I have made this vegan French Toast recipe for many, many years now and it has lived on this blog for at least eight of those. I know a number of you love it too, and have written to tell me so.
But when I made it once again this week and had Desi photograph it for you, I was wondering -- as I usually do with old recipes that I update -- if there's anything I could tweak to make it better.
There wasn't.
Like any classic, this recipe really needs no gilding. When I first made it, I used the most straightforward vegan substitutes: flax eggs for the eggs and soymilk for the cream/milk. I've made other versions of French toast since, savory, stuffed and sweet, but nothing really can beat the simple goodness of this eight-ingredient version.
What I also love about this recipe is that it's really good for you. The bread is whole wheat, and there's flaxmeal and whole wheat flour in the recipe. Yes, you can douse it in maple syrup, as I admit we often do at our home, but you could also just serve it with some fresh fruit or vegan whipped cream if you want to keep it as healthy as can be.
How to make vegan French toast
- You start out with wholesome ingredients. French toast is usually made with a slightly sweet, buttery bread like a brioche, but I find that by the time you've dipped it into the vanilla custard and the bread has soaked up all that goodness, it doesn't really matter if your bread is a white one or a whole wheat one. So I go the whole wheat route. If you want additional indulgence, use a brioche like my Vegan Olive Oil Brioche with Aquafaba.
- A reader said she adds cinnamon to the recipe, and I love that idea. If you do, add the cinnamon to the custard for best results.
- Make sure you process your nuts to be quite fine but not too powdery. The nuts make this recipe extra delicious but you could skip them if you're nut-free.
- Gluten-free? You can make this recipe with gluten-free sandwich bread, and whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch into the custard instead of the whole wheat flour.
Ingredients for vegan French toast
- Whole wheat bread: you can make your French toast with white bread, a vegan brioche would be an awesome bread to use, but to keep it healthy for breakfast I go with a wholegrain bread.
- Flaxmeal: This is the egg replacer that helps the other good stuff stick to the toast.
- Whole wheat flour: To help make a crispy coating on the bread. Again, you can use white all purpose flour.
- Nondairy milk: Try and use a milk that's thicker in consistency, like oat milk or soy milk.
- Maple syrup: Adds a hint of sweetness without the artificial sugars.
- Pure vanilla extract: For great aroma and more sweetness.
- Walnuts: You can leave walnuts out of this recipe, but they taste so amazing crusted on the French toast. It's my favorite part, in fact.
- Vegan butter or oil for the skillet
This, needless to say, is a kid-friendly recipe, so if you have little ones in your home, you can be sure they'll love it. My son, Jay, gobbles this up and it's one of his most requested breakfasts. I hope you'll try it and if you do, come back and let me know all about it. Or take a photo and tag me on Instagram @HolyCowVegan.
More vegan breakfast recipes
- Vegan French Toast Casserole
- Fruity Bread Pudding with Stale Crusty Bread
- Healthy Stuffed French Toast
- Vegan Raspberry White Chocolate Waffles, whole wheat
- Best Vegan Pancakes
- Baked Apple Pie Donuts (whole wheat)
- Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
- Vegan Eggnog French Toast
Vegan French Toast
Ingredients
- 6 slices wholegrain bread (I use whole wheat. Something like rye could be too strong, but go with what you like)
- 2 tablespoon flaxmeal
- 1 cup soymilk
- ¼ cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup walnuts (optional, but nice).
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter to coat skillet in a thin layer
Instructions
- Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse five to six times until the walnuts are finely chopped. Place in a shallow dish large enough to hold a slice of bread.
- Make the custard by whisking together the flaxmeal, whole wheat flour, soymilk, vanilla extract and maple syrup in another shallow dish large enough to hold the slice of bread.
- Dip the slices of bread one by one in the custard and coat on either side. I let them soak about 20-30 seconds on each side.
- Dip the slice of bread into the walnuts and shake off any excess.
- Heat a skillet and coat with a thin layer of vegan butter or spray on some cooking spray.
- Place a slice of the French toast on the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown.
- Serve hot with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Recipe notes
- You can make this recipe with gluten-free sandwich bread, and whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch into the custard instead of the whole wheat flour.
- You can make it nut-free by omitting the walnuts.
- You can make it soy-free by using another non-dairy milk, like cashew or coconut.
Craig
really good french toast. thanks 🙂
Vaishali Honawar
Thanks, Craig, glad you tried it! 🙂
Anonymous
Just made these this morning for myself and my 5 yr old. We both LOVED them! I've tried a few different versions of vegan french toast, and this is my new favorite. Next time I will try it with the walnuts, but this morning we just didn't have time.
We used Dave's Killer Bread and pure maple syrup, so I can at least feel good that I'm giving my child something that is like a treat, but still reasonably healthy. We don't eat animal products, so things like french toast are truly a treat for us. 🙂
Thanks so much! I love your site and all of the great recipes! We love Indian dishes and trying to make them vegan, so I refer to your site often when I'm looking for new ideas. Thanks so much for all your fantastic ideas.
Vaishali
So awesome to hear--thanks for your kind words! Happy you and your child enjoyed the French toast. 🙂
Anonymous
Let's toast to you!!!! Fantastic recipes and fantastic karma!!!!!!
Ele
Anonymous
I made these this morning and it was a huge hit with me (vegan) and my boyfriend (non-vegan). Thank you!
Vaishali
Mandi, glad you liked it. Pumpkin puree sounds like a good idea in theory, but I am not sure how it would taste here because it has a rather sharp taste. You'd need to sweeten it first too. If you try it, I'd like to know how it turned out.
Mandi
Mmm. Thank you. I do eat eggs, but I get them from a few small local farms. I can actually go visit the hens and see that they are being raised humanely. I haven't gotten out to the farm lately, and I had a craving for French Toast. Your recipe is delicious! I don't miss the eggs at all.
If you can use crushed bananas as breading, I wonder if pumpkin puree would work. I can see that tasting amazing with cinnamon and nutmeg.
wildflower
It's an old comment but I just have to reply regarding soybean production with an example: Over 90% of the soybean crop in USA is used for livestock feed. Best way to minimise the production of soy and other grains is to grow them for human consumption and eat these foods directly, rather than through animal products. This would save so much energy in the process. I agree Monsanto is pure evil. But it's easy to talk about 'change' without really understanding how it applies in everyday life. Our consumption of animal foods plays a BIG part in agricultural practices of today.
By the way, Thanks for another yummy recipe! 🙂
GKB
Hi
I actually made this finally- really had to wait for bread to be a bit stale..so that it doesn't fall apart.It was delicious.My kids helped me make it and they loved it..the walnut addition is simply brilliant.
I also used the technique listed here
According to this chef,the toast turns out better if you brown it slightly in the pan and then stick it in an oven at 400F for 10 min or so.This additional step was worth it.
Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
Amy
This is so good! I had my doubts when the first piece stuck like glue to my skillet, but I persevered and used a little more oil in the pan and the rest turned out delicious!
We used Earth Balance vegan butter and organic powdered sugar instead of syrup. All six in our family loved it and I will definitely be making this again soon.
Anonymous
Thanks vaishali. I shall try with the sesame seeds.
Nisha.
God Bless.
Vaishali
Nisha, Feel free to leave out the flax seeds. You might even try adding some ground sesame seeds instead of the flax powder. Hope that helps. 🙂
Anonymous
Hi Vaishali,
What an eye opener for all!
I come from a pure vegatarian family and I never miss a moment to thank God for being so kind to me for this. Today after reading the article on the plightful conditions of the hens, I once again bow down to god for being so generous to me. Although I am not a vegan(i.e. we use dairy products), i ceratinly would like to go one as when situation permits. Since my husband is in IAF and his is a transferable job, at times we find it difficult to even find dairy products; forget about the vegan substitutes. Is there any other substitute of flaxmeal seed powder(it is impossible to fins at korukonda, a small village in AP)?
With Thanks,
Nisha,
God Bless.
Latha
Though I've read a lot on the benefits of flax seeds and it being a successful (and healthy) substitute to eggs never got around using it. I'm really glad i tried this for our breakfast this morning. i used whole grain spelt flour, oats milk and the result was just too good. this will be a regular snack box recipe for my 6 yr old. he and his little sis loved it too. Thanks Vaishali!
EcoMiko
Thanks Vaishali for your wonderful recipes! I've tried a few eggless french toast recipes, and this one is definitely the best. I added a 1/2 tbsp of nutritional yeast for the flavor/vitamins, and used honey instead of syrup. Plus I added cinnamon because I've never had french toast without it, although my BF says he never had it with till he met me! Anyway, turned out great! Thanks!!
Greg
Oh man, I've missed French toast so much since abstaining from murder. This is simple, looks delicious and even helps me get my flax for the day.
Bodacious.
Anonymous
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making a recipe with ingredients I actually have on hand! I'm tired of vegan recipes with "egg replacers" where you don't really know what's in them
Johnny
I'm NOT a vegan, or health conscious in the least. My wife is both. I do, however, have a child with a severe egg allergy. Found this recipe via google this morning, and made it.
Bravo, and thank you! It was delicious, and acclaimed by all 😀
Coyote Crafty
If I may say, my mother rescued a dozen of 1 year old hens from such a henhouse. They were in a pitiful condition. They did not even know how to eat grain, or walk !
Luckily, we had a lonely rooster who taught them how to live freerange. I don't think they are unhappy.
And their eggs, which we eat when they are available, are awesome !
But we've stopped buying mass-produced eggs, though…
Tanvi
Hi Vaishali,
Following ur blog for smtime nw but commenting first time!
Recreated your mango bread recipe the other day [of course not vegan].... loved it. I am really amazed at your creativity and skills to make vegan food look so tasty and appetiziting.Curdless Curd rics simply knocked me on the floor...tofu was an amazing idea.
Thanks
Sinfully Spicy
kaye
You made me so damn hungry. Thanks for sharing!
Jessica
OMG I hadn't read about the conditions at those farms. I knew they wouldn't be good, but WOW...I've got to share this with my omni husband. Maybe he'll get grossed out? Poor things...
queerisaverb
I'd love to try this with some yummy sprouted spelt bread!
AMA's AnythingVegetarian
Had some time to sneak peak .French toast- very tempting by the looks but a coating of egg wash kept me away .Your vegan version is a must try.
kat
tried it, and Loved it, had it last night for dinner thanks!
jodye @ 'scend food
I've come across several vegan 'french toast' recipes in the past but none of them ever came close to the real thing. I'll have to give your recipe a try, it looks very promising!
evolvingtastes
For a long time now I have been buying eggs from a local farmer. You know I am not vegan, but I respect those who are, and I love your blog. 🙂
This eggless version looks so scrumptious!
Vaishali
Jenny, Thanks for your email and your kind words. Your family's lucky to have your guidance. I would like to watch that MFA video and will look for it for sure.
GKB, yes, I've seen recipes that use pureed bananas and they do sound wonderful. Gotta try my French Toast that way sometimes-- I'd imagine it'd taste a bit like banana bread. Yum.
Thanks for asking about Lucy-- she's doing well. She's already been through four doses of intensive chemo, and is now on a maintenance dose. There are so signs so far that the cancer has spread, which is great.
Preeti, thanks, and it's really horrifying, isn't it?
Aarti, I totally agree with you. Soy is one of the most controversial foods around today because of the way its farmed, and I do limit my use of it for that very reason. The ruthlessness of the corporate farming industry, fueled by the greed of multinationals like Monsanto, is something we all need to educate ourselves about to protect our health. Because vegetable products that are raised irresponsibly can also harm.
Priya, thanks!
Miri, thanks, and you can definitely either skip the syrup or substitute it with plain sugar or sugar syrup. I'd use powdered sugar because regular sugar might not mix thoroughly in the batter.
Sanjeeta, Thanks!
T, 🙂 You hit the target.
T
Great post! The french toast looks delicious and I'm glad somebody pointed out that these egg recalls are not just a fluke... its more like a fluke when people don't get sick.
Sanjeeta kk
Love to try these eggless delicacies. Flax seeds is a good idea, like the walnuts in it.
Miri
French Toast is my favourite comfort food - my Dad taught me how to make it.
This is a great recipe which doesnt have ingredients which arent available in India (atleast in the metros). I guess the browning is aided by the maple syrup? else would have loved to omit it, since Im not a fan...
Priya
Absolutely delicious...yummy toast..
Preeti @ Heart and Mind
Vaishali,
I love this recipe and loved your curd rice recipe as well! You have made both into vegan, thank so much! I have been trying to find better way to make both of these! Did you just listened to my subconscious mind?
The way they raise eggs, and hens, more reason to be vegan!
Anonymous
(From Aarti)
You’re totally right about the way that animals are treated. But I don't think the larger problem with food is not going to go away by simply not eating animals. We must change the agriculture. Soy, for example, is almost 100% genetically modified. Even if it says it is not GM—the pollination patterns cannot guarantee anything. Pesticide use as well as genetically modified seeds means that non-animal food is not healthy either. Not eating animal foods for those who want to do so (And I am a vegan for the very reasons that you are. I agree with all your points on not eating animal products) is fine if people want to do that, but not necessarily healthy.
Thank you for all your delicious recipes
Anonymous
If everyone stops eating eggs and chickens there will not longer be any reason to raise chickens, except as pets.
GKB
Can't wait to try this recipe..I had read another recipe similar to this that used pureed bananas in the batter..sounds equally delicious..I feel awful even when I go to the county fairs and see the animals..can't ever picture myself eating eggs..absolutely detest them..How's your pet dog doing?
Vaishali
Sharmilee, Thanks.
Chhaya, Divya, Pavani, yes, it's absolutely horrifying and heartbreaking. And completely unnecessary.
Latha, thanks!
Mints, that's a great tip. I was also thinking yesterday how much like a pancake batter this was.
Anudivya, the jury is actually in on the egg cholesterol issue. There is an incredible amount of research that shows a direct correlation between cholesterol found only in animal products) and lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart disease. And even studies that actually say an egg a day is okay always temper that advise with consuming only the egg white and leaving out the fatty yolk, and eating no more than an egg a day. Doesn't sound safe to me at all. I'd rather eat food that I know is doing good things to my body than raising my risk for terrible diseases.
As for the salmonella in spinach and tomato-I am glad you raised because I knew someone would and I can't wait to answer. Salmonella are bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of animals. Vegetables don't have an intestine, so the only reason they get contaminated with salmonella is because they are handled by people with contaminated fecal matter on their hands, or if they come in close proximity with animal products like meat, unpasteurized milk, meat and eggs, which are the primary sources of salmonella. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has investigated and found this to be the case in each vegetable infection of salmonella. More reason to stop eating those animal products.
Jenny R
That looks so good!
We had just watched a documentary from Mercy for Animals on the egg industry. My husband and daughter both decided on the spot not to eat eggs or chicken again! (they had both been huge egg and chicken fans). I've been trying to go vegan for a while now, and am doing pretty well! I love it and will never go back to my old way of eating.
I love your blog because it gives me some great recipes to integrate into our menu at home. They are so good that I don't have to tell my daughter or husband they are vegan, just serve it, and they love it:)
anudivya
The jury is still out on the cholesterol aspect of the egg, so I don't think that alone is a good reason to stop eating eggs all together.
There are other ways to stay healthy and I think focusing on them might be a better solution if one was watching his or her diet.
If I remember right, spinach has a recall following a salmonella outbreak too!
Mints!
Looks lovely Vaishali.
My recipe is very similar. Short cut recipe is dip the bread in crepe or pancake batter 🙂
Latha
Never had eggs. French toast looks superb. Been wanting to make this version for a long time. Thanks.
Pavani
That's really heart breaking what those hens go through.
Eggless french toast looks absolutely delicious. Will definitely try soon.
Divya Kudua
OMG...I literally cried after reading the part about their beaks being cut...gosh,its horrifying!!I am a vegetarian but use eggs in baking.I really have to think twice now before using eggs!!
Chhaya
It is indeed a horrifying story..Although I dont cook with eggs, I didn't mind the occasional cake/cookie , but have completely stopped eating products containing eggs since the past few months...I am glad I did so ! Your recipe looks very easy and delicious ! Will try it this weekend 🙂
Sharmilee! :)
I am abt to post the same nxt....urs look too gud n tempting