Apple Pie French Toast Bake

A cozy fall breakfast with warm cinnamon apples and a crunchy streusel topping

If you love apple pie but want something a little easier, this Apple Pie French Toast Bake is the perfect fall breakfast. It has all those cozy apple pie flavors: warm cinnamon, sweet apples, and a little brown sugar, but comes together easily in one baking dish. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special enough for a weekend brunch but is simple enough to actually make!

I also love using apples here because they bring more than just flavor. Apples add fiber, vitamins, minerals, and natural sweetness to the dish, which is an easy way to add some nutrition without making breakfast feel like a “healthy” version of something. The apples soften as they bake and become sweet and cinnamon-y, so you get plenty of flavor in every bite.

And because the apples bring so much sweetness alongside a little sugar in the recipe, you really don't need to add syrup!. I’m all for adding syrup if you want it, but this bake is sweet and flavorful enough on its own. Top it with a little Greek yogurt, chopped nuts, or simply enjoy it as-is for an easy, cozy fall breakfast :)

Yield: 4-6 servings

Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

Apple pie filling

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar

• 2 tsp cornstarch

• 1 Tbsp cold water

French Toast Bake

• 1/2 loaf brioche bread (or bread of choice)

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 2 large eggs

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar

• 1/2 c milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Streusel Topping

• 2 Tbsp butter, room temperature

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar

• 1/4 c AP flour

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Add the granulated sugar and chopped apples. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Pour into the saucepan and stir until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Cut the bread into cubes and add to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla. Pour evenly over the bread.

5. Gently toss the bread with a spatula a few times until coated and the bread begins to soak up the egg mixture.

6. Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the bread and gently fold a few more times with a spatula.

7. In a small bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and flour. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the top.

8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the French toast is set and the topping is golden brown and crunchy. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with scrambled eggs, bacon, or another one of your favorite breakfast proteins. Enjoy!

   

   Delicious layers of apples and cinnamon in the French toast bake!