There’s just something about waking up to the warm, nutty aroma of cinnamon and pecans baked into soft challah that makes mornings feel a little extra special. This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe combines creamy custard-soaked bread with a buttery pecan topping that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

A close-up image shows a white plate with a rich bread pudding made of bright golden-brown toasted bread chunks layered evenly and topped with scattered toasted pecans. A glossy amber syrup is being poured from a glass container by a woman's hand, slowly flowing over the bread pudding, adding shine and wet texture that contrasts with the soft bread. In the background, a white ceramic baking dish holds the rest of the bread pudding, slightly out of focus. A silver fork rests on the white plate near the pudding. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a folded striped cloth napkin nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my first bite, I was hooked on this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe. It has that perfect balance of rich custard, sweet cinnamon, and crunchy pecans that just makes any morning feel like a holiday brunch.

Simplicity: This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require hours of prep, so you can whip it up even on busy mornings.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can soak the bread overnight, making your morning stress-free and freeing you up to enjoy the day.
Perfect Texture: Soft, custardy center with a nutty, crisp pecan topping that adds a satisfying crunch.
Flavor Boost: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla truly elevates the casserole beyond basic French toast.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a golden brown bread pudding topped with scattered chopped pecans. The bread chunks are large, uneven, and have a soft, slightly crisp texture with a toasted surface in various shades of light to dark amber. The chopped pecans are sprinkled evenly over the top, adding a rough texture and deeper brown color contrast. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth partially visible underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in creating this magical dish. The challah bread is my favorite because its slight sweetness and sturdy texture absorb the custard beautifully without turning mushy. And pecans bring nutty depth and a crunchy contrast that’s simply irresistible.

Flat lay of a small loaf of challah bread cut into 1-inch cubes, five whole large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl of brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped pecans, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Challah Bread: Use day-old for the best texture—fresh bread can get too soggy when soaked.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the custard soak.
Milk: Creates a creamy custard base; whole milk works best for richness, but any milk will do.
Brown Sugar: Adds subtle caramel sweetness, perfect when combined with pecans.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor without overpowering.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Classic warming spices that complement the pecans beautifully.
Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and brightens all flavors.
Pecans: Chopped for a delightful crunch and buttery flavor that’s pure comfort food.
Unsalted Butter (or Coconut Oil): For greasing and topping; coconut oil is a lovely alternative if you want a slightly different flavor.
Maple Syrup: The perfect finishing touch to drizzle on top when serving.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is how flexible it is. Feel free to switch up the nuts or add fruits—you can really make it your own brunch superstar.

Nut Variation: I’ve swapped pecans with walnuts or almonds depending on what I have on hand, and it always works beautifully.
Fruit Add-in: Toss in fresh blueberries or sliced apples before baking for a fruity twist that brightens flavors.
Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free option, substitute the milk and butter with almond milk and coconut oil—I’ve done this many times and it turns out just as tasty!
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger for an unexpected flavor twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Layer the Bread

Start by greasing your baking dish thoroughly with butter or coconut oil—this prevents sticking and adds a hint of flavor to the edges. Cut your challah bread into 1-inch cubes; I like to use slightly stale bread because it soaks up the custard better without becoming mushy. Spread the cubes evenly in the dish, making sure there aren’t any clumps so the custard can seep through each piece nicely.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt until smooth and well combined. This is when your kitchen will fill with that warm, welcoming scent of cinnamon and vanilla—my favorite part! Make sure to whisk well so the sugar dissolves and spices distribute evenly.

Step 3: Soak the Bread

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Give the dish a gentle press with a spatula to help the bread absorb the mixture. You can cover and refrigerate it overnight if you want to make it ahead, which I highly recommend for a stress-free morning. If you’re baking it right away, let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to soak well.

Step 4: Add the Pecan Topping and Bake

Mix the melted butter with brown sugar and sprinkle over the soaked bread. Top with chopped pecans evenly for that irresistible crunch. Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes until the topping is golden and the custard is mostly set but still soft and custardy inside.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, I always loosely cover the casserole with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This helps everything set up nicely, making it easier to cut and serve. Drizzle generously with warm maple syrup and enjoy!

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe a total crowd-pleaser. These little touches saved me from soggy bites or bland results.

Day-Old Bread Is Key: Using day-old challah ensures the custard soaks without falling apart. I avoid using fresh bread unless I toast it slightly beforehand.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Even 30 minutes of soaking makes a huge difference, but overnight is the real secret to depth of flavor and perfect texture.
Keep an Eye on the Topping: If the pecans brown too fast, loosely cover the casserole with foil to avoid burning while finishing cooking.
Serve Warm: This casserole is best enjoyed warm; the maple syrup beautifully seeps into every bite.

How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

French toast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my French toast casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar and a handful of fresh berries—the tartness of raspberries or blueberries balances the sweetness perfectly. And of course, a drizzle of warm maple syrup is a must.

Side Dishes

On the side, I love crisp bacon or sausage links for a savory contrast. Sometimes a simple green salad or fresh fruit salad rounds out the meal beautifully without overwhelming the palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I bake this casserole in mini ramekins for individual servings—it’s fun and makes guests feel pampered. Another idea: sprinkle extra chopped pecans and drizzle caramel sauce on top for a decadent twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently to avoid drying it out—more on that below.

Freezing

This casserole freezes well! After baking and cooling, I cut it into portions, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze up to 2 months. It’s a lifesaver for quick breakfasts on busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers in a 325°F oven for 15–20 minutes covered with foil, so it warms evenly without drying out. You can also microwave slices on medium power, but the oven keeps that tender custard texture best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use a gluten-free bread that’s sturdy enough to soak custard, like a gluten-free brioche or challah alternative, to maintain the texture. Sometimes pressing the bread cubes slightly helps them absorb the custard better.

What’s the best bread for this casserole?

I’m partial to challah for its slightly sweet flavor and soft but sturdy texture. Brioche is also fantastic. Avoid sliced sandwich bread as it can become mushy too quickly.

Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes! In fact, letting it soak overnight in the refrigerator develops deeper flavor and gives you a hands-off morning. Just cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and bake it the next day.

How do I keep the pecan topping crunchy after baking?

Make sure to sprinkle the pecans on top just before baking. If your oven tends to brown nuts quickly, cover loosely with foil mid-bake and uncover near the end so they toast but don’t burn. Serve fresh for best crunch!

Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe holds a special place in my brunch rotation because it feels like a treat yet comes together so easily. It’s great for lazy weekend mornings or impressing guests with minimal effort. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do—and remember, don’t skip the pecans—they really make this dish shine.