Easy Vegan French Toast Casserole (With Overnight Option)

Name: Baked Vegan French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 5-5 ½ cups day-old sourdough bread ((about 400-500g) cut into ½” cubes, see note 1); 1 cup mashed ripe banana ((230g) about 2 bananas, or sub. Just Egg); ¾ cup almond milk (or another dairy-free milk); 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract; ¼ cup pure maple syrup; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 tbsp cornstarch; ¼ tsp fine sea salt; 1 tbsp melted vegan butter

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There’s nothing better than a warm plate of French toast for brunch… except maybe a scoop of this baked vegan French toast casserole. It’s soft in the middle, golden on top, and flavored with plenty of warm cinnamon. This recipe is an easy option for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any brunch that calls for something simple yet special.

If you like this recipe, you may also love my Vegan Just Egg French Toast or these classic Vegan Buttermilk Pancakes!

a close up of the french toast casserole after baking. — vegan french toast casserole topped with berries

Why You’ll Love This Vegan French Toast Casserole

This vegan French toast casserole is one of those recipes that feels extra special without being fussy. It has a soft, custardy center, crisp golden edges, and plenty of cozy cinnamon flavor in every bite. The eggless custard is made with simple ingredients like banana and maple syrup, which gives it a rich texture and just the right amount of sweetness.

It’s also a great make-ahead-friendly option for brunch, holidays, or even dessert, especially when served warm with extra maple syrup on top. And since it uses fewer than 10 ingredients, it comes together with very little effort.

Emily’s Recipe Notes:

Flavor: Sweet, buttery, and lightly spiced with cinnamon
Texture: Crisp on top with a soft, tender center
Difficulty: Super easy!
Time: About 1 hour, with most of that being hands-off bake time

Ingredients

Day Old Bread

For this recipe, I actually originally used day-old hot cross buns from Easter weekend. So I guess this is technically a hot cross bun french toast casserole. They’re basically cinnamon raisin bread which means they add extra flavor to this french toast casserole!

However, you don’t need to use hot cross buns to make this recipe. I’ve also made it with day old sourdough and crusty bread. You can pretty much use your favorite bread as long as it’s thick and high quality.

TIP: Day-old bread is best since it won’t get as soggy when soaking in the custard. I recommend using thick, high-quality bread like brioche or bakery-style sourdough. If you have it, I definitely recommend using cinnamon raisin bread or cinnamon swirl bread!

The Eggless Custard

To make this casserole, you’ll need to make a custard for the bread to soak in. This custard adds sweetness, moisture, flavor, and all-around deliciousness to the casserole.

Since it’s egg-free, I’m using banana as the base of this casserole. Ripe bananas also add some extra sweetness. That being said, you can substitute the same amount of Just Egg if you’re not a fan of banana flavor. The ingredients you’ll need for the custard are:

Mashed Banana, or sub Just Egg
Dairy-free Milk, like almond milk
Vanilla Extract
Maple Syrup
Cinnamon
Cornstarch
Vegan Butter

Step By Step Instructions

Exact ingredient quantities are in the recipe card below!

Prep the Bread

Cube up your bread. Optional: lay it out onto a baking sheet in a single layer and toast at 350F for 10 minutes.

the bread cubes soaking in the eggless custard.

Combine the custard ingredients together in an 8”x8” square baking pan. Add in the bread cubes and stir the mixture until all the cubes are evenly coated in the custard mixture.

TIP: It’s best to let the bread cubes soak in the mixture for at least 30 minutes so they absorb all of the flavors. If you’d like to soak the casserole overnight, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. Be sure to let the casserole come to room temperature before baking it.

Baking the Casserole

a hand drizzling icing over the baked french toast casserole.

Pour the 1 tbsp of melted vegan butter on top of the bread cubes. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes at 350F until it is slightly golden on top. Top with an optional icing.

the french toast casserole on a plate with raspberries.

Then, slice and serve warm!

a slice of vegan french toast casserole with syrup being drizzled on top. — vegan french toast bake made with a banana custard

Serving Ideas

I personally love topping this french toast bake with fresh berries (like tart raspberries). But you could also dust it with powdered sugar or add a drizzle of maple syrup. If you’re going for a full brunch spread, it would pair really nicely with the following:

Vegan Breakfasts

Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties

Tofu Recipes

Smoky Tofu Bacon

Vegan Breakfast Casserole FAQ

I don’t like banana, what can I substitute instead for the eggless custard?

I recommend subbing the same amount (230g or 1 cup) of Just Egg for the base of your french toast custard.

What type of bread should I use for this french toast casserole?

You can use any thick, high quality day old bread. I recommend using cinnamon raisin bread since it will add more flavor to the casserole. You could also use day-old vegan brioche or a thick sourdough.

Can I make this an overnight french toast casserole?

To make this an overnight recipe, pour the custard over the bread, cover the casserole and place in the fridge overnight. Let the casserole come to room temperature before baking. If you decide to let the custard soak overnight, be sure to use a very crusty, day-old bread otherwise the casserole may become mushy.