Go Back
+ servings

Vegan Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Prep Time50 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 431kcal
Author: Nisha Vora

Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or neutral cooking oil of choice
  • 4 medium apples, sliced (I recommend a crisp variety, such as Fuji, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Gala)*
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

French Toast

  • 1 large loaf French bread (about 16 ounces), sliced (not too thick or thin) or torn into pieces**
  • 2 cups oat milk (or other creamy plant-based milk)
  • 8 ounces silken soft tofu
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional but adds a nice rich body)
  • 2/3 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

Crisp Topping

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, or other neutral-flavored oil

For serving (optional)

  • Non-dairy yogurt or whipped topping

Instructions

  • Make the Apple Filling. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the apple slices, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and mix to evenly coat. Cook for 10 minutes, until apples are soft but not falling apart. If you are using a good nonstick skillet, you can skip the oil, but be sure to stir frequently.
  • Lightly grease a large rectangular baking pan (about a 13×9-inch pan) with oil or nonstick cooking spray.
  • Make the French Toast. Arrange the slices of French bread in the greased baking dish so the tops are facing up.
  • In a blender, combine the oat milk, tofu, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, baking powder, and arrowroot powder (or cornstarch). Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and no lumps remain.
  • Pour the oat milk mixture evenly over the bread, making sure to moisten each piece completely. Pour the apple filling on top of the soaked bread and stir to combine, or carefully layer the apples between the slices of bread, as shown in the photos.
  • Make the crisp topping. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl using a spatula or your fingertips. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the French Toast.
  • Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 20-30 minutes, until the crisp topping is golden browned and the casserole is completely cooked through.

Notes

*For an alternative presentation (dicing the apples), see the blog post above.
**See notes above about using stale or dried out bread and options for slicing or tearing the bread.