• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Contact
    • Photo Use Policy

Connoisseurus Veg logo

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for email updates and receive a free copy of my veggie burger e-book!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Free Veggie Burger Book
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Breakfast / Classic Vegan French Toast (Recipe & Video!)

    LAST UPDATED: November 20, 2021 • FIRST PUBLISHED: March 10, 2021

    Classic Vegan French Toast (Recipe & Video!)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Hand Pouring Maple Syrup Over a Stack of Vegan French Toast with Text Overlay Reading "Vegan French Toast"

    You can't beat a classic! This vegan French toast tastes like the stuff you grew up eating, but it's totally eggless and dairy-free. Grab some maple syrup and dig in!

    Hand Pouring Maple Syrup Over a Stack of Vegan French Toast

    Believe it or not, vegan French toast is really easy to make. It's not as complicated as you may think! Just make some type of batter, dip your bread in it, and grill. That's it!

    It's really not that important what the batter is made of. Bananas work, tofu works, even chickpea flour works! I've tried them all, and shared recipes for a bunch of variations.

    But I've yet to post a recipe for super simple, easy vegan French toast that tastes like the non-vegan stuff you grew up eating. Until today, anyhow!

    Jump to:
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Make the Best Vegan French Toast
    • Leftovers & Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Vegan Breakfast Recipes
    • Video!
    • Classic Vegan French Toast

    What You'll Need

    White Wooden Surface Set with Plate of Vegan French Toast, Bowl of Strawberries, and Syrup Decanter
    • Coconut milk. I recommend using the full-fat variety, from a can. You can sub with lite, coconut milk from a carton, or even another type of non-dairy milk.
    • Non-dairy milk. Use something other than coconut milk. In fact, just about anything other than coconut milk will work, as long as it's unsweetened and unflavored. Try soy milk, almond milk, or cashew milk.
    • Cornstarch. This ingredient is essential! It will cause your batter to congeal when cooked, giving it an eggy texture.
    • Nutritional yeast flakes. Look for these in the natural foods section of your supermarket.
    • Maple syrup.
    • Cinnamon.
    • Vanilla extract.
    • Kala namak. This is a type salt with a high sulfur content, so it gives things an eggy flavor. It's optional, but give it a try if you can find it. Try Indian markets or online.
    • Vegan butter. Look for this near the regular butter at your supermarket. Try brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko's.
    • Bread. Use something thick and crusty, and slightly stale if possible! The batter is more liquidy than conventional French toast batter, so delicate bread could easily fall apart. A sturdy French or sourdough bread works perfect!

    Tip: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Prefer sweeter French toast? Up the maple syrup! Like a little extra eggy flavor? Use more kala namak! Got some fun spices on hand? Throw them in! Nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom would all be delicious.

    How to Make the Best Vegan French Toast

    The following is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make vegan French toast. Scroll down if you'd prefer to skip right to the recipe!

    • Mix your batter up: whisk the coconut milk, non-dairy milk, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and kala namak (if using) together in a bowl.

    Tip: Feel free to play with the consistency of the batter by using less cornstarch for a lighter batter, more cornstarch (or even a bit of flour) for thicker batter.

    • Grab a bread slice and dip both sides in the batter. I don't recommend submerging the bread in the batter — it will get soggy fast!
    Two Stages of Preparing Vegan French Toast: Whisk Batter Together, and Dip Bread in Batter
    • Heat up some vegan butter in a skillet.
    • Once the butter is melted and bubbling, place your dipped bread slice in the skillet. You can grill multiple slices at once if they'll fit.
    • Cook the bread for a few minutes, then carefully flip it.
    • Cook the bread slice for a few minutes on the opposite side. It's done when both sides are lightly browned (or as browned as you like) and crispy.

    Tip: I like to take a spoon and dribble some batter around the edges of my French toast while it's cooking. It mimics those eggy clusters that sometimes cling to the edges of non-vegan French toast.

    Collage Showing 4 Stages of Cooking Vegan French Toast

    Tip: One of the challenges to making great plant-based French toast is its tendency to stick to the pan. Use a really good nonstick surface, like cast iron, and make sure it's nice and hot before placing the bread in it. I also find it helps to take a spatula and loosen the bread from the cooking surface after the first minute or so of cooking.

    I like to serve my French toast with some vegan butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

    Close up of a Stack of Vegan French Toast on a Plate with Butter and Maple Syrup on Top

    Leftovers & Storage

    Store leftover vegan French toast in a sealed bag or container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat it in a 400°F oven until hot.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

    I think so! Try using your favorite gluten-free bread. I haven't tested this myself, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.

    Why does this recipe include nutritional yeast? Is this ingredient necessary?

    The nutritional yeast adds a touch of savory flavor. Think about it: traditional French toast is made with eggs. Eggs are savory! You won't notice the nooch, and it's not strictly required, but it will make your toast taste more authentic.

    Can I use this recipe to make French toast sticks?

    Absolutely! Just use a square-ish bread (but preferably one that's still pretty sturdy), cut the crust off each slice, and cut it into three strips before dipping and frying.

    More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

    • Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes
    • Loaded Tofu Scramble
    • Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
    • Vegan Crepes
    • The Best Vegan Waffles
    • Vegan Banana Pancakes

    Video!

    Need more guidance on how to make vegan French toast? Check out my video!

    Like this recipe? If so, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter. And please stop back and leave me a review and rating below if you make it!

    Hand Pouring Maple Syrup Over a Stack of Vegan French Toast
    4.87 from 15 votes
    Print

    Classic Vegan French Toast

    You can't beat a classic! This vegan French toast tastes like the stuff you grew up eating, but is made with absolutely no eggs or dairy. Grab some maple syrup and dig in!

    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 316 kcal
    Author Alissa Saenz

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup full fat coconut milk
    • ½ cup unsweetened soy or almond milk
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
    • 1 ½ teaspoons maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon kala namak
    • 2 tablespoons vegan butter, or as needed
    • 4 to 6 thick crusty bread slices (slightly stale bread works great)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    1. Whisk the coconut milk, soy or almond milk, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and kala namak together in a medium bowl.

    2. Melt about a tablespoon of vegan butter in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat.

    3. Dip one side of a bread slice into the batter, then flip and dip to coat the other side. Be careful not to oversaturate it, or it could fall apart.

    4. Transfer the bread slice to the hot pan. You can dip a few more slices and cook them at the same time, as long as you don't crowd the pan.

    5. Cook the French toast for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned on the bottom, then flip and cook about 5 minutes more.

    6. Transfer the cooked French toast slices to a place as they finish cooking.

    7. Repeat until all of the bread and batter have been used, adding butter or to the skillet between batches.

    8. Serve with maple syrup, vegan butter, and any of your favorite toppings.

    Nutrition Facts
    Classic Vegan French Toast
    Amount Per Serving (1 slice (of a 4 slice batch))
    Calories 316 Calories from Fat 156
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17.3g27%
    Saturated Fat 9.3g47%
    Sodium 570mg24%
    Potassium 178mg5%
    Carbohydrates 34.7g12%
    Fiber 2.7g11%
    Sugar 4.6g5%
    Protein 5.4g11%
    Calcium 110mg11%
    Iron 2.5mg14%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    « Sweet Potato Soup
    Moroccan-Inspired Chickpea Soup »

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

    Subscribe

    Subscribe for email updates and receive a free copy of my veggie burger e-book!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JoAnne says

      September 16, 2018 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      Just made it this morning, turned out great. Thanks for another great recipe. I have consistently good luck when trying your recipes.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        September 16, 2018 at 3:05 pm

        Awesome!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and are having luck with the recipes! Thanks so much JoAnne!

        Reply
      • Hadassah says

        September 30, 2020 at 11:15 am

        5 stars
        I didn't use the kala namak and nutrition yeast and it turned out excellent! I didn't have enough bread so with the leftover milk mixture I poured it into the pan and let it thicken up to create a pudding/sauce to dip the french toast into! Yum!

        Reply
        • Mark G says

          April 04, 2021 at 12:13 am

          5 stars
          That's a great idea. I'm going too try that myself.TY

          Reply
    2. Kim says

      September 30, 2018 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      These are delicious! I had thought the nutritional yeast was an odd addition at first. But I get it know.
      Like JoAnne mentioned above, every recipe I get from you is amazing.
      I am soo happy to have this recipe.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        September 30, 2018 at 4:15 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Also glad to hear my other recipes have been hits! Thanks so much Kim!

        Reply
    3. Ellen says

      October 09, 2018 at 3:04 pm

      4 stars
      Thanks for the recipe! I'm pre-diabetic so I tweaked your recipe to add more protein. I used chickpea flour instead of cornstarch and added 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to make the French toast puff up. I didn't have any coconut milk so I added a little oil. I topped it with sugar-free syrup. It was delicious and tasted and had the texture of "real" French Toast.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        October 14, 2018 at 9:01 pm

        Yay!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Joanne says

      October 15, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. And I didn't even have vanilla. I used cashew milk as well. I had everything else. Thank you

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        October 21, 2018 at 11:55 am

        Yay!! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Denise says

      October 30, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the great recipe! I served it for a special occasion and yes it was very classic French toast! Perfect!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        November 04, 2018 at 2:40 pm

        Awesome!! I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks Denise!

        Reply
    6. Vegan says

      November 05, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      4 stars
      Add tbs of ground flax or ground chia seeds to get it to thicken more, if need be.

      Reply
    7. Serena Miller says

      December 08, 2018 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing!!! I didn't have coconut milk, so as a commenter had substituted and it worked, I used some vanilla soy creamer and olive oil, leaving out the vanilla extract. I was hesitant about the Indian black salt and nooch, but it was perfect! I added a bit of baking powder as another commenter suggested for a bit of lift, but otherwise everything was your recipe. I have to say, this is hands down the best French toast I've ever had vegan or otherwise. I've even had vegan French toast at very highly acclaimed vegan restaurants and this blows it away. Bravo! I'm looking forward to trying your other recipes.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 09, 2018 at 3:40 pm

        That is awesome!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much Serena!

        Reply
    8. Amy says

      December 14, 2018 at 9:14 pm

      Can't we just have the recipe? I don't want to read your life story. Just the recipe please.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 16, 2018 at 10:50 am

        Just click the button that says "jump to recipe" at the top of the page.

        Reply
        • Meema says

          August 25, 2019 at 7:10 pm

          5 stars
          Wow, you’re one calm lady. Well done.

          Reply
          • Alissa Saenz says

            September 01, 2019 at 10:56 am

            Thank you! :)

            Reply
            • Michele says

              December 31, 2019 at 12:29 pm

              Yes, a nasty commenter handled like a pro!
              Great job!
              BTW I love your ‘ life stories’!!!
              Keep them coming! They keep me positive & motivated!

            • Alissa Saenz says

              January 05, 2020 at 4:34 pm

              Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying them. :)

      • Zack says

        May 12, 2019 at 10:24 am

        Can’t we just not have miserable commenters for no reason? Ridiculous...

        Reply
    9. Coleen says

      December 30, 2018 at 4:39 pm

      Would like to know the type of bread everyone used. Haven’t tried the recipe yet but going to. My family liked the traditional but that was a long time ago. Now trying to find a good vegan one.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        December 30, 2018 at 6:48 pm

        Hi Colleen! I've made this with a bunch of different types of bread, but the most successful batches were with some store-bought French bread and a loaf of homemade white bread - both a few days old and starting to dry out a bit. I hope that helps! Enjoy!

        Reply
    10. Elle says

      January 06, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      This is the vegan French toast recipe I’ve been looking for. Thank you! Followed it exactly. 👍🏼👍🏼

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        January 06, 2019 at 6:00 pm

        Yay! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    11. kj says

      March 31, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      this was amazingly delicious as is all your recipes. I tried your cauliflower, walnut pasta sauce, following your recipe to a tee. First served it over a toasted ciabatta roll as in a sloppy Joe. Then mixing some into ziti. Both were awesome. Definitely 2 keepers. Thank you Alissa for being my "go to" recipe expert.

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        April 02, 2019 at 8:50 pm

        I'm so glad you're enjoying them! And I love the idea of using the cauliflower walnut mixture in sloppy Joes! I'll have to give it a try. :)

        Reply
    12. Jesse Walker says

      April 05, 2019 at 7:44 pm

      What can you use instead of kala namak?

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        April 07, 2019 at 5:23 pm

        You could use regular salt, but it won't taste as eggy. :)

        Reply
    13. Matt says

      January 13, 2020 at 1:20 am

      Thank you very much. I'm making it this morning :D

      Reply
    14. Sara Truex says

      January 28, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! This is the first vegan french toast recipe I've come across that has a little bit of that custard-y texture you would normally get from the eggs! I was worried it would taste strongly of coconut but it really doesn't - the vanilla and cinnamon are enough to cover it up. So good, will make again.

      Reply
    15. Dale says

      October 05, 2020 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this for dinner. My teenager took 2 and said he definitely is having more as they are really good! Love how they do get the eggy texture! I used texas toast, doubled the recipe and used a can of coconut milk and it worked perfect. Definitely making it again!

      Reply
    16. Beekite says

      March 12, 2021 at 5:04 am

      5 stars
      So happy I found this recipe. Thank you very much for your recipe!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Alissa Holding a Coffee Cup

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The Best Vegan Banana Bread
    • Crispy Baked Teriyaki Tofu
    • Creamy Vegan Rice Pudding
    • Classic Lentil Soup

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About
    • Contact
    • Photo Use Policy

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more here.

    Copyright © 2013-2022 Tofu Press LLC & Alissa Saenz

    2473 shares
    • 253