Vegan French Toast with Aquafaba (Gluten-Free)

Vegan french toast made with aquafaba instead of eggs. Thick slices of gluten-free artisan bread dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla batter, seared until golden with crispy edges and a custard-like center. Ready in 20 minutes.

Jump to:

• Aquafaba french toast ingredients
• How to make french toast with aquafaba
• Best bread for French toast
• Tips for the best vegan french toast
• Toppings
• Storage and reheating
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Feedback

Aquafaba french toast ingredients

An eggless french toast recipe that comes together using 7 simple ingredients.

• Aquafaba: the brine from a can of no-salt-added chickpeas. It has a slightly nutty, egg white flavor and foams when whisked. This is what creates an egg-free batter. Do not substitute.
• Gluten-free artisian bread: The bread matters more than anything else in this recipe. I use and recommend GreenLite. See the bread section below for more recommendations.
• Unsweetened almond milk: I prefer unsweetened Vanilla Almond Malk in this recipe.
• Golden flaxseed meal: adds protein, fiber, and omegas while helping the batter bind to the bread.
• Cinnamon: french toast without it just doesn't feel (or taste) right.
• Vanilla extract: optional, but balances the flavors.

Substitutions

• Almond milk: any unsweetened dairy-free milk works. Vanilla-flavored versions add a bit more sweetness.
• Golden flaxseed meal: substitute with regular flaxseed meal; it will result in a slightly less buttery, more bitter flavor.
• Vanilla extract: omit if your milk is already vanilla-flavored to avoid over-sweetening.
• Cinnamon: pumpkin pie spice works as a substitute for a warm fall variation.

How to make french toast with aquafaba

1. Prep the bread

If using a GF artisan loaf, bake per package instructions first. Once cooled slightly, slice into ½ to 1-inch-thick pieces. Toast each slice for 2 to 3 minutes before dipping. This prevents the bread from getting gummy and creates crispier edges. Skip this step if using a non-GF bread.

2. Make the batter

Drain the chickpea brine into a measuring cup and add ⅓ cup to a shallow bowl wide enough to fit a slice of bread. Whisk vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds until it begins to foam. Add almond milk, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt. Whisk again to combine.

3. Dip the bread

Dip each slice into the batter, coating both sides. Keep each slice in the batter for no longer than 10 seconds. GF bread is trickier to work with and can't be too wet or else it won't crisp properly.

4. Cook

Warm a cast-iron griddle or skillet over medium heat. Grease with a small amount of vegan butter or avocado oil. Place dipped slices directly onto the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Wipe and re-grease the pan between batches. A non-toxic, non-stick skillet also works. Adjust cooking times as needed.

5. Serve

Remove from heat and top with your choice of toppings. My favorite: diced apples, sliced almonds, drizzled with maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon.

Best bread for French toast

The bread makes or breaks this recipe. For gluten-free french toast, I recommend GreenLite Artisan Bread - both the multigrain and classic loaves work well and are available at Whole Foods. Little Northern Bakehouse is also a good option.

A few tips for making gluten-free french toast:

• Toast before dipping: always toast GF bread before placing in the batter. It prevents the gummy, soggy result that makes most GF french toast disappointing.
• Slice thickness: aim for ½ to 1-inch slices.
• Stale bread: dip for slightly longer, up to 15 to 20 seconds, as it most likely is dry and needs more moisture compared to fresh bread.

Not gluten-free? Skip the standard sandwich bread and opt for a thicker, bakery-style loaf. Challah, vegan brioche, or vegan sourdough bread all work well.

Tips for the best vegan french toast

• Vigorously whisk aquafaba: it takes about 15-20 seconds to start to foam. This creates that egg-like coating on the bread, so don't skip this step.
• Use a shallow bowl: wide enough to fit a full slice of bread flat so both sides coat evenly.
• Whisk between batches: if the batter sits while you cook in batches, whisk again before dipping the next slice as the ingredients settle quickly.
• Cast iron skillet or griddle: using a cast iron skillet or griddle adds crisp and flavor to the French toast that a traditional frying pan does not. I have this griddle pan and love it. It's also great for making flatbread pizza crust and pancakes. Wipe and regrease between each batch.

Toppings

• Pure maple syrup, maple cream, or date syrup
• Sliced banana, fresh berries, or diced apples
• Chopped nuts
• Peanut butter or granola butter
• Whipped cream or vegan vanilla ice cream
• Vegan yogurt with granola

Storage and reheating

Once cooled, store leftover french toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm on a lightly greased skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the exterior crisps back up. The microwave works in a pinch but the edges won't be as crispy.

📋 Recipe

If you made this vegan french toast with aquafaba, leave a star rating and a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you decided on for toppings.

xo, Morgan