Pumpkin French Toast Bake is the perfect breakfast or brunch dish for fall. It’s warm, comforting, and packed with delicious pumpkin spice flavor. This recipe takes classic French toast and elevates it with a pumpkin twist, making it a great dish for holiday mornings or cozy weekends at home. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be prepared the night before, so you can just pop it in the oven in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of day-old French bread, cut into cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Maple syrup, for serving
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Add the cubed French bread to the bowl and gently toss to coat the bread in the pumpkin mixture.
- Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. If desired, sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the French toast bake is set and golden brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Pumpkin Puree: Adds a rich, creamy texture and a warm, earthy flavor to the French toast bake. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to your breakfast.
- French Bread: Using day-old bread helps it absorb the pumpkin mixture without becoming too soggy. The bread also adds a nice chewy texture to the dish.
- Eggs and Milk: These ingredients bind everything together and create a custardy texture in the bake.
- Spices: Pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg add warm, aromatic flavors that complement the pumpkin and give the dish its signature fall taste.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor to the dish, balancing out the spices and pumpkin.
This Pumpkin French Toast Bake is a delightful twist on a classic breakfast favorite, perfect for enjoying during the fall and holiday season.
