Overnight Air Fryer French Toast Casserole – Easy Recipe
Air Fryer French Toast Casserole is your quick-fix to a comforting and delicious for busy mornings. It’s easy to put together, and with the magic of your air fryer, you’ll have a sweet and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any day of the week. Whether you’re serving up a special holiday breakfast or just looking to make your Sunday brunch extra cozy, this casserole has got you covered.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s incredibly simple to prepare – just mix, layer, and cook, and will become one of your breakfast favorites!
- The air fryer turns the casserole perfectly golden brown without the need for an oven.
- You can prepare it the night before, making the next morning routine a breeze.
- It’s versatile – perfect for a luxurious weekend treat or a special holiday breakfast.
- The recipe is a great way to use up bread that’s going stale.
- Every bite is packed with comforting flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need the simple ingredients in the photograph below for this easy recipe.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Prep the Bread
Start by greasing a baking dish that fits in your air fryer, you can use a cooking spray. Then, take your French bread and cut or tear it into bite-size pieces.
You’ll want them roughly 1″ in size for the perfect texture. Lay these bread cubes in a single layer, in the dish, ready for the next step.
Mix the Custard
In a large bowl, give your eggs a good whisk. Then, pour in the heavy cream, milk, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
Mix these together until you’ve got a smooth custard. This mix is what will transform your bread into that classic French toast we all crave.
Soak and Toss
Pour the custard mixture right over the bread chunks, and throw in those roughly chopped pecans. Give the dish a gentle toss to make sure everything is evenly soaked.
Now, you can either let this sit overnight in the fridge for a deeper flavor or let it stand at room temperature for about an hour if you’re eager to get cooking.
Bake to Perfection
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (if your model requires preheating). Then, take your crumbly topping – a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pecans mixed with butter – and sprinkle it generously over the top.
Slide the dish into the air fryer basket and let it cook until it’s beautifully golden brown and set. This should take around 15 minutes, but keep an eye on it – air fryer models can vary.
Once done, let it rest for a bit, then serve it up with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream, and maybe some fresh berries for good measure.
From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Bread: You can substitute the French bread with brioche bread or sourdough bread if desired. Gluten-free? No problem! Use your favorite gluten-free bread to cater to dietary restrictions.
- Can I use regular milk instead of heavy cream? Absolutely, using all milk will still give you a delicious casserole, just slightly less rich.
- Don’t Skip the Soak: Allowing the bread to soak up the egg mixture is key. If you’re not doing an overnight soak, giving it at least an hour at room temperature helps the bread absorb all that custardy goodness.
- Air Fryer Size Matters: Make sure your baking dish fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, and so do baking dishes! There should be enough room for air to circulate to ensure even cooking.
- Customize Your Toppings: The pecan topping in the recipe is just a suggestion. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite toppings! You could try different nuts, a sprinkle of granola for extra crunch, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
How to Store Leftover French Toast Casserole
Find yourself with leftovers? Here are my top tips for storing.
- Fridge: Let your delicious French toast casserole cool to room temperature, and then store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and pop them in the freezer. They can last up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To recapture that just-baked taste, reheat slices in the air fryer for a few minutes. If you’re reheating from frozen, no need to thaw – the air fryer will take care of it.
What to Serve With This French Toast Recipe
Overnight French toast casserole is great, and it really is just one of those delicious easy breakfasts, but it’s even better when paired with some of my favorite dishes.
Drizzle, Drizzle
Pure maple syrup is the go-to, but there’s a whole world of sticky, sweet drizzles out there.
A homemade strawberry sauce, raspberry purée, or a light drizzle of honey can elevate your breakfast casserole from comforting to gourmet with just a pour. If you’re a fan of creaminess, try a generous helping of whipped cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a cool, tangy twist.
Freshen It Up with Fruit
Nothing says “good morning” like fresh fruit. It brings a pop of color and a burst of tangy sweetness that cuts through the richness.
Go for banana slices, a handful of fresh berries, or even some seasonal peaches for a bit of brightness and the perfect breakfast.
The Final Crunch
For those who love a bit of crunch, a sprinkle of granola or a handful of extra nuts on top can add a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft bread below.
More Breakfast Recipes For You To Try
- French Toast Casserole
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
- Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
- Air Fryer Egg Bites
- Easy Egg Casserole
Overnight Air Fryer French Toast Casserole – Easy Recipe
Utensils
Ingredients
- 1 pound French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups milk
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pecans roughly chopped
For the topping:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 ounces pecans roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter cold and cut into cubes
Instructions
- Grease the bottom of a casserole dish. Cut or tear the bread into small chunks, approximately 1" in size, and place them evenly in the casserole dish.1 pound French bread
- Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl, then add cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt and mix until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, add the pecans, and toss to coat all the chunks have been coated, and arrange them in an even layer over the casserole dish. Cover the dish and keep chilled in the fridge overnight. If you want to cook the same day, leave it to stand at room temperature for an hour.8 large eggs, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups milk, ⅓ cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup pecans
- Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts to a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Cut cold butter and add it to the bowl, use your hands to combine the mixture until it forms a crumbly topping. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge until the morning.½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 2 ounces pecans, 2 tablespoons butter
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F/175°C.
- Remove the casserole and the topping from the fridge and leave to stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Evenly scatter the topping over the top of the casserole. Place in the oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the casserole has set approximately 15 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and let it stand for 5-10 minutes, then serve with warm maple syrup, whipped cream, or mixed berries. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Bread: You can substitute the French bread with brioche bread if desired. Gluten-free? No problem! Use your favorite gluten-free bread to cater to dietary restrictions.
- Can I use regular milk instead of heavy cream? Absolutely, using all milk will still give you a delicious casserole, just slightly less rich.
- Don’t Skip the Soak: Allowing the bread to soak up the egg mixture is key. If you’re not doing an overnight soak, giving it at least an hour at room temperature helps the bread absorb all that custardy goodness.
- Air Fryer Size Matters: Make sure your baking dish fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, and so do baking dishes! There should be enough room for air to circulate to ensure even cooking.
- Customize Your Toppings: The pecan topping in the recipe is just a suggestion. Feel free to get creative! You could try different nuts, a sprinkle of granola for extra crunch, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a handful of chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Let your casserole cool to room temperature and then store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and pop them in the freezer. They can last up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To recapture that just-baked taste, reheat slices in the air fryer for a few minutes. If you’re reheating from frozen, no need to thaw – the air fryer will take care of it.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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So delicious and easy to prepare! Definitely making this a regular on lazy mornings.
It’s absolutely delicious, Kyline. I’m happy you loved it!
This was easy! Turned out golden brown and fluffy. Adding to my brunch favorites. Great recipe to break in my new air fryer 🙂
That’s fantastic to hear Alex! And congratulations on your new air fryer!
So yum and this is the perfect breakfast during my packed morning schedule! I just shared this recipe to my bestfriend!
It’s a great way to start the day with a delicious and easy breakfast. Thank you for your feedback and for sharing it with your best friend!
I always love it when I get to use my air fryer to try out a new dish. This is the only way I’ll be making my french toast from now on! Easy to make and really delicious.
I’m happy to hear that you loved it, Jenna! The air fryer is such a handy tool for making quick and tasty dishes like this.
Glad I tried this yesterday! I was shocked at how good is this recipe! I highly recommend this to everyone, It’s easy to prepare since I’m always in a hurry this is perfect so thumbs up for sharing this recipe LOOOVEEEE IT!!!
This was a huge hit with my kids this morning! That crunchy topping …. YUUMMOO
I’m so glad your kids loved it! The crunchy topping is my favorite part too.