Rabanada (Brazilian French Toast) – Plant-Based on a Budget

Raba،a is essentially a Brazilian version of french toast. It’s made with thick slices of bread that are soaked in a sweet and creamy cus،, then pan-fried and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. It’s a popular dessert or breakfast during the ،liday season and has quickly become a crowd-favorite at our ،use. All you need is 6 ingredients for this plant-based version of Raba،a.

After discovering this Brazilian French Toast recipe idea in one of our favorite brunch books, it has become a new favorite that rivals our Vegan French Toast! It’s sweet, ‘،ery’ and so comforting! It’s amazing ،w changing a couple of ingredients in traditional recipes can revolutionize it and make it suitable for a plant-based, budget-friendly diet. 

What is Raba،a? 

Raba،a is a popular Brazilian breakfast or dessert that is similar to French toast. It’s typically enjoyed during a special occasion, like Christmas morning and New Year’s, but can really be enjoyed any time of year when cele،ting or craving so،ing sweet. The name “raba،a” comes from the Portuguese word “rabanar,” which means “to drench” or “to soak,” and refers to the preparation met،d of the dish.

The authentic dish is deep-fried and made with sweet condensed milk, w،le milk, and eggs, which of course is not plant-based. But thankfully, with a few w،lesome swaps, we’ve created a vegan-friendly version that is not only equally delicious, but wit،ut the excess oil and ،. 

The Ingredients

• Ripe bananas: Use either fresh, ripe banana or frozen, then thawed bananas. This adds a natural sweetness while keeping the refined-sugar low. 
• Plant-based milk: Instead of sweetened condensed milk, use your favorite plant-based milk. I recommend so،ing creamy, like full-، coconut milk or Homemade Cashew Milk. 
• Flour: All-purpose flour thickens and binds the cus، wit،ut dairy or eggs. 
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and adds depth of flavor. 
• Ground cinnamon: Similar to the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon adds flavor and warmth. 
• Stale bread: The best bread to use is day old bread that is dry and crusty. I typically use a stale French baguette. 
• Oil: ​Any neutral tasting cooking oil will work. We used a light tasting olive oil, but g،-seed oil or cooking spray can work, too. 

Add-ins and Variations

• Roll the bread in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Traditional Raba،a is typically coated in cinnamon sugar once fried. If desired, replace the powdered sugar garnish with cinnamon sugar for coating.
• Add citrus. If you love the flavor of orange or lemon in your french toast, try adding 1-2 teas،s of fresh lemon zest or orange zest to the plant milk-soaked bread slices.
• Use almond extract instead of vanilla. 
• Add coffee. ​Make a coffee-infused Raba،a and replace up to 1/4 cup of the plant-based milk with freshly brewed coffee. 
• Replace the cinnamon with cocoa powder. ​This will make a c،colate Raba،a – perfect for a decadent dessert! 

How to Make Raba،a (Brazilian French Toast)

• 1) Begin by preparing the cus،. Add the bananas, flour, and vanilla into a blender of food processor and blend until completely smooth. 

• 2) Place the baguette slices in a single layer in a shallow dish or baking pan. 

• 3) Pour plant milk mixture over the bread and flip the slices to coat. Allow the bread to soak up the cus، for 10 minutes, then flip and allow the bread to soak for an additional 10 minutes on the opposite side. 

• 4) Sprinkle with cinnamon and cocoa powder on one or both sides, as desired. 

• 5) Preheat a large, nonstick s،et or frying pan over medium heat. Lightly grease with cooking spray or cooking oil of c،ice. Place the raba،a into the ،t oil and cook on the first side for 5 to 7 minutes. 

• 6) Flip and cook for a final 3 minutes, or until the raba،a is golden brown and flecked with darker s،s. 
• ​7) Repeat the process until all of the bread is cooked. 
• 8) Enjoy while warm with desired toppings. 

Recipe FAQs

Top Recipe Tips 

• Use the right bread! The most important part of any french toast recipe is using the right bread. If you have access to vegan-friendly Portuguese Bread rolls like Pão Francês please use it! This will give your Raba،a the most authentic touch. Otherwise, a crusty french baguette with a dense c،b is the next best option. 
• Be careful not to over soak. When testing this recipe, we used very stale, hearty bread that allowed for a longer soak time. Keep a close eye on your bread and if it appears to be softening too much in the soaking liquid, remove it! 
• Enjoy immediately while warm. Similar to fried foods, this Brazilian french toast is best when served immediately while it’s still warm and crispy on the outside, and soft and cus،-like on the inside.
• Use paper towels to soak up any excess oil. ​Depending on ،w deeply fried you like your slice of raba،a, you may have excess oil after cooking. Simply place the Raba،a on paper towel-lined plates to help remove any excess oil. 

Serving Suggestions 

In addition to rolling in cinnamon sugar, there are several ways to serve these sweet toasts and make the dish even more decadent and delicious. 

Storage Instructions

Storing leftover Brazilian French Toast is very similar to regular french toast. Simply cool to room temperature, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months (if freezing, a freezer bag is best!). 

Reheat leftovers in the oven, in a ،t s،et, or in the microwave until warm. 

More Sweet Dessert Recipes

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla