Apple Fritter Casserole

4.94 from 16 votes

Make this easy and comforting apple fritter casserole for breakfast or brunch! It’s perfect for make-ahead mornings and special occasions.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Thaw rolls/Refrigerate overnight (optional)10

Total Time10 35

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Brunch, Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Casserole, Make Ahead, dessert, Apples, easy baking, easy apple cake, fall apple recipe, apple coffee cake, apple fritter casserole, apple fritter breakfast casserole

Servings: servings

Calories: 541kcal

Author: Renae Gerhardstein

Equipment

large casserole dish
plastic cling wrap
bowl

Ingredients

1 loaf Bridgford Ready-Dough, thawed
5 apples, peeled, cored, and diced
½ cup butter, melted and cooled
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Let the Ready Dough defrost on the countertop in a greased casserole dish covered with plastic wrap for 2-3 hours. Cut thawed dough loaf into 40 small pieces.
Place dough into a medium bowl and stir in the melted butter, coating the dough evenly. Spread dough pieces in the bottom of the casserole dish.
Using same bowl, add the diced apple and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir them into the dough pieces in the casserole dish. Preheat oven to 350º F, if baking immediately.
As a make ahead dish, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Otherwise, skip to step 4.
The next morning, pull the casserole dish out of the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats to 350º.
Bake casserole for 40 minutes, until casserole is golden and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Easily Thaw Frozen Dough:

Read my handy tips below for thawing Bridgford Ready-Dough before getting started on this apple fritter casserole recipe.

You have two easy options for how to thaw frozen bread dough:

The first option is to defrost the frozen dough in the fridge overnight. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick oil or cover it with parchment paper. Place the frozen dough on the sheet, and cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed as well with oil (oil side down). Allow the dough to thaw in the fridge overnight, approximately 8-10 hours.
Another easy option is to just defrost the frozen dough at room temperature. Prepare a baking sheet and plastic wrap like the first option, but simply leave the dough to defrost on the counter for about 2-3 hours.

Recipe Variations:

- Add cozy spices for extra warmth: Enhance the cinnamon flavor by mixing in a pinch of nutmeg or even a bit of allspice. These aromatic spices add depth and make the casserole feel extra special, especially during the cooler months.

- Use apple butter or applesauce for more apple flavor: For an even richer apple taste, stir a few spoonfuls of apple butter or applesauce into the diced apples before combining them with the dough. This adds moisture and intensifies that sweet, fruity goodness in every bite.

- Mix in nuts for crunch: Add texture with chopped pecans or walnuts. Stir them in with the apples or sprinkle them on top before baking for a golden brown, toasty finish that complements the soft bread perfectly.

Storing Instructions:

Wherever you keep these apple fritters, make sure to store them in an airtight container so they don't dry out.
They will last 2 days at room temperature, 1 week in the fridge, and 2-3 months in the freezer.
If you freeze them, thaw them by leaving them at room temperature for a few hours until they're soft.
Leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge if kept covered with plastic wrap or in a sealed container.

Make Ahead Instructions:

A great make-ahead dish should be, well, simple to make: Just prep the night before, stick in the fridge while you sleep, and easily bake to perfection in the morning, completely hassle-free.

Nutrition