French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that is typically made by soaking bread slices in an egg and milk mixture before frying them to golden brown perfection. The milk provides moisture and richness to the soaked bread before cooking. However, if you don’t have milk on hand or want to avoid dairy, there are several excellent substitutes you can use instead.
Why Use Milk in French Toast?
Milk is traditionally used in French toast for a few key reasons:
- It helps create a rich, custard-like coating on the bread that gives French toast its signature soft, moist interior.
- The proteins in milk help the egg mixture cling to the bread and set up nicely when cooked.
- The lactose and sugars in milk add sweetness that complements the egg and bread flavors.
- The fat in whole milk also contributes richness and moisture.
When switching out regular milk for something else, the goal is to find an alternative that provides similar qualities – moisture, binding, a hint of sweetness, and richness. Fortunately, there are many dairy and non-dairy options that can stand-in beautifully!
Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes
Non-dairy milks make excellent substitutes for cow’s milk in French toast. They have a similar creamy texture and taste that works well when soaked into bread. Some top choices include:
Soy Milk
With a consistency close to skim milk, soy milk is one of the most popular plant-based choices. Opt for unsweetened or original soy milk. The soy proteins help bind the egg mixture to the bread similarly to dairy milk. Just be aware that soy milk tends to curdle at high heats, so gently heat your soaked bread to avoid this.
Almond Milk
Almond milk is another great option with a mild nutty flavor. The almond creaminess gives a richness akin to whole milk. Unsweetened works best, but vanilla almond milk could also add extra flavor. Just like soy milk, almond milk can curdle at high heat so take care when cooking.
Oat Milk
With a naturally sweet, creamy taste, oat milk soaks into bread with delicious results. The viscosity of oat milk also helps bind the egg mixture nicely. Regular or vanilla oat milk both work well here. As with other plant-based milks, gently cook the soaked bread to prevent curdling.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is naturally rich and sweet, creating a decadent French toast base. Full-fat canned coconut milk works best to mimic the fat content of whole dairy milk. Light canned milk is an option too but may not have as luxurious of a texture. Coconut milk also tolerates higher heat without curdling.
Dairy Milk and Cream Substitutes
If you want to stick with dairy substitutes, these options mimic milk’s richness and subtle sweetness:
Half-and-Half
With a creamy texture and rich dairy taste, half-and-half is an ideal 1:1 swap for milk in French toast. It adds lush moisture and helps the eggs adhere nicely to the bread slices. The higher fat content also contributes decadence similar to whole milk.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream or whipping cream can infuse incredible richness into French toast. Use a 1:1 ratio just as you would with milk. The high fat content keeps the interior soft and moist while amplifying the egg flavor. It may have a lighter coating compared to milk but still gives delicious results.
Full-Fat Yogurt
Plain full-fat Greek or regular yogurt is a tangy alternative to milk in French toast. The thick, creamy texture coats the bread nicely. Greek yogurt in particular can help strengthen the egg mixture’s binding powers. Don’t use non-fat or low-fat yogurt, as the lower moisture content won’t work as well here.
Silken Tofu
Blended silken tofu makes an unlikely but effective milk substitute thanks to its custard-like consistency. Drain excess water, then blend it smooth before mixing with the eggs. The protein in tofu also adheres well to the bread for excellent results.
Other Dairy-Free Liquid Options
If you want to entirely avoid any dairy or dairy substitutes, these liquid options add moisture, binding, and flavor to French toast:
Fruit Juice
Citrus juices like orange or pineapple lend brightness, while apple juice provides gentle sweetness. Use 100% fruit juice and stick with a 1:1 ratio as you would with milk. Juices with pulp may need to be strained first for the smoothest texture.
Plant-Based Milk + Maple Syrup
For a sweetened version, mix 3⁄4 cup plant-based milk like oat or almond milk with 1⁄4 cup maple syrup. The syrup’s viscosity helps thicken the mixture slightly while adding flavor.
Coconut Water
The naturally occurring sugars in coconut water add a hint of sweetness, while the electrolytes can help bind the egg mixture. Shake canned coconut water well before using to incorporate any separated cream.
Tips for Making Dairy-Free French Toast
When venturing into dairy-free territory, keep these tips in mind:
- Stick to a 1:1 ratio of milk substitute to eggs. This maintains the right moisture and binding power.
- Whisk the eggs and milk substitute well before soaking to fully incorporate.
- Briefly soak the bread – just 1-2 minutes per side. Too much time makes it overly soggy.
- Use thicker bread slices to avoid getting too soft with non-dairy substitutes.
- Cook over medium-low heat and flip carefully to prevent curdling.
- Add a touch of cinnamon or vanilla extract to the egg mixture for extra flavor.
The Best Milk Substitutes for French Toast
When milk isn’t an option, you have lots of choices for making delicious dairy-free French toast. Here are some of the best substitutes:
| Milk Substitute | Texture | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soy milk | Smooth, creamy | Neutral flavor |
| Almond milk | Rich, nutty | Subtle almond taste |
| Oat milk | Creamy, full-bodied | Natural sweetness |
| Coconut milk | Silky, lush | Sweet coconut flavor |
| Half-and-half | Ultra-creamy | Rich dairy flavor |
| Heavy cream | Thick, indulgent | Intense dairy richness |
| Full-fat yogurt | Smooth, thick | Tangy flavor |
| Silken tofu | Custard-like | Neutral flavor |
| Fruit juice | Liquid, bright | Juice flavor |
| Coconut water | Light, clean | Subtly sweet |
Sample French Toast Recipes Without Milk
Ready to whip up some dairy-free French toast? Try out these tasty recipes using popular milk substitutes:
Classic French Toast with Almond Milk
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 3⁄4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 slices bread
- Butter or oil for cooking
Instructions:
- Whisk eggs, almond milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a shallow bowl until blended.
- Dip bread slices into egg mixture, soaking 1-2 minutes per side.
- Melt butter or heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook soaked bread slices until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve warm.
Coconut French Toast
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs
- 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk
- 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1⁄4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 6 thick slices challah or brioche bread
- Coconut oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Dip bread slices into mixture, soaking 1-2 minutes per side.
- Melt coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook soaked bread until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Serve immediately.
Tofu French Toast with Fruit Compote
Ingredients:
- 12 oz silken tofu
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 8 slices whole wheat bread
- Fruit Compote:
- 2 cups mixed berries
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions:
- Drain excess water from tofu. Blend tofu, eggs, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Dip bread in tofu mixture, soaking 1 minute per side.
- For compote: Simmer berries, maple syrup, and lemon zest until juicy, 5-10 minutes.
- Cook soaked bread in oil or butter until browned and serve with fruit compote.
FAQs
Why does milk work so well in French toast?
Milk provides moisture, binding power, and a delicate sweetness and richness that complements the egg and bread flavors in French toast. The proteins in milk also help the egg mixture adhere to the bread and cook up tender on the inside.
Do you really need milk for French toast?
While milk is traditional, you can certainly make French toast without it. There are many excellent dairy and non-dairy substitutes that mimic milk’s texture and flavor. So while milk isn’t essential, some type of liquid is important to soak and moisten the bread.
Is water an OK substitute for milk in French toast?
Plain water doesn’t provide the richness and binding ability that milk does. Water alone would make the French toast taste eggy and dry. For best results, use one of the milk substitutes like almond milk, coconut milk, fruit juice, or dairy alternatives instead of only water.
Can I use milk substitutes for French toast recipes that call for half-and-half or cream?
Yes, in most cases you can directly replace half-and-half or cream with a milk substitute like almond milk or coconut milk. The milk swaps may yield a slightly less rich texture, but will still taste delicious. For heavy cream, opt for canned coconut milk for the most similar richness.
The Takeaway
Milk might be the traditional choice, but there are so many possibilities for making dairy-free and delicious French toast. With options like almond milk, coconut milk, fruit juices, yogurt, and more, you can easily whip up satisfying French toast without regular milk. So don’t skip this breakfast favorite if you can’t have dairy – just swap in one of these tasty milk substitutes instead and enjoy!