Name: Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 11 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf (14-16 ounces) day old large french or sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 10 cups); 12 ounces silken tofu; 1 (13.5-ounce) can full fat coconut milk; 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 vegan butter, cold

Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes that brings cozy weekend mornings to life. The warm cinnamon aroma fills your kitchen, and every bite offers that perfect blend of custardy softness and a crispy, sweet topping. Trust me, this recipe is worth making for its comfort-food charm and surprising ease!

A white plate with a detailed lace-like edge holds a serving of golden brown bread pudding made of several irregular chunks of soft bread soaked in cinnamon and sugar. A light drizzle of amber syrup is being poured over the center of the bread pudding, catching the light and adding shine. In the background, a few bright red strawberries add a pop of color, with a silver fork resting on the right side of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. 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

From my first attempt, I've been hooked on this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s simple enough for a lazy morning but impressive enough to serve guests. Plus, it has that baked-good texture and flavor without any eggs or dairy.

Plant-based but indulgent: This casserole delivers rich, creamy custard flavor using silken tofu and coconut milk instead of eggs and cream.
Make-ahead magic: Soaking the bread overnight locks in all the flavors and saves you morning hassle.
Texture contrast: The crispy cinnamon-brown sugar crumble topping adds the perfect crunch against the soft custard-soaked bread.
Flexible and forgiving: Using day-old bread means you don’t need to stress about the exact loaf, plus it’s a great way to use leftovers.

The dish shows a close-up of bread pudding in a white ceramic baking dish. There are many pieces of soft, golden brown bread layered closely together, some with a light crust and some darker caramelized edges. The top layer is sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar, creating a slight white dusting. The texture looks moist and soft, with the bread soaking in a creamy mixture that glistens slightly. A silver spoon is lifting a square portion of the pudding, showing the mix of crusty and soft textures with a warm, brown color from cinnamon or spices. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe plays a key role in creating that perfect, custardy texture and flavor. Plus, they’re pantry-friendly and easy to find—even if you swap around brands, the results hold up well.

Flat lay of cubed day-old sourdough bread, a smooth block of silken tofu, a can of creamy full-fat coconut milk, a small mound of golden brown sugar, a pile of light brown cinnamon powder, a few chunks of cold vegan butter, a heap of pale all-purpose flour, and a vanilla bean pod, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Day-old bread: This is your casserole’s foundation, soaking up all the flavors without turning soggy—fresh bread just won’t cut it here.
Silken tofu: It provides a creamy, smooth custard base without any eggs, and blends seamlessly with the coconut milk for richness.
Full-fat coconut milk: Adds luscious creaminess and a slight tropical note, enriching the custard texture beautifully.
Cornstarch: This is the secret thickener that sets the custard so it’s not runny but perfectly sliceable.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just right without overpowering.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla always amps up the flavor and complements the cinnamon wonderfully.
Ground cinnamon: Essential warming spice that feels like a hug in every bite.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out depth of all the flavors.
Brown sugar (topping): Gives a caramelized crunch when baked on top—sweet and satisfying.
All-purpose flour (topping): Helps bind the buttery topping crumbs for that perfect crisp.
Vegan butter (topping): Cold butter cut in creates those irresistible crumbly bits that brown up beautifully in the oven.

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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 reason I keep coming back to this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes I swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice for fall vibes, or toss in fresh berries before baking for a burst of freshness.

Variation: One weekend, I added a handful of chopped pecans to the crumble topping. The extra crunch and nuttiness took the casserole to a whole new level—totally recommend it!
Seasonal twists: Feel free to sprinkle in some cardamom or nutmeg if you want a more complex spice profile.
Sweetener swaps: Use coconut sugar or maple syrup in place of granulated sugar for a richer, more natural sweetness.
Bread choices: I prefer sourdough’s tangy edge, but French or even a sturdy whole grain loaf works beautifully as long as it’s dry.

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

Step 1: Prepping the Bread Cubes

Start by cutting your day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. I find slicing the loaf first into thick slices then cubing those slices is easiest and neatest. Then, lightly grease your 9x13 inch casserole dish to keep things from sticking and dump the bread cubes in. Make sure they’re spread evenly so the custard soaks through nicely.

Step 2: Blending the Custard

In your blender, combine silken tofu (drained well), the full-fat coconut milk, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy—no tofu chunks should remain. This smooth custard packs all the flavor and structure your casserole needs.

Step 3: Soaking the Bread

Pour this custard over the bread cubes in your dish. Then, using clean hands, gently press the bread down a few times so it soaks well into the custard. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight; this rest time lets the bread absorb all those tasty flavors.

Step 4: Making the Topping and Baking

Before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Then cut in cold vegan butter using your fingers or a fork until the mixture looks crumbly. Sprinkle this evenly over the soaked bread. Bake uncovered for about 40-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. The aroma during baking is incomparable!

Step 5: Serving and Enjoying

Once out of the oven, I love dusting it lightly with powdered sugar and drizzling warm maple syrup on top. Serve it straight from the dish, and watch everyone savor those layers of soft, creamy bread with a crunchy topping. Pure comfort!

Top Tip

Having made this Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe multiple times, a few simple tricks make all the difference for an impressive result.

Use day-old bread: Fresh bread traps too much moisture, so don’t skip letting your bread dry out—it’s crucial for the perfect texture.
Drain tofu well: Too much water from the tofu can make your custard runny; press or drain it before blending.
Don’t rush the soak: The longer it rests (up to 12 hours), the more flavor and custard the bread absorbs, creating that satisfyingly tender bite.
Watch the bake time: Ovens vary, so start checking around 40 minutes. It’s done when the top is deep golden and the inside feels set but still moist.

How to Serve Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I usually go with a dusting of powdered sugar and a generous pour of warm maple syrup—that combo is my absolute favorite. Fresh berries like blueberries or sliced strawberries add a nice fresh balance, and a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts adds crunch and flavor depth.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside crispy breakfast potatoes or a simple green salad with a lemony vinaigrette for a light contrast. Fresh fruit salad also pairs nicely to brighten up the plate on a lazy weekend brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

One time I turned this casserole into mini individual servings by using ramekins—perfect for brunch guests, plus it looks adorable topped with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and fresh mint leaves for a bit of flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats well and tastes just as comforting the next morning.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! I portion it into airtight containers or wrap slices individually. When you want a quick breakfast, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To keep it from drying out, I reheat leftovers in a 325°F oven covered loosely with foil for about 15 minutes. This refreshes that tender custardy texture and toasty topping perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Using fresh bread isn’t recommended because it holds too much moisture, which makes the casserole soggy. If day-old bread isn’t available, you can cut fresh bread into cubes and leave them uncovered at room temperature for a few hours until they dry out a bit before using them.

What kind of tofu works best for this recipe?

Silken tofu, especially the Mori-Nu brand or tofu packed in water, works best because it blends smoothly into a creamy custard. Be sure to drain off excess water before blending.

Can I make this vegan French toast casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! One of the best parts is that you can assemble it the night before, refrigerate it overnight, and bake it fresh in the morning. This makes your morning stress-free and flavorful.

Does this casserole taste coconutty?

While the coconut milk adds creaminess and a subtle flavor, it’s not overpowering. The spices, vanilla, and cinnamon balance the coconut notes, so it feels rich but not overly coconutty.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan French Toast Casserole Recipe has become my go-to for a comforting weekend breakfast that feels special without any fuss. It’s the kind of dish that invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and maybe even enjoy a second helping. I hope you give it a try soon—and that it warms your kitchen and your heart as much as it does mine.