Vegan Custard Toast
Crafting a vegan twist on a classic breakfast recipe has never been easier. Enjoy this delicious vegan custard toast in just a few simple steps. Try this recipe today and make every morning special!
Have you heard about this “viral French toast” recipe? It’s custard spread over bread and toasted with fruit. You can serve it just like you would French toast, with powdered sugar or maple syrup drizzled over the top.
It’s a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert and is ready in minutes. No wonder it went viral! The big question? Can you make custard toast vegan?
My big answer? Yes!
Let’s talk about how to do it.
Key Ingredients
- Lemon — We’ll use both the zest and the juice of the lemon.
- Oats — I used rolled oats for this recipe, but you can substitute instant oats.
- Chia — We’ll add some ground chia seeds to create a thicker texture. You can use whole chia seeds; I just prefer ground because it creates a smoother finished texture.
- Syrup — I used maple syrup, but you can substitute agave nectar.
- Milk — We’ll use almond milk for the best overnight oats! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk.
- Yogurt — I love adding some plant-based yogurt (plain, unsweetened) for an even more tangy flavor.
- Protein Powder — I add some vanilla protein powder for increased flavor and nutrients. If your protein powder is not sweetened, you may want to add an extra teaspoon or two of sweetener.
- Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the lemon curd topping.
- Turmeric — A pinch of turmeric makes that lemon curd sunny yellow.
- Egg Replacer — We’ll combine flour (all-purpose, whole wheat pastry flour, or gluten-free flour) with water and a bit of olive oil to serve as an egg replacer for this custard.
- Bread — I like thick slices of bread. You can use white, whole wheat, sourdough, or gluten-free bread. I highly recommend Nature’s Best Whole Wheat bread because it delivers thick slices with dense texture (so the custard doesn’t seep through).
- Yogurt — Use plant-based yogurt to make the custard. I prefer using plain yogurt and adding sweetener, but you can use a sweetened yogurt, just don’t add sweeteners or flavorings.
- Vanilla — Because I use plain yogurt, I like adding vanilla extract. If your yogurt already is vanilla-flavored, you may not need to add more vanilla flavor.
- Maple syrup — You can sweeten plain yogurt with added maple syrup.
- Spices — We’ll add some flavoring to the custard via pumpkin pie seasoning. You can substitute ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, or any of your favorite sweet spices.
- Berries — I think fresh strawberries cut lengthwise makes this custard toast so beautiful. You can add fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and sliced bananas.
How to Make Vegan Custard Toast
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
- Place bread slices on the prepared pan and press the center of each slice to form a well in the center of each slice.
- Combine the vegan yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices. Take a taste test. Add more sweetness or spices based on your taste preferences. Next, stir in the flour-based egg substitute. Stir until smooth.
- Spoon the custard equally in the well of each slice of bread.
- Add desired toppings and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges of the custard beings to turn golden brown.
To make chocolate custard toast, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the yogurt and other ingredients. Then stir until combined. This may require vigorous stirring as cocoa takes some coaxing to blend. Then add chocolate chips on top for a extra dose of chocolate!
Best Vegan Yogurt for Custard Toast
There are so many dairy-free yogurts to choose from. Which one will create the best flavor for your custard toast?
It’s a great question and highly individualized to each person. Some prefer their yogurt (and custard) more tart and others prefer it sweeter. So, let’s talk about a few options and what you can expect:
- Plain Yogurt — There are many plain vegan yogurts (no vanilla or sweetener), such as Forager’s or Sprouts Coconut Yogurt, or Siggi’s. I find most of them to be extra creamy and I love this texture in my yogurt. So, I recommend using plain yogurt and adding your own spices and sweeteners.
- Vanilla Yogurt — You can buy yogurt with vanilla flavoring and that’s nice because it’s an indulgent flavor. Many of these have added sweeteners, so be sure to adjust the recipe below so your custard isn’t too sweet.
- Flavored Yogurt — You can easily find flavored vegan yogurt in most major grocery stores. They usually are sold in the health food sections, but sometimes they will be with the rest of the yogurt. Either way, the flavor profile is usually something like blueberry or strawberry. If this is the yogurt you select, pick fruit that works well with your yogurt and reduce (or eliminate altogether) added sugar from the recipe. Most of these yogurts are already really sweet so they don’t need added sugars.
Cooking Methods
You have choices when it comes to how to cook your dairy-free custard toast. I prefer the oven/toaster oven, but any of these options will work:
- Oven — Cook your yogurt toast in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the custard has thickend and the edges of the bread is golden brown.
- Air Fryer — You can make Airy Fryer Custard Toast by cooking the custard bread in a single layer. Set the temperature for 350°F/177°C and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the bread is golden brown on the edges.
- Pan — Cook your yogurt toast on a pan or electric griddle. Spray the skillet with some vegetable cooking spray and turn the heat up to medium. Add the toast and cook until the edges turn golden.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Can you make eggless custard toast?
You don’t need eggs to make custard toast. You can add a simple thickener such as flour or cornstarch to thicken your plant-based yogurt before spreading it over toast and baking it.
Can you make custard toast in the microwave?
You can reheat yogurt custard toast in a microwave in order to serve it warm. But for a crispy, toasty crust, you’ll want to cook them in an oven, toaster oven, or pan-fry them.
What to Serve with Custard Toast
Serve your dairy-free custard toast hot, with the same toppings you would add to French toast or pancakes. Here re some favorite options:
- Powdered Sugar is a favorite topping.
- Maple syrup drizzled over the top is fantastic.
- Peanut butter syrup adds protein and the perfect nutty flavor. To make it, start with a tablespoon of peanut butter. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup and stir to combine. Stir in teaspoons of water until you achieve a desired consistency.
- Dairy-Free Caramel drizzled over the top adds the best flavor!
- Fresh fruits and berries are colorful and nutritious.
Storage Tips
Transfer custard tost to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 to 2 days. To reheat, place it in a toaster oven or skillet and cook until it’s heated through and the edges are crispy. You can freeze custard toast in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight then reheat as instructed.
Breakfast Bread Recipes
If you love this vegan custard bread, here are more breakfast bread favorites to try:
Vegan Custard Toast
Ingredients
Vegan Egg
- 1 tablespoons flour (all-purpose, whole wheat pastry flour, or gluten-free flour)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
Custard
- 4 slices bread white, whole wheat, sourdough, or gluten-free
- ½ cup vegan yogurt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (see notes)
Toppings
- ⅓ cup berries fresh berries work best for this recipe
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (see notes)
- Optional Garnishes for Serving: chopped bananas, chocolate syrup, coconut flakes, lemon zest, chocolate chips, maple syrup, and peanut butter.
Instructions
For the Vegan Egg:
- Combine the vegan egg ingredients. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
For the Custard Toast:
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place bread slices on the prepared pan and press the center of each slice to form a well in the center of each slice.
- Combine the vegan yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and spices. Take a taste test. Add more sweetness or spices based on your taste preferences. Next, stir in the flour-based egg substitute. Stir until smooth.
- Spoon the custard equally in the well of each slice of bread.
- Add desired toppings and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges of the custard beings to turn golden brown.
Air Fryer Custard Toast:
- Cook custard bread in a single layer in the air fryer at 350°F/177°C for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
To Serve:
- Serve custard toast warm with powdered sugar sprinkled on top, coconut flakes, or your favorite pancake toppings, such as maple syrup.
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Notes
Gluten-Free
For vegan gluten-free custard toast, use your favorite gluten-free bread. Substitute 2 teaspoons of cornstarch for the flour.The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.