Easy Sourdough Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole (Without Heavy Cream)
This sourdough apple and cinnamon French toast casserole is the perfect answer if you’ve ever wondered “is sourdough good for French toast?” The custard-soaked bread bakes up light and flavorful, with tender apples and warm cinnamon throughout. It’s hearty enough for an easy breakfast bake, but so pretty it can be served as a healthier dessert too—just add some whipped cream or homemade raw milk ice cream on top.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s a great recipe for using up old sourdough bread and bruised or wrinkly apples.
- It contains only 8 simple, whole food ingredients you are sure to have in your fridge or pantry.
- It can be prepared ahead of time and baked in the morning for a hot breakfast.
- It’s so easy to turn it into a great dessert – just increase the sugar a little and serve with whipped cream or homemade vanilla ice cream.
- It can be easily reheated in the oven in a covered dish.
Why Use Sourdough Bread for French Toast?
Sourdough bread works beautifully for French toast, and its slight tang balances the sweetness of the apples and the caramel notes from the brown sugar. You can use any sourdough you have on hand—I used a whole wheat sourdough sandwich loaf, but artisan or country-style loaves would be just as delicious. In fact, slightly stale bread is even better than fresh, making this the perfect recipe for using up odds and ends of sourdough you may have tucked away in the freezer.
Tips for making this dish
- If you have any leftover sourdough rolls or biscuits, they can be cubed and added to this recipe too.
- I always keep the apple peels and cores to use for apple jelly. I simply cook them covered with water, with a few cloves and a piece of cinnamon stick, for about 30 minutes. Then I strain the liquid and when it is cool I add gelatin and some honey if necessary. I pour this into pretty glass cups and set in the fridge to gel.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil, for greasing the casserole dish
- 4 cups cubed whole wheat sourdough bread (1/2 inch cubes are best)
- 2 cups peeled and chopped apples
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- large pinch unrefined salt
- 8 eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter, slightly cooled
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
Directions for making the sourdough apple & cinnamon French toast casserole
Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Grease your dish and spread the cubed bread and apples on the bottom.
Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt on top and mix it all together well.
Spread into an even layer in your casserole dish.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, melted cooled butter and milk until really smooth – you don’t want to see any bits of yolks or egg whites when you are done whisking. I use either a fork or a stick blender to do this. Pour this mixture over the cubed bread and apples.
The eggy mixture should just cover the bread and apples. Press down any piece of bread or apple that sticks out too much.
Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes until the middle has set and the top is golden.
Serving Suggestions
This apple and cinnamon French toast casserole is best enjoyed warm, with a drizzle of real maple syrup or a generous spoonful of freshly whipped cream. If you’re serving it for breakfast, try pouring a little warmed raw milk or cream over the top—it soaks in beautifully and makes each bite extra comforting.
Storage & Freezing
- This sourdough French toast casserole can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- It can also be frozen either before or after baking.
- To reheat, place the covered dish in a preheated 180°/350°F oven. It will take about 20 minutes to reheat.
Health Benefits & FAQs
This sourdough apple and cinnamon French toast casserole is the kind of recipe that feels special while still being simple and nourishing. Whether you serve it for a cozy family breakfast or dress it up as a wholesome dessert, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home too. Give it a try this week and let me know how your family enjoys it!
I also have some other some more sourdough breakfast recipes I would love you to check out:
Sourdough French Toast Casserole With Fresh Strawberries
Sourdough Breakfast Casserole With Chicken And Hash Browns
Sourdough Apple & Cinnamon French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 inch casserole dish, or similar
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil, for greasing the dish
- 4 cups cubed whole wheat sourdough bread
- 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- pinch unrefined salt
- 8 eggs
- ¼ cup melted butter, cooled
- 2½ cups whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C/350F.
- Grease your ovenproof dish with 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil. Add the cubed bread and chopped apples. Mix them together lightly.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt on top. Mix it well and spread into an even layer.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, melted butter and milk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the bread and apples in the dish. It should just barely cover the cubed bread/apples.
- Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes until the middle is set and the top is golden.
- Serve hot with whipped cream or some warm raw milk if you like.
Notes
- This recipe is great for using up old sourdough bread.
- I used whole wheat sourdough, but any type of sourdough bread will work here.
- This dish can be assembled the night before, to be baked in the morning.
- Leftovers can be reheated in a covered dish in the oven.
