How to Choose Bread for Baked Breakfast Casseroles
Bread choice changes how a breakfast bake absorbs custard, sets in the center, and reheats the next day.
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Rich breads like brioche or challah absorb custard well and bake up tender, while lean sandwich breads can collapse if the custard ratio is too aggressive. Thick slices and slightly stale bread are both advantages here.
Use soft enriched bread when you want a custardy center. Use crustier bread when you want more defined pieces and a firmer slice. In either case, avoid very thin sandwich bread because it can compress into a pudding-like center before the top browns.