Vegan French Toast Recipe: Fluffy, Dairy-Free Breakfast

Indulgent vegan French toast that’s simple to make and perfect for a relaxing weekend breakfast. This budget-friendly recipe uses stale bread, giving you a delicious reason to rescue day-old loaves.

Today I’m sharing how to make the best vegan French toast using one simple, magic ingredient.

This has become a weekend staple for me. It’s quick to prepare yet tastes indulgent — perfect when you want something special without the fuss.

This vegan French toast is quick and easy to make, using affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.

Secret ingredient

The secret is chickpea flour (also called besan or gram flour). It’s inexpensive, widely available, and creates a rich, egg-like texture and flavor that works brilliantly as an egg substitute.

You can find chickpea flour in most supermarkets (world food or health aisles), Asian or Indian grocery stores, health food shops, or online.

The best bread to use for French toast

Choosing the right bread makes all the difference. Use thick-cut, sturdy loaves like farmhouse bread or ciabatta rather than thin pre-sliced sandwich loaves.

The loaf shown in the photos was a day-old white farmhouse loaf, cut into thick slices — ideal for soaking and frying without collapsing.

Cooking tips

1. Prepare the bread — Slice the loaf into thick slices if it isn’t already cut.
2. Mix the batter — Whisk the chickpea flour and spices, then gradually add the dairy-free milk to minimize lumps.
3. Heat the skillet — Use a little vegan butter or mild oil and warm the pan over medium heat.
4. Soak the slices — Dip each slice for 15–30 seconds, longer if the bread is very dry.
5. Fry until golden — Cook about one minute per side until golden and crisp.

That’s it — then choose your favorite toppings and serve.

Vegan French toast topping ideas

There are endless topping possibilities. A few favorites:

• Maple or golden syrup
• Powdered sugar and ground cinnamon
• Jam or fruit compote
• Fresh berries or cooked mixed berries
• Strawberries and coconut whipped cream
• Stewed rhubarb with vegan custard
• Vegan bacon strips for a sweet-and-salty combo
• Coconut yoghurt for creaminess

This is the perfect Sunday-morning breakfast: special, simple and flexible. The base recipe pairs well with many toppings — I served mine with warm mixed berries, maple syrup and a dollop of coconut yoghurt.

Recipe

Easy Vegan French Toast

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

A quick vegan French toast that tastes like a special treat.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp chickpea flour*
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice
• 120 ml dairy-free milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp vegan butter or mild-flavoured oil
• 4 thick slices of soft bread (white, wholegrain, or gluten-free)

To serve

• Maple syrup, fruit and coconut yoghurt

Instructions

1. Whisk the chickpea flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, dairy-free milk, vanilla and salt together in a shallow bowl until smooth.
2. Heat the vegan butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Dip a bread slice into the batter, coating both sides. If the bread is very dry, soak for 20–30 seconds.
4. Place the coated slice in the skillet and fry for about one minute per side, until golden and crisp.
5. Repeat with remaining slices.
6. Serve warm with fruit, syrup and coconut yoghurt. Enjoy!

Notes

*Chickpea flour (besan or gram flour) is easy to find in supermarkets, Asian markets or health food shops.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 2
Calories: 375
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Carbohydrates: 51g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 9g