Almond Milk French Toast

A stack of french toast topped with sliced bananas and blueberries.

5 from 2 votes

This almond milk French toast is a dairy-free twist on the classic recipe! With a crispy outside and a soft, custard-like center, it is ready in just 30 minutes and only calls for simple ingredients.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Breakfast, brunch

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 188kcal

Author: Meesha

Equipment

Ingredients

6-8 slices brioche bread or Challah/sourdough/thick sandwich bread (see notes)*

For the custard mixture

1 cup almond milk or another kind of milk
¼ cup cornstarch see notes for egg version**
1 tablespoon maple syrup or other liquid sweetener of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
small pinch of black salt aka kala namak (optional)***

Instructions

In a shallow bowl or deep plate, place all ingredients needed for the custard mixture and mix well.
Submerge your bread into the mixture on both sides. If using thick slices of bread, soak for 10-15 seconds on each side. If your bread is thinner, briefly dip both sides in the custard without soaking.
Heat a small amount of vegan butter or oil in a non-stick pan over medium to medium-high heat.
Place your soaked bread into a heated non-stick pan, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the underside is golden-brown.
Gently flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. Repeat with the remaining bread, re-oiling the pan in between. Serve with maple syrup and other toppings you like!

Notes

*Bread - Opt for thicker, heartier bread like thick sandwich bread, brioche, challah, or sourdough, as they are sturdy enough to hold up during frying. Stale bread (1-2 days old) works especially well, as it absorbs the custard mixture without getting soggy.

**Make it with eggs - For a traditional version, use 2 large eggs and skip the cornstarch. Reduce the almond milk to ½ cup.

***Kala namak (aka black salt) - This optional ingredient gives French toast a distinct “eggy” flavor.

Helpful tips

Stale bread works best – Use bread that’s at least 2-3 days old for better custard absorption.
Use a quality non-stick pan – This ensures even cooking and prevents French toast from sticking to the pan.
Keep French toast warm – Transfer cooked French toast immediately to an oven set to the lowest temperature to stay warm until ready to serve.

Storing - Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container to prevent almond milk French toast from drying out. Before freezing, store them in a zip-top bag with a layer of wax paper between slices for up to 3 months.

Reheating - Allow to defrost for a few minutes on the countertop before reheating. Heat in a lightly oiled pan on low for a few minutes on each side or in an oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes. You can also reheat in the air fryer at the same temperature for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition