Name: Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 eggs; ¾ cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice); 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon; Pinch of sea salt; 10 to 12 slices challah bread (1-inch thick, about 1 loaf, cut on a slight diagonal); Non-stick spray or olive oil (for greasing); 3 tablespoons brown sugar; ¼ heaping teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted; ¼ cup pomegranate arils (or desired fruit); Maple syrup (optional)

If you’re craving a breakfast that’s cozy, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together, you’re going to adore this Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe. It’s like that comforting hug in food form, perfect for lazy weekend mornings or impressing brunch guests without standing over the stove. I absolutely love how this turns out flaky, soft in the middle with a perfectly cinnamon-kissed golden crust. Stick around—I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it the first time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple Prep: You don’t have to fiddle with multiple pans or complicated steps—just mix, layer, and bake.
Delicious Cinnamon Flavor: The cinnamon-sugar topping makes it irresistibly crispy and sweet on top.
Great for Feeding a Crowd: One baking dish makes enough to serve your whole brunch crew easily.
Versatile and Customizable: You can switch up the bread or toppings to fit your family’s favorites.

A white rectangular baking dish holds layered slices of light golden-brown baked bread, arranged in a slightly overlapping, angled pattern. The top layer is richly covered with a smooth, thick chocolate sauce that shines under soft light. Scattered almond slices and bright red pomegranate seeds decorate the surface, adding texture and pops of color. A fine dusting of white powdered sugar is gently spread over the top, enhancing the visual interest. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a glimpse of a white plate with a red stripe rim and a fork to the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Baked Cinnamon French Toast, cinnamon French toast, easy baked French toast, breakfast casserole with cinnamon, cinnamon French toast bake

Ingredients You’ll Need

Now, let’s talk ingredients. This Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly items you’re likely to have on hand. Choosing a good bread like challah really makes a difference for that soft-yet-fluffy texture.

Flat lay of three whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of almond milk, a small white ceramic bowl with light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a pinch of sea salt crystals beside the bowls, several 1-inch diagonal slices of golden challah bread stacked slightly overlapping, a small white ceramic bowl of toasted sliced almonds, a small white ceramic bowl filled with ruby red pomegranate arils, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 - Baked Cinnamon French Toast, cinnamon French toast, easy baked French toast, breakfast casserole with cinnamon, cinnamon French toast bake

Eggs: The base for the custard soak – makes it rich and fluffy.
Almond milk: Adds creaminess without heaviness; you can swap out for any milk you prefer.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the custard and the crispy topping beautifully.
Cinnamon: The star spice here—don’t skimp, it brings warmth and depth.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to balance out sweetness and enhance flavor.
Challah bread: It soaks up the custard perfectly and browns to golden perfection; make sure slices are about 1-inch thick.
Non-stick spray or olive oil: For greasing your baking dish to keep the toast from sticking.
Sliced almonds: Toasted for crunch and nuttiness in the topping.
Pomegranate arils (or fruit of your choice): Adds brightness and a pop of color that makes the dish feel festive.
Maple syrup (optional): For drizzling at serving if you like extra sweetness.

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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.

Variations

One of the reasons I keep making this Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe is because it’s so adaptable. I’ve mixed in a few ideas here that I’ve tried or know work great—don’t hesitate to get creative and make it your own!

Use brioche or day-old French bread: These breads soak up the custard nicely and give a slightly different texture that I also love.
Add fresh berries or sliced bananas inside the layers: Sweet and fruity surprises baked right in are always a hit with my family.
Swap almond milk for coconut milk: For a subtly tropical twist that’s just as creamy.
Make it dairy-free or vegan: Use plant-based milk and an egg substitute. I’ve experimented with flax eggs and it still bakes well, though texture varies a bit.

How to Make Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Dish

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or a bit of olive oil. I like olive oil here because it adds a hint of richness, but non-stick spray is hands-down easier and less messy.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with almond milk, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. This combo creates a smooth, flavorful custard that the bread soaks up perfectly. When I first tried just plain milk, I realized almond milk gives it a lovely, light sweetness that complements the cinnamon so well.

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

Mix 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. This topping is going to crisp up during baking, giving you that delightful crunch and caramelized flavor I love so much.

Step 4: Dip and Layer the Bread

Dip each slice of challah bread into the custard mixture, coating both sides well but gently—don’t want them soggy! Then layer the soaked slices slightly overlapping, tilted vertically in your baking dish. Here’s what I discovered: if one side of your loaf is higher, switching up the angles keeps the top edges even, so everything browns uniformly instead of some slices burning while others remain pale.

Step 5: Sprinkle and Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle your cinnamon-sugar topping evenly over the arranged bread. Then bake for 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the custard is set and the top is golden and crisp. I peek through the oven window around 25 minutes sometimes—if it’s browning too fast, just throw a loose foil tent on top to protect it while the inside finishes cooking.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

Once out of the oven, top the baked french toast with toasted sliced almonds and fresh pomegranate arils or fruit you prefer. The crunch with the bright fruit adds a lively texture and makes the dish feel beautiful and celebratory. Maple syrup is totally optional here, but my family loves drizzling just a little!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe

Use Slightly Stale Bread: Bread that’s a day or two old absorbs the custard better without turning mushy.
Even Layer Placement: Tilting the slices keeps the bake even and prevents soggy spots—trust me, this changed everything!
Watch Your Oven: Oven temps can vary; check at 25 minutes to avoid over-browning and adjust if necessary.
Let it Rest Briefly: Allow it to cool 5-10 minutes after baking for easier slicing and better texture.

How to Serve Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe

Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always go for toasted sliced almonds and a handful of juicy pomegranate arils because they add crunch and a fresh burst that contrasts perfectly with the warm cinnamon toast. Sometimes, if I’m making it for a holiday brunch, I’ll also sprinkle a little powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream—hello, indulgence!

Side Dishes

Pair this French toast bake with crisp bacon or breakfast sausage if you want something savory. A fresh fruit salad or sliced oranges brighten things up on the side. For a cozy vibe, my family loves a cup of coffee or spiced chai alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, especially during holidays, I’ve arranged drizzles of warm caramel sauce and scattered edible flowers over the top. Another fun idea is serving portions in individual ramekins layered with fruit and topped with the almond crunch—always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well up to 3 days, still moist but the topping may soften a bit—it tastes even better reheated!

Freezing

If you want to freeze portions, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’ve done this, the texture holds up surprisingly well after reheating, making it an easy grab-and-go breakfast option.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes to restore crispness, or pop a slice in the toaster oven—both methods work great better than the microwave, which can make it soggy.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than challah for this recipe?

Absolutely! Brioche, French bread, or even thick-cut sandwich bread works well. Just make sure your bread slices are about 1 inch thick for the best soaking and baking results.
How far in advance can I prepare this bake?

You can assemble the French toast bake the night before, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Then bake it fresh in the morning; this actually helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Using almond milk as in this recipe keeps it dairy-free. Just ensure your toppings like butter or cream (if used) are replaced with dairy-free alternatives.
Is it okay to add maple syrup before baking?

It’s best to drizzle maple syrup after baking to keep the crust crisp. Adding syrup to the batter or atop before baking can lead to soggy toast.
What’s the best way to toast almonds?

Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 3-5 minutes until they’re golden and fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning, and then cool before adding to the French toast.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Baked Cinnamon French Toast Recipe is truly a breakfast game changer in my book. It’s cozy enough for special mornings but simple enough to make on a whim. I’m always surprised by how much my family enjoys it—even the kids ask for seconds! I really hope you try this and discover how easy and delicious homemade baked French toast can be. Trust me, you’ll want this recipe in your regular rotation!