Bagel French Toast Casserole
This Bagel French Toast Casserole is the perfect brunch recipe. It’s also a great way to use up leftover bagels after the holiday. The chewy bagels taste amazing when baked with the French toast custard. Top with hot maple syrup and a dab of butter and you’re in for a real treat!
What’s great about this recipe, is that you can customize it. Add crushed pecans or walnuts for an extra punch of texture and flavor. If you’re in the mood for extra sweetness, add a few chocolate chips. Please note, that the only bagels tested in this recipe were Thomas’s brand bagel. Using other bagels may impact or slightly change the final product. Cooking time may vary as well.
Ingredients Needed for Bagel French Toast Casserole
Bagels – For this recipe, I used 3.5 Thomas’s plain bagels. Use kitchen shears to cut the bagels into smaller bite sized pieces. It is best if the bagels are slightly stale. Option to let them sit out over night to get them nice and firm. I have not tested any other bagels, so if you decide to use a different brand, it may impact the texture of the final recipe.
Custard – Mix together 2% milk, eggs, light brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted (but not hot) butter. Whisk until well combined.
Toppings – Top this dish with warmed maple syrup and a dollop of butter before serving. Option to add a touch of powder sugar too.
How to Make Bagel French Toast Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray and 8×8 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Cut the Thomas’s plain bagels into bite sized pieces using scissors. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2% milk, eggs, vanilla, light brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and melted (not hot) butter. Whisk well.
Add the bagel pieces to the custard mixture and toss until they’re well coated. Let them soak up the mixture for 1-2 minutes before pouring everything into the prepared baking dish.
Use a spatula to gently press the bagel bites down into the pan so they form an even layer. Make sure any excess custard is poured over the top.
Bake for 34-36 minutes or until the center is set and the top is slightly browned.
Option to broil for 1-2 minutes for an extra crispy top.
The egg will continue to set up once you pull the casserole from the oven.
Top with hot maple syrup, a dollop of butter and serve hot.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave. Looking for more breakfast recipes?
Bagel French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 3.5 bagels, Thomas's brand, cut into bite sized pieces
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted not hot
Equipment
- 1 8×8 glass baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray and 8×8 glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cut the Thomas’s plain bagels into bite sized pieces using scissors. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2% milk, eggs, vanilla, light brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and melted (not hot) butter. Whisk well.
- Add the bagel pieces to the custard mixture and toss until they’re well coated. Let them soak up the mixture for 1-2 minutes before pouring everything into the prepared baking dish.
- Use a spatula to gently press the bagel bites down into the pan so they form an even layer. Make sure any excess custard is poured over the top.
- Bake for 34-36 minutes or until the center is set and the top is slightly browned.
- Option to broil for 1-2 minutes for an extra crispy top.
- The egg will continue to set up once you pull the casserole from the oven.
- Top with hot maple syrup, a dollop of butter and serve hot.
One Comment on “Bagel French Toast Casserole”
Well I just made this for my family and it was gone in no time. Absolutely yummy. Super easy to make and very little mess! Love this!