Sourdough baked french toast recipe is one of those perfect weekend breakfasts. It's the best way to wake up, paired with a cup of coffee and sweet, fresh berries with creamy Greek yogurt. It's sure to become a family favorite recipe for special occasions, Christmas morning, or really any day!
I love pairing it with a healthy breakfast frittata to add some protein and veggies for a well-rounded breakfast or brunch!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Full Disclosure Policy for more information.
If you have leftover sourdough bread, this easy French toast casserole should be first on your list as a great way to use it. It's tough to find a good recipe that uses stale bread, but this is the perfect way to use it and limit food waste!
Jump to:
Equipment
- Large baking sheet - I like to cut thick slices of sourdough bread into small, bite-sized cubes and spread into a single layer on a large baking sheet. This allows them to dry out and get a little stale before mixing with the custardy egg mixture and soaking overnight.
- 9x13" baking dish - this is what I like to bake the French toast in because it's the perfect size!
- Large bowl - mixing the creamy egg mixture in a large is perfect before pouring over the day-old bread. A medium bowl should work too!
- Liquid measuring cup - since there are a few liquid ingredients in this recipe, you'll need a good liquid measuring cup!
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
For the Sourdough French Toast
- Cubed bread - I love using homemade sourdough bread we order from a friend (we have an obsession and order loaves of sourdough bread at a time because it's so good!). For the best results, I'll cube the bread and let it become a little stale. This soaks up the creamy milk mixture the best! While this is a sourdough French toast bake, any kind of bread will work: French bread, whole wheat bread, brioche, cinnamon raisin bread, gluten-free, or even texas toast style bread!
- Low-fat milk - most French toast recipes call for heavy cream, which can be high in saturated fat so I like to use low-fat cow's milk!
- Kefir - this adds a creaminess but also some natural probiotics for gut health! It's similar to buttermilk but a tad healthier.
- Eggs & egg whites - these help give the baked French toast some texture as well as protein.
- Almond or vanilla extract - just to add more flavor to this delicious French toast casserole! Almond extract compliments the almonds so well but vanilla extract is just as tasty.
- Spices - ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add a warm flavor to this French toast. This also gives the added bonus of a great air freshener in your kitchen first thing in the morning 🙂
For the Strawberry Topping
- Strawberries - a good source of vitamin C and fiber (LINK), strawberries are a great topping for this breakfast casserole! You can use any fruit here.
- Chia seeds - these help to gel the topping together, plus they're a good source of fiber and healthy fats!
- Juice - I love using orange or apple juice to add some liquid but also a hint of sweetness. I recommend using a 100% fruit juice as they have no added sugars!
Instructions
For the Sourdough French Toast
1: First, whisk milk, kefir, eggs, egg whites, maple syrup, spices, and almond extract in a large bowl. Set aside.
2: Next, spray a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Then, spread stale sourdough bread cubes into an even layer.
3: Pour milk mixture over bread (most of the bread should be covered in liquid) and sprinkle almonds on top.
4: Then, cover with foil or plastic wrap and store in fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours.
5: Remove the mixture from fridge and uncover. Gently stir to recoat the bread pieces and recover with foil (not plastic wrap!). Then, bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Lastly, remove foil and continue baking for another 10-12 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
For the Strawberry Topping
1: First, combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2: Next, cook over medium heat until berries soften. Mash with the back of a fork or spoon until desired consistency is reached. Lastly, let cool for ~30 minutes or until mixture thickens.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add a tablespoon of fresh orange zest to give a slight orange flavor!
- To give a cinnamon apple flavor, dice up 2-3 granny smith apples and mix with 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar. Swirl the apple mixture into the casserole before baking.
- Any milk should work in lieu of low-fat: almond, soy, oat, etc.! If you want it extra creamy, I would use whole milk or coconut milk.
- If you're short on time and can't let the bread sit out to get stale, you can cut the loaf into bite-sized pieces and toast in the oven at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes!
Storing, Make Ahead & Reheating, & Serving
Storing
Store this sourdough baked French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 1 month! If freezing, I would wait to make the strawberry topping until right before you eat it.
Make Ahead & Reheating
- This is one of my favorite recipes to meal prep for the next morning or week, making it a great breakfast option when you have a busy week coming up! However, I would suggest waiting to add the strawberry topping until right before you eat it.
- If you want to make this sourdough French toast casserole ahead of time to enjoy the next day, I recommend warming it up in the oven for 20-30 minutes. When you reheat any leftover French toast, you just want the center to be warm!
Serving
- My personal favorite way of serving this overnight French toast, and a way your whole family will love, is by dusting with powdered sugar and drizzling with mixed berry chia jam. Or pairing with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
- For an indulgent breakfast, top the French toast casserole with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt!
Recipe FAQ
You can use any type of bread you'd like and substitute it for sourdough in this recipe. Sourdough bread gives this recipe a slightly different flavor than traditional French toast if you're looking to switch things up! Either way, slightly stale bread will soak up the most custard mixture, resulting in a creamy, soft baked French toast.
You may not be using enough liquid. You want the bread pieces to be nearly covered with custard mixture before placing in the fridge to sit overnight!
This could be a result of bread that wasn't dry enough or you used too much liquid (without enough fat). It's important to use some whole eggs and low-fat dairy (kefir & milk) in this recipe because the fat gives the French toast a richness and creaminess. Too little fat will result in a soggy French toast!
Other Brunch Recipes You Should Try
Want more healthy recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Click here to join The Perfect Pear newsletter!
If you give this recipe a try, please rate and review it below! I would love to hear your feedback. Also snap a photo and tag me on Insta @theperfectpearr so I can see your creation!
PrintSourdough Baked French Toast
Sourdough baked french toast recipe is one of those perfect weekend breakfasts. It's the best way to wake up, paired with a cup of coffee and sweet, fresh berries with creamy Greek yogurt. It's sure to become a family favorite recipe for special occasions, Christmas morning, or really any day!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the sourdough French toast
- 1 medium sourdough loaf (532g), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 3 cups (744g) low-fat milk
- 1 cup (243g) low-fat plain kefir
- 4 large eggs
- ⅔ cup (160g) egg whites
- ⅓ cup (100g) honey or maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ cup (92g) slivered or sliced almonds, plus ¼ cup (31g) for topping
For the strawberry topping
- 2 cups (320g) strawberries, fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup (50g) 100% orange or apple juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
For the sourdough French toast
- Cut day-old sourdough bread into bite-sized cubes.*
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk milk, kefir, eggs, egg whites, maple syrup, spices, and vanilla extract.
- Spray a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread out bread cubes in dish.
- Pour custard mixture over bread. Most of the bread should be covered in liquid.
- Sprinkle bread pieces with ¾ cup (92g) almonds.
- Cover with foil and place in the fridge overnight or for 12 hours or at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/177 degrees C.
- Remove French toast from the fridge and gently stir to re-coat the pieces of bread.
- Re-cover the dish and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake another 10-12 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, then sprinkle with remaining almonds, drizzle with strawberry topping and dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve and enjoy!
For the strawberry topping
- While the French toast bakes, place all strawberry topping ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook until strawberries soften, then mash with the back of a fork/spoon.
- Cool ~30 minutes (the sauce with congeal as it cools).
Notes
- *If you're short on time and don't have time to let the bread get stale, toast bread cubes in a 400 degree oven for 3-5 minutes.
- Any fruit will work for the topping: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, plums, cherries, etc.!
Storage
- Store the baked French toast in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 1 month. I would wait to make and use the strawberry topping until right before you eat it!
- Store the strawberry topping in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead & Reheating
- This is one of my favorite recipes to meal prep for the next morning or week, making it a great breakfast option when you have a busy week coming up! However, I would suggest waiting to add the strawberry topping until right before you eat it.
- If you want to make this sourdough French toast casserole ahead of time to enjoy the next day, I recommend warming it up in the oven for 20-30 minutes. When you reheat any leftover French toast, you just want the center to be warm!
Serving
- My personal favorite way of serving this overnight French toast, and a way your whole family will love, is by dusting with powdered sugar and drizzling with mixed berry chia jam. Or pairing with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.
- For an indulgent breakfast, top the French toast casserole with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 271
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 509
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 37
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
- Cholesterol: 67
Keywords: Baked sourdough French toast, baked sourdough French toast, sourdough French toast bake, sourdough French toast recipe
Sam says
This French toast is AMAZING! I made it for Sunday brunch and everyone loved it. Definitely making it again!
Lauren says
I'm so glad you liked it, Sam! It's one of my fav recipes 🙂