This vegan French toast casserole is a perfect easy recipe to keep in your back pocket when you need a cozy breakfast. Perfect for special occasions, snow days, or regular old weekends; it’s a recipe that’s sure to be a family favorite!
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It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Yep….the most wonderful, busy, festive, hustle bustle time of the year! Today someone asked me if I had any fun plans for the weekend and I replied “yes, too many!” The calendar is packed full and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everything is fun this month! But it makes for some very busy days, and anything I can do to make them a little bit easier helps! Like this vegan french toast casserole! Super simple to throw together, and out comes a yummy gourmet breakfast with no fuss.
How Do you Make an Vegan French Toast Casserole?
Vegan French Toast Casserole is really easy to put together! Be sure to plan ahead—it’s best when soaked overnight! Otherwise it’s really easy. First I slice some bread and pop it in a casserole dish. Then I whisk together non-dairy milk, maple syrup, the zest of an orange if I have one on hand, and vanilla and almond extracts. Pour it over the dish of sliced bread and refrigerate overnight! In the morning while the oven is preheating it I sprinkle my Cinnamon Sugar Toast Topping on top! Pop it in the oven for 25 minutes and it’s done. Easy peasy!
What type of bread is best for a French Toast Casserole?
I use a baguette for my bread of choice. It’s already small in diameter, so the slices are perfect individual servings. It’s also a bit tougher than some breads, and it holds up well to soaking overnight in the French toast “sauce.” You could use other breads that you have on hand—that’s the beauty of this easy recipe—but when I have a choice a baguette is the winner!
Full of flavor!
This simple dish is full of flavor! When I made this last my husband walked into the kitchen and said “the whole house smells like a bakery!” High praise! The almond extract gives it a really yummy, baked all day kind of flavor (but skip this if you need to keep it nut free!). The cinnamon sugar is oh so warm, cozy, and yummy. And the orange zest gives it a brightness that elevates it from “beige food status.” I like to zest a little more on top as well!
A Perfect Cozy Breakfast!
This overnight baked french toast is perfect for a cozy morning! I plan to make it this year for our Christmas morning breakfast—it can bake while the boys open presents! Last week I made it when we had a delayed start due to snow. I popped it in the oven while we were getting ready for school and the oven did all the work! It was a perfect treat before the boys bundled up into their coats (yes, they actually agreed to wear coats that day!) and headed off to school!
More Festive Vegan Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Buttercream Frosting
- Vanilla French Toast with Strawberry Sauce
- Vegan Cranberry Orange Muffins
- Eggnog Latte Granola
- TikTok Cinnamon Rolls — with Vegan Eggnog!
- Vegan Monkey Bread with Apples and Cranberries
- Spice Cookie Granola
- Apple Streusel Muffins
- Peppermint Mocha Creamer — Dairy Free!
Let’s Make a Vegan French Toast Casserole!
Are you ready? You’re just a few easy steps away from enjoying this yummy French toast casserole! Leave me a note in the comments below and let me know how you like it!
Vegan French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 1 baguette loaf (or other firm, crusty bread)
- 2 cups non dairy milk
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional, omit to keep this nut free)
- 1 orange, zested (and more for garnish if desired)
For the Topping:
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
The night before...
- Slice the baguette into thick 1 or 1 1/2 inch slices. Arrange in one single layer in a large baking dish. You can cut some of the pieces to fit and squeeze scraps between the gaps in the slices to fill it up if you wish.
- Mix together the non dairy milk, maple syrup, vanilla and almond extracts, and zest of the orange.
- Pour the liquid over the bread, being sure to get each piece of bread wet.
- Cover with plastic wrap touching the bread and use your hands to press the bread down to absorb the liquid.
- Refrigerate overnight.
The next morning....
- Preheat the oven to 425º.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the french toast. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the bread, trying to cover it all.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Most of the sugar will melt and caramelize.
- Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle additional orange zest over top, and serve with maple syrup and fruit if desired. Enjoy!
A previous version of this recipe appeared in February 2014. I have reworked this to be an entirely different recipe (the previous version had a tofu filling and is no longer my favorite!). However, if you are interested in the old recipe please email me at sarah @ frieddandelions . com and I will be sure to help you out!
