This Easy Coconut French Toast Bake is such a delicious treat for breakfast or brunch. It's perfectly custardy on the inside and topped with a crisp pecan crumb. Best of all, it's simple enough to make for a crowd, and it can be prepared ahead of time.
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The Perfect Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole
If you love a good make-ahead breakfast, this recipe is sure to find its way into your weekend recipe routine. The coconut and pecan put a delicious new twist on the classic French toast bake so it's great for guests or special occasions. You don't need to tell them just how super simple it is to make.
Try serving this Easy Coconut French Toast Bake with berries, whipped cream and our Coconut Syrup, if you really want to go all out. It would also taste great paired with something on the more savory side, like Cheesy Hashbrowns with Ham and Bacon or Candied Bacon.
This can be made the morning-of, if you find yourself in a pinch. But, the best part about a make-ahead French toast casserole is being able to make it ahead! Just throw your ingredients together and put in the fridge overnight so all you need to do in the morning is heat your oven and bake!
Other Streusel Topping Ideas
If you want to use more of a buttery streusel topping for this French toast bake, try swapping out the one from this Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. For a nut-free streusel option, the cinnamon and brown sugar streusel from our Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake would be amazing, too.
Ingredients in Coconut French Toast Bake
- Brown Sugar - we use light brown sugar for this recipe, it caramelizes as it bakes and gives a delicious flavor.
- Butter - this should be melted and mixed with the brown sugar to form the “crust” under the bread.
- French Bread - this should be sliced into 1” thick slices, or you could try cutting or tearing into 1” bread cubes.
- Coconut Flakes - you can usually find flakes or shredded coconut in the baking section of your grocery store.
- Eggs - any type of large eggs will work.
- Milk - you can also use half and half, or even try with coconut milk.
- Nutmeg - this gives a nice hint of baking spice.
- Pecans - you can use either whole or pre-chopped since they are going to be chopped further anyway.
- Cinnamon - this is to flavor the crumb topping
- Salt
What is the best bread for a French Toast Casserole?
You want to use a dense bread, like French bread, that can handle all of the liquid. Other types that would work great are Texas toast or even Challah bread.
How to Make French Toast Casserole
- If you are making this French toast casserole the day before, cover your pan with plastic after you have poured your egg and milk mixture over the French bread, and store in the fridge overnight. The next day, preheat your oven and let your baking pan come to room temperature.
- Once you are ready to bake, sprinkle this crumb topping over the French toast and bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and the egg mixture has set.
- Remove from the oven and let cook slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Overnight French Toast Bake Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to bring your baking pan up to room temperature before you put it in the oven. Otherwise the extreme temperature difference can break your pan.
- Don’t add your crumb topping until right before you put it in the oven to be sure that it stays crispy and crunchy.
- Using bread that is slightly stale helps it soak up all of the eggy goodness.
How to Reheat French Toast
Leftovers can be stored in any type of airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat by covering your pan with foil and putting in a 350 degree oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat an individual portion in the microwave if you can’t wait that long!
Easy Coconut French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar light brown
- 1/2 Cup Butter melted
- 1 loaf French Bread sliced into 1" thick slices
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 Cup Milk can also use half and half
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 Cup Pecans
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar light brown
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9" x 13" pan with non-stick baking spray.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and the brown sugar, and pour this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. (This will give the french toast a chewy and sweet crust on the bottom) Arrange 1" thick sliced french bread into the bottom of the baking dish.
- Arrange 1" thick slices of French bread evenly over the brown sugar mixture in your baking dish, then sprinkle the coconut flakes evenly over the French bread.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and nutmeg, and then pour your egg mixture over the coconut and French bread evenly.
- Sprinkle the coconut flakes on the french bread, pour the egg and milk mixture onto the french bread.
- To make your crumb topping, add the pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt into a food processor and pulse until the nuts are chopped to desired size.
- Sprinkle this crumb topping over the French toast and bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and the egg mixture has set.
- Remove from the oven and let cook slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Here are some other breakfast recipes we love too!
- Einkorn Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Stuffed French Toast with Pecan Crumble Topping
- Mixed Berry French Toast Bake with Cream Cheese
- Classic French Toast Bake
- The Best German Pancakes Recipe
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This Easy Coconut French Toast Bake is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a special holiday. If you love a good make-ahead breakfast, this recipe is sure to make its way into your family’s weekend recipe routine.
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