There’s something irresistibly cozy about waking up to a warm, buttery bake that fills the kitchen with sweet, nutty aromas. This French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe has quickly become my go-to for those lazy weekend brunches where you want to impress but keep it easy. It combines soft, custardy bread with a crunchy, caramelized pecan topping that’s just pure magic.

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 French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe has saved my weekend mornings. It’s comforting, simple, and perfect for gatherings or treating yourself to a little extra warmth in the morning.

Effortless Prep: You can assemble it the night before so the flavors really soak in, making your morning stress-free.
Crispy, Nutty Topping: The pecan and brown sugar crust adds a delightful crunch that balances the soft bread inside.
Small Ingredient List: Using staple ingredients means you can whip this up with what’s already in your pantry.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weekend treat or a holiday brunch, this casserole fits right in.

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

Every ingredient in this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe plays a part in making it rich and flavorful. Picking the right bread and spices sets the tone, while the pecans add a wonderful texture contrast.

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: Its slightly sweet, soft texture soaks up the custard perfectly while holding its shape.
Eggs: They create the custard base that binds everything together with a silky richness.
Milk: Adds moisture and lightness to the custard without being too heavy.
Brown sugar: Enhances sweetness and caramelizes beautifully in the topping and bake.
Vanilla extract: Provides a warm, fragrant depth of flavor that’s essential in any French toast.
Cinnamon & nutmeg: Classic spices that add cozy warmth and a hint of spice.
Unsalted butter or coconut oil: Used both for greasing and the topping to get that golden crust and rich flavor.
Pecans: Toasty nuts that create a crunchy, sweet topping you can’t resist.
Sea salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and highlights all the flavors.
Maple syrup (for serving): Because everything’s better with a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

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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 of the best parts about this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I often swap pecans for walnuts depending on what I have, or add a handful of dried cranberries for a tart burst.

Variation: I once doubled the cinnamon and swapped the nutmeg for allspice — it created a cozy, almost chai-like flavor that my whole family enjoyed.
Dietary option: Use coconut oil instead of butter to make it dairy-free, and almond milk works great in place of cow’s milk.
Seasonal change: Top with sliced fresh apples or pears before baking for a fruity twist in autumn or winter.

Step-by-Step: How I Make French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bread and Pan

Begin by greasing your baking dish with butter or coconut oil—it makes clean-up easier and helps the casserole get those beautifully browned edges. I like using a 9x13 inch dish for plenty of surface area. Cut your challah into 1-inch cubes, ideally a day or two old so it absorbs the custard better without sogginess. Toss them into the pan evenly.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard Mixture

Grab a large bowl and whisk your eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until everything is fully blended. The brown sugar helps caramelize the topping while the spices add warmth. Pour this mixture evenly over your bread, pressing down lightly to make sure it soaks in well.

Step 3: Let It Soak (Patience Is Key!)

If you’re not baking right away, cover your dish tightly and pop it in the fridge overnight. This soak time lets every cube soak up all that custard flavor—making the casserole moist and custardy inside. If you’re short on time, let it sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes, though overnight is definitely better.

Step 4: Add the Pecan Topping and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Drizzle melted butter over the top, then sprinkle with brown sugar and chopped pecans evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes to ensure the inside sets gently. Remove the foil and bake another 10–20 minutes so the topping gets golden and crunchy—watch closely to prevent burning.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

After pulling it from the oven, cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes. This little pause makes slicing cleaner and lets flavors marry perfectly. Serve warm with plenty of maple syrup on the side—it’s the finishing touch that takes this from good to unforgettable.

Top Tip

I’ve made this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe countless times and the biggest game-changer is letting it soak overnight. It transforms the texture and flavor. Here are a few more tips to make your casserole extra special:

Bread Choice Matters: Using stale but not dried-out challah is key for the right texture—avoid fresh bread for soaking or it gets mushy.
Even Coating: Make sure to whisk the custard thoroughly so cinnamon and sugar aren’t clumpy and get evenly distributed in every bite.
Watch Your Topping: Brown sugar and pecans can burn quickly when uncovered—keep an eye on it and tent foil if it browns too fast.
Resting Time: Don’t skip the resting step after baking—it lets the custard set and cool just enough for clean slices.

How to Serve French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

French Toast Casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a simple dusting of powdered sugar along with a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes I’ll add fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream when serving guests—makes it feel extra indulgent without fuss.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with a fresh fruit salad or crispy bacon if you like a salty contrast. For a heartier brunch, roasted breakfast potatoes or a green salad with a light vinaigrette add a nice balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive brunch, I like to bake this in mini ramekins for individual servings topped with extra pecans. Another fun idea is layering fresh fruit between the bread cubes before baking to create colorful surprises inside.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’ve found that the flavor even deepens after a day. Just be sure to cover well so the pecan topping stays crisp-ish.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole both before and after baking. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven—still tastes great!

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes covered with foil to avoid drying out. For a quick fix, the microwave works too but you lose some of that topping crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bread other than challah in this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe?

Absolutely! While challah is ideal for its texture and flavor, brioche, Texas toast, or even thick-cut white bread can work well. Just make sure the bread is a day or two old so it soaks up the custard properly without falling apart.

How far in advance can I prepare this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe?

You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. This overnight soak really enhances the flavors and texture, so it's actually better the next day!

Can I make this French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Replace the unsalted butter with coconut oil and use your favorite plant-based milk instead of cow's milk. This swaps out the dairy but keeps the recipe just as delicious.

What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes to keep it moist and protect the pecan topping from burning. The microwave is faster but may soften the topping.

Final Thoughts

This French Toast Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s like a warm hug on a plate. It’s easy enough for any weekend, elegant enough for company, and endlessly customizable to suit your taste. I’m confident you’ll find yourself making it again and again—just like I do—because nothing beats breakfast that fills both your belly and your heart.