Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples is the tastiest and easiest recipe to serve at your next brunch, special breakfast, or for Christmas Morning. Don’t miss this incredible make-ahead recipe!

If you’re looking for something really special to serve at your next brunch or for Christmas Morning, you can’t beat this incredibly delicious and easy Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples. Moreover, the entire dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked the morning of to give you a stress-free and tasty breakfast casserole that everyone will love.
This Croissant Baked French Toast is truly tasty enough to serve on the most special occasions, like Christmas Morning. Put together the night before and don’t miss a minute of the gift opening and family time while this dish bakes in the oven.
Adding the cinnamon apples really elevates the flavors of this dish giving it that warming apple pie flavor. The croissants take it to an almost bread pudding level, without being too mushy. Looking for a great pan to bake this in? Try this gorgeous Corning Ware “French White” Oval Casserole Baking Dish – truly stunning way to present your casseroles.
You would think a dish like this would take forever to make, but the assembly is really quite simple. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money on it either. Days old croissants work great and you can get them at your grocery store for a discount.
If you love easy overnight breakfast casseroles, be sure to check out Panettone French Toast Casserole – perfect for the holidays!
What to make with day old croissants
This is the perfect dish for using up any day old croissants. In fact, they older more “stale” croissants work even better here than the fresh.
A good tip is to get the discounted croissants from the grocery store. Stores will discount the croissants a day or two after they are put on the shelves. So if you see them in your store, be sure to grab them for this Croissant Baked French Toast recipe!
And, if you happen to see day old Italian bread at the store, you’re going to want to grab it so you can make Cannoli Baked French Toast!
How to make cinnamon apples
These cinnamon apples are so easy to make! They are perfect for topping this Croissant Baked French Toast and really make your breakfast casserole extra special.
Firstly, start by peeling and dicing four apples. You can use whatever apples you have on hand. Here I did the Granny Smith apples because I like how they hold up when cooked.
Then, place the apples and a stick of butter in a large skillet. Cook the apples over medium heat for about five minutes until they start to soften.
Once the apples have begun to soften, add in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Continue cooking over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove the apples from the heat and set aside while you prepare the rest of the Croissant Baked French Toast casserole.
How to Make Croissant Baked French Toast
To make croissant baked French toast, begin by cutting the croissants into bite-sized pieces. You will need about six large croissants, or a dozen mini croissants. You want enough to fill up the baking pan about half way.
Next, you will need to prepare the custard for the dish. Whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, and salt.
Pour the custard mixture over top of the croissants. Press down on the croissants to make sure that they are all coated in the custard.
Lastly, pour the apple mixture overtop of the croissants being sure to evenly cover the top of bread.
Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook, covered, for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes. You will know the French toast is ready when the custard is set and the sides being to pull away from the pan.
Let sit five minutes before serving.
How to serve croissant baked French toast
Before serving, drizzle the top of the dish with maple syrup and serve extra on the side. For an extra special touch, dust the top with powdered sugar.
You could even serve this dish with fresh whipped cream on the side. Croissant Baked French Toast is great on its own, or served with fresh fruit.
Easy Overnight Breakfast Casseroles
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is a savory and delicious overnight breakfast bake.
Overnight Bagel French Toast is another perfect recipe for the holidays.
Eggs Benedict Casserole with Hollandaise Sauce is an easy way to satisfy those Eggs Benedict cravings!
Everything Bagel Sausage Bake has all of the breakfast flavors you love in an easy to make overnight casserole.
Baked Eggnog French Toast Casserole is another holiday favorite made with day old bread, custard, and eggnog.
I hope you love this recipe for Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples. Be sure to comment below if you try it. Enjoy!
Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (one stick)
- 4 apples peeled, cored, and diced any types of apples work
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 croissants, cut into 2 inch pieces (or a dozen mini croissants)
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- maple syrup and powdered sugar for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add in butter and apples. Cook for five minutes to soften. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring often. Set aside.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the croissants into bite-sized cubes. Place the croissants in a large baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, vanilla, and salt. Pour the custard mixture over the croissants and push down gently to make sure that all pieces are dampened.
- Pour the apple mixture over the croissants. Cover with foil and refrigerate at least four hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake French toast casserole covered for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the custard is set and the french toast starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Serve with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar (optional).
Michele
This made a great weekend breakfast and was a hit with the family.
Biana
Croissant and French toast — what can be better? This baked French toast casserole looks perfect for brunch.
Beth
My kids just loved this recipe for breakfast the other morning! Perfect make ahead recipe for when my kids go back to school and our crazy mornings. Excited to make this again!
Wajeeha Nadeem
This croissant baked french toast looks soooo good! I’ll be trying this ASAP! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Angela
This is a wonderful fall recipe to help spice up breakfast. My family loved it!
Gina
Baked French toast has never been my favorite indulgent breakfast until this recipe. The buttery croissants make it amazing!
Ellyne Dombro
Hi!
I was wondering if it is ok to place apple mixture on the bottom and cut up crescents on top then add batter.
Thank you-
Ellyne
Angela Allison
yes! I’ve done that before and it works.
Ina Tessenholtz
The apples are on the the bottom of this recipe and shown with the apples on top??
angelakallison
Yes. When I serve it, I take a scoop and flip it on to the plate apple side up. Hope you love it. Merry Christmas!