Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
Published 9/5/2018 • Updated 12/7/2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
When short on time and short on oven space, give this Instant Pot French toast casserole a try! It combines the flavors and textures we love about French toast and cinnamon rolls to create a truly epic brunch recipe.
Our recipe for Instant Pot French toast casserole combines everything we love about French toast with the delicious gooey texture and flavor of a cinnamon roll – and only takes 25 minutes to cook in your Instant Pot. If you’re tight on oven space or don’t have an oven (hello dorm room!), you’ll appreciate how quickly and easily this breakfast recipe comes together.
Combine cubed sourdough bread and walnuts with an almond butter cinnamon drizzle, top it all off with a sprinkle of butter and brown sugar, mix in the eggs and milk, and let the pressure cooker do the rest. While optional, the buttery brown sugar topping cooks to sweet, caramelized perfection and sets this recipe apart. We tested the casserole with and without it and we all preferred the version with the topping!
Featured Comment
“I made this recipe with gluten free bread and it was delicious! Kid approved!!” – Jamie
What You Need for Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
There are 3 parts to this homemade French toast casserole – here’s what you need for each:
French Toast
- Sourdough bread
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vanilla
- Maple syrup
- Walnuts
Almond Butter Drizzle
- Almond butter
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Coconut oil
Topping
The optional topping comes together with cubed, cold butter and brown sugar.
French Toast Casserole Variations
Mix up this Instant Pot breakfast casserole with any of these swaps. Instead of:
Sourdough bread, use your favorite kind of bread. We love the chewiness of sourdough and really love the texture it takes in a breakfast bake, but cinnamon raisin or a hearty whole wheat would be delicious. You can’t go wrong!
Maple syrup, try honey.
Walnuts, use the same amount of chopped pecans.
Almond butter, try peanut butter or a mixed nut butter in the topping. Just make sure it’s the drippy, all natural kind.
FAQ
For a gluten free version of French toast casserole, use GF bread. No other changes needed!
Absolutely. Simply omit the chopped walnuts from the recipe OR add raisins instead.
This French toast casserole is done cooking when the mixture is set and lightly golden brown. It takes about 25 minutes to cook through in the Instant Pot.
Storage
Store any leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat leftovers, we recommend using the oven. Transfer leftover casserole into an oven-safe baking dish and place in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes. This method prevents soggy leftovers!
We don’t recommend freezing leftovers as the bread will become very soggy once frozen, thawed, and reheated. This casserole is best enjoyed fresh!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this French toast casserole with a side of fresh fruit, hot coffee, and any of your favorite toppings. Some of our go-to French toast toppings are a drizzle of maple syrup, slather of almond butter or peanut butter, or sprinkle of coconut flakes or chocolate chips.
Instant Pot French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
French Toast
- 12 slices sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (~6 cups)
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup milk, any kind
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Almond Butter Cinnamon Drizzle
- 2/3 cup almond butter, drippy
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
Optional Topping
- 4 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Spray a heat proof 8-inch glass bowl with nonstick cooking spray (this is the bowl you will use to cook your French toast in). Set aside.
- Make the almond butter cinnamon drizzle: In a small bowl, mix together the almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and melted coconut oil. The consistency should be drippy – if not, add additional melted coconut oil 1 teaspoon at a time.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and maple syrup together.
- Assemble the French toast casserole: Place half of the bread cubes and half of the walnuts into the prepared glass bowl. Drizzle half of the almond butter cinnamon drizzle over the bread mixture. Add the rest of the bread cubes and walnuts and drizzle the remaining almond butter mixture on top.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes and use a spatula to mix. If adding the optional topping, sprinkle the cubed butter and brown sugar on top.
- Place the metal Instant Pot trivet on the bottom of Instant Pot and pour in 1 cup of water. Place the bowl of the French toast casserole mixture on top of the trivet.
- Lock the Instant Pot and turn the pressure valve to seal. Press manual and turn to high pressure and cook for 25 minutes.
- Quick release and remove Instant Pot cover. Let cool and serve with your favorite French toast toppings.
Tips & Notes
- Storage: Store any leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Nutrition Information: Does not include optional topping.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Shop This Post
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
I just came across this recipe while looking for some new breakfast ideas. I like the fact that it was healthier than other sweet breakfast options. I cut the recipe in half as I was only making it for 2 adults and it came out perfect! The almond butter was such a nice addition. I was worried this would be soggy but it wasn’t. It reminded me of an Irish steamed bread pudding.
Do you think I can successfully cut the recipe in 1/2? Don’t need 8 servings……if yes, what size bowl would you recommend?
I made this recipe with gluten free bread and it was delicious! Kid approved!!
Ohh! What G/F bread did you use?
What does “almond butter, drippy” mean? The drippy part specifically?
How can you make this in the oven if you don’t have an instant pot?
Try this recipe instead: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/maple-pecan-overnight-french-toast-bake-sourdough/
This looks amazing! Can I prepare it the night before and leave in refrigerator until morning to cook it?
This is easy, yummy and perfect for a special holiday or a girls brunch!!!
Regards GetPay
I loved this recipe! May I link to this post in a roundup and use one of your photos (with proper credit of course). It’s focusing on creative ways to use the IP.
Amazing! I left off the drizzle and just added a tablespoon of pie spice directly to the eggs, drizzled it with extra maple and cooked it… was so scared it would turn out soggy but wow… wonderful texture, flavor and it looked really different once sliced. Almost no one in my house doctored it at all!
I don’t have almond butter… You think peanut butter would work?
Yes, for sure!