French Toast Croissant Casserole Recipe

French Toast Croissant Casserole is the kind of recipe I make when I want something nice but don’t feel like spending ages in the kitchen. It’s simple: croissants soaked in a creamy vanilla custard, baked until they’re golden and soft inside, then topped with fresh berries.

It’s the sort of thing you can throw together with ingredients you probably already have. Plus, it’s perfect if you’ve got a few croissants going slightly stale—don’t bin them, use them! This Easy French Toast Croissant Casserole works just as well for lazy mornings as it does for feeding a group at brunch.

It’s especially handy around the holidays (like Easter or Christmas) when you’ve got guests or want to prep breakfast ahead of time. You can make it the night before and bake it fresh the next day. My kids adore all things "French toast", so I have another great recipe of it - with mascarpone and cherries.

Ingredients

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients and why they’re ideal for this French toast croissant casserole:

• Croissants: Slightly dry croissants are perfect because they soak up all the custard without going soggy. Day-old bakery ones are great—and usually cheaper too. Check your local bakery or grocery store just before closing, they might have reduced croissants. I usually buy reduced to clear from Tesco's bakery. This ones I also tried, they are good.
• Eggs: These give the casserole structure and that classic French toast texture.
• Milk & Cream: Using both keeps the custard rich but still pourable and light enough to bake evenly.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, subtle sweetness and makes your kitchen smell amazing while it bakes.
• Light Brown Sugar: Brings in a caramel-like sweetness that complements the buttery croissants.
• Nutmeg & Cinnamon: Just a pinch goes a long way—they add a hint of spice without overpowering the other flavours.
• Fresh Berries: These cut through the richness and give a burst of freshness in every bite.
• Icing Sugar, Ice Cream, Cream Cheese or Yoghurt: Optional extras that add even more texture and flavour to your plate.

Instructions

This Easy French Toast Croissant Casserole comes together in four easy steps. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a bowl, a whisk, and a baking dish.

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large bowl, crack in the eggs, then add the milk, cream, vanilla extract, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Whisk everything together until smooth and combined.

2. Step 2: Pour the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a deep dish or large bowl. This makes the mixture extra smooth by catching any eggy bits.

3. Step 3: Slice the croissants in half lengthwise. Place them into the custard mixture and leave them to soak for about 5 minutes so they can absorb all that lovely flavour.

4. Step 4: Transfer the soaked croissants into a greased baking dish, layering them slightly over each other. Pour any leftover custard over the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.

Quick Tip: If your croissants are very fresh, pop them in the oven for a few minutes first to dry them out slightly. It helps them soak the custard better.

🍓 How to Serve & Store French Toast Croissant Casserole?

Serve your French toast croissant casserole warm, straight from the oven, topped with icing sugar and a generous handful of fresh berries. For extra flair, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a spoonful of cream cheese, or a dollop of thick yoghurt.

To store:

• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in the microwave or oven.
• You can freeze individual portions—wrap tightly and thaw overnight or heat straight from frozen.

5 Useful Tips for Best Results

1. Slightly stale croissants hold their shape better and absorb the custard evenly.
2. You can prep the casserole the night before—just bake it in the morning with 10 extra minutes in the oven.
3. Use a mix of cream and milk to get that creamy texture without being too heavy.
4. Don’t skip straining the custard—it makes a noticeable difference in texture.
5. Add a bit of orange zest to the custard for a fresh twist. Or Rum essence instead of vanilla. Or just Rum for adult version French toast croissant casserole.

FAQ

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Pairing

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French Toast Croissant Casserole Recipe

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This Easy French Toast Croissant Casserole is soft, rich, and packed with flavour. Made with buttery croissants and a creamy custard base, it’s perfect for brunch or holidays.

Ingredients

• 8 large croissants, halved lengthwise (best if 1–2 days old)
• 200 ml full-fat milk
• 200 ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs
• 2–3 tablespoon light brown sugar
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• Fresh strawberries and blueberries
• Icing sugar for dusting
• Optional: ice cream, cream cheese, or yoghurt for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, vanilla extract, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
3. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl or dish.
4. Slice croissants in half and soak them in the custard for 5 minutes.
5. Arrange the soaked croissants in a greased baking dish, slightly overlapping.
6. Pour over remaining custard. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake for another 5–10 minutes until golden on top.
8. Serve warm with toppings of your choice.

Notes

Croissants that are a day or two old work best.

This dish can be made in advance and baked the next day.

Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to a month.

Reheat gently to maintain texture and flavour.