Why You’ll Adore This Vegan French Toast Recipe

This vegan French toast isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience waiting to happen. Here’s why it’s bound to earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection:

• A Special Weekend Breakfast Tradition. French toast has long been synonymous with special weekend mornings, and this vegan version is no exception. It offers a delightful deviation from your everyday cereal or toast, creating a sense of occasion without demanding hours in the kitchen. While it requires a modest 30 minutes from start to finish, the process is enjoyable, and the result is a beautifully golden, fragrant breakfast that feels like a true indulgence. It’s perfect for slow mornings, family brunches, or simply treating yourself to something sweet and comforting.
• Effortlessly Easy to Master. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making French toast from scratch, especially a vegan version. This recipe is designed for simplicity. Once you’ve whisked together the straightforward batter, the rest is a breeze – simply dip your bread slices and pan-fry them until golden perfection. The minimal steps and common ingredients make it an ideal recipe for beginners and seasoned cooks alike who appreciate delicious food without the fuss. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.
• Infinitely Customizable for Every Palate. One of the greatest joys of French toast is its versatility, and this vegan recipe shines in that department. It serves as a fantastic canvas for a myriad of toppings, allowing you to tailor each plate to your mood or dietary preferences. Craving something light and healthy? Pile on an abundance of fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a dollop of plant-based yogurt. Feeling decadent? Drizzle with extra maple syrup, sprinkle with chocolate chips, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a generous swirl of vegan whipped cream. The possibilities are truly endless, ensuring that every serving is uniquely yours.

Notes on Essential Ingredients

The beauty of this vegan French toast lies in its simplicity, utilizing readily available ingredients to create something truly special. For exact quantities and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

• Vegan Milk – The foundation of our batter! While any plant-based milk will technically work, for the richest and most luxurious batter, we highly recommend using a thicker vegan milk. Options like soy milk, cashew milk, or even a full-fat oat milk will yield a creamier, more decadent coating for your bread, helping to create that perfect tender interior. These thicker milks also contribute to a more substantial batter consistency, which is ideal for coating.
• Flax Meal – This unsung hero is the secret to replacing eggs perfectly in our vegan French toast. Ground flax seeds, when mixed with liquid, create a gelatinous, egg-like consistency known as a “flax egg.” This acts as a binder, helping the batter adhere to the bread and contributing to a lovely golden crust. If you’re curious about making your own or exploring other options, check out our guide on how to make a flax egg, and discover more vegan egg substitutes.
• Maple Syrup – While entirely optional, a touch of maple syrup in the batter adds a wonderful depth of sweetness and a hint of that quintessential breakfast flavor. It’s a subtle addition that truly elevates the overall taste profile. If you prefer to control your sugar intake or explore other options, feel free to substitute with any sugar-free sweetener, homemade date syrup, or agave nectar.
• Vanilla Extract – A staple in sweet baking and cooking, vanilla extract provides a warm, aromatic sweetness that enhances all the other flavors in the French toast. Don’t skip this ingredient, as it adds a layer of complexity and fragrance that makes each bite even more delightful.
• Cinnamon – Can you truly have French toast without the comforting warmth of cinnamon? We think not! This spice is essential for achieving that classic, inviting aroma and flavor. For a twist, you could also experiment with other “sweet” spices like a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of pumpkin pie spice, or even a blend of allspice and cardamom to create your unique flavor profile.
• Thick Sandwich Bread – The choice of bread is paramount to achieving the perfect French toast texture. Look for something substantial and sturdy that can soak up the batter without falling apart. Excellent choices include brioche (ensure it’s vegan!), challah (also ensure vegan), sourdough, or even a good quality, thick-cut multigrain bread. The key is a bread that offers good structure.
• Vegan Butter or Oil – Used for frying the bread slices, both vegan butter and a neutral oil (like canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil) work beautifully. Vegan butter will impart a richer, more traditional flavor and help achieve a golden-brown crust, while oil is a great neutral alternative that still ensures perfect crispiness. Choose based on your preference for flavor and fat content.
• Toppings – While we’ll delve deeper into serving suggestions, having your toppings ready is crucial for immediate enjoyment! Classic choices like pure maple syrup, an extra dusting of cinnamon, and fluffy vegan whipped cream are always winners. Fresh berries of any kind – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries – add a burst of freshness and color.

Selecting the Best Bread for Vegan French Toast

The type of bread you choose is a critical factor in the success of your French toast. You need bread that is hearty enough to absorb the flavorful batter without becoming a soggy mess. For vegan French toast, some top recommendations include sturdy options like vegan brioche or a rustic sourdough loaf. A good quality, thick-cut multigrain bread can also perform exceptionally well. The ideal bread should be slightly stale – perhaps a day or two old. Stale bread is slightly drier, which allows it to soak up more of the liquid batter without disintegrating, leading to a much better texture. Fresh, soft bread can easily become mushy when dipped, so aim for something with a bit more structural integrity. French bread can also work wonderfully, provided it’s not overly fresh. If you only have fresh bread on hand, a simple trick is to leave the slices out on your counter overnight, uncovered. This slight exposure to air will dry them out just enough to achieve that perfect stale quality, making them ready for your French toast batter the next morning.

Crafting Your Perfect Vegan French Toast

Creating this delicious vegan French toast is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps for a breakfast that will impress:

• Prepare the French Toast Batter. In a medium-sized bowl, combine your chosen vegan milk, maple syrup (if using), flax meal, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until everything is well combined and the flax meal begins to slightly thicken the mixture. For an even thicker, more egg-like consistency, place the bowl in your freezer for about 15 minutes. This chilling process helps the flax meal fully gel and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Re-Whisk for Perfection. Once the batter has had time to chill and thicken in the freezer, remove it and give it another good whisk. This ensures the batter is uniform and smooth, ready to coat your bread slices evenly, giving you that perfect French toast texture.
• Heat Your Pan and Fat. Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of vegan butter or oil to the pan, allowing it to melt and shimmer. Ensuring your pan is adequately hot and evenly coated with fat is key to achieving that desirable crispy, golden-brown exterior.

• Pan-Fry the Bread Slices to Golden Perfection. Carefully dip each slice of bread into the thickened batter, ensuring it’s evenly coated on both sides. It’s crucial here to work quickly – do NOT soak the bread for too long, as this can lead to a soggy interior. A quick dip, 15-20 seconds per side, is usually sufficient. Once coated, gently place the bread slices into your hot pan. Cook each side for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and is wonderfully crispy on the outside. You’ll want to flip them carefully to cook the other side for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Always start by cooking one slice first to test your pan’s heat and adjust accordingly, ensuring optimal results for the rest of your batch.
• Continue Cooking Remaining Slices. As you cook, the pan might dry out. Add a little more vegan butter or oil as needed between batches to maintain an even cooking surface and ensure all your French toast slices turn out equally delicious and golden.
• Serve Immediately and Savor. The best French toast is served fresh and warm straight from the pan. Arrange your crispy, tender slices on plates and lavish them with your favorite toppings. A generous drizzle of maple syrup, a light dusting of extra cinnamon, and a dollop of creamy vegan whipped cream are classic pairings that enhance the experience. Enjoy the fruit of your quick and delicious efforts!

Essential Tips for French Toast Success

Achieving the perfect vegan French toast is simple with these expert tips:

• Alternative Thickening Agents for the Batter. While flax meal is our preferred egg substitute, you have other options if you’re out or prefer a different texture. Cornstarch can be a fantastic alternative to thicken the batter. To use it, sift in about 2 tablespoons up to 1/4 cup of cornstarch directly into your vegan milk mixture. Whisk thoroughly until smooth, then proceed with the recipe. Cornstarch helps create a slightly custardy texture and contributes to a nice, crisp crust.
• The Magic of Stale Bread. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a game-changer! Stale bread is significantly better for French toast than fresh bread because its slightly dried-out structure is much more absorbent. This allows the bread to soak up the flavorful batter without becoming waterlogged or falling apart during frying. If you only have fresh bread available, don’t despair! Simply slice it and leave it out on the counter, uncovered, overnight. This exposure to air will dry it out just enough to achieve the ideal texture for soaking up your delicious vegan French toast batter the following morning. This simple step can make all the difference in achieving that perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender interior.
• Mind Your Soaking Time. Resist the urge to let your bread slices linger in the batter! Over-soaking is a common mistake that leads to soggy French toast. The goal is to coat the bread thoroughly but quickly. A brief dip of about 15-20 seconds per side is usually more than enough time for the bread to absorb adequate batter. Any longer, and the bread can become oversaturated, resulting in a mushy texture that won’t crisp up properly in the pan. A swift, even dip ensures a beautifully crisp crust and a tender, custardy center.

Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Vegan French Toast

Once your golden-brown vegan French toast slices are hot off the griddle, the fun truly begins with an array of delicious toppings! Here are some of my favorite ways to customize and elevate your breakfast:

• Luscious Vegan Whipped Cream. A cloud of fluffy vegan whipped cream adds an irresistible richness and a creamy contrast to the crisp French toast. My go-to recipe for this is always my homemade Cashew Whipped Cream, which is incredibly decadent and easy to make.
• Classic Maple Syrup. You simply can’t go wrong with a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup. Its warm, sweet notes are the quintessential companion to French toast, perfectly complementing the cinnamon and vanilla. It’s a breakfast hero that’s also fantastic on pancakes and waffles!
• Fresh, Vibrant Berries. A scattering of fresh berries adds a burst of natural sweetness, a hint of tartness, and a beautiful pop of color. While I love sliced strawberries for their sweetness and juicy texture, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are equally delicious choices, offering seasonal variety and healthful goodness.
• Tropical Coconut Cream. For a delightful tropical twist, try topping your French toast with a dollop of light and airy Coconut Cream. It’s surprisingly easy to make with just two ingredients and adds a wonderful, subtle coconut flavor.
• Crunchy Toasted Nuts. If you’re seeking an extra layer of decadence and texture, sprinkle your French toast with some toasted nuts. My easy stovetop candied pecans or walnuts are fantastic options, adding a delightful crunch and a caramelized sweetness that truly elevates the dish.
• Powdered Sugar. For a simple yet elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) always looks and tastes fantastic.
• Fruit Compotes. Beyond fresh berries, consider homemade fruit compotes. A warm berry compote or apple cinnamon compote can add a lovely cooked fruit flavor and sauce-like consistency.
• Vegan Chocolate Sauce or Chips. For the ultimate sweet tooth, a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce or a scattering of mini chocolate chips melts into gooey goodness on warm French toast.
• Savory Sides for Balance. Don’t forget the savory! Pair your sweet French toast with some vegan bacon, plant-based sausages, or even a simple tofu scramble for a well-rounded and satisfying breakfast spread.

Storing and Reheating Your Vegan French Toast Leftovers

While vegan French toast is undeniably at its peak when served fresh and warm straight from the pan, it is possible to enjoy leftovers if stored properly. If you happen to have any slices left over, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, making for a quick breakfast or snack later in the week.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, there are several effective ways to reheat without sacrificing too much of that desirable crispy texture. You can warm them up in a skillet over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until heated through and re-crisped. Alternatively, a toaster oven works wonderfully for regaining some crispiness, or for a quicker reheat, the microwave can be used, though it may result in a softer texture. It’s important to note that neither vegan French toast nor its uncooked batter tends to freeze very well. Freezing cooked slices would likely yield a soggy, less appealing texture upon reheating, and the batter’s consistency can break down. For the best experience, aim to enjoy your French toast fresh, or consume refrigerated leftovers within a couple of days.

Explore More Delicious Vegan Breakfast Recipes

If you’ve loved this vegan French toast recipe, you’re in for a treat! The world of plant-based breakfast is vast and delicious. Here are some more fantastic vegan breakfast ideas to inspire your next morning meal:

• Vegan Pancakes – Light, Fluffy & Homemade Perfection
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (VIDEO) – A Healthy Grab-and-Go Option
• Flavorful Vegan Breakfast Pizza – A Fun and Customizable Brunch Dish
• Irresistible Pumpkin Waffles – Warm Spices for a Cozy Morning
• Refreshing Strawberry Kale Smoothie – A Nutritious and Delicious Start to Your Day