast casserole with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a classic brunch experience. The combination of warm spice and cool, creamy toppings is absolutely divine.
Fancy Brunch Setup
Pair this gluten-free dessert casserole with fresh fruit, breakfast meats, and mimosas for an elegant holiday brunch. Cut it into neat squares on a pretty platter, and your guests will think you’ve taken a fancy culinary course.
Cozy Family Breakfast
Serve warm squares straight from the pan with coffee and toast for an intimate family morning. There’s something wonderfully comforting about this gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole that feels like a warm hug.
Variations to Explore
Caramel Drizzle Dream
Skip the vanilla glaze and drizzle warm caramel sauce over your gluten-free French toast casserole instead. This transforms it into something closer to a decadent dessert—perfect for special occasions.
Eggnog French Toast Edition
Substitute the milk in the egg mixture with eggnog (dairy-free works too!) for a festive holiday twist on your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole. The result is richer and more indulgent, perfect for Christmas or New Year’s brunch.
Nutty Pecan Topping
Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to your crumb topping mixture before sprinkling it over the casserole. Man, oh man, the crunch and nuttiness add such a wonderful dimension to this gluten-free French toast casserole with bread.
Maple Cinnamon Glaze
Swap the vanilla in the glaze for ½ teaspoon pure maple extract and drizzle it over your gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole for a more autumnal twist. This variation pairs beautifully with a Thanksgiving breakfast spread.
Apple Cinnamon Swirl
Layer thin apple slices between the bread and custard mixture, adding an extra teaspoon of cinnamon to the egg mixture. You know, this takes your gluten-free French toast casserole recipe in a beautiful fresh-fruit direction.
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole FAQs
Can I use store-bought gluten-free bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought gluten-free sandwich bread works perfectly in this gluten-free French toast casserole recipe. Just make sure to toast it first, as it tends to be softer than homemade bread and needs that extra firmness.
How do I know when this gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole is done?
Use the toothpick test—insert one into the center and it should come out clean. You’ll also see the edges pulling away from the pan and the casserole will feel firm, not jiggly in the middle when you gently shake the pan.
Can I make this gluten-free dessert casserole for a crowd?
Yes! Simply double the recipe and use two 9×13 baking dishes, or use a larger commercial-size pan. The baking time should remain similar, though you might need to add a few extra minutes for a larger volume.
Is this gluten-free French toast casserole with bread dairy-free?
As written, no—it contains milk and butter. However, swapping those for dairy-free alternatives makes it completely dairy-free while maintaining the same delicious result and texture.
Can I assemble this the night before?
Yes! Assemble through step 5, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Just add the crumb topping in the morning and bake. This makes holiday entertaining so much easier.
Final Thoughts
You know, this gluten-free cinnamon roll French toast casserole has genuinely changed how I approach breakfast entertaining. There’s something special about serving something that tastes indulgent but requires minimal hands-on effort. Your guests will be blown away, and you’ll get to actually enjoy the morning instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
This gluten-free French toast casserole recipe proves that impressive breakfast doesn’t require fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. It’s warm, it’s welcoming, and it’s exactly what your holiday table deserves. For more inspiring gluten-free breakfast ideas, explore our expert guide to gluten-free sandwich bread or check out our collection of easy dairy-free desserts for other crowd-pleasing options.
