Starting the day with a tasty energy-giving meal is ideal for us in today’s busy life, and French toast fits the description perfectly. It’s one of the world’s most favorite breakfast recipes and has many variations in different countries.
However, with people’s persistent desire to live a healthy lifestyle, veganism is becoming very popular. Because of that, people making the switch might not enjoy French toast the way they used to.
But don’t worry, as this article will guide you on how to make French toast vegan. If you’ve recently decided to be a vegan but can’t stop craving French toast, you’ve come to the right place.
Continue reading to know more.
Does French Toast Have Dairy?
In most French toast recipes, we soak bread slices in a batter made with dairy milk and other ingredients. Then, they’re fried with butter.
But as more people choose not to consume animal-based products, they create alternatives for these items. So now, we can use plant-based milk or butter if we prefer to go vegan.
Do You Need Milk for French Toast?
The milk’s purpose is to add moisture to the bread slices, making them absorb the flavors well. It adds a nice texture and taste to the toast too. However, it’s possible to make French toast without milk.
Some people who don’t have any milk at home use heavy cream. Alternatively, they may skip milk by adding a bit of water to the egg instead.
However, it’s essential to note that eggs and heavy cream aren’t vegan.
Substitutes for Non-Vegan French Toast Ingredients
Three main French toast ingredients come from animals. These are:
- Dairy milk
- Butter
- Eggs
Fortunately, you can replace these ingredients with vegan products. Let’s take a look at some possible substitutes.
What Are Some Alternatives for Dairy Milk?
There are many plant-based products to choose from and use in place of dairy milk. Here are some of them:
1 – Almond Milk
Almond milk is a healthy alternative to dairy milk. It’s a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, protein, and dietary fiber.
This milk is low in calories, high in antioxidants, and suitable for people with lactose intolerance. However, it isn’t a good source of protein.
2 – Soy Milk
Soy milk is lower in carbohydrates but has similar protein content to cow’s milk. Therefore, adding this to your diet can supplement your protein needs without consuming meat.
Some people have soy allergies, so make sure that it’s suitable for you before using it.
3 – Oat Milk
Oat milk contains more carbs and calories than dairy, almond, and soy milk. Moreover, it’s rich in fiber and B vitamins.
As this milk is trendy, you can easily purchase it. But if you wish, you can make oat milk at home.
4 – Coconut Milk
Fresh coconut milk might make your toast taste better if you have access to it. But of course, you can use the one in a can.
Coconut milk effectively thickens the batter mixture and is a safer option for people with nut allergies. But it’s worth remembering that processed coconut milk may have carrageenan that can cause digestive problems in some individuals.
5 – Cashew Milk
Cashew milk has a lower calorie level than oat milk or coconut milk, making it beneficial to weight-conscious people. It also contains unsaturated fatty acids that may help improve heart health.
These are the other benefits of cashew milk:
- Strengthens the immune system
- Prevents iron-deficiency anemia
- Promotes healthy skin
- Regulates blood sugar levels
6 – Rice Milk
Milk made from milled rice is also a good choice for those who have allergies to dairy milk or nuts. It’s also less likely to cause lactose intolerance.
Rice milk contains very little protein but is high in carbohydrates. Therefore, it might not be best for people who have diabetes.
7 – Hemp Milk
Hemp milk intake can improve skin, heart, and brain health. It provides calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, and B12 and is also a good source of omega-3 and omega-6.
However, you must watch out for its potential risks, including allergies and stomachaches. Some commercial hemp milk also has added sugar that can increase the risk of diabetes.
What Are Some Alternatives for Butter?
There are several substitutes for this ingredient. First, you can use vegan butter if you can purchase it online or from your local grocery store.
Second, since you’ll be using butter for frying, you can choose plant-based oils. Some good examples are olive, coconut, canola, peanut, and safflower oils.
The third alternative for butter is margarine. Most kinds of margarine today come from vegetable oils, but as they’re originally made from animal fats, don’t forget to check the product label to be sure.
What Are Some Alternatives for Eggs?
Eggs don’t only add flavor to French toast but are also rich in proteins that act as a binder. While you can remove them from your recipe, using substitute ingredients is a better idea.
In recent years, commercial vegan eggs have become popular in the market. They come in powder and liquid forms.
The liquid egg replacement is perfect for French toast because it’s much easier to use. All you need to do is pour out the content and mix it with your other ingredients.
If for some reason, you prefer not to use any commercial plant-based eggs, you still have other options. The following ingredients are excellent binders too:
- Aquafaba
- Cornstarch and water mixture
- Arrowroot powder and water mixture
- Chickpea flour and water mixture
- Rice flour and water mixture
- Ground flaxseed and water mixture
- Tofu
How To Make French Toast Vegan
As a vegan, you can experiment with your recipe and use ingredients that would suit your tastebuds. Here’s an interesting recipe you might want to try:
Ingredients
- French bread, 8 slices
- Vegan egg powder, 4 tablespoons.
- Water, ½ cup
- Plant-based milk, 1 cup
- Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon.
- Cinnamon powder, 1 ½ tablespoons.
- Powdered sugar
- Vegan butter for cooking, unsalted
- Maple syrup, nuts, and berries for serving (optional)
Procedure:
- In a shallow dish, add 1 cup of plant-based milk.
- Add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and vegan egg powder, then mix well.
- Dip each side of the bread slices in the mixture.
- Sprinkle the bread slices with cinnamon and sugar. Let them sit for 15 minutes up to an hour.
- Melt your vegan butter in a pre-heated skillet.
- Put the bread slices in the skillet and cook each side for 2–3 minutes over medium heat.
- Transfer the bread slices to a plate.
- Garnish them with the toppings of your choice. You may use butter, maple syrup, berries, or nuts.
Note:
Soaking the bread slices for a longer time will give them a soft custard-like center. But if you’re in a hurry, you can dunk the bread slices in the batter before frying.
Final Thoughts
Trying to keep a healthy lifestyle may make someone find answers to simple questions like how to make French toast vegan.
Luckily, we’re living in an era when creating alternatives to animal-based is possible. So choosing to be vegan doesn’t mean you can’t eat your favorite food.
To make vegan French toast, you must first identify the animal-based ingredients from your recipe and then find alternatives.
So, how would you like to prepare your vegan French toast?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard.