The Perfect Vegan Peas with Mint French Toast (That Breaks Every Breakfast Rule!)

December 20, 2024

Here’s My Story With This Recipe

I’ll be honest—when my plant-based cooking mentor suggested putting peas on French toast, I thought she’d completely lost her mind. But here’s the thing about adventurous vegan cooking: sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most memorable meals. After months of making the same boring chickpea flour French toast that never quite satisfied my savory breakfast cravings, I discovered this incredible sweet-meets-savory combination that’s now my weekend obsession. My brunch-loving friends (who thought vegan French toast could never compete with the “real thing”) literally licked their plates clean last Sunday, and my neighbor keeps texting me for the recipe after I brought her a plate. Trust me, if you’re tired of choosing between sweet and savory for breakfast, this golden, crispy masterpiece topped with fresh mint peas will make you question everything you thought you knew about plant-based morning meals.

Why This Satisfies Every Craving

Here’s the magic—chickpea flour creates the most amazing eggy texture that’s somehow more satisfying than traditional French toast, while that pop of fresh peas and mint adds this incredible brightness that makes every bite feel like spring. What makes this irresistible is how the savory, garlicky batter creates these gorgeous golden slices that pair perfectly with the sweet-savory pea topping, plus the black salt adds that authentic “eggy” flavor that even skeptics can’t identify. I never knew plant-based breakfast could be this exciting and filling at the same time, and this combo creates the most beautiful contrast of textures and flavors that feels like a fancy brunch dish. It’s honestly more interesting than any traditional French toast I’ve ever had, and no weird vegan substitutes needed—just real ingredients creating something completely unique!

The Lineup – Let’s Talk Ingredients (Don’t Stress!)

Whole grain bread is absolutely crucial here—you’ll want sturdy slices that can soak up the batter without falling apart (I finally found the perfect thick-cut variety at my local bakery after too many soggy disasters).

Unsweetened almond milk creates that perfect creamy base for our chickpea flour magic. Oat milk works beautifully too if that’s what you’ve got (game-changer for texture).

Chickpea flour is the star ingredient that makes this taste authentically eggy and satisfying. Don’t skip this—it’s what creates that amazing protein-packed texture we’re craving.

Nutritional yeast brings that cheesy, umami depth that makes this taste complete and satisfying. I always buy the big container because it disappears so quickly in our plant-based kitchen.

Turmeric gives us that gorgeous golden color that makes everyone think “real eggs” without even realizing it’s naturally vegan and amazing.

Black salt (kala namak) is the secret weapon that creates that authentic eggy flavor—you can find it at Indian grocery stores or online (took me forever to track down, but totally worth it).

Frozen peas are perfect here because they’re already blanched and ready to go. Fresh peas work too, but frozen ones save so much time.

Fresh mint leaves add that bright, springy flavor that makes this combination absolutely magical. Don’t use dried mint—the fresh stuff is essential for this recipe to work.

Let’s Make This Plant-Based Magic Together

Get ready for the most unique breakfast experience ever! Here’s where I used to mess up my vegan French toast—I’d make the batter too thin and wonder why nothing stuck to the bread properly.

Start by whisking together your almond milk, chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, black salt, regular salt, and pepper in a shallow dish until completely smooth. Now for the satisfying part—this batter should be thick enough to coat the bread but not so thick it won’t soak in.

Here’s my plant-based secret—let each slice of bread soak for about 30 seconds per side to really absorb all those amazing flavors. Don’t worry if you’re new to plant-based cooking; this technique is totally forgiving.

Heat up your non-stick skillet over medium heat and give it a light spray of cooking oil. Cook those gorgeous golden slices for 3-4 minutes per side until they’re crispy and golden brown—the smell alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen.

While your French toast is getting perfect, quickly sauté those peas and chopped mint in a separate pan for just 2-3 minutes until heated through and fragrant. This creates the most beautiful bright green topping that makes everything look restaurant-fancy.

Serve immediately with that gorgeous pea and mint mixture piled on top—the contrast of the crispy, savory toast with the fresh, sweet peas is absolutely incredible.

If This Happens, Don’t Panic

French toast turned out soggy? You probably soaked the bread too long or used bread that was too soft—that’s common with plant-based batters, and it happens to everyone. Next time, use sturdier bread and shorter soaking time.

Batter seems too thick? When this happens (and it will with chickpea flour), I’ve learned to add almond milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the perfect consistency. Don’t stress, just whisk it smooth and adjust.

Peas taste bland? This is totally salvageable—you probably needed more salt and pepper, plus that fresh mint is crucial for brightness. Plant-based cooking needs bold flavors, so don’t be shy with seasonings.

When I’m Feeling Creative

When I want extra protein power, I’ll add some hemp hearts sprinkled over the peas—though that’s totally optional and adds nice texture contrast. For special occasions, I love adding a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (definitely worth it for weekend brunches).

My summer version includes fresh basil along with the mint for even more herby freshness. Sometimes I add a few cherry tomatoes to the pea mixture, though that makes it more like a savory bruschetta topping than simple minted peas.

Things People Ask Me About Plant-Based French Toast

Will this actually taste like French toast? Absolutely! The chickpea flour creates that amazing eggy texture, and the black salt adds that authentic flavor that even non-vegans can’t identify. It’s honestly more satisfying than traditional French toast because it’s packed with protein.

Can I make the batter ahead of time? Yes! The batter actually improves when it sits for 10-15 minutes because the chickpea flour has time to hydrate properly. Just give it a good whisk before using.

What if I can’t find black salt? Regular salt works fine, but you’ll miss that special eggy flavor that makes this so authentic. You can order black salt online—it’s worth having for all kinds of plant-based cooking.

Before You Head to the Kitchen

I couldn’t resist sharing this because it proves plant-based food can be completely unexpected and absolutely delicious at the same time. The best vegan French toast mornings are when you serve something this unique and watch everyone’s faces light up at the first bite of this sweet-savory combination. Don’t let the peas-on-French-toast thing scare you—this flavor combination will completely change how you think about breakfast possibilities and make your plant-based cooking adventures so much more exciting.

Peas with Mint French Toast Recipe

Author: F&R TEAM

Print Recipe

Description

A surprisingly perfect sweet-savory plant-based breakfast that breaks all the rules and creates the most memorable brunch experience!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4

Instructions

In a shallow dish, whisk together almond milk, chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, turmeric, garlic powder, black salt, regular salt, and pepper until completely smooth—no lumps hiding anywhere.

Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, letting it soak for about 30 seconds per side to really absorb all those amazing flavors. The bread should be well-coated but not falling apart.

Heat your non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat with cooking spray—this ensures those gorgeous golden edges we’re after.

Cook the French toast for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Don’t rush this step—the perfect texture is worth the wait.

While your French toast is getting perfect, quickly sauté the thawed peas and chopped mint in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes until heated through and fragrant.

Serve immediately with the beautiful minted peas piled on top of each slice—the contrast of flavors and textures is absolutely incredible.

Optional: drizzle with a touch of maple syrup or sprinkle with extra black salt for even more flavor complexity.

Notes:

Let the batter sit for 10-15 minutes if you have time—it helps the chickpea flour hydrate properly
Don’t oversoak the bread or it will fall apart during cooking
Fresh mint makes all the difference—dried mint just isn’t the same for this recipe

Storage Tips:

Best enjoyed immediately for optimal texture and flavor
Leftover French toast can be reheated in a toaster, but it won’t be quite as crispy
The pea mixture keeps in the fridge for 2 days and is delicious cold too

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect for weekend brunches, special breakfast occasions, or whenever you want to surprise people with something completely unique. Pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a simple green salad.

Mix It Up:

Add fresh basil along with the mint for extra herby goodness
Try cherry tomatoes in the pea mixture for more Mediterranean vibes
Sprinkle hemp hearts or pumpkin seeds on top for extra protein and crunch