Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole
Make gluten-free French toast casserole effortlessly. Prep overnight, bake in 45 minutes. Dairy-free friendly, packed with berries, and perfect for busy families. Tested, trusted, delicious.
Here’s what changed my weekend mornings: realizing I could assemble breakfast the night before and actually enjoy it instead of rushing through. That’s exactly when I discovered the magic of a gluten-free French toast casserole—no standing at the stove, no scrambling at 7 a.m., and honestly, way more delicious than making individual slices.
You know, as someone cooking for a gluten-free household, I was always hunting for make-ahead breakfast options that didn’t feel like I was compromising on flavor. This gluten-free French toast casserole changed everything.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving morning, hosting a casual brunch with family, or just trying to make your weekdays less hectic, this easy gluten-free French toast casserole is your new best friend. I promise—it tastes like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen, but you haven’t.
Table of Contents
Easy Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
- Oven thermometer (optional but helpful)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 17 oz Gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread about 8 cups loosely packed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk or any plant-based or dairy milk
- 3 large Eggs
- ⅓ cup Pure maple syrup adjust to taste preference
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon adjust for kid-friendly version
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 cup Fresh berries divided (¾ cup for baking, ¼ cup for topping)
- 1 Tbsp Confectioners sugar optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups total). Spread them in a single layer across the sheet.
- Bake the cubes for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly toasted with golden edges. Toasting prevents your gluten-free French toast casserole from becoming soggy while adding subtle depth to the flavor.
- Remove the toasted bread and let cool for a minute. Transfer all cubes to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading them out evenly in a single layer.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until completely smooth. This silky custard is the heart of your gluten-free French toast casserole, so ensure everything is well combined.
- Pour the custard directly over the toasted bread cubes, making sure every piece gets coated. Use a spatula to gently press down on the bread, helping it absorb the liquid like a cozy hug.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (overnight is ideal). This resting period lets the bread fully absorb all cinnamon-maple flavors, transforming your gluten-free French toast casserole into something almost creamy inside.
- Remove the dish from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F. Give the mixture one more gentle press with your spatula to ensure even soaking.
- Top the mixture with ¾ cup fresh berries, reserving ¼ cup for garnish. Bake for 45–50 minutes until the custard is completely set and the top is light golden brown with caramelization at the edges.
- If the top starts browning too quickly (around 30 minutes), loosely tent it with aluminum foil. Your gluten-free French toast casserole should jiggle just slightly in the very center—that’s perfection.
- Let your masterpiece cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing so the custard firms up and each piece holds together beautifully. Top with reserved berries, confectioners sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread, cubed | 17 oz (about 8 cups) |
| Unsweetened almond milk | 1 cup |
| Eggs | 3 large |
| Pure maple syrup | ⅓ cup |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 tsp |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Fresh berries (divided) | 1 cup total |
| Confectioners sugar | 1 Tbsp (optional, for serving) |
Pro tip: A gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread with a slightly denser crumb works best for this casserole—it holds up beautifully to the custard without turning to mush.
Instructions
Prepare the Bread Base
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with your gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread cut into 1-inch cubes (you’ll need about 8 cups of loosely packed pieces). Spread them out in a single layer.
Step 2: Bake those cubes for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they’re lightly toasted and just starting to show golden edges. This step is crucial—toasting the bread before assembling your gluten-free French toast casserole prevents a soggy bottom and adds subtle depth to the flavor.
Step 3: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and let it cool for a minute or two. Then transfer all the cubes to a greased 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading them out evenly.
Make the Custard & Soak Overnight
Step 4: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until everything is completely smooth and well combined. This custard is the soul of your gluten-free French toast casserole, so don’t rush this step.
Step 5: Pour that silky custard mixture directly over the toasted bread cubes, making sure every piece gets coated. Use a spatula to gently press down on the bread, helping it absorb the liquid—think of it as giving the bread a cozy hug.
Step 6: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though overnight is truly where this gluten-free French toast casserole reaches its peak potential. This resting period lets the bread fully absorb all those cinnamon-maple flavors, transforming it into something almost creamy inside.
Bake & Finish
Step 7: Remove the baking dish from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350°F. Give the mixture one more gentle press with your spatula to ensure even soaking.
Step 8: Top the mixture with ¾ cup of your fresh berries, reserving ¼ cup for garnish. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the custard is completely set and the top is a light golden brown with just a hint of caramelization at the edges.
Step 9: If the top starts browning too quickly (usually after about 30 minutes), loosely tent it with aluminum foil to protect it while the center finishes setting. Your gluten-free French toast casserole should jiggle just a tiny bit in the very center when you give the dish a gentle shake.
Step 10: Let your masterpiece cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing—this gives the custard a moment to firm up so each piece holds together beautifully. Top with the reserved berries, a dusting of confectioners sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup if you’re feeling fancy (I always am).
Substitutions For Gluten Free French Toast Casserole
Don’t have cinnamon raisin bread? Use regular gluten-free bread and increase the ground cinnamon to 2½ teaspoons in the custard mixture. You’ll get the same warm spice profile in your gluten-free French toast casserole—honestly, it’s just as delicious.
Swapping out almond milk? Oat milk, cashew milk, or even regular dairy milk all work beautifully as a substitute for the almond milk. Keep the ratio the same—1 cup of whatever plant-based or dairy milk you prefer. Your gluten-free dairy free French toast casserole stays just as creamy and custardy.
Can’t use fresh berries? Frozen berries work wonderfully—just thaw and pat them dry first so they don’t release too much liquid into the casserole. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries—pick whatever makes your heart happy for this gluten-free French toast casserole.
Need to avoid eggs? This is tricky since eggs are the base of the custard, but you could try a vegan egg replacer (like flax or chia eggs) following the package directions. Fair warning: the texture might not be quite identical, but it’s worth experimenting with this gluten-free dairy free French toast casserole.
Troubleshooting Tips For Gluten Free Dairy Free French Toast Casserole
My casserole came out too wet in the center. This usually means the oven temperature was too low or the baking time wasn’t quite long enough. Next time, use an oven thermometer to verify your temperature, and bake until the very center is just set—not jiggly. Your gluten-free French toast casserole should be cooked through but still slightly moist, never runny.
The top got too dark before the inside was done. No problem—that’s what foil is for! Tent it after about 30 minutes of baking to slow the browning while the custard finishes setting. Every oven bakes differently, so adjusting is totally normal.
My bread cubes fell apart or turned to mush. The toasting step is your secret weapon here—it gives the bread structure. If your gluten-free bread is particularly delicate, toast it a minute or two longer. Also, make sure you’re using 1-inch cubes, not smaller, as they hold together better in this gluten-free French toast casserole.
The custard didn’t set properly even after the full baking time. Check that your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer is a game-changer). Also, if your eggs were very cold when you whisked them, they might need an extra 5–10 minutes. A fully set gluten-free French toast casserole feels just slightly jiggly when you gently shake the dish—that’s perfection.
Storage & Meal Prep
Storing leftovers: Cover your leftover gluten-free French toast casserole and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave for 60–90 seconds. It tastes just as good the next day, I promise.
Make-ahead magic: This is the whole point of a gluten-free French toast casserole—assemble it the evening before and store it covered in the fridge overnight. You can even prep it two days ahead if needed. Just bake fresh on the morning you want to serve it, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality breakfast with minimal effort.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
The classic way: Serve each slice warm with a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup, a dusting of confectioners sugar, and those reserved fresh berries on top. Sometimes simple is exactly right for a gluten-free French toast casserole.
Brunch vibes: Pair slices of this casserole with scrambled eggs, a side of turkey sausage, and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast spread. Man, oh man, your guests will think you’ve been cooking for hours.
Coffee companion: A slice of warm gluten-free French toast casserole and a creamy oat milk latte is basically my love language. The cinnamon-maple flavors complement coffee perfectly—comfort in two bites and a sip.
Dessert twist: Leftover cold slices of gluten-free French toast casserole make an unexpectedly delicious impromptu dessert. Top with a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt and you’ve got something special.
Variations For Gluten Free Dairy Free French Toast Bake
Gluten-free dairy free version: Use your favorite dairy-free milk and replace the eggs with a vegan egg replacer—this gives you a gluten-free dairy free French toast casserole that works for most dietary needs. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and custardy.
Kid-friendly casserole: Reduce the cinnamon to 1½ teaspoons and skip the salt if little ones find it too spiced. You could also let kids help press the bread cubes into the dish the night before—they’ll be so excited to eat something they helped make.
Make it extra fancy: Add ½ teaspoon of nutmeg and a pinch of cardamom to your custard for a more sophisticated flavor profile in your gluten-free French toast casserole. A splash of orange zest also works beautifully if you want something unexpected.
Nut-free friendly: If someone in your household is allergic to tree nuts, just substitute the almond milk with oat milk, soy milk, or regular dairy milk. Your gluten-free French toast casserole will be just as satisfying and inclusive for everyone at your table.
Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole FAQs
Can I make this gluten-free French toast casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble it in the baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This is honestly the best part—breakfast prep becomes a breeze the night before.
How do I know when my gluten-free French toast casserole is fully baked?
The egg custard should be set throughout with just a tiny jiggle in the absolute center when you gently shake the dish. Use a toothpick inserted near the center—it should come out clean with no runny custard.
What’s the best way to store leftover gluten-free French toast casserole?
Cover it and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat individual slices in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore that warm, custardy texture, or pop them in the microwave for a quicker fix.
Can I freeze this gluten-free French toast casserole?
Yes! Let it cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 300°F oven for 15–20 minutes.
Why do you toast the bread first?
Toasting gives the bread structure so it doesn’t turn to mush when soaked in the custard. It also adds a subtle depth of flavor that makes your gluten-free French toast casserole taste more sophisticated and developed.
Final Tips for Success
Well, here’s the truth about this gluten-free French toast casserole—it’s honestly one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually foolproof. The overnight soak does most of the heavy lifting, and that toasted bread base guarantees success every single time.
The real magic happens when you realize you can actually rest while breakfast cooks. No more frantic morning scrambles, no more feeling like you’re sacrificing quality for convenience with your gluten-free French toast casserole. You’ve got this, friend.
Looking for more make-ahead breakfast ideas? Check out our collection of gluten-free cookie recipes that work beautifully with morning coffee. If you’re planning a special brunch, our easy dairy-free dessert collection has plenty of options to complement your spread.
According to authoritative nutrition research on whole grain benefits and digestive health, choosing gluten-free options when needed supports better digestion for those with sensitivities. This gluten-free French toast casserole provides a nourishing breakfast that’s gentle on sensitive systems while still tasting absolutely indulgent.
