Vegan French Toast Recipe

When you think of French toast, you probably imagine eggs, milk, and butter — all the classic components of a cozy, indulgent breakfast. But the this vegan French toast shows you don’t need dairy or eggs to land that same comforting, custardy, golden result. In this version, ripe banana, plant-milk, almond butter, and a touch of spelt (or any flour) create a creamy, slightly sweet “batter” that soaks into day-old bread and gives you soft, tender slices with a caramelized crust once cooked.

What’s more, this plant-based take still delivers on nostalgia and comfort: the flavors of cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of maple syrup evoke weekend mornings, cozy brunches, or a relaxed start to any day. Because it skips common allergens like dairy and eggs, it’s naturally inclusive — welcoming to vegans, people with lactose sensitivity, or anyone following a dairy-free lifestyle. The option to use hearty or gluten-free bread also means you can adapt it for gluten-free needs while keeping texture and flavor intact.

Finally, Vegan French Toast transforms a simple breakfast into something special without adding complexity — especially useful when mornings are rushed or when you want a treat without the typical indulgence. Quick to prep, easy to customize, and satisfying to eat, this dish proves that thoughtful substitutions don’t compromise on pleasure.

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Vegan French Toast

Recipe Details

Yield: 4 servings
Active Time: 20 minutes

Vegan French Toast Ingredients

For the French toast

• 1 medium banana
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon spelt flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch sea salt
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 8 slices day old bread
• Olive oil or coconut oil

To serve

• Coconut whipped cream
• Diced strawberries
• Sliced almonds
• Maple syrup

How to Make Vegan French Toast

1. Place banana, maple syrup, spelt flour, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, almond milk, almond butter, and nutritional yeast in a high-speed blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
2. Pour mixture into a wide, shallow bowl or baking dish. Place bread in the mixture and flip to make sure all sides are evenly coated.
3. Melt 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
4. Working in batches, add bread slices to skillet in a single layer and cook for a few minutes until golden brown, then flip and brown other side. The sugars will caramelize and form a beautiful crust on the bread. Repeat with the remaining slices.
5. Serve topped with coconut whipped cream, strawberries, almonds, and maple syrup, if desired.

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Vegan French Toast Nutrition Facts

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 4 servings of 2 slices). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.

Serving Size	2 slices
Calories	≈ 250 kcal
Protein	≈ 10 g
Carbs	≈ 35 g
Sugar	≈ 10 g
Fiber	≈ 4 g
Fat	≈ 8 g

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Vegan French Toast Variations & Tips

• Use gluten-free bread: Swap standard loaf bread with a gluten-free slice — the batter still clings well, giving you a soft center and crisp edge even without gluten.
• Switch up the binder base: Instead of banana, try a flax-seed “egg” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water) or silken tofu blended with plant milk for a different texture.
• Flavor twists: Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin-pie spice to the batter for seasonal warmth, or a dash of orange zest for bright freshness.
• Make it thicker-custardy: Let the bread soak a little longer (but not too long) in the batter before cooking to deepen the custard-like texture inside.
• Add fruit inside: Sandwich thin slices of apple or banana between two soaked bread slices for a stuffed-French-toast feel before cooking.
• Bake or air-fry version: For a lower-oil alternative, bake or air-fry soaked slices until golden — good for larger batches or lighter breakfasts.
• Sweetness & richness controls: Use a lighter plant milk (oat, soy, or almond) and reduce maple syrup a bit if you prefer a less sweet, more breakfast-bread style result.

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Best Vegan French Toast Pairings

• Fresh fruit & berries: Top with strawberries, blueberries, bananas or sliced peaches for a fresh, fruity contrast.
• Coconut whipped cream & nuts: A dollop of coconut whipped cream plus sliced almonds or walnuts adds creamy richness and crunchy texture.
• Maple syrup or fruit compote: Drizzle pure maple syrup or a warm apple/pear compote over the toast for sweetness and depth.
• Breakfast smoothie or latte: Pair with a vegan almond-milk latte or a fruit/nut smoothie for a complete, balanced brunch.
• Spiced such as cinnamon tea: A cup of cinnamon or chai tea complements the warm, cozy flavors of the toast.
• Nuts & seeds topping: Sprinkle hemp seeds, chia seeds or crushed pecans for extra fiber, healthy fats and crunch.

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When to Make Vegan French Toast

• Lazy weekend brunch: A relaxed Saturday or Sunday morning — serve a stack to family or friends with fruit, syrup, and vegan whipped cream.
• Holiday or special-occasion breakfast: Great for a breakfast-in-bed treat, birthday morning, or a cozy holiday breakfast that feels indulgent but still thoughtful.
• Kid-friendly breakfast: Kids usually love sweet, simple breakfasts — this toast gives familiar French toast vibes with allergy-friendly ingredients.
• Simple weekday breakfast upgrade: Pre-slice bread the night before and whisk batter quickly in the morning — a way to upgrade your everyday routine without much hassle.
• Post-workout refuel: For a higher-carb recovery meal, add nut butter or a protein-powder twist to the batter and serve with fruit and plant-milk.
• Brunch for mixed-diet guests: If you’re hosting omnivores and plant-based eaters, this recipe sits nicely on a brunch table — nostalgic enough for all, but inclusive for those avoiding eggs/dairy.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont