Make this French toast the next time you’re craving a decadent breakfast but want to keep health in mind.
I’m always on the hunt for easy breakfast recipes that are delicious, hearty, and nutritious. I want my first meal of the day to fuel me for a few hours, ensuring energy stays up and hunger stays away. Bonus points if the meal is fun, too. French toast is one breakfast I’ve always reserved for a weekend. It’s typically more time-consuming for me, requires a higher use of dishes, and because I like my French toast with pure maple syrup drizzled over the top, I tend to balance out the sweetness with a side of meat, eggs, yogurt, and fresh berries. Due to these factors, mornings where I serve French toast are slower, longer, and require effort that I just may not have on weekdays.
Enter this healthy French toast recipe. Although I still want to balance out the inherent sweetness of French toast, I’ve learned that I can make this recipe ahead of time, which results in a shorter prep process altogether. That means I’ve been making French toast on a weekday, which feels altogether indulgent. It’s a totally fun way to mix up my routine, and I’m loving the heartiness of a more decadent breakfast when I’d otherwise be throwing together a quick meal on-the-go. This recipe requires much of the same ingredients as traditional French toast. However, instead of the heaviness of dairy products, you’ll be using dairy-free almond milk for mixing with the egg, and coconut oil in place of butter traditionally used for the frying process. There is sugar in this recipe, but you can leave that out if you’d like.
Whether you’re making French toast to enjoy for a long, lazy weekend brunch or getting creative for an unexpected weekday morning breakfast, this recipe is just the one to keep on hand when you want to sneak some fun into your mornings.
Is This French Toast Healthy?
It’s in the name, so it should be totally healthy, right? Not so fast. While this recipe does stay clear of heavier dairy products (a problem if you’re keeping dairy out of your diet), there is some sugar involved. If you’re trying to stay away from sweets, we’d nix that addition altogether. You’ll also need to pay attention to how you top your toast, too. If you load it with whipped cream and other sugary toppings such as syrups or jams, you’ll be left with a breakfast that’s little more than a sugary treat. Top it with fresh berries, plain Greek yogurt, and a side of protein, however, and you’ll have a more balanced (and yes, still a bit sweet!) breakfast.
To make this a gluten-free recipe, simply use your favorite gluten-free bread. Everything else in this recipe can fit right into a gluten-free diet.
How To Create The Perfect Brunch Menu
French toast is one of my favorite dishes to include when serving up brunch. I prefer savory meals over sweet ones, but French toast is one that can walk the line and be included along with savory sides to really balance out the sweetness. Because of that, this healthy French toast has made quite a few appearances when I throw a brunch for friends, and it’s always a hit.
To create the perfect brunch menu, I like to include sweet and savory items such as fruit, breads and baked goods, eggs, meats, and one item that’s a little different from the rest. Sometimes this means a casserole or savory pie; sometimes it means a fancy fruit bowl with some more exotic-to-me fruits. I also love serving up fun beverages (I always include a few options, including coffee, tea, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings). And more often than not, French toast is included with this spread.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
As I said above, I like to make healthy French toast ahead of time and serve it throughout the week. To do this, I make a large batch. Once the individual pieces of French toast have completely cooled, I place them into a glass container, put the top on, and keep them in the refrigerator. Leftovers will last like this for 3 to 4 days. Additionally, you can freeze French toast for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cool the bread completely before storing it in a freezer-safe container.
Serving Suggestions
Like I said, I love to serve a stack of French toast with homemade Greek yogurt, a heaping pile of berries or a colorful fruit salad, and a side of hearty Breakfast Sausage or Million-Dollar Bacon. It’s a simple, timeless way to serve French toast, and it never disappoints. However, if you want to get a little more creative, you can drizzle warmed almond butter over the top, add a serving of savory scrambled eggs, or mix it up with a side of breakfast casserole.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 thick slices of bread of choice
- Coconut oil for frying
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients up to the bread in a large container.
- Place the bread in and soak for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Melt coconut oil on a large griddle on medium heat.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- DEVOUR with topping of choice!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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