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Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Bagel French Toast Casserole

Name: Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pack Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bagels (cut into 1-inch cubes); 8 oz cream cheese (cut into small cubes); 6 large eggs; 1 ½ cups milk (or dairy-free milk alternative); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon + nutmeg mix); ¼ cup maple syrup; ¼ cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp melted butter (or dairy-free alternative); Pinch of salt

Alice and Em
Sep 18, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Nov 4

When the leaves start changing and pumpkin spice reigns supreme, it's time to bring those autumn vibes into the kitchen. And what better way to do that than with a gluten-free pumpkin bagel French toast casserole? Using Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bagels, this casserole is the perfect mix of cozy comfort food and easy prep. It's loaded with cream cheese, warming spices, and a sweet maple custard that soaks right into the pumpkiny goodness, making every bite a fall-flavored hug.

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Overhead photo of gluten free pumpkin spice French toast casserole with cubes of cream cheese, drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar, surrounded by mini pumpkins and fall leaves on a marble surface. — Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole

Whether you’re looking for a gluten-free breakfast recipe that wows your family or a showstopper for your next weekend brunch, this casserole has got you covered. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, making it a lifesaver for those mornings when you'd rather be sipping coffee in fuzzy socks than cooking up a storm. Want more of this type of action? Try our fluffy GF Pancakes, our Berry Smoothie Bowl or our Buckwheat Porridge.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Bagel French Toast Casserole

Gluten-Free & Celiac-Friendly: Using Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bagels, this recipe is perfect for those who have to stay away from gluten but don’t want to miss out on all things pumpkin spice.
Super Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen to pull this off. Just cut up your bagels, mix a custard, and bake!
Perfect for Meal Prep: You can make this the night before and bake it in the morning, or reheat it throughout the week for easy, delicious breakfasts.
Fall in Every Bite: With the warm flavors of pumpkin spice, vanilla, and maple syrup, this casserole brings all the fall feels with minimal effort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bagels
Cream cheese (you could even go dairy-free if needed!)
Eggs
Pumpkin pie spice
Maple syrup
Brown sugar
Milk (or a dairy-free alternative)

How to Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole

Prep the Bagels: Start by cutting your gluten-free pumpkin bagels into bite-sized cubes and scattering them in a greased baking dish.
Add Cream Cheese: Next, toss in some cream cheese chunks to make sure every bite is creamy and delicious.
Whip Up the Custard: Whisk together your eggs (or flax eggs), milk, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
Soak the Bagels: Pour the custard over the bagel cubes and cream cheese, pressing them down lightly so they can soak up all the sweet, spiced goodness.
Top It Off: Mix melted butter with brown sugar and drizzle it over the top of the casserole.
Bake: Pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 45-50 minutes until golden and crispy on top.

Serve warm, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, warm maple syrup, and maybe even a dollop of whipped cream (because, why not?).

Make It Yours

Want to put your own spin on it? Toss in some toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds for crunch, or even a handful of chocolate chips if you’re feeling extra. You could even swap out the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative to make this whole dish dairy-free without sacrificing any of the flavor.

The Best Way to Enjoy It

This casserole is perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch, a holiday breakfast, or even a cozy dinner (because who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner?). Pair it with a hot cup of coffee or tea, and you’re set for a perfect fall morning.

Try This Recipe? We Want to Hear About It!

Fall in love with this gluten-free pumpkin bagel French toast casserole? Let us know! Leave a comment below, tag us on Instagram, and don’t forget to share this recipe with your gluten-free friends.

Oh, and speaking of not missing out… if you want more delicious gluten-free recipes like this, be sure to subscribe to Gluten Free and Giggly! We’ll send tasty recipes, helpful tips, and lots of laughs straight to your inbox.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice French Toast Casserole FAQs

Can I make this French toast casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it. In the morning, let it come to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely, just use dairy-free cream cheese, non-dairy milk, and skip the butter topping (or use melted coconut oil instead). It’s still perfectly cozy and delicious.

Can I make this egg-free?

Yep! Substitute flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water per egg) and give the mixture a few extra minutes to thicken before pouring over the bagels.

Why use gluten-free bagels instead of bread?

Gluten-free bread tends to get mushy fast, but gluten-free bagels (especially Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bagels) hold their texture beautifully and soak up the custard without falling apart. Plus, pumpkin bagels. Enough said.

How do I store leftovers?

Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes or zap individual portions in the microwave.