Savory Bacon and Gruyere French Toast Bake
Indulge in a delightful twist on traditional French toast with this Savory Bacon and Gruyere French Toast Bake. Perfect for brunch gatherings or cozy mornings, this dish combines crispy bacon and creamy Gruyere cheese with rich custard-soaked bread. Prepare with ease in a slow cooker, allowing you to enjoy your time with family and friends while it cooks to perfection. This recipe makes for a hearty and flavorful breakfast that will impress all your guests.
6
Servings
350
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (Softened, for greasing the slow cooker)
Bacon
8 ounces (Cooked until crisp and crumbled)
Shallots
2 large (Finely chopped (about 1/2 cup))
Eggs
5 large (Beaten until blended)
Whole Milk
2 cups (Whole milk for a rich custard)
Freshly Grated Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Salt
To taste (For seasoning)
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
To taste (For seasoning)
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
1 cup (Freshly grated)
Day-Old French Bread Cubes
6 cups (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
Gruyere Cheese
1/2 cup (Grated, for topping)
Instructions
1
Begin by buttering the insert of your large slow cooker to prevent sticking.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy and browned. Transfer the cooked bacon to paper towels to drain and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3
Carefully pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving it in for added flavor.
4
Add the finely chopped shallots to the skillet and sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they soften, which should take about 2 minutes.
5
In a sizeable mixing bowl, vigorously beat the eggs until well blended. Then, incorporate the milk, freshly grated nutmeg, and season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
6
Next, add the crumbled bacon, sautéed shallots, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to the egg mixture and stir until evenly combined.
7
In a separate large bowl, place the day-old French bread cubes. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and gently stir to ensure the cubes are well coated.
8
Transfer the mixture to the prepared slow cooker. Press the bread cubes down into the liquid to allow for even soaking and topping.
9
Sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese over the top of the mixture.
10
Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
11
Once cooked, serve hot by scooping out portions directly from the slow cooker. Enjoy your savory breakfast bake!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
25g
Carbs
17g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Bacon and Gruyere French Toast Bake?
It is a savory twist on traditional French toast featuring crispy bacon, creamy Gruyere cheese, and rich custard-soaked bread cooked in a slow cooker.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 hearty servings.
What is the recommended cooking time in a slow cooker?
Cook on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours.
What type of bread should I use?
The recipe calls for day-old French bread cut into 1-inch cubes.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 350 calories per serving.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
Grated Gruyere cheese is used as the topping.
Does this recipe use milk?
Yes, it uses 2 cups of whole milk for a rich custard.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires 5 large eggs.
How should the bacon be prepared?
Cook 8 ounces of bacon until crispy, then drain and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
What is the purpose of using day-old bread?
Day-old bread is drier and better at soaking up the custard mixture without becoming too mushy.
How do I prevent the bake from sticking to the slow cooker?
Butter the insert of your large slow cooker with softened unsalted butter before adding the ingredients.
What other cheese is included in the mixture?
One cup of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is stirred into the egg mixture.
How do I prepare the shallots?
Finely chop 2 large shallots and sauté them in a tablespoon of bacon fat until softened.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The provided nutritional information indicates there is no sugar recorded for this savory bake.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each serving contains 17g of protein.
How much fat is in a serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 25g of carbohydrates.
How do I know when the French toast bake is done?
It is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Should I press the bread cubes down?
Yes, press the bread cubes down into the liquid in the slow cooker to ensure even soaking.
Can I use a skillet for the bacon?
Yes, use a large skillet over medium heat to cook the bacon until crispy.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Is this dish suitable for brunch?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for brunch gatherings or cozy mornings.
What size should the bread cubes be?
The bread should be cut into 1-inch cubes.
Do I need to leave some bacon fat in the pan?
Yes, leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet to sauté the shallots for added flavor.
When do I add the Gruyere cheese?
Sprinkle the grated Gruyere over the top of the mixture once it has been transferred to the slow cooker.
How do I serve this dish?
Serve it hot by scooping out portions directly from the slow cooker.
Is the nutmeg freshly grated?
The recipe recommends using 1/4 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg.
Can I use salted butter for the slow cooker?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter for greasing the insert.
How long do the shallots need to sauté?
They should be sautéed for about 2 minutes until they soften.