Name: Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf French bread or sourdough bread; 8 eggs; 2 cups milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons apple pie spice; 1 (21 oz) can apple pie filling; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon apple pie spice; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup cold butter; Powdered sugar; Maple syrup; Whipped cream

If you’re hunting for a breakfast that feels like a warm hug, you’re going to absolutely adore this Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe. It’s baked to perfection, soaked overnight so every bite is tender and bursting with apple pie spices and sweetness. Trust me, once you make this, it will become your go-to weekend breakfast that everyone raves about!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-Off Prep: You mix it up the night before, then just pop it in the oven in the morning.
Comfort Food Vibes: The warm apple pie spices practically sing autumn in every bite.
Crowd Pleaser: I’ve served this to family and friends and it disappears fast — they go crazy for it!
Versatile and Easy: Use your favorite bread and tweak toppings to make it your own cozy masterpiece.

A clear glass bowl holds three main layers of ingredients: on the left is white flour, in the middle a heap of brown cinnamon powder, and on the right several thick slices of pale yellow butter. A pastry cutter with a shiny metal handle rests in the bowl, ready to mix the ingredients. The bowl sits on a wooden surface with a red and white patterned cloth beside it, and three whole red apples sit blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here works together to give you that perfect balance of creamy custard, tender bread, and spiced apple filling with a crunchy streusel topper. Choosing a sturdier bread like French or sourdough will help it soak up the custard without falling apart.

French Bread or Sourdough Bread: Go for a loaf a day or two old so it soaks up the custard beautifully without getting mushy.
Eggs: The base of your custard, binding everything together.
Milk: Use whole milk for richness, or a milk alternative if needed.
Heavy Cream: Adds extra lushness to the custard.
Brown Sugar: Gives the custard sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor.
Vanilla: A little warmth and depth to the custard mix.
Apple Pie Spice: This magical blend is what brings the whole recipe to life—think cinnamon, nutmeg, and all those cozy notes.
Apple Pie Filling: The star of the show! Adds juicy, spiced apple chunks right inside your French toast.
Flour: For that irresistible streusel topping to add texture and crunch.
Cinnamon: Another layer of spice in the streusel topping for extra warmth.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness.
Butter (cold): Cut into the flour mixture for that crumbly, buttery topping.
Powdered Sugar: The perfect pretty finish dusted on top before serving.
Maple Syrup: Because no French toast is complete without it.
Whipped Cream: For that extra indulgent touch that takes it over the top.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this overnight apple pie French toast my own by switching up toppings and spices — and you can, too! This recipe is a great canvas for personal touches, whether you like things extra sweet or with a little twist.

Make it Gluten-Free: I swapped the bread for a gluten-free loaf once, and it worked great; just make sure your bread isn’t too crumbly.
Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts in the streusel make it delightfully crunchy—my family goes wild for this.
Fruit Mix-In: Try fresh berries or pears along with apple pie filling to brighten it up.
Spice It Up: Toss in a pinch of ground ginger or cloves if you want a little extra warmth and complexity.

How to Make Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bread and Custard

Start by cutting your French bread into thick slices—about 1-inch thick works perfectly. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, and apple pie spice until it’s smooth and fragrant. This custard soak is what makes the bread irresistibly soft on the inside with all those cinnamon-apple flavors soaking through.

Step 2: Layer the French Toast

In a greased baking dish, lay half of your bread slices snugly. Spoon half the apple pie filling over the bread, then repeat with the remaining bread and filling. Pour your custard evenly over the entire dish, pressing down gently on the bread slices to ensure they soak up all that goodness.

Step 3: Make the Streusel Topping

In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until it forms pea-sized crumbs. Sprinkle this generously over the custard-soaked bread—this topping bakes into a crispy, sweet crunch that’s just divine.

Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight and Bake

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and pop it in your fridge overnight. This slow soak gives the bread time to absorb all those spiced flavors. The next morning, bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for about 50 minutes until the streusel topping is golden and crispy, and the custard is set but still creamy.

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Pro Tips for Making Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresher bread can get soggy; letting it dry out a bit helps it soak custard without collapsing.
Don’t Skip the Streusel: That crunchy top is what makes this recipe shine and adds texture contrast.
Cover While Soaking: Always tightly cover the dish in the fridge to keep flavors fresh and prevent drying out.
Let It Rest Before Serving: A few minutes cooling time helps everything set and makes slicing cleaner.

How to Serve Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe

A piece of golden brown bread pudding sits on a round wooden plate, showing a soft and moist texture with slightly crispy edges. On top, there is a thick swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled lightly with cinnamon. The dessert looks warm and inviting, with some powdered sugar dusted over the bread knife sections. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, and there's a blurred background with sliced apples and a cloth napkin nearby. A silver fork lies in front of the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always dust this with powdered sugar and drizzle real maple syrup—because why not? Then, a big dollop of freshly whipped cream adds the perfect light, creamy touch. Sometimes I toss a few chopped toasted nuts on top for crunch. It’s basically like apple pie for breakfast, but better.

Side Dishes

On busy mornings, I like serving it with simple scrambled eggs or some crispy bacon on the side for a savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or orange slices brighten the plate and balance the sweetness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this in mini bunt pans for cute individual portions, and topped each slice with a cinnamon stick and a small sprig of fresh thyme—it looks stunning and guests love the thoughtful detail. You can also layer with caramel sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap any leftovers tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for 3-4 days and tastes just as great reheated for a quick weekday breakfast.

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions before by wrapping them snugly in plastic wrap and foil—just thaw overnight in the fridge. Freezing slightly changes the texture of the custard, but if you’re in a pinch, it works well.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop slices in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until heated through and the topping gets crisp again. The microwave works too, but the oven really revives that crunchy streusel best.

FAQs

Can I use other kinds of bread for the Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe?

Absolutely! While French or sourdough bread gives great texture, you can experiment with challah or brioche for a richer taste. Just be sure the bread is sturdy enough to absorb the custard without falling apart.
Is it necessary to soak the French toast overnight?

Soaking overnight isn’t mandatory, but it allows the custard to fully penetrate the bread, resulting in a wonderfully tender and flavorful dish. If you’re short on time, even a few hours can work, but overnight is best for maximum flavor.
Can I prepare this recipe dairy-free?

You sure can! Use dairy-free milk alternatives like almond or oat milk, and swap heavy cream with coconut cream. Just be aware that the texture might change slightly but it will still be delicious.
How do I make the streusel topping crunchy and not soggy?

Make sure to use cold butter and cut it into the dry ingredients until just pea-sized crumbs form. This helps the topping crisp up nicely during baking. Avoid mixing too much or adding liquid to the streusel.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?

Yes! Just use a larger baking dish or two pans and adjust the baking time slightly if needed. Make sure not to overcrowd the dish so the custard can distribute evenly.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Overnight Apple Pie French Toast Recipe is one of those joy-inducing dishes that feels like a little celebration every time you serve it. It’s simple enough to prep ahead, impressive on the plate, and bursting with cozy flavors that make chilly mornings a whole lot better. I hope you give this a try soon and find it becomes your family’s new favorite — just like it did mine!