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Crock Pot French Toast Casserole is easy to make and delicious! If you're looking for breakfast inspiration, look no further. Wake up to the enticing aroma of this warm and hearty meal that is sure start your day off right!
Update Notes: This post was originally published in January 2015, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in September 2020.
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👩🏻🍳 Cranberry Apple French Toast Recipe Back Story
Hey, all you breakfast-makers out there! Moms, Dads, whoever you are, if you make breakfast for your family in the morning, you probably love recipes like this where you can get everything set the night before and wake up to a hot breakfast just waiting for you!
I confess, I am not a much of a breakfast-maker myself. Breakfast around here is always an ‘every man for himself’ proposition. Years ago, as soon as the boys achieved enough coordination to be able to pour their own cereal and milk, I got myself out of the breakfast-making game (woohoo!).
I even helped the process along by putting out bowls of cereal the night before and placing small cups of milk in the refrigerator where the boys could easily reach them. But, this kind of recipe brings out the breakfast-maker in me, since I can do the work the night before and have a hot, delicious breakfast waiting for me in the morning.
And I can’t neglect to mention that I am a HUGE proponent of breakfast for dinner! Eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, omelettes – you name a breakfast food and I will tell you that we have had it for dinner. Sooooo, sometimes I put this together in the morning and then serve it for dinner!
Can you imagine Cranberry Apple French Toast just waiting for you after a long, tiring day??? Life does not get much better than that! 🙂
❓ Why make this recipe?
It's perfect for a brunch or busy morning when you're trying to pull together a hands-free meal. That way you get to enjoy time with your family or work on your project than spend all morning flipping French toast!
Making it in the crock pot is brilliant because rather than trying to keep slices warm in the oven while you're still cooking ensures the entire meal is done at the same time. Plus it's wonderful meal for brinner (breakfast for dinner)!
🥘 Ingredients Needed
- French or other hearty bread
- almond milk or regular milk, plus half & half
- eggs
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- pure maple syrup
- sugar or sugar substitute
- apples - whatever variety you prefer
- dried cranberries
🔪 Instructions
- Dice the bread into cubes.
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the bread, apples and cranberries and mix slightly.
- Whisk or use a hand mixer to combine the milk, eggs, half & half, vanilla, cinnamon, syrup, and sugar.
- Pour mixture over the bread using a spoon to make sure all the bread get soaked. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
👪 FAQs
I prefer to use a loaf of French bread. You could also use sourdough, brioche or ciabatta. Buttery croissants would also be delicious! I wouldn't recommend plain white or wheat bread, it will turn mushy.
Top with warm maple syrup, crushed walnuts and sprinkling of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate treat!
Cover and refrigerate leftovers. They will last 2-3 days. Reheat by microwaving at 1 minute intervals.
You certainly can prep it - slicing and dicing the bread would speed up meal prep the next day. This is a wonderful for a holiday morning breakfast or brunch!
💭 Top Tips
- I recommend cube-ing (is that a verb? lol) the bread in advance - you'll save time when you're ready to toss everything together.
- Serve with softened butter and warm maple syrup on the side for those that want to indulge.
- Or drizzle with an icing glaze for a really special treat!
📖 Variations
- Almost any type of dried fruit can be substituted for the cranberries - dried blueberries, cherries, apricots or raisins.
- You could also substitute frozen blueberries or peaches - wouldn't that be delicious?!!!
- Adding a cup of chopped nuts - pecans or walnuts would add a delicious crunch to this yummy breakfast!
🥗 Suggested Side Dishes
There is so much deliciousness in this meal you really don't need a whole lot else! A nice fruit salad would be a wonderful pairing and how about some breakfast potatoes? That would round out the meal nicely!
Whatever you serve it with, keep it simple! This Crock Pot French Toast Casserole is the star of the show!
🍳 More breakfast recipes from the blog
Some of my favorite recipes are the simple effortless ones. If you love this Crock Pot French Toast Casserole as much as we do check out these recipes as well!
Slow Cooker Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal - it's warm and hearty. A delicious, affordable way to start the day! Or try this recipe for Bacon Breakfast Casserole - the smell of that bacon roasting as this bakes will get everyone to the table! Or perhaps this overnight casserole is what you're looking for!
If you're still hungry for French toast there are more recipes on the blog for you to enjoy!
Love this recipe? Awesome! Please give it a 5 star rating below! And if you make this, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram. You can find me at DizzyBusyandHungry or #dizzybusyandhungry!
📋 Recipe
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple French Toast
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 1/2 pounds French bread or other hearty bread
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk (or regular milk)
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup half & half (use fat-free if desired)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 apples, cut into bite sized pieces (I used gala)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (plus additional for garnish, if desired)
Instructions
- Cut the bread into approximately 1 inch cubes.
- Spray the slow cooker with coking spray, and add the bread, apples, and cranberries, and mix slightly.
- Using a whisk or hand mixer, combine the milk, eggs, half & half, vanilla, cinnamon, and syrup.
- Pour mixture over the bread cubes in the slow cooker, using a spoon to make sure all the bread get soaked.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Video
Notes
- You can use all milk if you don't have half & half on hand.
- This dish is pretty sweet on it's own with the maple syrup, so no need to add additiona sugar.
- No need to peel the apples. I used a wedger to core them and then I simply sliced each wedge into 4 or 5 pieces.
- If you have the option for your slow cooker to switch itself to the 'Warm' setting, it is good if you can do that after about 4 hours for less burning around the edges. However, no one in my family minded those 'more cooked' pieces, they were still delicious!
- If you need more than 5-6 hours of sleep (like me!), hopefully there is a night owl in your family (my husband) who can turn the crock pot on for you before they go to bed.
Nutrition
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Happy cooking!
Amanda
This sounds great! Love the cranberries – what a wonderful wintery twist! I don't have a crockpot, unfortunately, so I'll have to adapt it a little for the oven, but this is definitely getting a pin! Thanks!
Kristin King
Thanks, Amanda! Yes, this definitely could be adapted for oven. I hope you enjoy it!
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
Now, this is a first for me. I've never heard of french toast in the slow cooker! What a great idea. I will have to give this recipe a try. :)Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We'd love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/02/12/home-matters-linky-party-24/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Kristin King
Thanks, Lorelai, heading over now! 🙂
Susan
I so needed this recipe when we had a large crowd spend the night for New Year's Eve. Pinning now. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party at Organized 31.
Carole from Carole's Chatter
Hi Kristin, lovely use of apples! How about adding it to the Food on Friday: Apple collection over at Carole's Chatter? Cheers
Kristin King
Hi Carole, thanks, I will head over now!
Carole from Carole's Chatter
Kristin, thanks for adding this to the collection. Would you like me to send you a reminder about each new Food on Friday? If so just drop me a line on ca4ole@gmail.com Cheers from Carole of Carole's Chatter
Sherry Elston
Hello....first visit to this site, and BAM!!!! I see what looks like a new "keeper" recipe. I collect them, as I'm sure most of us who get lost in the maze of these wonderful sites do. So many DIY's to try...so many recipes to try. I cannot wait to try it.
Thanks
sherryels
Kristin King
Thanks, Sherry! I am so glad you stopped by. I hope you enjoy this recipe! 🙂
Yvonne [Tried and Tasty]
Wow, this looks fantastic! I'm terrible at getting breakfast, so this would be perfect!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes)
I used to looooove cooking breakfast but got out of the habit - just not a lot of big breakfast eaters in my house. Im totally with you on breakfast for dinner though and your recipe looks like a must try!
Rachael
Can't wait to try this one! looks yummy!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads
I love that you made this in the slow cooker, Kristin! And the addition of cranberries is great!
Renee's Kitchen Adventures
I am amazed by the many things that can be made in the slow cooker. This recipe looks fantastic. Gotta give it a try!
Michele @ Flavor Mosaic
French toast in the slow cooker! This is great.
Mary Ellen
What a great way to enjoy french toast! Perfect on the weekend.
Megan Elford
That looks SO good! I've never even considered doing french toast in the crock pot, but I bet this turns out wonderfully! I can't wait to give it a try.
Margarita
That looks pretty interesting. I love cranberries so I would definitely love this combination of food!
Elaine
I love french toast and with the addition of the apples and cranberries yummy!! Hey I would love if you joined my on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday Link Party.