Get ready for the ultimate breakfast mashup with our Cinnamon Crunch Bagel French Toast Casserole! It’s a delightful fusion of two breakfast classics that’s absolutely unforgettable.
While the appeal of this casserole is its sweet decadence, we also love that it’s easy to make ahead of time. Whip it up in advance, and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy breakfast or brunch dish that nobody can resist!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Bagel French Toast Casserole
If you’re like us and are sometimes indecisive about what to make for breakfast or brunch, this bagel french toast casserole is just what you need! Combining the best of both worlds, it’s sweet, fluffy, and so easy to make, but those are just a couple of reasons why we love this recipe. It also:
- Comes together with budget-friendly staple ingredients.
- Bakes in 40 minutes or less.
- Feeds a crowd.
- Pairs well with all your favorite recipes like scrambled eggs or shakshuka!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, we broke the ingredients down into two categories. The first is for the base of the casserole. The second is for the sweet crumb topping. Here’s everything you’ll need:
For the Bagel French Toast Casserole
- Bagels – As the name suggests, we use cinnamon crunch bagels for a sweet and savory taste that’s absolutely to die for.
- Cream Cheese – Plain, full-fat cream cheese is sandwiched between the bagels for the rich flavor and creamy texture you expect from a bagel.
- Eggs – These are crucial to any french toast recipe, locking in moisture and creating a crisp exterior.
- Milk – For the best results, we recommend using whole milk. However, any milk you have on hand will do.
For the Crumb Topping
- Cinnamon – Used to enhance the flavor of the bagels.
- Butter – Helps form a crumbly topping, adding rich flavor and a decadent texture.
- Sugar – A combination of brown and granulated sugars helps sweeten the dish without drying out the bagel french toast casserole.
- Salt – Just a pinch is used to enhance the rest of the ingredients.
- Flour – Regular, all-purpose flour adds structure to the crumble, holding the ingredients together.
Optional Mix-Ins
Thanks to the cinnamon crunch bagels, this casserole is unbelievably delicious all on its own. However, if you want to add even more flavor and texture feel free to include extras like:
- Chopped Nuts
- Fresh Berries
- Banana Coins
- Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Chips
How to Make Cinnamon Crunch Bagel French Toast Casserole
This casserole is bound to become your new go-to sweet morning indulgence! It’s not only super scrumptious, it’s a breeze to whip up.
- Prepare the Bagels. Slice each bagel down the center, and spread the cream cheese on one half, creating a sandwich. Once combined, slice each bagel into 4 separate pieces. Arrange the pieces in a single layer at the bottom of a buttered baking dish.
- Combine the Egg Mixture. In a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the mixture over the bagels, cover the baking dish, and place it in the fridge overnight.
- Create the Crumb Topping. When you’re ready to bake, combine the ingredients for the crumb mixture in a large bowl. Sprinkle them over the bagels.
- Bake. Place the dish in the oven until it is golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Bagel French Toast Casserole Common Questions
Yes! Prepare the ingredients up until they crumble. Then, cover the baking dish, and leave it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to eat, follow the instructions as normal.
Absolutely. Transfer any leftovers to a freezer-safe, airtight container, and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Sure! We love the sweet flavor of cinnamon crunch bagels, but any bagels you like best can be used. Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations to fit your preferences!
Yes, to make this recipe gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free bagels, and swap out the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative.
More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
Are you as obsessed with French toast as we are? Then you absolutely can’t pass up on these mouthwatering recipes!
- Cannoli Baked French Toast
- Bananas Foster French Toast
- Nutella Stuffed Croissant French Toast
- Churro French Toast
Cinnamon Crunch Bagel French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the French Toast Casserole:
- 6 large plain or cinnamon swirl bagels preferably stale or day old, sliced in half
- 6-8 ounces plain cream cheese room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoons butter softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Butter a 12×8 baking dish, and set aside.
- Slice the bagels in half, and spread 2-3 tablespoons of cream cheese on half of the slices. Sandwich them together, and cut the bagels into 4 equal-sized pieces.6 large plain or cinnamon swirl bagels, 6-8 ounces plain cream cheese
- Arrange the bagel pieces in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the mixture over the bagels. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a bowl, mix together the cinnamon, butter, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Evenly spread the mixture over the bagels.1 teaspoon cinnamon, 4 Tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown, and serve warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve made this twice for postpartum friends. I put it in single serve aluminum foil pans, and double wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. They froze beautifully. Reheating instructions were written on the lids.
Delicious recipe!