The Ultimate Vegan Apple Pie Bread Pudding: A Cozy, Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Dessert

Discover the magic of a dessert that effortlessly combines ease, impressive flavor, and affordability: our Vegan Apple Pie Bread Pudding. If you’ve been seeking a heartwarming, plant-based treat perfect for any occasion – be it a sweet brunch or a comforting dessert – your search ends here. This delightful casserole is infused with the irresistible taste of classic apple pie, making every bite a journey back to cherished memories. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream and a luscious drizzle of caramel sauce for an experience that’s truly unforgettable.

This beloved recipe was first introduced on November 13, 2020, and has since been updated on February 5, 2023, with fresh photos and enhanced details to bring you the best possible experience.

Whether you call it vegan apple pie bread pudding, a baked French toast casserole, or simply a comforting sweet bake, this recipe promises a moist, fluffy, and utterly delicious treat that embodies the true essence of comfort food. Each forkful reveals tender, spiced apple pieces, reminiscent of the homemade apple pie your mom or grandma used to make. It’s an instant classic that brings joy to family and friends, proving that plant-based desserts can be every bit as rich and satisfying as their traditional counterparts.

This innovative plant-based bread pudding is a brilliant way to repurpose stale bread, transforming it into something extraordinary. By using creamy coconut milk and versatile chickpea flour as egg substitutes, we create a rich, custardy texture without any dairy or eggs. The result is a truly delectable, affordable, and inclusive dish that the entire family will adore, making it a staple in your vegan dessert repertoire.

What is Bread Pudding? A Global Comfort Food

Bread pudding is a cherished dish found in various forms across the globe, primarily celebrated for its economic ingenuity. Historically, it was a clever way to utilize stale bread, preventing food waste while creating a satisfying meal. Traditionally, it consists of stale bread soaked in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, then baked until golden and custardy. While it can be prepared in both sweet and savory variations, it’s most commonly enjoyed as a dessert, especially in Western cuisines.

Savory bread puddings are often known as strata, an Italian term meaning “layered,” which perfectly describes their typical construction with ingredients like cheese, vegetables, and sometimes meat. For a delightful breakfast or brunch option, simply rename this sweet version a “French toast casserole” or “baked French toast,” and guests will be none the wiser – they’ll just enjoy the incredible flavors! This adaptability is part of what makes bread pudding such a timeless and beloved dish.

Can Bread Pudding Be Vegan? Absolutely, and Easily!

Traditional bread pudding recipes typically rely on dairy milk and eggs, making them unsuitable for those following a vegan diet. However, adapting bread pudding to be entirely dairy-free and egg-free is much simpler and more delicious than you might imagine. My recipe masterfully achieves this by using clever plant-based alternatives.

The secret lies in a brilliant combination of full-fat coconut milk and chickpea flour. Coconut milk provides the creamy richness and fat content usually found in dairy, while chickpea flour acts as a phenomenal binder, replacing the function of eggs. Not only do these ingredients work harmoniously to create a perfect custardy texture, but the coconut milk also imparts a delightful, subtle tropical undertone that elevates the flavor profile, making this vegan bread pudding truly irresistible. This innovative approach demonstrates that sacrificing animal products doesn’t mean compromising on taste or texture.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Bread Pudding Recipe

In today’s culinary landscape, especially with fluctuating prices of conventional ingredients like eggs, I’ve found immense joy and satisfaction in transforming beloved classic desserts into their vegan counterparts. Crafting this eggless and dairy-free bread pudding, particularly with its delightful apple pie flavors, stands as one of my most successful and cherished culinary achievements. Beyond its rich, tender texture and explosion of flavor, this apple bread pudding recipe offers a multitude of benefits that make it a must-try:

• Effortlessly Quick & Easy: Don’t let its impressive presentation fool you. This scrumptious vegan dessert requires only about 20 minutes of active preparation time. Most of the magic happens as it bakes and soaks, leaving you more time to relax and anticipate the delicious outcome.
• Incredibly Budget-Friendly: Bread pudding is inherently economical, brilliantly utilizing stale bread. Taking it a step further, making this recipe without eggs significantly reduces costs, especially given current market prices. It’s a smart way to enjoy a gourmet-tasting dessert without breaking the bank.
• Perfect for Meal Prep & Freezer-Friendly: This is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast, brunch, or dessert. The bread truly benefits from ample time to soak up all the custardy goodness. You can easily prepare the spiced apple filling and assemble the entire casserole the night before. This means less stress on the day of serving; simply pop it in the oven, bake, and enjoy! It also freezes beautifully for future indulgence.
• Remarkably Versatile: While this recipe focuses on an enchanting apple pie filling, the possibilities for customization are endless! Consider swapping out the fruit, adding different spices, or incorporating other mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts. Read on below for a wealth of inspirational ideas to make this vegan bread pudding uniquely yours.

Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions for Vegan Bread Pudding

While the full list for this dairy-free bread pudding might seem extensive, I’m confident that many of these staple ingredients are already nestled in your pantry. This recipe is designed to be accessible and adaptable, allowing for easy substitutions to fit various dietary needs and preferences. Here’s a comprehensive look at everything you’ll need to create this delightful vegan treat:

• Stale Bread: The star of any bread pudding! While fluffy white bread (like brioche or challah, if vegan) is often preferred for its soft texture, don’t hesitate to use any variety you have on hand – a mix works beautifully too. For a gluten-free version, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free bread. Stale bread is key because its dried-out structure absorbs the custard more effectively, preventing a soggy pudding. If you only have fresh bread, you can quickly stale it by cutting it into cubes and baking it at 325°F (160°C) for 15-20 minutes until dry.
• Full-Fat Coconut Milk: This is crucial for achieving that rich, creamy custardy texture in our vegan bread pudding. Any full-fat canned coconut milk will work wonders, but I personally favor Chef’s Choice for its consistently high quality and simple, clean ingredients. The fat content helps create a luxurious mouthfeel that thin plant milks cannot replicate.
• Chickpea Flour (Garbanzo Bean Flour / Gram Flour / Besan): A true unsung hero in plant-based baking! This humble ingredient is a powerful binder, perfectly replacing eggs in this recipe. Beyond its role in this coconut milk bread pudding, chickpea flour is incredibly versatile. It can thicken soups and stews, create a crispy gluten-free batter for frying, or even be used to make savory French fry-like snacks called panisse.
• Baking Powder: Not to be confused with baking soda, this leavening agent is essential for giving the bread pudding a light, airy, and fluffy texture, ensuring it’s not too dense.
• Ground Cinnamon & Ground Nutmeg: These classic warming spices are indispensable, especially when paired with apples. They infuse the pudding with a comforting aroma and flavor that screams “cozy dessert.”
• Nutritional Yeast (“Nooch”): While primarily known for its cheesy flavor in vegan dishes, I’ve discovered that a touch of nutritional yeast in this sweet bread pudding recipe helps to create a subtle, savory depth, contributing to that vaguely “eggy” custard flavor we associate with traditional bread pudding. Don’t worry, it won’t make your dessert taste like cheese!
• Vanilla Extract: A foundational flavor enhancer in almost any sweet baked good, vanilla extract adds a layer of richness, warmth, and aromatic complexity that rounds out all the other flavors beautifully. Feel free to use an equal amount of vanilla paste or powder, or half the amount of ground vanilla bean for an even more intense vanilla note.

Delicious Apple Pie Filling Ingredients:

• Apples: The heart of our “apple pie” flavor! For a balanced taste and texture, I typically opt for a mix of tart Granny Smith apples and sweeter varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji. This combination offers a perfect blend of tang and sweetness that prevents the pudding from being overly cloying. However, feel free to use any apple variety you have readily available – the recipe is forgiving.
• Vegan Butter: A small amount of vegan butter in the apple pie filling adds an incredible richness and a luxurious mouthfeel, elevating this vegetarian bread pudding to *chef’s kiss* amazing status. It helps to sauté the apples beautifully and carries the spice flavors throughout.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness with delightful underlying hints of molasses. Both light and dark brown sugar work well here; dark brown sugar will offer a more intense molasses flavor. For a less processed option, consider muscovado sugar, grated piloncillo, or jaggery.
• Apple Pie Spice: This fragrant blend, typically comprising cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom, is my absolute favorite for fall and winter baking. It brings warmth and complexity to the apple filling. You can easily use a store-bought blend or make your own from individual spices. If you’re in a pinch, pumpkin pie spice can be an acceptable substitute.
• All-Purpose Flour: Used as a thickening agent for the apple filling, ensuring it clings beautifully to the apple slices and doesn’t create a watery layer in the pudding. If you need a gluten-free option, a good quality cup-for-cup gluten-free flour mix is a perfect swap. Alternatively, you can use cornstarch, but remember to use a smaller amount (approximately 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon) as it has a stronger thickening power.
• Fine Salt: A tiny pinch of fine salt is essential! It doesn’t make the dish salty but rather acts as a flavor amplifier, waking up and balancing all the bright, sweet, and spicy notes in the apple filling.

Optional Toppings for an Extra Indulgent Experience

While this egg-free, dairy-free bread pudding is simply marvelous on its own, you can effortlessly elevate it to a show-stopping dessert by adding your choice of delightful toppings. These additions provide textural contrast, added sweetness, and visual appeal, turning a great dessert into an extraordinary one:

• Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream: A classic pairing! The cold, creamy ice cream perfectly melts into the warm bread pudding, creating a heavenly hot-and-cold sensation.
• Nature’s Charm Coconut Caramel Sauce: This rich, dairy-free caramel sauce adds a luxurious touch and a boost of sweet, buttery flavor that complements the apple and spice notes beautifully.
• Maple Syrup: For those who prefer a more natural sweetener or are serving this for breakfast/brunch, a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup is an absolute delight.
• Whipped Coconut Cream: A lighter, fluffy alternative to ice cream or caramel sauce, offering a delightful creamy texture without being too heavy.
• Chopped, Toasted Nuts: For added crunch and a nutty flavor profile, sprinkle some toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds over the top.
• A Dusting of Powdered Sugar: A simple yet elegant finish that adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful visual appeal.

Choosing the Best Bread for Your Vegan Bread Pudding

The type of bread you use can significantly impact the final texture of your bread pudding. Generally, I highly recommend using soft-crusted varieties. Excellent choices include standard sandwich loaves (white or whole wheat), hamburger or hot dog buns (a great way to use up leftovers!), or soft dinner rolls. These breads have a delicate crumb that readily absorbs the rich custard base, resulting in a uniformly moist and tender pudding.

It’s best to **avoid hard-crusted artisan loaves** like sourdough baguettes or ciabatta, as their dense crusts tend to resist soaking up the liquid, leading to tough or dry spots in your pudding. Aside from the crust consideration, feel free to get creative with your bread choice! Whole wheat, multigrain, cinnamon raisin swirl, regular white bread, sourdough (if the crust is soft or removed), or even a vegan challah are all welcome additions. The key is to ensure the bread is stale, as explained earlier, for optimal absorption and texture.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Vegan Bread Pudding

Creating this delicious vegan bread pudding is just as straightforward and rewarding as preparing its traditional counterpart. Follow these easy steps to bring this comforting dessert to life:

Step 1: Prepare the Flavorful Apple Pie Filling

In a medium-sized pan, begin by melting the vegan butter over medium heat. Once melted, add your peeled and sliced apples, along with the brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and the apple pie spice. Sauté the apples, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften slightly, usually about 5-7 minutes. At this point, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and stir well to coat all the apple slices evenly. This helps to thicken the juices. Finally, pour in the water and continue to cook the mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring continuously, until the apples are tender and the sauce has thickened to a syrupy consistency. Remove the pan from the heat and set the apple filling aside to cool slightly while you prepare the pudding base.

Step 2: Assemble the Pudding and Allow it to Soak

Begin by cutting your stale bread into uniform cubes and arranging them evenly in a baking dish. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients for your custard base: the full-fat coconut milk, chickpea flour, water, a pinch of salt, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, nutritional yeast, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring no lumps of chickpea flour remain. Pour this creamy custard mixture evenly over the cubed bread in the baking dish. Next, gently fold in the cooled apple pie filling, distributing it throughout the bread. For optimal texture and flavor, let the bread soak in this custardy goodness for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. For an even more indulgent and thoroughly absorbed pudding, you can cover it and refrigerate it overnight. While the pudding soaks, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection and Serve

Once your oven is preheated and the bread has adequately soaked, transfer the entire mixture into your prepared casserole dish if it isn’t already in one suitable for baking. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top is beautifully browned, and a knife inserted into the center comes out relatively clean (a little moisture is fine, as it indicates a custardy center). Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning; if needed, you can loosely tent the top with foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking. Once baked, carefully remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This resting period is crucial as it allows the pudding to set properly, making it easier to slice and ensuring it holds its shape. Serve warm, either on its own or with your favorite optional toppings.

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Best Vegan Bread Pudding

To ensure your vegan bread pudding turns out absolutely perfect every time, keep these invaluable tips and tricks in mind:

• Embrace Stale Bread (and Save Scraps!): Stale bread is truly your best friend for bread pudding. I maintain a habit of keeping a designated plastic bag in the freezer. Into this bag go all my leftover hamburger and hot dog buns (it’s truly a mystery why they sell 10 hot dogs and only 8 buns!), bread heels, and any dinner rolls that are past their prime. Once I’ve accumulated a sufficient amount, this coconut milk bread pudding is always the first recipe I think to make. Using genuinely stale bread prevents a soggy pudding and ensures maximum absorption of the custardy goodness.
• Patience is Key for Soaking: Do not, under any circumstances, rush the soaking step. This is perhaps the most critical part of achieving that wonderfully soft, custardy, and fluffy texture throughout the pudding. You want every single piece of bread to fully absorb the custard base. A minimum of 30 minutes is good, but allowing it to soak overnight in the refrigerator truly yields the most superior results. The longer it soaks, the more homogeneous and tender your pudding will be.
• Add a Touch of Sparkle: For a beautiful, golden, and slightly caramelized crust, sprinkle a generous amount of coarse turbinado sugar (also known as “sugar in the raw”) over the top of your bread pudding mixture just before placing it in the oven. As it bakes, the sugar will melt and create a lovely, subtly crunchy topping that adds both visual appeal and a delightful texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Once the bread is added to the custard, fold gently. Overmixing can break down the bread too much, leading to a denser pudding rather than a light and fluffy one.
• Don’t Overbake: While you want a golden top and set edges, be careful not to overbake. An overbaked bread pudding can become dry. A slight wobble in the center after baking is often a good sign of a custardy interior that will firm up upon cooling.

Creative Variations & Dietary Adaptations for Your Bread Pudding

The beauty of this vegan bread pudding recipe lies in its incredible versatility. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, milks, and flours to tailor it to your taste or dietary requirements:

• Swap the Fruit Filling: While apple pie is a classic, don’t limit yourself! Use pears instead of apples for a similarly comforting “pear pie” filling. Beyond pie fillings, consider other mix-ins directly into the custard:
  • Bananas: Sliced bananas add natural sweetness and a creamy texture.
  • Chocolate Chips: Vegan chocolate chips create a rich, gooey chocolate bread pudding.
  • Toasted Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or almonds offer a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
  • Dried Fruits: Raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, or dates can add chewiness and concentrated sweetness.
  • Berries: Fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries) can add a burst of tartness and color.
• Customize the Milk Base: If coconut milk isn’t your preference or is off-limits, you have excellent alternatives:
  • Oat Milk or Soy Milk: These are great high-fat, creamy plant-based alternatives that will yield a similarly rich custard.
  • Regular Dairy Milk: If dairy isn’t an issue for you, traditional milk can be used in the same quantity.
  • Thin Plant Milks: If you only have thinner options like almond milk or rice milk on hand, I recommend using a 50/50 split of non-dairy creamer (full-fat) and your chosen plant-based milk to achieve sufficient richness and creaminess.
• Make it Completely Gluten-Free: Achieving a gluten-free vegan bread pudding is straightforward. Simply swap out the regular stale bread for your favorite brand of gluten-free bread and ensure you use a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the apple filling (or cornstarch as an alternative thickener).
• Change the Spice Profile: Instead of apple pie spice, try chai spice for an exotic twist, or just cinnamon and cardamom for a different warming flavor.

Effortless Meal Prep: How to Make Vegan Bread Pudding Ahead of Time

This vegan apple pie bread pudding is an ideal candidate for make-ahead preparation, simplifying your entertaining or weekly dessert plans. You have two convenient options for preparing it in advance:

1. Prepare and Soak (Unbaked): You can assemble the entire bread pudding (cubed bread, custard, and apple filling) in its baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it overnight for up to 3 days. This extended soaking time actually enhances the custardy texture. Alternatively, for longer storage, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked pudding for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer it directly from the fridge to the preheated oven (no need to defrost if baking from frozen, just add about 15-20 minutes to the baking time and ensure it’s fully heated through).
2. Bake and Reheat: If you prefer to have the baking completely done, bake the bread pudding according to the recipe instructions. Once cooled, cover it well and refrigerate for up to a week. For reheating, you can warm the entire pudding in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 30-40 minutes, covered with foil, until heated through. For individual servings, the microwave or toaster oven works perfectly for a quick warm-up.

These make-ahead strategies ensure you can enjoy this comforting dessert with minimal last-minute effort, making it perfect for special occasions or busy weeknights.

Detailed Storage, Freezing, & Reheating Instructions

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious vegan bread pudding for days or even months. Here’s how to handle it:

• Assembled, Unbaked Bread Pudding: This prepped stage is excellent for meal planning.
  • Refrigeration: Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This extended soak actually deepens the flavor and improves the texture.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, cover the dish tightly with several layers of plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, defrost overnight in the fridge first, then proceed with the baking instructions as usual. You can also bake it from frozen, increasing the baking time by approximately 15-20 minutes and ensuring it’s thoroughly heated.
• Baked Bread Pudding: Once your bread pudding has been baked and cooled, you can store leftovers for later enjoyment.
  • Refrigeration: Cover the baked pudding tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: For longer preservation, wrap individual slices or the entire cooled pudding (if uncut) in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to a month.
• Reheating Baked Pudding: Enjoying leftovers is a breeze.
  • From Frozen: Allow frozen baked pudding to defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Oven Reheating (Full Pudding): Place the defrosted pudding (or cold from the fridge) in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a 250°F (120°C) oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until it’s heated through to your desired warmth. The foil prevents the top from drying out or over-browning.
  • Microwave Reheating (Individual Portions): For quick individual servings, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes, or until warm. This method is fast but can sometimes alter the texture slightly.
  • Toaster Oven: A toaster oven is also a great option for reheating single slices, providing a crispier exterior if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Bread Pudding

More Irresistible Vegan Dessert Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting flavors of this Vegan Apple Pie Bread Pudding, you’re in for a treat! My kitchen is a hub for delicious, plant-based sweet creations that prove vegan desserts can be every bit as decadent and satisfying as their traditional counterparts. Here are some more fantastic dairy-free and egg-free dessert recipes that I highly recommend you try:

• Shiratama Dango: Delightful Japanese mochi-like dumplings, perfect with fruit.
• Dairy-Free Fudge: Rich, creamy, and wonderfully decadent, you won’t believe it’s vegan!
• Vegan Coconut Macaroons: Chewy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with tropical flavor.
• Vegan Magic Bars: A truly magical layered dessert with a sweet, gooey base and crunchy toppings.
• Vegan Rice Pudding: A classic comfort dessert, creamy and spiced to perfection.
• Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies: An innovative twist on a classic, surprisingly delicious and wholesome.

I genuinely hope you cherish this recipe for Apple Pie Vegan Bread Pudding as much as my family and I do! For a constant stream of mouth-watering dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or vegan dessert inspiration, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t miss out on any new content – sign up for my email newsletter for all my latest recipes delivered directly to your inbox. I promise to only send you deliciousness, never spam!

Disclosure – I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Chef’s Choice Foods and Nature’s Charm for their generous sponsorship of this post! I deeply admire their dedication to quality products and their brand values, and I am incredibly excited to be collaborating with them to bring you delicious vegan recipes.

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