When a friend with an egg allergy came for breakfast, I thought my go-to French toast was off the menu. I was convinced you couldn’t get that rich, custardy texture without eggs, but a little kitchen experimentation led to a simple trick that changed everything. This Eggless French Toast recipe delivers all the classic flavor and is a complete game-changer.
What makes this recipe a must-try? It’s incredibly simple, using a pantry staple for that perfect golden-brown crust and tender center. Whether you have allergies, ran out of eggs, or are just curious, this recipe is a quick, delicious, and foolproof way to enjoy a breakfast classic.
Ingredients
What You’ll Need
Before we dive in, let’s gather the simple ingredients for this fantastic Eggless French Toast. You probably have them in your kitchen already.
- 1/2 cup of milk (any kind you prefer)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 2 thick slices of bread
- 2 tbsp butter or nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced, for topping
- Maple syrup, to serve
How to Make Your Eggless French Toast
Step 1: Prepare the Egg-Free Custard Batter
In a shallow dish wide enough for a bread slice, combine the milk and cornstarch. Whisk vigorously until the cornstarch completely dissolves with no lumps. Stir in the vanilla and optional cinnamon. The batter should be smooth and slightly thicker than milk.
Step 2: Soak the Bread Slices
Gently place a slice of bread in the batter, soaking it for 15-20 seconds per side. You want it saturated but not soggy, so it holds its shape.
Step 3: Cook to Golden-Brown Perfection
Next, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Carefully lift a soaked bread slice from the batter, let any excess drip off, and place it onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side until golden-brown and crisp. Repeat with the remaining slice and serve your delicious eggless French toast immediately with strawberries and maple syrup.
My Best Eggless French Toast Tips
Use Stale Bread for the Best Texture
Slightly dry, day-old bread is your best friend for French toast. It acts like a sponge, soaking up the batter for a custardy center while being firm enough to not fall apart like fresh bread often does.
Don’t Underestimate the Cornstarch
I can’t stress this enough the cornstarch is the star of this no egg French toast. It’s not just a thickener; it’s what creates the rich, custard-like coating that effectively mimics the properties of an egg, ensuring your result is anything but soggy.
Keep the Heat at a Steady Medium
Cooking on steady medium heat is crucial. If the pan is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks through. If it’s too low, the bread will dry out instead of frying to a perfect crisp.
Variations of Eggless French Toast
This recipe is easy to adapt. For a vegan version, simply use your favorite plant-based milk (oat milk is great for creaminess) and swap the butter for a neutral oil or vegan butter. If you’re craving a more indulgent treat, create a chocolate-flavored version by whisking one or two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into the batter.
For more delicious breakfast ideas, check out our Avocado toast with cottage cheese recipe.
FAQs
What is a substitute for eggs when making French toast?
The best substitute is a cornstarch slurry. By whisking cornstarch into milk, you create a batter that thickens when heated. This mixture beautifully mimics the custardy texture and binding properties of an egg, giving the bread that classic soft interior and crisp exterior.
What is the most common mistake in making French toast?
Without a doubt, the most common mistake is cooking it on heat that is too high. This causes the outside to burn before the inside becomes tender. A close second is using bread that is too fresh, which tends to fall apart after soaking. For perfect results, always use medium heat and slightly stale bread.
Eggless French Toast
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 slices 1x
Description
Discover the magic of a perfect French toast without any eggs! This game-changing recipe uses a simple cornstarch batter to create a wonderfully rich, custardy center and a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust. Ideal for those with egg allergies, vegans, or anyone who’s simply run out of eggs, this dish is a quick, foolproof, and delicious way to enjoy a beloved breakfast classic.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of milk (any kind you prefer)
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
2 thick slices of bread
2 tbsp butter or nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced, for topping
Maple syrup, to serve
Instructions
Prepare the Custard Batter
In a shallow dish, whisk together the milk and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon until the batter is smooth.
Soak the Bread
Place one slice of bread into the batter, allowing it to soak for about 15-20 seconds on each side. The bread should be fully saturated but not falling apart.
Cook to Perfection
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the butter. Carefully place the soaked bread onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side, until each side is golden-brown and crisp. Repeat with the second slice.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve the French toast immediately, topped with fresh sliced strawberries and a generous drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
Best Bread to Use:
Slightly stale or day-old bread works best as it absorbs the batter without becoming soggy. Brioche, challah, or any thick-cut white bread are excellent choices.
Make it Vegan:
This recipe is easily made vegan! Simply use a plant-based milk (like oat or soy milk for creaminess) and use vegan butter or a neutral oil for cooking.
Don’t Skip the Whisking:
Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved into the milk to avoid any lumps in your batter. This smooth consistency is key to mimicking the texture of an egg-based custard.
Creative Toppings:
Feel free to get creative with toppings! Powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a dollop of yogurt are all fantastic additions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-Fry
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 465 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: eggless french toast, no egg french toast, vegan french toast, french toast without eggs, allergy friendly breakfast, cornstarch french toast, easy breakfast recipe
