I’ve always believed that a good brunch can fix almost anything. On quiet Sunday mornings, I love the ritual of brewing coffee, opening the windows, and planning something warm and a little indulgent to start the day.
For years, French toast was that comfort food, soft on the inside, crisp at the edges, and drenched in maple syrup.
But after cutting back on dairy and eggs, I started missing that golden, custardy bite. I tried a few vegan versions that ended up too soggy or too dry.
One morning, determined to get it right, I decided to rebuild the recipe from the ground up. What emerged was so rich and aromatic that my sons couldn’t believe it was fully plant-based.
This vegan French toast has everything you want in a classic brunch dish: the crisp exterior, the custardy center, and the sweet aroma that fills the kitchen before the coffee even finishes brewing.
Why vegan French toast works better than you think
Traditional French toast relies on eggs and milk to create that creamy custard base. The good news is that plants can do the same job without the cholesterol or environmental toll.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the production of animal-based foods tends to have higher greenhouse gas emissions than plant-based foods.
The same source notes that shifting toward largely plant-based dietary patterns supports both human health and planetary sustainability.
And when it comes to flavor and texture, chickpea flour is a quiet hero. Once whisked with plant milk and a little cinnamon, it forms a velvety batter that clings to bread beautifully.
Oat milk gives the mixture body and subtle sweetness, while nutritional yeast adds a delicate hint of richness that mimics the depth of eggs.
The result is French toast that feels indulgent yet lighter on the planet.
Ingredients (serves 4)
1 cup unsweetened oat milk
3 tablespoons chickpea flour (also called besan)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon maple syrup (plus more for serving)
Pinch of salt
8 slices of day-old bread (thick, sturdy slices like sourdough or brioche-style vegan bread)
2 tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil, for cooking
Optional toppings: fresh berries, sliced bananas, toasted nuts, coconut yogurt, or a dusting of powdered sugar
Directions
Prepare the batter. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the oat milk, chickpea flour, flaxseed, vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt until smooth. Let it rest for about 5 minutes so the flaxseed can thicken the mixture slightly.
Heat your pan. Set a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegan butter or oil.
Dip and cook. Submerge each slice of bread in the batter for about 10 seconds per side, allowing it to soak but not collapse. Transfer to the hot pan and cook until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side. Add more butter or oil between batches as needed.
Serve warm. Stack the slices, drizzle with maple syrup, and top with your favorite fruit.
Why it works
Chickpea flour adds protein and a natural binding quality similar to eggs. The flaxseed helps hold moisture, while oat milk brings a mild creaminess.
Together, they create that classic French toast texture: slightly crisp on the outside, soft and custardy inside.
For an extra crisp finish, try sprinkling a light layer of coconut sugar over the bread as it cooks. It caramelizes beautifully.
A small ritual worth slowing down for
Making French toast has always felt like a small celebration in my kitchen. When I flip the last golden slice and see my sons drifting in from the smell alone, it reminds me that food is more than fuel. It is connection.
There is something special about slowing down to cook from scratch. The simple rhythm of whisking, dipping, and flipping invites a kind of mindfulness that often gets lost in the rush of everyday life.
When we give our full attention to what we’re making, we taste more, enjoy more, and feel nourished in more ways than one.
Preparing a meal like this turns an ordinary morning into a moment of care, for ourselves, for the people we feed, and for the planet that provides the ingredients.
Final bite
This vegan French toast doesn’t imitate perfection. It creates its own version of it.
Crisp, custardy, and full of warmth, it proves that plant-based cooking can be both comforting and luxurious.
Next Sunday, brew your favorite coffee, dust off that skillet, and bring back the golden ritual of brunch, one slice at a time.
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Dining and Cooking