Dairy Free French Toast

This dairy free French toast is made without milk or butter and is absolutely delicious!

It’s perfect for Sunday morning breakfast and to use up leftover bread.

This is my mom’s recipe that I grew up. She usually didn’t bother adding vanilla but sometimes would mix it in.

If you like this dairy free french toast recipe, you may also like my dairy free pancakes.

History of French Toast

The earliest recipe for French toast dates back to ancient Rome. A recipe from the the 4th or 5th century says to fry bread soaked in milk and beaten egg in oil and cover with honey.

There is also a German recipe from the 1300s “poor knights,” French recipe from the same time period called “golden toast, and there is an Italian 1400s.

Today it is known in France as as pain perdu which means “lost bread,” because the stale bread that is used for it would otherwise be “lost.”

There are 15th-century English recipes for pain perdu, which means it’s had this name for a long time and the dish made its way to England.

While in America it is a breakfast dish, in France it is for breakfast, for afternoon tea, or for dessert.

Sometimes cheese is incorporate into the recipe and then it is served as a starter or main course for lunch or dinner.

It is also often topped with sugar or powdered sugar in France unlike in North America where it is usually served with syrup.

What bread is best for french toast?

Brioche, French Baguette, and Challah are the best reads to use for french toast. White bread works in a pinch too.

Is fresh bread or stale bread better for french toast?

Both fresh bead and stale bread make a great french toast. However, stale bread makes a slightly better french toast. In fact, french toast was made to use up old bread.

Do you need milk to make french toast?

You do not need milk for French toast, and French toast can be made without milk. All you need is a liquid to soften and saturate the bread.

To make french toast without milk replace the milk with a dairy free milk or water.

You can use almond mil to make french toast. Barista styled almond milk will give creamer results than regular almond milk.

Or if you want, you can use coconut milk to make french toast, but this may add a tropical flavor to the french toast.

Oat milk is also a good replacement for milk when making french toast. I recommend neutral flavored full fat oat milk.

ARE EGGS DAIRY?

No, eggs are not dairy.  Dairy is milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt. 

So, while eggs are an animal product, they are not dairy. In fact, eggs fall under the protein food group.

How to tell if your eggs are still good

Fill a glass with cool water and submerge the eggs.

If the eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their side, they’re still fresh.

If they sink, but stand on one end at the bottom of the glass, the eggs are not as fresh but still good.

An egg that floats to the top is likely spoiled.

Types of Vanilla

Vanilla comes from a pod commonly known as a “vanilla bean”, which comes from the vanilla orchids.

Vanilla pods have been used for flavoring since the Aztecs and was introduced to Europe by a Spanish conquistador, along with cocoa.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is created by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol for some time. This is the most commonly used type of vanilla.

Vanilla Sugar

Vanilla sugar is common in Europe and some parts of the Middle East, like Israel. 

It is made from vanilla beans sitting in sugar, vanilla bean powder mixed with sugar, or sugar mixed with vanilla extract.

In some countries, like Italy, you can also find vanilla powdered sugar, which is used for confections.

Vanilla Paste

Vanilla paste is generally a specialty item.  It is a thick paste that contains a blend of the scraped-out vanilla pod seeds and vanilla extract. 

You can use it as you do vanilla extract and it will leave flakes of vanilla bean like you see in vanilla bean ice cream.

Imitation Vanilla

Imitation Vanilla, otherwise known as artificial vanilla or vanilla essence, is made from synthetic vanilla. 

This is the compound that naturally occurs in vanilla beans and gives it its flavor.

Can I use imitation vanilla?

Many will tell you that you should use high quality vanilla, just like they say you should use the best cocoa. 

However, most of us will probably not be willing to pay the hefty price that comes with exceptionally high-quality ingredients.

Overall, vanilla is very expensive, so the extract is as well. 

So, if you’re not going to get regular quality vanilla extract, you might as well use imitation vanilla.

Can vanilla extract be used as a substitute for vanilla beans?

Yes, vanilla extract can be used as a substitute for vanilla beans. Use about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for each inch of vanilla bean.

How to Store Vanilla

Pure vanilla extract and other vanilla products should be kept away from heat and light, and should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Recipe Tip:

If you want you’res soggy in the middle, double the water in this recipe.  Then let each piece sit in the mixture for a number of seconds before removing.