In this Vegan French Toast Casserole, cubes of crusty bread are drowned in cinnamon infused custard then baked until crispy & toasty on top, & soft and custardy (but not soggy!) underneath. Then comes the drizzle of frosting which takes it over-the-top. It's perfect for feeding a crowd & can even be prepped the night before if you need to.
And then I made Vegan French Toast Casserole and all of my brunch dreams came true.
My life is complete.
The end.
Ok it's not the end, because I like food far too much for my recipe creations to stop, but if I had to eat this every day for the rest of my life, let me just say that I would not be unhappy. #carbsarelife
I feel the same way about my Vegan French Toast recipe. If I had to choose between the two, I have no idea which would win. The Vegan French Toast recipe is pretty instant which is nice if you need a yum-tastic breakfast right this minute, but this?
This Vegan French Toast Casserole is just as easy to make, but to be at its best, it does need 30 minutes minimum to rest. That ensures that that the bread sucks up all of that lovely cinnamon-y custard. And what's even better, is that if you want to, you can make it the night before, leave it in the fridge overnight to do it's stuff, then wake up and bake it the next day.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
... Christmas morning brunch.
Last week I shared my Vegan Christmas Dinner Menu with you. Everything down to the last detail lunch is planned out for you, even down to the shopping list. Why not print it out and add the ingredients for this at the end of the list? I left a whole blank page for extras! And this, with all of it's festive cinnamon-i-ness (did I just make a new word?), is just perfect for your Christmas morning brunch. Or any brunch. Just make it whether it's Christmas or not because you need this Vegan French Toast Casserole in your life!
CAN VEGANS EAT FRENCH TOAST?
French Toast is traditionally made with eggs, and vegans avoid consuming, or wearing/using, animal products. That means that regular "eggy" French toast is not something a vegan would eat. However there are ways around the egg situation and it is perfectly possible to make really great French Toast without eggs.
HOW DO YOU MAKE FRENCH TOAST WITHOUT EGGS?
You may be wondering what can replace eggs with when making French Toast or French Toast Casserole.
The eggs can be replaced with chickpea flour ( like I have done in my Vegan Yorkshire Puddings recipe - it works brilliantly for that recipe), or you can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flax seed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water), chia eggs (the same concept as flax eggs, just with chia seeds), or cornstarch. Some people just omit them completely, although personally, I think you just end up with soggy bread if you do that.
Not the effect I'm looking for.
I have tried them all, and none of them make a French Toast as good as one with eggs. But thankfully, I have found a solution. I discovered it when I created my Vegan French Toast. That solution is tofu.
As you know I have many vegan tofu recipes, but never had I used tofu to replace eggs in a custard like this. But it works absolutely perfectly in this French Toast and unlike other vegan substitutes, the bread doesn't get really soggy. Because who wants soggy disintegrating Vegan French toast or Vegan French Toast Casserole?
By using tofu, you get exactly the same texture as you would with eggs, and it's pretty flavourless so you don't know it's there. And I tell you what, it is just perfect in this beautifully cinnamon-y French Toast Casserole!
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE THIS VEGAN FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?
The most important thing you need to make this casserole is a blender. It's pretty essential for blending up the custard smoothly.
And apart from that all you need is an oven proof dish. 
One that holds about 2 quarts, or measures about 8 x 12 inches or 9 x 13 inches
. You can even squeeze it into a 10 x 10 inch one.
That's it.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
FOR INGREDIENTS & FULL INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST
This Vegan French Toast Casserole is incredibly easy to make.
Here's how:
STEP 1
Blend up all of the custard ingredients in a blender.
STEP 2
Cube the bread and pile into an oven proof dish.
STEP 3
Pour over the custard.
STEP 4
Leave to soak for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is fine.
STEP 5
Sprinkle with some sugar and optional nuts, then bake.
STEP 6
Make the frosting and drizzle it generously over the crispy, crunchy top of the casserole.
This Vegan French Toast Casserole is:
- Totally egg and dairy free
- Crispy and custardy all at the same time
- Sweet and indulgent
- Warming from the cinnamon
- Filling
- High in protein
- Really easy to make
- Ultra-convenient because you can get it all ready the night before if you need to
- A great way to use up stale bread
- Perfect for adorning with whatever toppings you desire
- Made for sharing with all your best people!
HOW TO SERVE VEGAN FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
This Vegan French Toast Casserole is at its best when served warm from the oven. I still like it at room temperature though too. While it cools, I can never resist picking the crispy, frosting covered cubes from the top and munching them!
The frosting that is included in the recipe is really all you need with it. However, needing and wanting are 2 different things!
Some things that I really recommend serving with it are:
- A scattering of fresh raspberries (my absolute favourite way to eat this!)
- Fresh strawberries
- Blackberries
- Sliced fresh peaches (they work so well with the cinnamon)
- Whipped coconut cream
- Vanilla Roasted strawberries
- Skip the frosting and drizzle with copious amounts of chocolate sauce instead
- Skip the frosting and drizzle with maple syrup instead
- A drizzle of drippy almond butter
- My date caramel or my 5 Minute Vegan Caramel Sauce
- A snow fall of powdered sugar
And a few ideas ideas for ways to switch it up before baking are:
- Peel and core an apple, chop, then scatter the chunks in amongst the bread before you pour over the custard and bake
- Add a handful or two of frozen or fresh berries in amongst the bread chunks before pouring over the custard
- Replace 2 or 3 tablespoons of coconut milk with Bourbon ... Helloooo boozy Vegan French Toast Casserole!
- Blend a banana up in the custard mixture
Breakfast perfection! I can't wait for you to try it.
Vegan French Toast Casserole
Author:
Ingredients
- 480 mls / 2 cups canned light coconut milk , see recipe notes if you only have full fat coconut milk
- 100 g / ½ cup light or medium brown sugar or coconut sugar , plus more for sprinkling on top
- 160 g / 6 oz / ¾ cup silken tofu , or soft tofu
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch , cornflour in the UK
- 2½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 30 ml / 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric , optional (only for colour)
- 30 g / 2 tablespoons vegan butter , optional - omit to make the recipe oil-free
- 454 g / 1 lb loaf of crusty white bread , 2 or 3 day old bread is best. Cheap soft sliced grocery store white bread will not work in this recipe. It has to be sturdy, crusty bread, sourdough or baguette (use gluten-free bread if necessary)
- 1 handful chopped pecans or walnuts , for sprinkling on the top (optional)
Frosting
- 65 g / ½ cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 tablespoons coconut milk, or any other plant-based milk
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the coconut milk, sugar, silken tofu, cornstarch, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and optional turmeric and vegan butter to a blender and blend until smooth. It might look a little speckly but that's fine. It won't be noticeable when it's baked.
- Cut the loaf of bread into 1 inch cubes and put them into an ovenproof dish that holds about 2 quarts, or measures about 8 x 12 inches or 9 x 13 inches. You can even squeeze it into a 10 x 10 inch one if you need to.
- Pour the blended "custard' over the bread cubes, making sure to cover each one as you pour. Leave to soak up the custard for at least 30 minutes, or cover with cling-wrap and put in the fridge overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °). Scatter the French Toast Casserole with a generous amount of brown sugar then some nuts for extra crunch and flavour too. Omit if you need it to be nut-free.
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top layer of bread cubes are golden and toasty. Keep an eye on it in the last 10 minutes and if the top layer of bread cubes gets too golden, cover with a square of foil to protect them. It should be ok without foil though. I've never had to use it.
- Once you remove the casserole from the oven, make the frosting by putting the powdered sugar in small bowl then adding a tablespoon of milk. Stir and add up to a tablespoon more, until you have a thick pourable consistency. You shouldn't need any more than 2 tablespoons.
- Drizzle the frosting all over the casserole before you serve.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Jos says
Loved this today for Christmas breakfast! Used vegan margarine to grease the pan and we used melted margarine with brown sugar and pecans for the topping so they were like glazed pecans. Topped with maple syrup and berries. Delicious!!!!
Donna Marshall says
Can you sub plant based milk for the coconut milk?
A Virtual Vegan says
You could but I really recommend canned coconut milk. It adds richness and creaminess. It makes a huge difference. As its light coconut milk there is no coconut flavour in the finished casserole, if that's what you are concerned about.
Sherri says
Tested this today for Christmas Breakfast and WOW, it is amazing!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Glad you think so Sherri. I think it will be my breakfast on Christmas Day too!
Joanne says
I made this recipe last Christmas. It was incredible! Since then I have stopped using corn starch in favor of arrowroot flour instead. Do you think this will work fine?
A Virtual Vegan says
I haven't tried it but I'm sure it will be fine.
Amber says
Omg!!!! Sooooo good!!! Since going vegan almost 3 years ago, I've been desperately trying to find vegan french toast, or breakfast in general. I made this last week for my husband, and (nonvegan in-laws). It was absolutely AMAZING & DELICIOUS!! I was completely blown away, as was my non vegan in-laws. They thought it was so good they asked for the recipe. We actually made it again last night so we could utilize the other half of the silken tofu. The consistency, texture, and taste was spot on!! Thank you for giving my french toast fix back. ? Do you have any regular french toast recipes? Every vegan recipe I've made turns out horrible and soggy.
A Virtual Vegan says
That's awesome Amber. Thank you! You absolutely have to make this regular French Toast. It's one of my most popular recipes and I am consistently told it's better than French Toast with eggs. It is definitely NOT soggy! : https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-french-toast/
I have lots of fab breakfast recipes because it's my favourite meal of the day ;O)
You should try this giant pancake too. It's one of my personal favourites: https://avirtualvegan.com/giant-blueberry-vegan-pancake/
Have fun!
Rietta Goodglick says
Any thoughts on how to convert this to a savory bread pudding? I’m thinking just using unsweetened milk and adding some vegetables like leeks? And salt and pepper instead of sugar.
A Virtual Vegan says
Now there's a good idea! I'd still use the light coconut milk (from a can) as it barely has any coconut flavour and is unsweetened but would give you a nice richness. Obviously omit the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon & nuts. I'd probably add a good handful of nutritional yeast, a little more salt, loads of freshly ground black pepper, some dried herbs like thyme and rosemary and yes leeks would be lovely. I'd sauté or roast the veggies first for extra flavour. Bell peppers would be great in it as would mushrooms and broccoli. A sprinkle of vegan cheese on top before baking would be lovely!
Hope that helps and I think I'll be trying this myself!
Rietta Goodglick says
Thanks so much for your response! Your recipes and cookbook are just wonderful. We love love love the focaccia bread so much.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Rietta. That means a lot!
Bianca says
The taste was good! Third time making a vegan French toast bake. Still didn’t turn out how I had hoped. I may cut the custard amount in half. Too too gooey. But non the less it was good. It did had a nice too crunch along with the flavor!
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and perfect for weekend brunch! I love French toast!
Karen R says
Looks AMAZING! Would love to know if you have recipe for the glaze that is drizzled so beautifully across the casserole.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you! The glaze/frosting details are included in the recipe. You will see it in the ingredients list and the directions. It's really simple. Just powdered sugar and plant-based milk!
Kim says
The bread doesnt get soggy if left overnight? This looks sooo delicious, I cannot wait for vegan French toast!!
A Virtual Vegan says
It's fine if left overnight. The texture is supposed to be soft and custardy underneath. The tofu helps set it a little. And because it's baked the top goes nice and crunchy regardless. If you prefer one that doesn't get left overnight I have this French Toast too https://avirtualvegan.com/vegan-french-toast/
Kim says
I tried it soaking overnight, AMAZING!!!! Absolutely delicious, and I even cut back on the sugar. Thanks, such a great recipe! Making again this weekend!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Being able to make it the night before makes it so convenient!
Kristine says
I'm taking this recipe with us to the mountain cabin for our vegan guests. Can i make the custard mix a day ahead and then mix with bread the next day?
A Virtual Vegan says
That should be fine as long as it's kept cold. Have fun!
Sheila Morse says
I wonder if you could use cashew milk in place of the silken tofu?
A Virtual Vegan says
I wouldn't recommend if for optimum results. The tofu is what replaces the eggs and helps the custard set a little like a regular eggy French toast casserole would. If you use milk of any kind it will end up soggy.
Nick i says
Looks yummy! Can you use almond milk instead of coconut milk?
A Virtual Vegan says
You could but it won't give optimum results. It will still work ok though. The canned coconut milk adds a lovely creamy richness that other milks won't.
Deb says
WOW! You created this and moved at the same time? Liked that you cut the bread into chunks, easier to eat if you have guests who prefer to stand rather than sit at a brunch. Thank you, it'll go great with individual quiches and breakfast vegan sausage rounds.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Deb. What can I say? I'm crazy! Ha ha. I had so many requests for a breakfast casserole of some sort for Christmas that I felt like it was my duty to deliver. Now I really am having a recipe creation break until at least after Christmas so I can get organized and work out how to use my fancy new oven!I hope you enjoy the French Toast casserole when you get a chance to try it!
Maureen Cram says
What perfect timing ! I have to attend a family Christmas Eve breakfast (at least it's not a barbecue) so this will be just what I need :). Thanks you so much for the recipe.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm glad it came just in time for your family breakfast. Hope everyone enjoys it!