There’s something so comforting about a warm, nutty breakfast straight from the oven — my Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is exactly that. It’s the perfect combination of custardy bread soaked in spices and topped with buttery pecans, making mornings feel like a special occasion without much fuss.

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

I can’t get enough of how easy this French toast casserole comes together and how delightfully it bakes up with a crunchy pecan topping. It’s hands-down one of my favorite brunch recipes when I’m entertaining or just treating myself on a weekend morning.

Simple prep: You can toss it together quickly, even the night before, and wake up to a delicious breakfast ready to bake.
Perfect texture: Custardy inside with a golden, nutty crisp on top — that contrast is irresistible.
Flavor harmony: Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg play so nicely with the sweet brown sugar and rich pecans.
Feeds a crowd: This casserole easily serves 8 to 12, making it great for family or friends without extra effort.

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 in the Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe plays a part in creating that classic balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy. I always try to pick the freshest bread and quality pecans to get the best final taste.

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 sturdy yet soft crumb soaks up the custard beautifully without turning mushy.
Eggs: They bind everything together and give that rich, creamy texture.
Milk: Provides moisture and mellows out the spices.
Brown sugar: Adds natural sweetness and caramelizes nicely on top.
Vanilla extract: Lends a subtle, warming aroma that elevates the whole dish.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: The classic French toast spice combo — I never skip them!
Sea salt: Just a touch to balance all the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Essential for greasing the pan and topping, giving that buttery finish.
Pecans: Toasted to bring out their natural oils and crunch, decorating the top perfectly.

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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

I love mixing things up a bit depending on the season or who I’m feeding. This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe is totally forgiving, so feel free to get creative or tweak it!

Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping the pecans for toasted walnuts or even sliced almonds if you want a different crunch.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Bread Cubes

Start by greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish really well with unsalted butter or coconut oil to prevent sticking. Then, cut your challah bread into about 1-inch cubes — I like using slightly stale bread because it soaks up the custard better without falling apart.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Pour this custard evenly over the bread cubes in your pan. If you want to save time morning-of, cover and refrigerate overnight so the bread absorbs all that flavor — if not, let it soak for about 30 minutes at room temp.

Step 3: Add the Topping and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Melt butter and mix with brown sugar, then drizzle this over the soaked bread. Generously sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Cover the casserole and bake for 35 minutes, then remove the cover and bake 10–20 more minutes until the top is beautifully browned and the custard mostly set. Let it rest for 10 minutes to finish cooking and firm up before serving.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that really help this Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe shine. These tips will keep your bake flawless every time and avoid common pitfalls that can turn it soggy or bland.

Use day-old bread: Fresh bread can get too soggy, but a slightly stale loaf soaks up the custard just right.
Don’t skip the rest: Let the casserole soak in the custard for at least 30 minutes; better yet, refrigerate overnight for max flavor and custard depth.
Cover while baking: Covering the casserole the first part of baking traps moisture, keeping it soft inside before you crisp up the top.
Use unsalted butter: Controlling salt helps balance the sweetness perfectly without it tasting salty.

How to Serve Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe

French toast casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love keeping it classic with a drizzle of warm maple syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Sometimes I add fresh berries for a pop of color and brightness — blueberries or sliced strawberries work wonders!

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with crispy breakfast sausage or smoky bacon for a savory balance, plus a fresh green salad or fruit salad to lighten the plate and add freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this casserole in individual ramekins to make each portion feel indulgent and tailored. You can also sprinkle a handful of extra pecans and drizzle with homemade caramel sauce for a festive brunch touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house! Just make sure it cools completely before sealing.

Freezing

This dish freezes nicely if you want to prep meals ahead. I recommend freezing in individual portions or the whole casserole tightly wrapped with foil and plastic wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a portion into a 350°F oven until warmed through and crispy on top, about 15–20 minutes. Avoid the microwave for reheating if you want to maintain that wonderful texture contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bread other than challah for this casserole?

Absolutely! While challah is the best for its texture and flavor, brioche or even French bread can work well. Just make sure it’s slightly stale and cut into cubes. Avoid very dense or very soft breads, as they may affect the texture.

Can I make the casserole vegan or dairy-free?

You can for sure swap out the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk. Replace butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine. For eggs, try a flax egg substitute, but the texture won’t be quite as custardy — still tasty though! Adding pecans boosts flavor and texture for all versions.

How far in advance can I prepare the casserole?

The casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated. This resting time actually improves the flavor and custard soak. Just cover it tightly and bake the next morning as per the recipe instructions.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free bread loaf, preferably a sturdy one that will hold up to soaking. Keep an eye on the soaking time as gluten-free bread sometimes absorbs liquid differently. The pecans and topping remain the same delicious addition.

Final Thoughts

This Easy French Toast Casserole with Pecans Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen for its irresistible combination of flavors and ease of prep. It's one of those recipes that feels like a treat but is surprisingly simple, and it always brings smiles at the breakfast table. Give it a try — whether for a sleepy weekend brunch or a festive holiday morning, it’s bound to become a favorite in your rotation too!