How to make the BEST Vegan French Toast! So easy to make in just 10 minutes, using everyday ingredients. You won’t miss the eggs at all in this delicious weekend morning breakfast. A secret ingredient makes these french toast incredibly crisp, thick and perfect!
French toast was one of the first meals I started making for myself as a kid. There wasn’t a lot of cooking or baking going on in my home growing up, in fact I lived on mostly convenience foods like canned spaghettios, ravioli and pop tarts. But we did make french toast a lot, especially on the weekends! It was easy, fast and simply delicious.
I had never made a vegan version of french toast before testing this recipe. Honestly, I was quite doubtful it would work, or be delicious enough to even post here. I have seen recipes for vegan french toast before, but I really couldn’t see how they could possibly taste as good as the nostalgic breakfast of my childhood.
Well, I was SO wrong! My family and I were SHOCKED at how good this vegan french toast tasted, and we ate the first batch up in about 5 minutes flat. Creamy on the inside (but NOT soggy at all), crispy on the outside, with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. The perfect french toast, period, and SO darn easy to make!!
How can I make Vegan French Toast without eggs?
The secret ingredient in my french toast recipe is so common I’m sure you have it in your pantry right now: Cornstarch. It’s perfect for getting that crisp exterior, and works like a charm as the bread cooks in the pan.
Without eggs, your batter for vegan french toast includes these ingredients: Soy milk (or any other non-dairy milk), cornstarch, ground flaxseeds (just a teaspoon, to help thicken the batter), 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (trust me), maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla.
How do you make vegan french toast?
It’s as easy or easier than the original! Whisk all the batter ingredients in a shallow bowl, large enough to hold a piece of bread.
Heat a little vegan butter or oil in a frying pan. Right before dipping the bread in the batter, whisk the mixture again (cornstarch will settle to the bottom.) Dip a piece of bread in the batter, on both sides, and soak for about 10 seconds.
Add the bread to the pan, and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with all remaining bread and batter, then serve immediately with maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh fruit, if desired.
What kind of bread is best for french toast?
I used a quality loaf of ciabatta that was 1 day old. It was perfect. I wouldn’t recommend using soft sandwich bread, or your french toast runs the risk of being soggy. Thicker sliced bread works best, that is quite dry, such as french bread, sourdough or even a day old baguette. Smaller bread is fine, you will just have more french toast!
I hope you enjoy this Vegan French Toast!!
Want more vegan breakfast recipes? Check any of these out:
- Simple Vegan Pancakes
- Best Ever Vegan Waffles
- Tofu Scramble
- Easy Vegan Quiche
- Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts
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Vegan French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground flaxseeds
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 6-8 slices thick sliced quality bread, such as ciabatta or french
- 2-3 tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil for frying
- For serving: maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, wide enough to hold a piece of bread, whisk together the soy milk, cornstarch, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Add a little bit of vegan butter/coconut oil to a pan over medium-high heat and melt. Whisk the batter again right before dipping bread, as the cornstarch will settle to the bottom of the bowl.
- Dip each side of the bread in the batter and let soak for about 10 seconds, then add the bread to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Add more vegan butter/oil to the pan as needed in between pieces of bread.
- Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh fruit, if desired.
Video
Notes
- May use any kind of non-dairy milk, such as soy, coconut, almond, cashew or oat milk.
- For gluten free vegan french toast, use gluten free bread.
- This recipe does not freeze well, and is best served fresh.
I was on the hunt for a vegan french toast recipe to make for breakfast this morning. I am vegan. My husband is not, and he’s sensitive to soy and doesn’t like bananas so I had to find a recipe with criteria to meet both of our preferences. Voila. Your recipe came up and we BOTH absolutely LOVED it – even on sandwich bread. I used Dave’s Killer Organic 21 Whole Grain and Seeds bread, which is what we had in the house. It was truly amazing. Thank you so much for not only creating this recipe, but for publishing it for others to enjoy.
Now to explore your other recipes. Hope you and yours are safe and healthy!
Thanks so much for the great comment! Hope you are all safe and healthy as well!
It’s perfect! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Fantastic recipe always. It was a nice change of pace from pancakes and waffles (your recipes of course). My daughters loved them cut into strips for dipping. Thanks again!
French toast sticks, how fun! I’ll have to try that for my 4 year old. I’m so happy you all enjoyed it!
I just quadrupled the recipe and used a couple loaves of thick-cut panini bread from Aldi to make a huge batch to freeze. It’s great reheated in the toaster!
That’s great to know, sounds so good! Thank you!
Can I use cornmeal instead of corn starch?
I don’t think that would work, the cornstarch helps the french toast become a little crisper. In a pinch, you could probably just leave it out.
Hello! Wondering if chia seeds can be subbed for the flax? I have a HUGE bag of chia seeds so would rather use those up. Thanks!
They could be used, but I wouldn’t use whole chia seeds. If you can grind them up that would be better, or else you will just taste whole chia seeds, which I don’t personally care for. Thanks!
I’m excited to make this. So all the breads you listed that can be used to make French toast is considered vegan? I’ve been having such a hard time finding vegan sliced bread.
I hope you love it! To make sure the bread you buy is vegan, simply check the ingredients list. It varies. But I can always find a fresh loaf of bread that doesn’t have milk or eggs in it. Sourdough is often vegan, as well as french bread, ciabatta, and baguettes. But make sure to check the ingredients list to make sure!
You’ve done it again! I tried this recipe this morning and it was super easy and really delicious! I agree with a previous reviewer that it’s the first vegan french toast I’ve made that browns properly, like the way french toast does in a restaurant. It looks really appetizing and the taste matches the look! I served it with bananas, walnuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
I’m going to try it out on some non-vegans next!
For anyone who likes this recipe, I also recommend Nora’s french toast casserole–yum!!
Thanks so much for the comment! Glad you love it!
I was on Pinterest looking for Vegan recipes, and seen your Vegan French toast. Looks delicious!!! Can’t wait to try. And your name made me smile, my Mom name was Nora!!!
Aw that’s great! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy!
I love all your Vegan recipes! My son has an egg and milk allergy so we have to eat vegan all the time! Is it possible to leave the flax seed out? Only b/c I don’t have on hand.
Thank you so much Kelly! Yes, you can leave the flax seed out.
Awesome French toast ! Thank you Nora!
So good!! It’s the third vegan French toast recipe I’ve tried and it’s a keeper!! I used a loaf of hard Italian bread from Aldi and sliced it thick.
So happy you enjoyed it, thank you!
Super easy and delicious. This recipe is a keeper. My children loved it.
Thanks.
You’re welcome! Glad it’s great!
This recipe did not disappoint! I used a baguette from Trader Joe’s and it worked like a charm. This is now my go to recipe for french toast.
So glad it turned out great!
Kids and husband approved! We loved it! Thank you!
Thank you, glad you all enjoyed!
Mother of God!!!
This was EXCELLENT!!!!
THANK YOU ❤
Love love love! You wouldn’t know it’s vegan and it’s the only recipe for French toast I have found that browns the way it should.
I’m so happy to hear you like this recipe! I love it too!
Do you have a suggestion for a substitute for the corn starch? I have such a bad reaction to corn.
Tapioca starch or arrowroot will work as well. Thanks!
WOW, literally the best french toast ever, and so easy
I really enjoyed this recipe. It was super easy and required ingredients that I always have on hand. This will definitely be in regular rotation in our home.
I tried this recipe so many times and each time it has turned out wonderful! I top it with fresh fruits and a very small drizzle of maple syrup. I will be having many relatives staying at my place for a wedding (most of them are skeptical of vegan food), and I am definitely going to make this for breakfast! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Thanks Meg! So glad you are enjoying it, and I hope your guests enjoy the french toast too!
What kind of pan do you use to cook your French toast on? We have not been successful in cooking French toast without it sticking to the pan since going vegan. Never had this issue before. So frustrating because we love French toast!
I almost always use this Non-Stick Electric Griddle I got several months ago. It’s amazing; I don’t use any oil and they don’t stick. Like ever! I make grilled vegan cheese on it as well with no oil. I have also made it on another small non-stick pan I have with no problems as long as I use some oil to fry it in. The trick is waiting long enough for it to get golden and cooked on one side before attempting to flip. But you may just need a better pan.
This is the best vegan French toast we have ever had. My whole family loved this. So simple and delicious!!!!!!
I’m so glad!! Thank you.
Do you know of any breads that are egg free? I would love to try this, but I have yet to find a good bread (homemade or store bought) that is egg free & edible. Lol
Where do you live? It’s very easy to find vegan bread in the U.S. Fresh loaves of sourdough and french type bread are almost always vegan. Many sandwich breads are as well, from white to whole wheat, I just check the ingredient list for milk (or eggs, but that is less likely).
HOT DANG!!!! ?❤? Hubby made this VEGAN FRENCH TOAST from and it is THE BOMB!!! ?? Hands down the BEST homemade vegan french toast I’ve ever had! ? Crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside! ? Excuse me while I go eat some more! ?
Everybody loved the flavour but it got stuck to the pan all the time, loosing the crunchyness 🙁 I used plenty of coconut oil.. any idea what I could be doing wrong?
I’m sorry to hear that! I’m not sure why they stuck, I haven’t heard that before. I’m guessing it has to do with your pan. I’d suggest using a pretty good non-stick pan, plus a quality spatula for flipping. I hope it works out so you can fully enjoy the french toast! Thank you!
I can’t wait to try this. My dad used to make me French Toast every morning before I would head to school. It’s definitely something I’ve been missing!
I had to try this out immediately, because I was so intrigued and excited. OMG!! This is SO easy and SO delicious. Will be making this regularly. Thank you!!