How to Make Slow Cooker French Toast for Brunch

This slow cooker brunch recipe is a twist on the classic French toast breakfast we all enjoyed growing up. Since we’re adulting now, we all need a recipe we can bring to brunch and brag about. It’s so easy— you essentially just let the slow cooker do its thing!

Big batch French toast just makes life easier. All you have to worry about is the assortment of fresh fruit for the topper! So take the challenge out of feeding a morning crowd of friends and family. And don’t search the bread aisle for too long— the recipe calls for a load of stale French bread. 

Slow Cooker French Toast
Prep: 10 Mins | Total: 6Hrs 10 Mins
Serves: 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Diet: Breakfast
Ingredients
1 loaf (about 12 cups) Stale french bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 Eggs
2 ½  Cups Milk
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional)
Topping
1/4 Cup Butter, softened
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon  Grated nutmeg  (Optional)
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract, if using, until combined. Spray the inside of your slow cooker insert with non-stick spray. Add the diced bread to the slow cooker and pour over the egg mixture. Cover and let the bread soak at least 4 hours or up to overnight in the fridge.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, salt, and nutmeg, if using.
When ready to bake, crumble topping mixture over the top of the soaked bread. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high.
Remove from slow cooker, let cool for 15-20 minute, and serve warm.
Chef Tips
A 4-to-6-quart slow cooker works best for this recipe!
While you can, of course, top this one with classic maple syrup, we also recommend adding fresh fruit like apples or peaches.

You can flavor the custard base with vanilla beans, vanilla extract, Kahlua, Baileys, Grand Marnier, citrus zest, or other spices. Try folding in extras into the topping like dried fruit, shredded coconut, or chocolate! Yum!  

For more slow cooker recipes, look no further:

Recipe adapted from Moms with Crockpots