If you’re looking for a cozy fall breakfast that feels special but doesn’t require standing over the stove flipping individual slices of French toast, this pumpkin French toast casserole is exactly what you need.
This post may contain affiliate links.
It’s made with chunks of bread soaked in a creamy pumpkin custard flavored with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
Everything bakes together until the top is golden and slightly crisp while the center stays soft and custardy.
And the best part? You can assemble it the night before.
That makes this pumpkin French toast casserole especially nice for Thanksgiving morning, a fall brunch, or a lazy weekend breakfast with the family.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
There are few things better than waking up to the smell of something delicious baking in the oven.
This casserole makes breakfast easy because most of the work can be done ahead of time.
Want to try making your own jelly at home?
Get my free guide with 8 easy, beginner-friendly jelly recipes you can confidently make.
It’s also a great way to use up day-old bread. In fact, slightly stale bread works beautifully because it has a chance to soak up all that delicious pumpkin custard without becoming completely mushy.
The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and plenty of cozy fall flavor, while cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice make the whole kitchen smell amazing.
Ingredients
For the French toast casserole, you’ll need:
- 1 loaf French bread or brioche
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
You can leave out the pecans if you’re serving someone with a nut allergy.
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
1. Prepare the Bread
Cut the French bread into approximately 1-inch cubes.
Day-old bread works especially well for this recipe. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and let it sit out for a little while to dry slightly.
Place the bread cubes into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Make the Pumpkin Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and everything is well combined.
3. Pour Over the Bread
Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
Gently press the bread down with a spatula or the back of a spoon so that the bread can absorb the custard.
Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For an overnight French toast casserole, cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight.
Make the Topping
In a small bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
Mix until the pecans are evenly coated.
If you’re making the casserole ahead of time, wait to add the topping until just before baking.
Bake the Casserole
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes.
Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered for approximately 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
How to Serve Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
There are so many delicious ways to serve this casserole.
Try topping it with:
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
For an extra cozy fall breakfast, serve it with a hot cup of coffee or apple cider.
The pumpkin flavor is delicious without being overwhelming, so this is a breakfast the whole family can enjoy.
Can I Make It the Night Before?
Absolutely!
That’s one of the best things about this recipe.
Prepare the casserole through the step where you pour the pumpkin custard over the bread. Cover the baking dish tightly and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, prepare the pecan topping and sprinkle it over the casserole.
Then bake according to the recipe.
This makes it a wonderful option for Thanksgiving morning because you can do most of the preparation the night before.
While everyone is waking up and drinking coffee, your breakfast can be baking in the oven.
What Kind of Bread Should I Use?
French bread works wonderfully, but you have several options.
Brioche makes an especially rich and soft French toast casserole.
Challah is another excellent choice.
You can also use regular sandwich bread in a pinch, although a sturdy loaf will give you a better texture.
The important thing is that the bread isn’t extremely fresh and soft. Slightly stale bread has more ability to soak up the pumpkin custard.
Easy Variations
Add Apples
Add diced apples to the bread mixture before pouring in the custard for a delicious pumpkin-apple combination.
Add Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries add a little tartness and make this casserole feel especially festive for Thanksgiving.
Skip the Pecans
If you don’t like nuts, simply leave them out. The casserole is delicious with just the cinnamon-sugar topping.
Add Chocolate Chips
For a sweeter breakfast, sprinkle some chocolate chips throughout the bread cubes before adding the pumpkin custard.
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole for Thanksgiving
If you’re looking for Thanksgiving breakfast ideas, this is one recipe I’d keep handy.
Thanksgiving morning can be busy enough without trying to cook a complicated breakfast.
This casserole can be assembled the night before, which means you don’t have to spend the morning making pancakes or French toast one batch at a time.
Just put the casserole in the oven, make some coffee, and enjoy the morning.
It’s also a great recipe for overnight guests during the holiday season.
More Pumpkin Recipes to Try
If you’re in the middle of pumpkin season, there are plenty of other cozy recipes to try.
For breakfast, make a loaf of Classic Pumpkin Bread or a batch of pumpkin muffins.
If you’re looking for something sweet to serve with coffee, try Pumpkin Coffee Cake.
And for another easy pumpkin dessert, my Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, warmly spiced, and topped with a creamy homemade frosting.
You might also enjoy Pumpkin Fudge if you’re looking for a smaller treat to make for fall gatherings or holiday gifts.
There’s something about a warm breakfast casserole that makes a fall morning feel special.
This pumpkin French toast casserole combines all those familiar autumn flavors—pumpkin, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice—in one easy dish.
And because you can prepare it the night before, it’s especially useful when you’re feeding family or guests.
Make it for a quiet fall weekend, serve it to overnight guests, or put it on the menu for Thanksgiving morning.
Just don’t forget the maple syrup.
Follow my Fall Recipes board on Pinterest.