Orange French Toast (Vegan with GF option)

This recipe brings back childhood memories.  We called it ‘Orange French Toast’.  And I liked it just as much today when my kiddos were eating it for their breakfast as I did when I was their age (that just seems like decades ago – oh, actually it was!).  I guess some good things never get old (wish I wasn’t! 😉 ).  The really great thing about it is what it doesn’t have: refined sugar, added oil, dairy or eggs.  What it DOES have is even better: raw cashews, a banana, medjool dates, and 100% O.j. concentrate.

Sweet and tangy, the o.j. in this is absolutely a wonderful delicate flavor.  It’s the perfect match for the creaminess of cashews disguising their flavor while contributing to their richness.  Similarly, it masks the banana keeping it from tasting like banana french toast (not a bad thing, just not what I go ga-ga for!)

You can make this recipe with other dates (probably won’t be quite as sweet so maybe add a couple more), but if you haven’t met Medjool Dates, you simply must try them.  They are a real treat.  And they generally have a much softer texture making blending this smooth much easier.  (Remember to pit either variety since even the pitted versions can end up with a left over bit of pit now and then!)

I used fairly thin slices of a wonderful whole wheat bread that is made and sold in my local grocery store.  In fact, I didn’t pre-plan a lot (as usual 😉 ), and it was still mostly frozen when I started dipping the slices.  This is actually a plus in my book tho, because it keeps the sauce from soaking into the bread itself.  Just an extra tip.  Main thing is, don’t use super crumbly bread that will soak up all the flavor.  You want to keep it on the surface!

Orange you ready to go make some amazing french toast?  I’m so excited for you to try this!  Comment and let me know how you like it!!  (Maybe it will make us all feel young again! 😉 )

***This recipe can easily be adapted to gluten free by switching out the 2 T. of flour in the recipe for you favorite gluten free flour replacement and using GF bread.  I really wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on this french toast experience!!

Orange French Toast (Vegan)

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 183 kcal

Whoever heard of orange french toast???  Dipped in a deliciously creamy orange cashew sauce and then baked in the oven, this recipe is not only refined sugar free, but totally tastes amazing!  Can't wait for you to try it!

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Ingredients

• 1 ripe Banana
• 1 1/2 C. Water
• 1 C. Raw Cashews
• 7 Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 C. Orange Juice Concentrate
• 2 T. Flour or Cornstarch for gluten free

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Prep two baking trays with pan spray or a brush of vegetable oil
3. Blend all ingredients until completely smooth.

4. Dip slices of bread into batter (coating both sides of bread well) and place on tray.

5. Bake for approx 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Recipe Notes

Makes 11-12 Slices of French Toast

Nutrition Facts

Orange French Toast (Vegan)

Amount Per Serving (2 slices)

Calories 183 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Sodium 200mg 8%

Potassium 371mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 12g

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 2%

Vitamin C 41.6%

Calcium 1.7%

Iron 9.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.