Vegan French Toast
Add Preferred SourceWaking up to the smell of Vegan French Toast cooking in the pan is my favorite weekend morning ritual. The bread gets perfectly golden and crispy on the outside while staying soft and custardy inside. Cinnamon and vanilla create warm, sweet flavors that make every bite cozy. Topped with maple syrup and fresh fruit, it’s the kind of breakfast worth getting up for.
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I make this for family breakfasts, weekend brunches, Mother’s Day, Easter, and whenever I want something comforting and delicious. It’s easy enough for everyday but feels special enough for hosting. It’s kid-friendly, easy to make in batches, and always a hit. Leftovers keep in the fridge for about 3 days and reheat beautifully in a skillet or toaster.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Vegan French Toast with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’ll have a perfectly golden vegan French toast recipe ready in about 15 minutes with just a few simple steps.
Mix the Coating
Add the almond milk, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, brown sugar, ground flaxseeds, water, cinnamon, and vanilla extract into a medium bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.
The cornstarch will slightly thicken the mixture, while the flax eggs help it cling to the bread. Let it sit for a minute while you heat your pan so the flax can absorb the liquid. Oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk work just as well if that’s what you have on hand.
Any non-dairy milk you prefer will work here. You can swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for a warm fall twist, or add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg for extra warmth. The flax meal (ground flaxseeds) acts as a vegan egg to bind the coating and create a custard-batter texture.
Heat Your Pan
Place a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil or a small dollop of vegan butter. I love using a large skillet for even heat distribution. Coconut oil is another great option if you prefer its subtle sweetness.
You want the pan hot enough that the coating sizzles when the bread hits it, but not so hot that it burns before the inside cooks through.
Coat the Bread
Dip one slice of thick bread into the mixture, turning it quickly to coat both sides evenly. A shallow dish makes dipping easier if your bowl is too deep.
Don’t let it soak too long, or the bread might fall apart. You want each slice coated but not completely saturated. The key to avoiding soggy French toast is not oversoaking the bread slices. You want each slice coated but not completely saturated.
French bread, sourdough bread, or thick sandwich bread all work beautifully here, and even gluten-free bread holds up well if you need that option. Stale bread or day-old bread actually works better because it absorbs the coating without falling apart.
Sturdy bread prevents sogginess, and vegan brioche makes an extra-rich version. Make sure your thick slices are at least 1 inch thick for the best texture. Whole-grain bread adds fiber and a nutty flavor if you prefer that.
Fry Until Golden
Place the coated bread in your hot pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until golden brown and crispy. Flip it and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes. The edges should be crispy while the center stays soft and fluffy. Add a little vegan butter to the pan between batches for extra richness if you’d like.
Serve Warm
Transfer the finished French toast to a serving platter and repeat with the remaining slices. Serve them immediately, warm, with maple syrup, fresh fruit, or whipped vegan cream on top.
I like to keep the first batch warm in a 200°F oven while I finish cooking the rest. Enjoy!
If you’re bringing them to a brunch or potluck, let them cool completely, then transport them in an airtight container and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through. An insulated casserole carrier keeps them warm during transport if you want to serve them hot right away.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk oat or soy work well too
- 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds / flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 slices thick bread
- Oil or vegan butter for frying
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except bread into a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Dip a piece of bread in the liquid mixture, turning it to coat both sides evenly. Don’t keep them there very long or they could break.
- Fry the bread on both sides on medium heat with a drizzle of oil or a small dollop of vegan butter.
- Serve with maple syrup, fruit or whipped vegan cream on top & enjoy while warm.
Notes
- Let the batter rest: Give the flax mixture a minute to thicken after whisking so it coats the bread better and creates that custard-like texture.
- Use thick bread: Day-old bread or thick-sliced sandwich bread works best because it holds up to the coating without falling apart when you dip it.
- Customize your milk: Oat milk or soy milk works just as well as almond milk, so use whatever plant-based milk you have on hand.
- Don’t oversoak: Dip each slice quickly on both sides rather than letting it sit in the mixture, or the bread will get too soggy and might tear.
- Control your heat: Medium heat is key, so the outside gets golden and crispy while the inside cooks through without burning.
- Flash freeze for storage: Freeze the cooked slices on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to a container so they don’t stick together, and you can grab just one or two at a time.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Let the French toast cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend using airtight food storage containers to keep them fresh.
Stack the slices with parchment paper between them to prevent them from sticking together. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute per side until crispy again, or pop them in the toaster for a quick breakfast.
For freezing, the slices will keep for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. I recommend flash-freezing the slices on a baking sheet for about an hour, then transferring them to a container so they don’t freeze together into a clump.
Thaw them in the fridge overnight or reheat straight from frozen in the toaster or oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
What to Serve With Vegan French Toast
I love serving them with fresh berries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup. The fruit adds brightness, and the syrup soaks into all the fluffy layers. This vegan version tastes just as good as traditional French toast, and you’ll enjoy French toast even more with your favorite toppings. For something more indulgent, top them with vegan whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, chocolate chips, or even a dollop of vegan Nutella.
They also pair beautifully with savory sides like vegan sausage, crispy hash browns, or a simple fruit salad. I’ll sometimes serve them alongside scrambled tofu or roasted vegetables for a more complete brunch spread that has both sweet and savory elements.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you love this, you’ll want to try these other vegan breakfast favorites.
