Name: Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 11 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14-16 ounces day-old large loaf french or sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 10 cups); 12 ounces silken tofu; 13.5 ounces full fat coconut milk (1 can); 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3 tablespoons cold vegan butter

There's something truly magical about waking up to a golden, comforting bake that smells like pure joy. This Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe is exactly that — a dreamy, plant-based twist on a classic breakfast favorite that's perfect for lazy mornings or feeding a crowd.

A white plate with a delicate lace-like edge holds a stack of golden brown bread pudding pieces that look soft and textured with a slightly crisp surface. A shiny, amber syrup is being poured over the center from a tilted jug above, catching the light as it flows down. In the background, slightly blurred, there are a few ripe strawberries with green tops. A silver fork rests on the right side of the plate. The surface beneath is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless French toast casseroles over the years, but this vegan version blows me away every time with its creamy custard and crispy cinnamon topping. It’s so hearty yet light, and the best part? It’s completely plant-based without missing any flavor.

Comforting & Crowd-Friendly: Makes a big dish perfect for family brunches or entertaining friends.
Rich Plant-Based Custard: Silken tofu and coconut milk create a creamy texture that’s far from ordinary.
Hands-Off Prep: Let it soak overnight and pop it into the oven when you’re ready — honestly, it’s as easy as it is delicious.
Customizable Topping: The cinnamon-brown sugar crumble gives just the right crunch and cozy sweetness.

A close-up of a spoon lifting a piece of bread pudding from a white dish, showing several layers of toasted, golden-brown bread chunks with soft, moist centers. The bread is coated with a cinnamon-spiced, sugary mixture that has a slightly crumbly texture and some light dusting of powdered sugar. The background is a white marbled surface with scattered pieces of bread pudding visible in the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here pulls double duty — bringing flavor, texture, and that all-important vegan custard magic. Using day-old bread is a game-changer for texture, and the tofu-coconut milk blend thickens into a silky custard that holds the bread cubes together beautifully.

Flat lay of golden crusty sourdough bread cubes, smooth silken tofu block, creamy coconut milk in a small glass jar, light brown granulated sugar piles, rich brown sugar heaps, sticks of cold vegan butter, warm cinnamon powder sprinkled artistically, and a small bottle of pure vanilla extract, all beautifully arranged with soft natural light highlighting their textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Day-old loaf bread: Sourdough or French bread are ideal because they soak up the custard without turning mushy.
Silken tofu: The base of the custard; it blends smooth and adds protein without overpowering flavor.
Full-fat coconut milk: Adds creaminess and richness, making the casserole decadently moist.
Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to give the custard stability as it bakes.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard lightly; you can adjust to taste.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the custard’s flavors.
Ground cinnamon: Adds that classic cozy spice which pairs beautifully with the coconut and vanilla.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and elevate all flavors.
Brown sugar: For the crumble topping, adding a molasses note and caramelizing beautifully in the oven.
All-purpose flour: Helps the topping hold together in a crisp, crumbly layer.
Vegan butter: Cold vegan butter adds richness and helps create that perfect golden crust on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I sometimes toss in a handful of chopped pecans or raisins for extra texture and sweetness, or swap the coconut milk for oat milk if I’m craving a slightly lighter version.

Variation - Nutty Twist: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans in the topping makes for a lovely crunch that I adore during the colder months.
Dairy-free blueberry boost: Mixing fresh or frozen blueberries into the bread cubes before soaking gives it a refreshing fruit burst.
Gluten-free adaptation: Use your favorite gluten-free bread to keep it allergy-friendly without loss of flavor.
Make it vegan-friendly and refined sugar-free: Swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup and adjust custard liquid accordingly for a healthier option.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep the bread cubes just right

I always start by slicing my day-old loaf into thick 1-inch cubes. Using slightly stale bread is key — it soaks up that custard better without falling apart. I like to lightly grease my 9x13 casserole dish before piling in the cubes evenly.

Step 2: Blend up that creamy custard

Next, I toss silken tofu, full-fat coconut milk, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt right into the blender. Blend until super smooth — this custard is the heart of the dish, so don't rush this step. You want it silky and pourable.

Step 3: Soak and chill for maximum flavor

Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes and gently press the bread down with your hands a few times to ensure it’s fully soaked. Then cover and refrigerate anywhere from 8 to 12 hours — I usually prep it the night before so all those flavors meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Mix the topping for that perfect crunch

Before baking, combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. I cut in cold vegan butter with my fingers until the topping feels crumbly. This little step adds such a magical crispy layer that contrasts with the creamy interior.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F, sprinkle the topping evenly over your soaked casserole, and bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes. You’re looking for bubbly edges and a golden brown crust on top. It smells incredible, trust me!

Step 6: Serve it warm with all the goodies

I love dusting mine with powdered sugar and serving alongside warm, pure maple syrup. It’s that simple finish that takes this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe from delicious to unforgettable.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few things over years of making this casserole that really help it shine. These tips will save you time and frustration and ensure your vegan French toast casserole always turns out decadent and set, not soggy.

Use day-old bread: This keeps the casserole from becoming mushy. If fresh, try drying slices uncovered for a few hours before cubing.
Drain the tofu well: Removing extra water from silken tofu before blending helps prevent a watery custard.
Don’t skip the chill: Soaking overnight lets the bread absorb the custard completely for the best texture and flavor.
Use cold vegan butter in topping: It creates that crispy crumble rather than a greasy mess.

How to Serve Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I almost always top mine with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll add fresh berries or sliced bananas for a pop of color and natural sweetness. A sprinkle of toasted coconut or chopped nuts adds delightful texture.

Side Dishes

Pair your casserole with a bright green salad or sautéed spinach to balance the sweetness. I also enjoy it alongside vegan sausages or smoky tempeh bacon for a savory contrast that really rounds out brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions like holidays, I love baking this casserole in mini ramekins for personalized servings. Another fun idea is layering it in clear glass dishes to showcase the bread and custard layers, which always wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover casserole keeps wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I usually just cover it tightly and enjoy reheated portions throughout the week. It actually tastes even better as the flavors continue to meld.

Freezing

I’ve frozen baked casserole portions successfully by wrapping them tightly in foil and placing in freezer bags. When you want to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat, and it comes back almost like fresh.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I prefer the oven over the microwave. Cover loosely with foil and heat at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. This helps restore the crispy topping and warms the custard gently without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?

Using fresh bread can make the casserole soggy because it doesn’t absorb the custard as well; I recommend letting fresh bread sit uncovered for a few hours to dry out, or better yet, use day-old bread.

What’s the best way to drain silken tofu?

I like to gently press the tofu between paper towels or a clean dish towel to remove excess water before blending. This helps achieve a thicker custard consistency for the casserole.

Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap out the bread for your favorite gluten-free loaf and use a gluten-free flour blend in the topping. The texture might vary slightly but it will still be delicious.

How long does this casserole keep in the fridge?

It keeps well for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the oven to restore the crispy topping and warm custard.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe quickly became one of my go-to feels-like-home breakfasts. It’s effortless yet indulgent, with flavors that remind me of cozy mornings around the family table. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do — it’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.