This apple French toast bake is made with crusty bread, spiced apples, and bourbon, and can be prepared the night before for an easy overnight breakfast bake!

apple french toast bake in a serving dish

My friend Lynn makes amazing breakfast casseroles.

Lynn lives in Pennsylvania, and each time we've visited, I wake up to the decadent scent of baked breakfast goods wafting through the bedroom door.

At first, I thought she'd woken up hours before me, and I was amazed.

Later, I realized that she was even more clever than I realized-- she'd prepared everything the night before!

Lynn is a breakfast genius.

And while we didn't make it to Pennsylvania this year, I've still been thinking about a tasty French toast bake that she made for us.

This apple French toast bake reminds me of our friends up north, and is a delicious, decadent breakfast bake that's easy to prepare ahead of time.

And I added a little splash of bourbon, because why not!

Why Make Baked French Toast?

Because you can prepare it ahead of time!

You can't really do that with traditional French toast.

But also, baked French toast is portable, so you can make it at home, put it in your car, and drive it to a brunch party.

I still adore other kinds of French toast-- like this coconut French toast or this strawberry stuffed French toast-- but baked French toast has definitely won a place in my kitchen.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

I used an Italian loaf for this apple French toast, but if you prefer a French baguette, brioche, or another bread that can be cut into thick slices, that should work too.

Stale bread works best for French toast, but if your bread is soft and fresh, the recipe walks you through how to dry it out in the oven.

What Kind of Apples Should I Use?

I like making this with Fuji apples, because they're easy to find, crisp, juicy, and also because that's what I most often have on hand.

That said, use your favorite apples!

This apple French toast bake would be perfect with Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisps, and basically any apple other than the not-so-delicious Red Delicious.

How To Make an Apple French Toast Bake

Start by slicing an Italian loaf into thick slices.

Mix together eggs, milk, a little bourbon, and some sugar. Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, and layer them in a baking dish.

Next, heat butter in a skillet, and add apple slices, spices, brown sugar, and bourbon.

Cook the apples until they're tender.

Take out about a fourth of the apples, and set them aside for later.

Scoop the remaining apples and syrup over the bread slices, making sure to tuck some apples between the bread.

Overnight French Toast Bake

If you're making this apple French toast bake the day before you serve it, cover the dish in foil and refrigerate it overnight.

Make sure to refrigerate the reserved apples too.

Baking French Toast

When you're ready to bake (either immediately after assembling or the next morning), bake until the bread is golden.

Bake the Apple French Toast Until Golden

Serve this tasty apple bake warm along with some of the reserved apples. I like to drizzle honey over my French toast, but it's also delicious with maple syrup.

Want to impress your guests?

Pull this apple French toast bake out of the oven just as your guests are waking up for the day, and wow them with your breakfast-making skills!

Want more make-ahead breakfast ideas? Try this smoked salmon croissant strata from Imagelicious!

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