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French Toast Bake

Bread cubes soaked in a cinnamon egg custard and baked until puffed — breakfast for dinner at well under $5 total.

Total Cost $5.67
Per Serving $1.42
Prep 10 min
Cook 35 min
Servings 4
  • kid-friendly
  • vegetarian
  • fast
  • comfort-food

Ingredients

  • 675 g (1 loaf) white sandwich bread, cut into cubes $2.48
  • 6 large eggs $1.98
  • 250 mL milk (2%) $0.63
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar $0.08
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon $0.05
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract $0.10
  • 1 tbsp butter, for greasing the pan $0.19
  • pinch salt $0.01
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or extra brown sugar, for topping (optional) $0.15
  • Recipe total$5.67

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Butter a 23×33 cm (9×13 inch) baking dish.
  2. Tear or cut the bread into rough 2–3 cm cubes and spread them in the baking dish.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until combined.
  4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Press down gently with a spatula so all the bread absorbs the custard.
  5. Let it soak 5 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.
  6. Drizzle the top with maple syrup or sprinkle with a little extra brown sugar if using.
  7. Bake 30–35 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean.
  8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Cut into portions directly in the pan.

Nutrition per Serving

Estimated values per serving.

410 Calories
17g Protein
58g Carbs
11g Fat
2g Fiber
490mg Sodium
~15% DV Iron~18% DV Calcium~0% DV Vitamin C

Gluten-Free

This recipe can be made gluten-free with substitutions.

  • Replace white sandwich bread with gluten-free sandwich bread (same weight) (GF bread typically $6–8 per loaf, which would push this over budget. Best to skip.)

This recipe depends entirely on bread, so a GF version is not practical at this price point.

Budget Notes

  • No Name white bread at $2.48 makes this one of the cheapest recipes on the site. The whole loaf goes in.
  • Six eggs is a lot, but it is what makes the custard generous enough to soak a full loaf. Do not cut it to four.
  • 250 mL is just over a cup of milk, which is about one-eighth of a 2L carton ($5.00). Use whatever is in the fridge.
  • Serve with whatever is cheap — extra brown sugar, a sprinkle of cinnamon, jam, or nothing. It works.