It's easy to create a basic vegan French toast. Where it comes alive, however, is with the toppings you add. Try this tasty French toast with any (or all) of these delicious toppings.
Basic French Toast
This is a basic, custard-like French toast with a slight neutral vanilla flavor and a hint of nutmeg. The trick is in adding ground chia seeds to give the custard some viscosity that normally comes from the eggs. Grind the seeds in a spice grinder for best results. Select thick slices of any crusty vegan bread for this recipe. You can also use a vegan sandwich bread, which will only need to soak for about a minute to absorb the custard. The recipe serves four.
Ingredients
3 cups of plain, unsweetened almond milk (or any other plain, nondairy milk)
1 tablespoon chia seeds, finely ground
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Oil or vegan butter for cooking
8 thick slices vegan bread
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
In a glass measuring cup, whisk together the almond milk, chia seeds and vanilla. Cover and let it rest in the fridge for about 10 minutes to allow the chia to thicken.
Whisk in the agave and nutmeg. Pour into a shallow dish.
Soak the bread (on both sides) in the custard for about five minutes to allow the custard to soak completely into the bread.
Lightly oil a nonstick skillet and heat on medium-high. Add the bread, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about four minutes per side. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Top with maple syrup, or as desired.
Variations
You can vary this basic recipe in a few ways:
Add the zest of half an orange to give the French toast a lovely citrus flavor.
Replace the nutmeg with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Add 1/4 cup of pumpkin to the custard, whisking well, before soaking the bread.
Bananas Foster Topping
If bananas Foster is your favorite dessert, try this tasty topping. Choose organic brown sugar to ensure it is not processed with bone char.
Ingredients
4 bananas, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup vegan butter
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup pecan halves (optional)
Instructions
In a large skillet, cook the bananas in the butter on medium-high until they start to brown.
Add the brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly until it boils. Add the rum, cinnamon and almond. Cook, stirring, for two minutes more.
Serve spooned over the French toast sprinkled with pecan halves, if desired.
Mixed Ginger Berry Compote
This simple warm berry compote is the perfect pair to your French toast.
Ingredients
2 pints blackberries
1 pint blueberries
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the blackberries, blueberries, agave and ginger root.
Bring to a simmer on medium-high. Cook, stirring, for two minutes.
Spoon over the French toast while it's hot.
Maple Butter and Fresh Fruit
If you don't feel like doing much cooking for your topping, then this simple maple butter with sliced fruit is right up your alley. You can also add maple syrup, if you wish.
Ingredients
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (plus additional for pouring, if desired)
1/4 cup vegan butter, softened
2 peaches, pitted and sliced
1 pint raspberries
Instructions
In a small bowl or a mixer, mix together the maple syrup and butter. Spread it on the French toast.
Top with the fruit and additional syrup, if desired.
Additional Toppings
Looking for additional toppings for your French toast? Try these:
Whip up a batch of coconut whipped cream and top with that and some chopped macadamia nuts.
Not Just for Breakfast
French toast is a versatile food; make it for breakfast or fancy it up with fruit and vegan ice cream for a tasty dessert. It's easy to make and even easier to top with the foods you love the most.
