No dairy, no eggs — just all the classic French toast flavors you crave!
While traditionally French toast is soaked in a mixture of egg and milk before being fried in butter, this recipe is tweaked to suit vegan and dairy-free eaters. But even if you’re not one of these, there’s a high chance you’ll fall in love with this rich recipe anyway. It’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re making it for yourself, your household, or for brunch guests, plant-based French toast is a delicious way to start the day.
In my opinion, one of the many wonders of French toast is this: It’s best with day-old bread. So it’s a deliciously crafty way to make use of an ingredient that’s begging to be used up. For these tender yet crispy slices of caramelized bread, a drizzle of maple syrup goes a long way, or use honey if vegan isn’t a requirement. I also recommend topping it with fresh berries, and a scoop of sweetened vegan whipped cream is sure to satisfy as well.
Is Vegan French Toast Healthy?
French toast is typically high in sugar and carbs, and this version is no exception. So while it’s not the best everyday option, it is a delicious treat for special occasions and entertaining. If you need to, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free bread; seek out brands like Udi’s or Base Culture. (I particularly like Base Culture because they don’t use any added preservatives or sugar; I find it one of the cleanest GF brands on the market!)
The Key Is In The Caramelization
What sets this vegan French toast recipe on equal grounds with the traditional, egg-based version? Well, the magic is in the first step: whisking together the batter ingredients until the cornstarch dissolves. Cornstarch is the vegan goody here that helps the bread crisp up, and when mixed with sugar it creates beautiful caramelization on the outside of the bread. So while this might not be the classic “eggy” toast many know and love, vegan French toast has a distinctly crunchy outside and soft inside that makes it uniquely enjoyable.
How to make ahead and store
Leftover vegan French toast can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months; make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating it. To reheat, simply fry again on an oiled pan over medium heat. You could also pop it in the oven (or toaster oven) at 350 degrees F for 5 to 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Want to host a big brunch buffet for your vegan friends? Alongside vegan French toast, you can serve Easy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, Vegan Granola Bars, and Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes. For a more savory side, try Air-Fryer Breakfast Potatoes or Sweet Potato Hash Browns. I especially enjoy the balance between the sweet French toast and salty breakfast potatoes. Talk about a brunch that conquers cravings!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch kosher salt
- Vegan butter or oil for frying
- 6 slices thick vegan bread such as sourdough or ciabatta
- Maple syrup and fresh berries for serving
Instructions
- Whisk together the almond milk, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a wide, shallow bowl. Stop mixing once it's smooth and all the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of vegan butter or oil.
- Soak each bread slice into the batter for about 5-10 seconds on each side, being careful not to oversoak them.
- Fry the French toast in the hot skillet for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Serve the French toast hot with maple syrup and fresh berries on top.
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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