Vegan French Toast Casserole

4.90 stars (177 reviews)

Vegan French toast casserole is an easy-to-make morning breakfast! Pieces of French bread are covered in a homemade vegan custard, topped with a candied pecan crumble, and baked to perfection! Enjoy right away, or refrigerate overnight.

Prep Time25

Cook Time40

Total Time1 5

Servings: servings

Ingredients

Bread

1 lb loaf of french bread

Custard

2 ⅓ cups non-dairy milk
⅓ cup coconut sugar
2 ½ Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt

Pecan Topping (optional)

½ cup pecans, chopped
¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup coconut sugar
2 Tablespoons coconut oil, solid at room temperature (or vegan butter)

Instructions

Whisk together the custard ingredients and set aside for 10 minutes to thicken.
In the meantime, cube the bread. Cut the loaf into 1-inch slices then cut the slices into one-inch cubes.
Add the cubed bread to an oiled 7x11-inch baking dish. Evenly pour the custard over the bread and set it aside for about 15 minutes.
_Tip:_{The bread and custard can be stirred to better coat the bread.}
Prep the pecan topping while the bread soaks. Mix the sugar and flour in a medium bowl. Use a fork or pastry cutter to cut in the oil, then mix in the chopped pecans.
Sprinkle the pecan crumble across the top of the casserole.
Bake uncovered at 350ºF for 40-50 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Dust with optional powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

ENJOY!

Notes

To make this recipe ahead: First prepare the custard and bread. Then, store them separately in the fridge. The next morning, remove the bread and custard from the fridge. Prepare the topping and assemble the casserole.
To make the casserole without ground flaxseed: Replace the flaxseed with an extra Tablespoon of cornstarch (for a total of 3 and ½ Tablespoons of cornstarch).
For flaxseed meal, which isn't as fine as ground flaxseed, use 3 Tablespoons.
If the custard is too thick to pour, slowly whisk in more non-dairy milk to thin it out.
If the custard is too thin: Add another 2-4 teaspoons more flax seed. Set aside for another 5-10 minutes.
You can use a 9x9-inch dish, but the custard is dispersed better in a bigger dish.

Nutrition

Course: Breakfast, Holiday Eats

Cuisine: American

Author: Marlena Luna