Why Make Vegan French Toast in the Instant Pot?
Traditional French toast requires standing over a hot skillet, but the Instant Pot offers a hands-off approach that yields incredibly custardy, evenly cooked slices. The steam bath gently sets the custard, preventing burning and ensuring a soft interior. It's perfect for batch cooking or when you want a fuss-free breakfast.
Key Ingredients
- Bread: Use thick, slightly stale vegan brioche, sourdough, or French bread. Stale bread absorbs custard without falling apart.
- Plant Milk: Soy, oat, or unsweetened almond milk work best for creaminess.
- Binders: Replace eggs with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water), cornstarch slurry, or mashed banana.
- Flavorings: Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, agave, or coconut sugar.
Step-by-Step Method
- Prepare the custard: whisk 1 cup plant milk, 1 flax egg, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tbsp maple syrup.
- Dip bread slices quickly on both sides – do not oversoak.
- Pour 1 cup water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Arrange dipped bread on the trivet, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Close lid, seal, and set to high pressure for 3 minutes.
- Quick release steam. Carefully remove bread (use a sling). Optionally place slices under a preheated broiler for 2–3 minutes to crisp the outside.
- Serve immediately with additional syrup, fruit, or a dusting of cinnamon.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Use day-old bread for best texture – fresh bread can become mushy.
- Cook in a single layer if possible; batch cooking is fine but reduce overlapping.
- Adjust liquid in custard for thicker vs. thinner slices.
- For extra richness, replace part of the plant milk with canned coconut milk.
- Add a teaspoon of nutritional yeast for a subtle savory depth (optional).
Flavor Variations
Chocolate French Toast: Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder and an extra tablespoon of maple syrup to the custard.
Pumpkin Spice: Whisk in 2 tbsp pumpkin purée and use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon.
Berry Swirl: Warm a handful of frozen berries with a little maple syrup and spoon over the finished toast.
Savory Version: Omit sweeteners and cinnamon; add nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, and black salt for an eggy flavor.
The Instant Pot method ensures a gentle, even cook, making vegan French toast accessible even on busy mornings. Experiment with your favorite bread and toppings to create a breakfast that feels both indulgent and nourishing.