Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option}

5 from 41 votes
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This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole has the taste of a gooey cinnamon roll. The recipe also has a dairy-free option.

gluten-free french toast casserole on a plate with strawberries and coffee in the backgound

Disclosure: This recipe is sponsored by Schär. The opinions are my own. 

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

My husband’s favorite breakfast is French Toast and mine is cinnamon rolls, so I created a French Toast Casserole that would combine both of our favorites.

So, you get the best of both worlds… a cinnamon roll casserole and a French toast casserole all in one! Seriously, it’s a flavor combination that is OH MY GOODNESS DELICIOUSNESS.

All the best parts of French toast married with the gooeyness of a cinnamon roll. Layers of bread, a gooey brown sugar and cinnamon layer and topped off with a vanilla glaze.

gluten-free french toast casserole in a casserole dish with on serving cut out

Gluten-Free Bread

I love both the bakery flavor and soft texture of Schär’s Artisan Baker White Gluten-Free Bread. It is also shelf stable and vacuumed sealed and bagged for freshness.

I have never opened a bag of moldy Schär bread! I also love that I can easily find Schär products at my local grocery store and Walmart. You can use their store locator to find a store that carries them near you.

If you prefer to bake your own bread, I have a recipe for oven-baked gluten-free bread for you!

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole In A Few Easy Steps

gluten-free french toast casserole recipe steps 1-6

Bread Layer

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F
  • Cut one loaf of the Schär Gluten-Free Artisan Baker White Bread into small pieces. (photo 1)
  • Spread the gluten-free bread pieces evenly on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until lightly toasted. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different. Remove from the oven when toasted and set aside.
  • Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray. (photo 2)
  • In a small bowl mix together the 1/2 cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on the bottom of the greased 9×13 pan. (photo 3)
  • Add the toasted bread pieces over the top of the brown sugar mixture. (photo 4)
  • In a large measuring cup or medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well blended. (photo 5)
  • Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces. (photo 6)

gluten-free french toast casserole recipe steps 7-11

Crumb Topping

  • In a small bowl add the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and melted butter and mix until crumbly. (photo 7)
  • Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. (photo 8)
  • Bake for 1 hour on the middle rack.
  • You can see if it is done by inserting a toothpick into the center of the casserole and see if it comes out clean. You will also see the sides of the casserole pulling away from the sides of the pan when it is done. The casserole will also be firm and not jiggly when it’s done. Please watch your casserole, because all ovens are different. (photo 10)

Glaze

  • Mix all of the ingredients of the glaze together in a small bowl until it’s nice and smooth. (photo 9)
  • Allow the casserole to cool a few minutes before drizzling glaze on it and serving. Enjoy! (photo 11)

Leftovers

  • Cover or store left-overs in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Reheat the casserole in the microwave or oven. This breakfast casserole is even good cold.

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

  • This casserole can be made ahead of time (even overnight) and refrigerated before baking, but do not add the crumb topping until right before baking.

Dairy-Free Baking

I have also included a dairy-free option for the recipe. My husband, myself and youngest son are all dairy-free as well. So, now you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole.

I promise that it is just as delicious made with the dairy-free butter and dairy-free milk.

Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Earth Balance or Smart Balance butter.

gluten-fee french toast casserole and a slice on a spatula

You are going to love how easy this gluten-free breakfast casserole is to make! This French toast casserole recipe allows you to save time and feed a crowd making it perfect for a brunch recipe.

It’s so good, I promise no one will even know it’s gluten-free! I’ll be making this delicious breakfast casserole for my family on both Thanksgiving and Christmas morning!

More Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes For You To Try!

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Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

5 from 41 votes

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option}

Servings: 18 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 57 minutes
Total: 1 hour 17 minutes
gluten-free french toast casserole on a white plate with coffee and strawberries in the background
This Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole has the taste of a gooey cinnamon roll. The recipe also has a dairy-free option.

Ingredients 

Bottom Layer

  • 1 loaf Schär gluten-free bread , ,toasted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, ,packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Egg Mixture

  • 6 large eggs, , whisked
  • 2 cups milk , ,dairy-free use almond, cashew or coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Crumb Topping

  • 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour, , I like Pillsbury gluten-free
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, , packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, , melted

Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk, dairy-free use almond, cashew or coconut milk

Instructions 

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F.
  • Cut one loaf of the gluten-free bread into small pieces.
  • Spread the gluten-free bread pieces evenly on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until nicely toasted. Please watch your oven because all ovens are different. Remove from the oven when toasted and set aside.
  • Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with gluten-free cooking spray. 
  • In a small bowl mix together the 1/2 cup of brown sugar and tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on the bottom of the 9x13 pan. Add the toasted bread pieces over the top of the brown sugar mixture.
  • In a large measuring cup or medium-sized bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well blended. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces. 

Crumb Topping

  • In a small bowl add the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and melted butter and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  • Bake for 1 hour on the middle rack. 
    You can see if it is done by inserting a toothpick into the center of casserole and see if it comes out clean. You will also see the sides of the casserole pulling away from the sides of the pan when it is done. The casserole will also be firm and not jiggly when it's done. Please watch your casserole because all ovens are different. 

Glaze

  • Mix all of the ingredients of the glaze together in a small bowl until it's nice and smooth. Allow the casserole to cool a few minutes before drizzling glaze on it and serving. Enjoy!
  • Cover or store left-overs in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Reheat the casserole in the microwave or oven. This breakfast casserole is even good cold.
  • This casserole can be made ahead (even overnight) of time and refrigerated before baking, but do not add the crumb topping until right before baking.

Notes

I used almond milk and Smart Balance butter for the dairy-free option. Schär gluten-free bread is also dairy-free.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, but do not add the crumb topping until right before baking.
Cover or store left-overs in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Reheat the casserole in the microwave or oven. This breakfast casserole is even good cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 254mgPotassium: 115mgFiber: 2gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 280IUCalcium: 160mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @mamaknowsglutenfree or tag #mamaknowsglutenfree!

About Audrey Roberts

I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.

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5 from 41 votes (1 rating without comment)

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63 Comments

  1. Perfect recipe for brunch parties. I use it everyime to give an option to gluten free, dairy free folks. it’s really delicious. It does have a lot of sugar so I’d like to find ways to reduce that.

  2. Delicious! It was sweet enough that it didnโ€™t need as much glazing as it called for โ€ฆ you could almost skip the glazing! I will maybe add chopped pecans next time, but it was fantastic just the way it is! So many of the gluten free non-dairy recipes look good, but arenโ€™t that great. This one is truly a keeper! Thank you!!

    1. Hi Kristen! Eggs are not considered a dairy product, which is why they are used in this recipe. You could try substituting with flax eggs or aquafaba, but I can’t guarantee how it will turn out without testing it.

  3. This was excellent! My whole family loved it! They said it tasted just like cinnamon rolls. I used Canyon Bakehouse whole grain bread because that’s what I had. Next time I may try using cinnamon raisin bread. I substituted coconut sugar for the brown sugar and half of the cane sugar, I used regular milk and butter since we are not currently dairy free. I made it up the night before so the egg mixture could really soak into the bread and it would be quicker to make in the morning.

  4. YUMMY! I had to improvise while at my father-in-lawโ€™s home for Easter. I used a loaf of gf Hawaiian bread I found at Walmart and had to sub maple syrup for vanilla in the glaze because I ran out, but it all worked out. My gosh was this tasty! Thank you!

  5. Just tried this recipe today in hopes it was good so I could make it for our gluten free Easter brunch and it was DELICIOUS!!!! I even subbed coconut sugar for the granulated sugar to cut back a tad on refined sugar and it didnโ€™t lack sweetness at all!! Iโ€™m so excited about this! Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. OMG! This is sooo good! And even though I was a little intimidated by the number of steps, it was pretty easy and straightforward. Thank you!.

  7. I made this for Christmas breakfast and it was so good! I prepared most of it the night before to save time in the morning. I used a package of Udi bagels since that is what I had on hand.

  8. Made this tonight with almond milk. So good. I decided to have it for desert with some vanilla ice cream, hot Carmel and whipped cream!! Delishes. This will be a keeper.

  9. So easy and good!The smell of the cinnamon and brown sugar baking is so homey. โค๏ธ

    1. Absolutely delicious! The aroma while it was cooking was heavenly. Best ever Cinnamon Roll! I followed the recipe. I did use raw sugar instead of granulated sugar. My go to recipe for cinnamon rolls!

  10. Best holiday breakfast recipe ever!! Thanks for such a great GF tasting, easy, and versatile recipe. โค๏ธ I made mine GF, DF, and reduced sugar. Still turned out amazing!! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

  11. My first attempt at making this dairy free thanks to your luscious recipe! My daughters baby has milk allergy and sheโ€™s nursing so we needed a dairy free alternative What luscious cinnamony scrumptiousness ! Thanks for helping us have a delicious pre Easter ๐Ÿฃ breakfast!

  12. Hello! This is such an amazing treat, thank you for a great dairy free, gluten free recipe. Wondering if anyone has tried making it with oat milk as I was thinking about trying that next time.

  13. Delicious!! Made this for Christmas brunch and my family LOVED it! Everyone had a second serving and couldnโ€™t believe it was gluten free! My son said โ€œMama does knowโ€ lol Will definitely be making again. So yummy!!!

  14. Best. Brunch. Ever. I threw this together the night before for an easy Easter brunch. Perfect! Delicious. And so easy! This recipe is a keeper! I followed the instructions with no changes, and itโ€™s perfect as-is. Iโ€™ll to it again, maybe as a special birthday breakfast next time.

  15. SO GOOD! Made it for Christmas morning, and all the non-GF folks picked it over their coffee cake. Will definitely be the new traditional holiday breakfast!

  16. Delicious! Made for Valentineโ€™s Day and it was a hit! I havenโ€™t had anything like this since before I had to go gluten-free!

    1. Thank you so much for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the Frech toast casserole and that it was a hit. Thanks again!

      1. Love this recipe. Made last year for Christmas breakfast and canโ€™t wait to make it again this year for Christmas morning. Thanks for this recipe! ^_^

  17. This was excellent. I did use gf Hawaiian bread instead of schar. Also, I used 1 C milk and 1 C egg not. Thank you for this amazing recipe!

    1. Thank you so much Carleen for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole. I have not tried it with the Hawaiian bread, but I bet it was delicious. You are so welcome I love sharing the recipes I make for my family. Thank again!

    1. Thank you so much WSendy for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the casserole, it was easy to make, and you highly recommend the recipe. Thanks again!

  18. This was so delicious. Itโ€™s been years since I has French toast because of avoiding gluten. This recipe made me happy and not feel deprived of one of my favorite special morning breakfasts.

    1. Thank you so much Nicole for the 5-str recipe review, it really made my day! It makes my heart so happy that you can enjoy one of your favorite breakfast again. Thanks again!

    1. Hi Jessica! I have not tried it in a crock-pot. If you try it will you please let me know how it turns out?

  19. This was so easy, and the leftovers reheated well. I added some toasted chopped pecans to the crumb topping, and it was delicious!

    1. Thank you so much Laura for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole. I am glad that the recipe was easy and reheated well. I love pecans and I need to try adding them to the crumb topping. Thank you again!

    2. Again, you have outdone yourself!!! This is amazing! Thank you for sharing, I canโ€™t wait for the family to try it when they get home. Bringing this for our family Christmas brunch.

  20. We loved it! It was delicious fresh and still just as good warmed up the next day. Perfect for a sweet breakfast treat.

    I am loving all of your recipes! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Thank you so much Alexis for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the breakfast casserole. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!

    1. Thank you so much Helena for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole and found the recipe to be easy. Thank you again!

  21. This French Toast is the absolute best!!!! Thank you for sharing so many delicious GF recipes. You make life better!!!????

    1. Thank you so much Lynn for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

  22. We had this for Christmas morning this last Christmas. Yum, Yum, Yum…….It is an incredibly delicious recipe and when you do it the night before….so simple to pop in the oven and bake off. I followed the directions given for the dairy free version…..Divine!!!!!!

    1. Thank you so much Laurie for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole. I make it dairy-free for my family also. Thanks again!

  23. I made this diary and gluten free. I put it together Christmas Eve and then baked it Christmas morning. It was sooo good! Several people in my family have to eat gluten free and another is dairy free. She never is able to eat the casseroles we prepare so I wanted to make sure she could this year! She absolutely loved it! I will definitely be making this again and trying out other recipes as well. Thanks again Audrey for all you do!

    1. Thank you so much Katie for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the casserole fro Christmas morning. It makes my heart so happy. I hope you enjoy the other recipes that you try. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!

  24. Used the family as Guinea pigs Christmas morning!! They LOVED it!!!!!!!!! Made it the night before and it was easy to make. Will be making this again

    1. Thank you so much Carol for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that your family enjoyed the casserole and it was easy to make, especially the night before. Thank you again!

  25. I made this on Christmas Eve, stored in the fridge then baked it Christmas morning. It was delicious and a huge hit for my husband who has CD and non gf family. We enjoyed it so much. The directions were excellent!

    1. Thank you so much Lynn for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed the cinnamon roll french toast casserole and that you found the recipe easy to follow. Thank you again for taking the time to leave me a recipe review!

  26. I made this Christmas morning and it was delicious. The recipe and pictures were easy to follow. Her tips and suggestions were right on point. This recipe went straight into my recipe book. It would be the perfect dish to bake and share at any get together. Thank you for this amazing recipe!

    1. Thank you Hollie for the amazing star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the casserole and found the recipe easy to follow and the tips helpful. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. You really made my day! Thanks again!

  27. This was a HUGE hit. I would definitely make this again. Cinnamon bun meets french toast. Lovely recipe! Christmas Day ritual coming up.

    1. Thank you so much Kelly for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you all enjoyed the casserole. Christmas morning traditions are the best! Thank you again!

    1. Thank you so much Lisa for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that everyone enjoyed the casserole. It’s one of my family’s favorites. Thanks again!

    1. I hope you enjoy it! My family loves this recipe. It will be perfect for Christmas morning. Wishing you a blessed Christmas!