Vegan Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Vegan French Toast
Classic weekend breakfast made with a plant-based custard batter.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Whisk together the soy milk, chickpea flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in a shallow dish until smooth.
- 2
Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and melt a little vegan butter across the surface.
- 3
Dip each bread slice into the batter, letting it soak for about 10 seconds per side so it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
- 4
Lay the soaked slices onto the hot griddle and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and set in the middle.
- 5
Add more vegan butter to the pan between batches as needed.
- 6
Serve immediately with maple syrup and fresh fruit.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
78/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving220
Calories
7 g
Protein
40 g
Carbs
3 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
French toast, known in France as pain perdu or lost bread, began as a thrifty way to revive stale bread by soaking it in a custard and frying it, a practice found across many European cuisines. The vegan version recreates the eggy custard with a blend of plant milk, ground flax or chickpea flour, and a little starch for that signature soft-set interior. What makes it distinct is that the binder has to do the work eggs once did, holding the soaked bread together and browning into a golden crust.
Listahan note
This version builds a custard from plant milk and chickpea flour so the slices set up custardy rather than soggy. It is designed to turn day-old bread into a satisfying weekend breakfast.
Technique cues
- Use slightly stale, sturdy bread so it soaks up the custard without falling apart in the pan.
- Whisk the chickpea flour or starch fully into the custard so there are no raw lumps that streak the surface.
- Cook over medium heat long enough to set the custard through, since rushing leaves the center wet and gummy.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Whisk the custard and preheat the pan while you slice the bread, so dipping and frying flow without pause.
- Make-ahead
- Mix the custard the night before and store it covered in the fridge, then dip and fry fresh in the morning.
- Leftover move
- Reheat leftover slices in a toaster or oven to re-crisp, or cube them into a quick breakfast bake.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Wipe the pan between batches so leftover custard does not scorch and bitter the next slice.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
thick bread slices
custard carrier
Purpose: Sturdy, slightly stale bread soaks up the custard while holding its shape in the pan.
Handling: Slice thick and let sit out to dry slightly if the bread is fresh.
Adaptation: Use gluten-free bread, or brioche-style vegan loaf for a richer result.
plant milk
custard base
Purpose: Plant milk is the liquid body of the custard that the bread absorbs.
Handling: Whisk with the binder and flavorings until smooth before dipping.
Adaptation: Soy or oat milk give a creamier custard; almond milk works for nut-tolerant diets.
chickpea flour
egg-replacing binder
Purpose: Chickpea flour sets when cooked, mimicking how egg holds the custard and crust together.
Handling: Whisk in thoroughly so it dissolves completely into the milk.
Adaptation: Ground flax mixed with water or a spoon of cornstarch can stand in as the binder.
cinnamon
warm spice
Purpose: Cinnamon gives French toast its classic cozy aroma and rounds the custard's flavor.
Handling: Whisk into the custard so it coats every slice evenly.
Adaptation: Nutmeg, cardamom, or a pumpkin spice blend all work as the warm note.
maple syrup
topping and sweetness
Purpose: Maple syrup is the traditional finish that brings sweetness and ties the plate together.
Handling: Warm slightly and pour over the finished slices.
Adaptation: Fruit compote, powdered sugar, or a berry sauce all make good toppings.
Technique notes
- Soak each slice just long enough to saturate without going to mush, usually a brief dip on each side.
- Keep the heat at medium so the custard sets through before the outside over-browns.
- Hold finished slices on a rack in a low oven, not stacked, so they stay crisp while you cook the rest.
Ingredient swaps
- Gluten-free direction
- Use a sturdy gluten-free bread and confirm the rest of the custard ingredients are gluten-free.
- Nut-free option
- Use oat or soy milk in the custard instead of almond milk.
- Lower-sugar direction
- Top with fresh fruit and a dusting of cinnamon instead of syrup to cut added sugar.
Serve alongside
- Fresh mixed berries
- Maple-glazed bananas
- Coconut whipped cream
- Toasted pecans
- Brewed coffee
- Fresh orange juice
- Oat milk latte
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Store leftover French toast in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a toaster or hot oven to bring back the crisp edges rather than microwaving, which softens them. Slices freeze well flat for up to two months and can be toasted straight from frozen.
Equipment
- Wide shallow dish for dipping
- Nonstick skillet or griddle
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Vegan French Toast to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
More Vegan recipes
Vegan Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Vegan Stuffing
A classic holiday side dish made with vegetable broth and herbs.
Vegan Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Vegan Pancakes
Wake up to these incredibly fluffy and golden vegan pancakes, kissed with vanilla and ready to soak up your favorite maple syrup. A perfect weekend breakfast treat made entirely from plant-based ingredients!
Vegan Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Vegan Lasagna
Indulge in generous layers of tender pasta, robust marinara, and a remarkably creamy tofu ricotta. This show-stopping baked lasagna is the ultimate crowd-pleasing centerpiece!