This vegan Pumpkin French Toast is the coziest kind of holiday breakfast! Pumpkin puree, warm spices, and a vanilla-scented vegan custard make it irresistible. 

Pouring syrup over stack of pumpkin French toast topped with coconut cream and nuts

French toast is usually an overindulgent breakfast, loaded with cream and eggs, but this vegan Pumpkin French Toast is different. It’s just as tasty as the original, with the same delicately crisp exterior and pillowy soft inside, but you don’t need dairy or eggs to pull it off—which means this is a French toast recipe everyone can enjoy if you make it for a holiday breakfast or brunch.

That said, don’t save this recipe for a special occasion! It’s easy enough to whip up whenever you’re craving a warm, satisfying breakfast or something pumpkin spiced. (If you want to go all in on the pumpkin spice thing, pair your French toast with my Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte!) You can also make a batch of this French toast and freeze it for later so you have a cozy breakfast on hand in the freezer for all those days when you need a little something more than coffee and cereal to get you going in the morning.

Overhead view of pumpkin French toast ingredients

Notes on Ingredients 

Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.

For the French toast:

  • Unsweetened almond milk – You can use another plant-based milk that you have on hand.
  • Flax egg – Learn how to make a flax egg.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pumpkin spice
  • Cinnamon
  • Pumpkin puree – Use plain, unsweetened puree, not pumpkin pie mix.
  • Maple syrup
  • Thick toast bread – Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free bread.

For topping:

How to Make Vegan Pumpkin French Toast

French toast seems like the kind of breakfast you need a lot of time to make, but it’s surprisingly easy! 

Whisking vegan pumpkin custard for French toast


Make the custard. Whisk together all of the ingredients except the bread in a large bowl. Place the bowl in your freezer for about 15 minutes, or until the batter has thickened a bit. Remove from the freezer and whisk again.

Prepare. Melt 2-3 tablespoons vegan butter in a pan or griddle over medium-high heat.

  • Bread being dipped into French toast batter
  • Pumpkin French toast being coated in batter
  • Pumpkin French toast being cooked in skillet

Make the French toast. Dip the bread into the batter (don’t let it soak), then place it on the griddle. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy on the edges, working in batches.

Two plates with stacks of pumpkin French toast topped with coconut whipped cream and nuts

Garnish and serve. Top the French toast with maple syrup, cinnamon, coconut cream, or any other garnishes you like.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way for perfect pumpkin French toast.

  • About the flax egg. Flax meal is ground up flax seeds; you can buy it that way, or you can buy whole flax seeds and grind them yourself. Learn how to make a flax egg. 
  • Using homemade pumpkin puree. If you use your own pumpkin puree, I recommend lining a fine mesh sieve with a nut milk bag or paper towels, then placing the pumpkin puree in the sieve to let any excess liquid drain off before using in the recipe.
  • Keeping the French toast from sticking. You can add more butter to the griddle between batches if needed to keep the French toast from sticking.
Two plates with stacks of pumpkin French toast topped with syrup, whipped cream, and nuts

How to Store

You can refrigerate leftover French toast in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Reheat them in a toaster oven, on the griddle, or in the microwave.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Yes, you can freeze French toast in a freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with wax paper to keep them from sticking together. Reheat from frozen in the microwave or in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread.

P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:

| WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS |

Two plates with stacks of pumpkin French toast garnished with whipped cream and nuts

Enjoy friends! If you make this pumpkin French toast recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!

 

Two plates with stacks of pumpkin French toast garnished with whipped cream and nuts

Vegan Pumpkin French Toast

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Warm pumpkin spices, a vanilla-scented vegan custard, and thick slices of bread fried to perfection make for a satisfying breakfast!
5 (from 6 ratings)
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 flax egg – Learn how to make a flax egg or see notes*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup pure pumpkin purée
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 8 slices thick toast bread

OPTIONAL

  • Maple syrup, for serving
  • Extra cinnamon, for sprinkling
  • Coconut cream*, for topping
  • Candied pecans, for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a bowl, mix all the ingredients except the bread. Whisk together and place in your freezer for the batter to set up and get thicker for 15 minutes.
  • When the batter is thicker, whisk again.
  • Heat 2-3 tablespoons vegan butter in a pan/griddle over medium high heat until hot.
  • Dip the toast into the batter, do NOT soak them, and place in the pan/on the griddle to pan fry.
  • Pan fry on each side for 3-5 minutes until it is crispy on the outside (check to ensure it doesn’t burn), then turn over and pan fry on the other side. Both sides should be nice and golden and crispy.
  • If your pan can hold all the bread, you can put them in all at once, or in two batches.
  • Serve immediately topped with maple syrup, dusted with cinnamon and coconut cream.

Notes

 
  1. Flax meal is ground up flax seeds. Learn how to make a flax egg at this blog post. You can buy flax meal or you can ground flax seeds up in a coffee grinder or NutriBullet. Measure the tablespoon after the flax is ground up.
  2. To make gluten-free: You can make this gluten free by using a gluten free loaf of bread.
  3. How to store: You can store these in the fridge or freezer with wax paper between them in an airtight tupperware container. You can reheat them in the toaster oven or on a griddle.
  4. How to freeze: Freeze French toast in a freezer bag or airtight container, separating layers with wax paper. Reheat from frozen in the microwave or in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bread.
Calories: 261kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 382mg, Potassium: 185mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 4766IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 176mg, Iron: 3mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast
Author: Jessica Hylton