Here is a savory vegan French Toast with a spicy twist! This EASY and delicious Indian-style masala toast recipe uses protein-packed gram flour instead of eggs and is perfectly spiced with onions, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and chilies.
Vegan french toast is something so many people requested that I was happy to create this recipe. A few months ago I shared my Masala French Toast recipe that SO many of you enjoyed. I got several requests for an egg-less version and so here it is! This perfectly spiced vegan variation uses a besan (gram flour) batter for earthy delicious flavors.
Besan
The secret to making a savory french toast is the Besan or gram flour.
Besan or gram flour is a fine flour made of chana dal or split brown chickpeas. It is much finer than the chickpea flour available in US grocery stores. Gluten-free, protein-packed besan is a staple in Indian cuisine. It is a key ingredient to make delicious pakoras and also desserts such as Besan Laddu.
When mixed in water, the besan batters make for a perfect base to use in place of eggs for breakfast recipes such as vegan omelets (Besan Chella) as well as in savory masala toast.
Ready in under 20 mins, this Indian-style masala french toast is also perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. A healthier version of Indian Bread Pakora, this pan-fried savory masala toast uses very little oil and tastes incredible with all of the warm spices. Although enjoyed hot, they also taste good at room temperature and are perfect for school or work lunches.
Tips
Here are some of my pro tips to make the best savory vegan french toast:
- Preferably use a day-old firm bread for this recipe. I like the pepperidge farmhouse hearty white bread and Arnold's rustic white bread
- Chop the onions and chilies as finely as you can, this way they will stick easily to the bread
- Whip up the spicy batter in a wide bowl in which you can easily soak the bread
- Use a non-stick frypan to shallow fry the toast. Alternatively, you can also use a cast iron pan for this recipe
Instructions
Here are my step-by-step instructions with photos to show you each step. All of the steps and the ingredients are in the printable recipe card just a little further down in this post.
- Add besan to a wide mixing bowl and break any lumps (photo 1).
- Stir in half of the water and mix well to form a smooth paste and then add the remaining water to make a flowy batter (photo 2).
- Add salt, turmeric, green chili, ginger and garlic paste, onions, and cilantro (photo 3).
- Mix well. Optionally you may stir in red chili flakes for extra spice (photo 4).
- Dip one sliced bread in the batter and press down with a spoon so the bread soaks the batter. Turn the bread over gently, press down and spoon over some batter on the top side (photo 5).
- Heat a non-stick skillet at medium heat and spread 1 teaspoon of oil. Place the soaked bread slice on the skillet and spread over 1 to 2 spoonfuls of batter on top. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown (photo 6).
- Carefully flip over the bread and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Add a teaspoon of oil to the sides of the bread (photo 7).
- Take out and when both sides turn golden brown (photo 8).
Serving
Serve hot with ketchup, spicy green chutney, and a hot cup of Ginger Chai in the cooler months or a glass of chilled lemonade when the weather is warmer.
Storing
Although the savory french toast is best served immediately, you can also make them ahead. They will stay good at room temperature for a day or keep them refrigerated for 2 to 3 days. Reheat on a stovetop pan.
Did you enjoy this quick and easy Indian Breakfast? Here are some more vegetarian breakfast recipes to try:
- Poha - Savory flattened rice cooked with onions, potatoes, and warming spices
- Thalipeeth - Delicious Maharashtrian savory multigrain pancakes
- Chutney Sandwich – Easy to make famous Bombay sandwich
- Methi Thepla – Savory fresh fenugreek parathas with sweet potatoes
- Kale Parathas – Savory Indian flatbreads are the best way to eat kale
- No Ferment Dosa – Easy & healthy twist to South Indian Dosa recipe
Recipe
Vegan French Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup besan fine gram flour
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 green chili finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- oil for cooking
- 2 bread slices hearty white or other firm bread **
Instructions
- Add besan to a wide mixing bowl. Break any lumps. Add half of the water and mix well to form a smooth paste and then add the remaining water to make a flowy batter. Add salt, turmeric, green chili, ginger and garlic paste, onions, and cilantro. Mix well. Optimally stir in red chili flakes for extra spice.
- Dip one sliced bread in the batter and press down with a spoon so the bread soaks the batter. Turn the bread over gently, press down and spoon over some batter on the top side.
- Heat a non-stick skillet at medium heat and spread 1 teaspoon of oil. Place the soaked bread slice on the skillet and spread over 1 to 2 spoonfuls of batter on top. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom side is golden brown.
- Carefully flip over the bread and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Add a teaspoon of oil to the sides of the bread.
- Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the second slice of bread. Enjoy hot with ketchup, green chutney or sriracha sauce, and ginger chai.
Sana says
I really enjoyed this toast this morning. I used yellow onions as that is what I had on hand. It was full of flavor. Thank you for a great recipe! I can see myself making this for brunch or a snack in the future.
Nagham says
very successful recipe , I enjoyed it with my family today. Thank you for sharing it is awesome!
Puneta Sharma says
I was looking for recipe other than French toast , my family does not enjoy sweetened eggs. I came across this recipe and tried it same evening with tea. It came out really good , good alternative to deep fried bread pakore !! Also I made same with eggs too . Never a fail recipe from Archan’s blog . Yumm
LESLIE C DSOUZA says
Hi Archana, Luv all your recipes, Everyone does not have an Instant fryer, could you also please give the Conventional method of preparing a dish over the stove . I am jus learning to cook an a pure Novice at cooking
For me everything is done over the stove method I dont even know how to use a Pressure Cooker Luv all your videos its a big help to me
Archana says
Thank you! Here are 100+ stovetop recipes - https://ministryofcurry.com/category/stove-top/
Elizabeth says
I made a slightly modified version of this based upon the ingredients I had on hand. It made for a delightful breakfast. Thank you!
Ramachandra Murty Krishnamsetty says
I made this dish Vegan French Toast today. It came out OK. I forgot to put onion, but it was still OK, because I am the only one who eats my cooking, there is no one to please with my cooking. Next time I will remember to put onion, and I am sure it will taste even better. With people like you teaching us, there will never a need to consider eating eggs which are loaded with Cholesterol produced by only animal kingdom.
Amy says
Made it for lunch! So good and healthy. Will make more often for sure
Kavita Surana says
I loved this recipe!! So easy to make and delish
Hemali Thakkar says
Thanks for the reminder of this recipe this was definitely my start of new year dinner..!! I was definitely out of ideas and thr came ur post..!! U are just awesome..!! Sorry dint manage to get pics..!! Managing feeding hungry kiddos who were pouncing on me and specially my year old..!! best wishes for new year and new recipes to keep us going!! U rock @ministryofcurry !!
Archana says
Thank you! So glad to read that your children love this recipe too.
Kiwi says
Silly question but I have dried chickpea but doesn’t want to grind it down to powder and also doesn’t want to buy the flour either. Can I cook the chickpea, mashed it, then use it in the recipe?
TIA!
Archana says
Hi Kiwi, I am afraid it will not taste the same. The gram flour used in this recipe is from brown chickpeas and also ground super fine.
Casey says
This was some of the best French toast I’ve ever had. I loved the savory spin and will absolutely be making this again. Ministry of Curry never fails to amaze me, especially with the high number of vegan recipes that are always a win for me and my family. I love Indian cuisine and it’s so wonderful to find new ways to enjoy some of my favorite foods.