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A ceramic baking dish filled with baked French toast slices, topped with powdered sugar, strawberries, and blueberries—perfect for serving alongside an Air Fryer Pancake Casserole at brunch.

Air Fryer Pancake Casserole

Mandy Applegate
I love making Air Fryer Pancake Casserole when I want to upgrade leftover or store-bought pancakes into something special for a crowd without heating up my whole kitchen. The custard-soaked pancake layers turn soft and tender inside with golden, slightly crisp edges, and the warm cinnamon aroma fills your kitchen while it bakes. I make it for weekend family breakfasts, holiday brunches like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Mother's Day, and potlucks because it's kid-friendly and everyone loves it.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 169 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 9 to 12 pancakes homemade or store-bought
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 ¼ cups half-and-half
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Toppings:

  • 1 cup berries fresh or frozen
  • Caramel sauce
  • Confectioners’ sugar

Instructions
 

  • Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  • Slice the pancakes in half and arrange them cut side down in the prepared dish that fits your air fryer, creating a scalloped or layered pattern.
    9 to 12 pancakes
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
    4 large eggs, 2 ¼ cups half-and-half, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged pancakes, making sure they’re well coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the custard to soak in.
  • Remove the plastic wrap and bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) uncovered for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set in the center.
  • Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with fresh berries, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, if desired.
    1 cup berries, Caramel sauce, Confectioners’ sugar

Notes

Here are a few tips to help you get the best results with your Air Fryer Pancake Casserole.
  • Check your dish size: Make sure your baking dish fits in your air fryer basket before you start assembling, as some models may require a smaller 8×8-inch dish instead.
  • Use leftover pancakes: Slightly stale pancakes actually work better than fresh ones because they absorb the custard without falling apart.
  • Don't skip the soak time: Let the custard soak for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better for maximum flavor and texture.
  • Test for doneness: The custard should be set in the center and not jiggle when you gently shake the pan. If it's still liquidy, bake for another 5 minutes.
  • Customize your toppings: Try adding chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or a drizzle of peanut butter along with the berries and caramel for extra flavor.
  • Flash freeze for storage: Freeze individual portions on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to containers so they don't stick together.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 154mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 372IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Air Fryer Pancake Casserole
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