Portions: 8 servings Calories: 313kcal |
You'll love this French toast healthy spiced apple pudding with almond milk, a French toast casserole inspired by the popular breakfast. Topped with juicy apples, it is a better breakfast alternative and can be served with afternoon coffee.
By - Last revised . Published Oct 6, 2014.
Why I ā¤ļø it Recipe Ingredients Preparation
French toast breakfast casserole.
Why I ā¤ļø it
I cannot in good conscience say that French toast is any good for me, it's the kind of thing I might have just once in a decade. Except for this French toast healthy casserole topped with spiced apples; because French toast might not make the healthiest breakfast, but it can be forgiven if you make it this way.
This one is specially great if you are looking for a lighter, milk-free alternative. It doesn't matter whether you are an advanced baker or a beginner, this French toast recipe is nearly foolproof. Now you know what you'll be baking next.
French toast healthy casserole recipe
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Utensils and tools
Ingredients
Spiced apple layer
- 4 Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples
- Ā½ bar (Ā¼ cup) melted salted butter (see notes)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- Ā½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Ā¼ teaspoon clove powder
French Toast casserole
- Butter at room temperature for greasing pan
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 Ā½ cups almond milk
- Ā½ stick (Ā¼ cup) melted salted butter
- 3 large eggs
- Ā½ cup sugar (white, granulated)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Ā½ teaspoon baking powder
- Ā¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces [350 gr] (about 1 baguette) of day old French bread, sliced
Preparation
Before starting, please make sure you have all the ingredients and utensils ready.
Step 1: Heat oven
Heat the oven to 350 ĀŗF [175 ĀŗC].
Step 2: Season apples
In the meantime, to make the spiced apple layer, peel and core the apples and slice into thin rings.
Mix butter, brown sugar, ginger powder, cinnamon powder, and clove powder. Pour on the apples and work with your hands to coat them with the butter mixture. Set the apples aside.
Step 3: Drench bread
To make the French toast layer, grease the baking pan with butter and sprinkle the bottom with the brown sugar.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar, cinnamon powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until it is mixed completely. Bathe the bread slices in the milk mixture, making sure the liquid soaks in.
Step 4: Make the casserole
Arrange the bread in layers in the baking pan trying to keep it even. Pour in any leftover milk mixture.
Top with the apples arranged in an even layer.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature before serving.
Variations
If you want to make it completely dairy free, substitute equal amount of vegetable oil for butter in the recipe. Be mindful the taste will not be identical, but it's still a great recipe.
If you want to try more apple recipes, don't miss my ginger spiced apple pie, and this Lithuanian apple cake.
Top tips
- I have made this several times and have learned a few lessons on what works and what doesn't in this French toast recipe. Of course, even the ones that didn't turn out so well were very, very good, so it will never go to waste.
- French baguettes work best for this casserole, but the crust must not be too thick and dry, or it will stay the same after baking. You can also use brioche, challah, or white bread. Each will give a different consistency, but good in their way.
- Another thing to remember is the type of apple you'll use. Not all apples cook well, some get mushy, and some get rubbery. We suggest Pink Lady or, as a second choice, the classic baker's favorite: Granny Smith.
Serving suggestions
This is perfect as a breakfast dish and goes great with your afternoon coffee or tea.
Nutritional information
Calories: 313kcal - Carbohydrates: 60g - Protein: 10g - Fat: 4g - Saturated Fat: 2g - Cholesterol: 11mg - Sodium: 358mg - Potassium: 342mg - Fiber: 3g - Sugar: 34g - Vitamin A: 220IU - Vitamin C: 4.2mg - Calcium: 159mg - Iron: 1.7mg
FAQs
Is French toast healthy for breakfast?
Traditional French toast is not considered healthy by many, as it is made by frying bread that has been soaked in milk and sugar.
Can you make french toast with oat milk?
Yes, this recipe can be made by using oat milk instead of almond milk.
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French Toast Casserole with Spiced Apple
Ingredients
Spiced apple layer
- 4 Granny Smith apples
- Ā½ bar melted salted butter
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- Ā½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- Ā¼ teaspoon clove powder
French toast casserole
Instructions
Step 1: Heat oven
- Heat oven to 350 ĀŗF [175 ĀŗC]
Step 2: Season apples
- In the meantime, to make the spiced apple layer, peel and core theĀ applesĀ and slice into thin rings.MixĀ butter,Ā brown sugar,Ā ginger powder,Ā cinnamon powder, andĀ clove powder. Pour on the apples and work with your hands to coat them with the butter mixture. Set the apples aside.
Step 3: Drench bread
- To make the French toast layer, grease the baking panĀ with butterĀ and sprinkle the bottom with theĀ brown sugar.In a large mixing bowl, combine theĀ almond milk,Ā melted butter,Ā eggs,Ā sugar,Ā cinnamon powder,Ā baking powder,Ā andĀ salt. Whisk until it is mixed completely. Bathe the bread slices in the milk mixture, making sure the liquid soaks in.
Step 4: Make the casserole
- Arrange the bread in layers in the baking pan trying to keep it even. Pour in any leftover milk mixture.Top with the apples arranged in an even layer.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
By , published Oct 6, 2014 on Tia Clara
Carmen
Thank you for the recipe, we really enjoyed it last weekend. My kids drizzled it with maple syrups, and they liked it. Thanks!
Tia Clara
Thanks for trying my recipe. I am happy that you enjoyed it.
Emilia
This looks fantastic! My grandmother used to make bread pudding I loved. She put the bread and milk in the blender--yes, I know, odd, isn't it? And she used chopped prunes instead of raisins--I didn't like them when I was a kid, can you believe it?! She also made French toast, that we call "rabanada" and is much more soft than the ones I have eaten in the US; it's traditional to also serve them with Christmas and New Year's Eve dinner. Anyway, I love both French toast and bread pudding and I will certainly try yours--and it will be dessert also, lol! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe!