Ok, your brunch dreams are about to come true with THE best Vegan French Toast ever. It's soft, sweet, vanilla-scented, golden perfection and it has a texture just like French Toast made with eggs!
Raise your hands if you love French Toast? *me! me! me!* So why have I not created a Vegan French Toast recipe until now? I think I've been failing as a vegan food blogger and today I am putting it right and bringing you THE most amazing Vegan French Toast EVER!
We are talking thick, crusty bread, dunked in thick, sweet custard then pan-fried or griddled until it reaches fluffy, golden perfection.
A couple of slices stacked up with a knob of Vegan Butter and some maple syrup, or some vegan yogurt and berries of choice is quite literally brunch perfection.
This is why I am loving this Vegan French Toast recipe:
- The texture is perfection. It's like proper eggy French toast only without the eggs!...<Thank you tofu>
- It's so tender and rich
- That colour! It's so golden brown. I did not touch up the goldenness in my photos at all (note that I did brush a little vegan butter on the griddle plates and if you don't use butter then yours might not turn out quite as golden).
- It is not soggy like many other Vegan French Toast recipes I have tried
- It tastes amazing! (promise you can't taste the tofu!)
- It's really high in protein at 10g per slice!
- It's really filling and keeps you feeling that way for hours!
Some Vegan French Toast truths
Do you want to know why I haven't tried to work on a Vegan French Toast recipe before?
I have tried many recipes, from some excellent vegan bloggers but at the end of the day their recipes are always bread dipped in sweet plant-based milk, or a mixture of plant-based milk and chia seeds. Sometime even chickpea flour makes an appearance. All of these are ok, but the results are nowhere near as good as proper eggy French Toast. Sweet milk or sweet milk with some chia seeds stirred in is not custard and just doesn't do it for me. If I can't make it as good as the original then I'm not making it at all.
Years of French Toast disappointment and longing have passed. Seriously, it was my favourite brunch prior to becoming vegan. Then, a couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea.
Yes, I'm weird. I keep a notebook beside my bed because I often wake up with ideas and if I don't write them down, by the morning they have disappeared into recipe oblivion.
So anyway, my idea worked and here we are.
Can vegans eat French Toast?
Regular French toast is made with eggs so it is not vegan friendly. However, it is very easy to make a vegan version that is just as good, and some have said better, then the traditional egg version. To do that we replace the usual eggs with tofu. Sounds strange but it really works!
How to make Vegan French Toast
For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card.
When you make French Toast with eggs, the eggs cook in the custard and start to set. That's what gives you the soft, melting, custardy centre.
My Vegan French Toast uses tofu instead of eggs and as the French Toast cooks in the pan, the custard starts to set a little and you end up with the same texture as you would if using eggs.
Here's how it's done:
Step 1 - Make the custard by adding the tofu, plant-based milk, vanilla, sugar, salt and cinnamon to a blender and blend until smooth.
It does need to become silky smooth so make sure your blender is up to the job. The last thing you want are lumps of tofu in your custard. I use this Blendtec blender (<<affiliate link).
Step 2 - Cut some big thick slices of 
slightly stale, crusty white bread. Using a good quality loaf makes all the difference to the finished result and using bread that is a little dry or even really stale gives the best results. Fresh bread ends up too soggy.
Step 3 - Get those bread slices and drench them in the custard.
Step 4 - Pan-fry or griddle the custard dipped bread slices until they are absolutely golden brown and crispy around the edges.
Serve up immediately or keep warm in a very low oven until you have finished cooking the entire batch.
Success Tips
- Use stale bread. Fresh bread doesn't soak up the custard so well. It should be at least 2 days old. If you only have fresh bread, slice it up and leave it out on the counter for a few hours to dry out.
- Use crusty bread and not cheap white sliced bread. Heartier bread holds it's shape better, it looks better, it tastes better and the crust part is lovely once cooked up in the custard.
- Don't change any of the custard ingredients.
- Use extra firm tofu for this vegan French Toast and not silken tofu.
- Blend the custard until absolutely smooth.
- Don't leave the bread to soak for too long in the custard. 20 seconds each side is plenty. Any longer and it will get too soggy and you will risk breakage as you transfer it to the pan.
- Use a really good non-stick pan to avoid sticking.
- Cook until really golden.
The best bread to use for French Toast
Slightly stale, rustic white bread cut into thick slices makes the best French Toast. That's because it's sturdy with good texture and won't fall apart easily. Because it's stale and not fresh it is able to absorb the tofu custard better. And rustic, crusty bread tastes better too. French Toast is a simple recipe. It's important to use quality ingredients for it to be at its best.
If the bread is thin and too soft, like cheap white sliced grocery store bread, it won't absorb the custard well and will fall apart. It also won't have a nice chewy crust and good flavour.
Most important is that whatever bread you use should be a few days old. Fresh bread does not make the best French Toast. This makes it a great recipe for using up any stale bread you might have.
If you do end up wanting to make Vegan French Toast and you only have fresh bread you can leave some slices out on the counter overnight. This will dry them out a bit. Or you can put the fresh slices on a baking tray and bake in a really low oven until they are a bit dry.
Can I make it in advance?
You can make the custard in advance and keep it in the fridge ready to dunk bread into at a moments notice. It's not possible to make this recipe totally in advance though, but if that is something you would like to do, then I recommend you check out my Vegan French Toast Casserole. That can be made the night before, then left to soak up all of the yummy custard in the fridge overnight. Then when you get up the next day you can pop it in the oven. It's ultra-convenient for lazy weekend or holiday brunches.
How to serve
Of all of my vegan tofu recipes, this Vegan French Toast is my favourite. It is absolutely incredible just as it is with a generous glug of real maple syrup. Take it up a notch with a big knob of vegan butter to melt over it too.
It is also amazing with a dollop of vegan yogurt or whipped vegan ricotta, and berries of choice and a glug of maple syrup too if you are feeling generous!
Or try serving it with my Vanilla Roasted Strawberries, Date Caramel, Vegan Lemon Curd or Blueberry Lavender Sauce .
Storage and reheating tips
French Toast is best when eaten fresh. If you have any leftovers though, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat on a griddle or in a frying pan over a low heat.
Leftover custard can be kept in a sealed container or jar in the fridge for up to 4 days. It might thicken a bit but before you use it just add a drop or two of plant milk and give it a quick whisk before dipping your bread and cooking it.
Hungry for more?
If you really like vegan brunch type situations, check out my Giant Blueberry Vegan Pancake, The Best Vegan Banana Pancakes, Vegan Scrambled Eggs and my Banana Waffles.
Subscribe to my email list for a fabulous FREE eCookbook featuring my top 10 recipes. Being on the list means you will be first to see my new recipes and you’ll be kept in the loop on all things new and exciting too. Also, be sure to check out my cookbook Vegan Comfort Cooking for even more recipes!
📖 Recipe
Vegan French Toast
Author:Ingredients
- 240mls / 1 cup plant-based milk
- 130g / 4½ oz / ½ heaping, very packed cup extra firm tofu (not silken)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sugar , cane, turbinado or white (not brown or coconut sugar)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon OPTIONAL vegan butter **** , plus a little extra for brushing on the griddle/pan
- 6 thick (around 1 inch) slices crusty, sturdy, white bread , it should be a couple of days old
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add everything except the bread to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Preheat a griddle or a pan over a medium/low heat.
- Brush the griddle/pan with a little vegan butter (oil can be used instead but butter tastes better). Even if it's a non stick surface I recommend doing this as it makes it much easier to keep the golden crust that develops on the bread intact when turning it.
- Pour the blended 'custard' into a wide bowl and dip the bread in it. Leave it to sit for around 20 seconds then turn over and leave for another 20 seconds. Make sure all areas are covered, then lift it out and quickly dip the crust around the edges.
- Carefully place the custardy bread slices onto the preheated griddle or pan. Cook for around 4-5 minutes or until deeply golden, then flip carefully and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side, or until deeply golden. Try to leave it alone and not peek while it's cooking. If you move it too early the golden surface can get damaged and not look quite so pretty.
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
NOTES
- Use stale bread. Fresh bread doesn't soak up the custard so well. It should be at least 2 days old. If you only have fresh bread, slice it up and leave it out on the counter for a few hours to dry out.
- Use crusty bread and not cheap white sliced bread. Heartier bread holds it's shape better, it looks better, it tastes better and the crust part is lovely once cooked up in the custard.
- Don't change any of the custard ingredients.
- Blend the custard until absolutely smooth.
- Don't leave the bread to soak for too long in the custard. 20 seconds each side is plenty. Any longer and it will get too soggy and you will risk breakage as you transfer it to the pan.
- Use a really good non-stick pan to avoid sticking.
- Cook until really golden.
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Arch says
Can this be baked?
A Virtual Vegan says
It doesn't work so well baked, but I adapted it to make this recipe so follow this instead (it's very similar): https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-french-toast-casserole/
Kathy says
I tried numerous vegan recipes for French Toast and all were terrible. This one is the best recipe. I have made it many times and will continue to make it.
Isabella says
This recipe is so good I made it 2 days in a row and will make it again, again, and again!
Lindsey says
I’ve been trying different vegan French toast recipes and this one is the winner! I added orange zest as noted in one of the comments and it was great. Thanks!
A Virtual Vegan says
So pleased you enjoyed it Lindsey and thanks so much for stopping by to leave a review. It's much appreciated!
Jasmine says
My. Kids. Couldn’t. Tell. The. Difference! What a win this morning! This was so yummy! Thank you !
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased they enjoyed it. Thank you!
chlo says
hi maybe a weird question but do i need to press the tofu before blending it? very excited to try the recipe!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
No you don't. Use it straight out of the packet. Hope you enjoy it!
Annika says
Amazing! I made this with some stale vegan challah (a very soft, fluffy bread) so I probably should have dipped in the mixture for a little less time than suggested, but it was really amazing! My nonvegan parents couldn't tell the difference! SO delicious.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! I'm really pleased you all enjoyed it Annika!
Julie says
Have you tried adding orange zest? My favorite pre-vegan french toast calls for it and I love the flavor.
A Virtual Vegan says
It would be lovely with some orange zest in the batter. You could even make an orange simple syrup to drizzle over it when serving!
Julie says
Without a doubt the best vegan French toast recipe I have tried. My boyfriend adores French toast and since becoming vegan, I have been on the hunt for a recipe that would taste like the real deal and this is it! Thanks for the amazing recipe! Looking forward to trying more recipes on the site.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you both enjoyed it, Julie!
Ashley says
Will the batter keep overnight? I accidentally made too much and would like to save the rest of the batter for tomorrow morning
A Virtual Vegan says
It will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Edie says
Which plant based milk do you like best for this recipe?
And thank you for this recipe!
A Virtual Vegan says
I usually have unsweetened cashew, soy and coconut milk in my fridge so it's usually one of those. If I had to choose it would be cashew. Light canned coconut milk is lovely in it too. As long as it's a creamy milk you like though it doesn't really matter. Hope you enjoy it!
Janice says
This recipe is a keeper! Plant based for six years; vegetarian 36 years before that, I recently needed to convert my husband to a plant based lifestyle due to health issues. Breakfast has been a major sticking point. Most vegan French toast doesn’t have the substance it needs - this was perfect! I used a thick whole wheat bread, added ground nutmeg and ground clove along with the cinnamon and used black salt (so stinky, but worked) for the salt. Definitely needs the small amount of time to soak the bread (don’t skip that part). Three pieces were eaten without an unhappy face! Yay!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! Glad you both enjoyed it and thanks so much for coming back to leave a review/rating!
Marcy says
Can you explain why silken tofu would not work as well? Too much liquid? Could that be offset with less "milk"?
A Virtual Vegan says
Extra firm tofu works best in this recipe because it sets like egg would as it cooks. That's why this recipe is so similar to "eggy" French toast. You really can't tell the difference. Silken tofu doesn't give such a good texture. If it's all you've got you can use it by all means but the recipe won't be at its best.
This French toast casserole recipe uses silken tofu though: https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-french-toast-casserole/ The reason being that even though I wanted to use extra firm tofu to get the same texture as my regular French Toast, it didn't turn out as well in tests and got a strange texture. Extra firm is best for pan frying, silken for baking. Hope that helps!
Leila Spalenka says
This is one of the absolutebest French toast recipes I have tried! Not to mention satisfying and nutritious. I will keep this in my favorite recipes. Thank you for creating this!
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you enjoyed it Leila!
Jodie A Foreman says
I've tried all sorts of vegan french toast. This is by far the best one. Easy and fast too.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Jodie. I'm really pleased you're enjoying it!
ASHU SINGH says
This recipe is phenomenal!!! I've been passing it along to so many friends... Huge thxs for posting it!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
So pleased you're enjoying it!
Harleen says
What a fantastic recipe! Made it today and wow! The sugar and cinnamon was spot on! I added a tbsp of flaxseeds to the mix :)
Thanks for the recipe. An absolute favourite!
A Virtual Vegan says
So pleased you enjoyed it!
Matt R says
I have made this recipe several times now. It is absolutely delicious. I sneak it in to my non-vegan friends, and even they love it. They can't tell it's vegan.
Thanks for this recipe. One of the easiest, most delicious, comforting recipes I've found in 6 years of being vegan.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you so much Matt! I'm really pleased you're enjoying the recipe. It's one of my favourites too!
Nica says
This is the best french toast i’ve ever tasted!!! i swapped 2tbsp of almond flour for tofu because we ran out. i cant tell the difference between this one and the one i make with egg. This one is definitely better than non vegan french toast that i make before.
A Virtual Vegan says
Glad you enjoyed it Nica!