Gluten-Free French Toast Casserole with Apple Cinnamon (Dairy-Free)

Gluten-free French toast casserole with spiced custard, tender apples, and creamy frosting— tastes just like cinnamon rolls! A healthier, easy to prep and make-ahead breakfast that is a perfect holiday, Mother’s Day, or relaxing morning recipe.

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✋🏼E aí, pessoal! Hey there, friends!

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Patricia, a mom of three who’s spent years perfecting recipes that fit our family’s gluten-free (and mixed diet) lifestyle. Today, we’re sharing our gluten-free French toast casserole, just in time for the holidays! And let me tell you—it’s everything you need for a cozy morning.

Soft bread baked in a spiced custard, bits of tender apple in every bite, and if you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of our creamy frosting on top (dairy-free!).

This french toast breakfast casserole tastes just like a cinnamon roll. Best of all, it is easy to make, prep-ahead friendly, and perfect for holidays, Mother’s Day, or just a lazy Sunday when you don’t want to stress over breakfast.

I came up with this easy gluten-free casserole dish because, let’s be honest, mornings are hectic enough. I needed something that fit our family’s gluten-free and dairy-free needs but didn’t feel like a compromise. But since we are a mixed diet household, I was not sure how it would go over. But everyone, even my gluten-loving kids and husband couldn’t get enough! Now it’s a family favorite! And it gives me major nostalgic vibes—those weekend breakfasts growing up, where everyone stayed at the table just a little longer. This recipe will definitely bring everyone together!

Looking for more breakfast ideas? Check out our gluten-free bagels, healthy buckwheat loaf recipe, or high protein granola!

🍞Ingredients & Flavor Notes

To make our gluten-free French toast casserole, I use a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have on hand! Here is everything you need to make this cozy easy breakfast casserole recipe:

• Gluten-Free Bread: I like to grab a loaf that’s a little stale—day-old bread works best. It soaks up all that custard without turning mushy. We tested this recipe with our easy buckwheat loaf recipe and Little Northern Bakehouse frozen bread. I let it come to room temp and then cubed them.
• Eggs: They hold everything together and give it that classic custard texture.
• Milk of Choice: We tested this recipe with both dairy-free oat milk and regular dairy milk. Both worked great, so use what you’ve got!
• Grated Apple: Our secret add-in! Red apples add natural sweetness and a nice bit of texture. Plus, apples and cinnamon? Always a win.
• Pure Maple Syrup: A little goes a long way to sweeten things up. You can swap it with agave if that’s more your thing.
• Dairy-Free Butter: Used to grease the baking dish! Can also swap for olive oil.
• Cinnamon & Nutmeg: The perfect pairing for that cozy apple cinnamon roll vibe.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a splash brings everything together and help balance out the flavors.
• Salt: Don’t skip it—salt makes all the flavors pop.
• Optional Frosting: We use icing sugar with a tablespoon of oat milk to get the right drizzle consistency.

Ingredient quantities can be found on the recipe card below.

⚠️ Gluten Alert: Double-check that your gluten-free bread is certified gluten-free, and make sure your cinnamon, powdered sugar, and nutmeg are safe from cross-contamination.

👩🏽‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep

Chop up your gluten-free bread into 1-inch cubes. Stale bread works best, so if yours is fresh, let it sit out for a few hours or lightly toast it. Toss the cubes into a greased baking dish and spread them out evenly. Then, using a box grater, grate the apples directly into a bowl—no need to drain.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

In a big mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Give it a good mix—you want the eggs fluffy and the spices evenly blended.

Quick Tip: Use a fork or whisk and go at it for about a minute. The custard should look smooth and have a little foam on top.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the egg mixture custard all over the bread cubes. Use a spatula or your hands to gently toss everything together, ensuring the grated apples are evenly distributed throughout the dish. Then, press the mixture down gently on the top of the bread to make sure all the bread is soaked and there are no air pockets.

Mom Tip: This step is great to get the kids involved—mine love helping press the bread down and sneaking a bite of apple.

Step 4: Let It Chill

Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top. Then, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. Let it sit for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better. The longer it soaks, the creamier it gets.

Step 5: Bake It

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the french toast casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set.

Step 6: Frost & Serve

While the casserole bakes, in a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and oat milk until smooth. Let the french toast casserole cool for about 5 minutes. Then drizzle the frosting, serve warm, and enjoy a delicious breakfast or weekend brunch!

💡Recipe Tips

• Prevent Sogginess: Use slightly stale or toasted gluten-free bread, and avoid oversaturating it with custard.
• Press Down: For best results, after pouring the custard, use your hands to press the bread down gently. This helps it soak up the liquid evenly and prevents dry spots.
• Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Letting the French toast casserole sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight) is key to a creamy, custard-like texture.
• Distribute Apples Evenly: Make sure to mix the French toast casserole before baking. This ensures every bite has a balance of sweetness and flavor.
• Don’t Overdo the Frosting: A light drizzle of frosting goes a long way. If you add too much, it might overpower the apple and cinnamon flavors.
• Avoid Dryness: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the first 25-30 minutes of baking, then uncover to brown the top.
• Let It Rest After Baking: Let the casserole cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing. This gives the custard time to set, making it easier to serve.

🍴Recipe Pairing Ideas

1. Creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate: Cozy mornings call for a warm drink, and this dairy-free hot chocolate is rich, satisfying, and kid-approved.
2. One-Bowl Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
   For variety, serve a fruity, creamy option alongside the casserole. These oats are perfect for guests who want something light.
3. Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie: A creamy, nutty smoothie that’s both indulgent and healthy, making it a perfect drink for pairing with the french toast casserole.
4. Healthy Blueberry Raspberry Smoothie: A refreshing, antioxidant-packed smoothie that adds a fruity, tart balance to the richness of the casserole.