Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea

This Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea recipe is perfect for healthy option for breakfast or a nice brunch. This French Toast is thick, delicious, uses a handful of ingredients, naturally sweetened, and completely dairy-free and vegan. Fully laced with classic cinnamon flavor, this french toast dish comes as a great play on sweet and savory, which will have you going for a second round.

Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by D’Vash Organic, but the content and opinions expressed are all based on my genuine love for this brand and are my own. Thanks so much for supporting the brands I love.

I’ve been dying to share this recipe with you guys! While I did make this a month ago, because of all of the Thanksgiving postings, I wasn’t able to share it sooner.

So, here it is. Live and in the flesh. AND it’s goooood. Haha.

Usually, French Toast is my go-to on the weekends. It’s something that I enjoy a lot with my family when we’re not eating waffles or pancakes.

However, I’ve never truly delved into making a savory french toast, so this was different. A good different. In addition, this is vegan, which is even better and different.

The other times that I’ve made french toast, they usually were dairy-free.

OK, so let’s talk about the main difference in this recipe—–date syrup.

If you’ve been an avid reader of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you know that I’m a HUGE user of pure maple syrup. It’s my staple sweetener when I’m not using honey (for non-vegan recipes) or agave.

But this time, I was able to try date syrup for the first time and it’s truly something tasty!

If you aren’t already aware, dates are a healthy sweetener option and I mention this in my article, The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes.

And while I’m sure that date syrup was a thing before I tried it, it’s definitely my thing from now on.

Thankfully, my friends at D’Vash Organics had the same sentiments and sent their amazing line of sweeteners right to me.

What’s so great about Date Syrup anyway?

This Date Syrup from D’Vash Organics is vegan, non-GMO, and is made entirely from dates. It’s a great sweet, healthy alternative to honey and can be used just as freely in coffee, tea, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, salad dressings, baked goods, or even to marinate meat.

It’s just that versatile!

D’Vash Organics also carries a line of Date Nectar, Cayenne-infused Date Nectar, Sweet Potato and Nectar.

Personally, the amazing thing about this Date Syrup is that it tastes really amazing (it’s literally like eating dates) and it’s super convenient with just one or two squeezes.

Therefore, you can substitute their syrup or nectar for actual dates or any other sweetener.

Need A Recipe That IncludeS Dates?

This Healthy Cashew Date Morning Shake recipe is a healthy take on a great morning ‘pick me up’ shake. It includes bold flavors of dates and vanilla and is beautifully textured to create a smooth drinking experience from the cashews and oats. This Vegan version boasts it’s creaminess, thickness, and generous play on spices and slight banana flavor. The perfect drink to cheers your way into the morning or after a great workout.

What You’ll Love Most About This Recipe:

It’s SUPER EASY to make.

Velvety texture. Soft. Tender.

Warm.

Bold flavors—Sweet + Spicy go so well together!

Just ONE bowl required.

Chickpeas are just so delicious!

Completely dairy-free and vegan.

Great healthy option for breakfast or brunch.

And just absolutely wholesome and perfect for this cold weather.

How Good Are Dates For Your Health?

In case you aren’t aware, dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and are often sold dried.

To tell if your dates are completely dry or not, you can always take a look at their skin. Wrinkly skin means that they are dry, while smooth skin means that they are more fresh and not fully dried.

Besides their chewiness and distinct sweet flavor, dates are also very nutritious:

• They contain important Vitamins and Minerals such as fiber, protein, potassium, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B6, among others.

• Very High in Fiber.

• High in Disease-Fighting Antioxidants.

• May Help to Promote Brain Health.

• May Help to Promote Natural Labor in Pregnant Women.

• May Help to Promote Bone Health.

• May Help with Blood Sugar Control.

Need Great Healthy Breakfast/Brunch Ideas?

These Fluffy Vegan Quinoa Pancakes + Cranberry are the best thing that you’ll ever encounter for breakfast. In true Fall/Holiday fashion, these vegan pancakes come loaded with nutritious quinoa and topped with a sweet, tart cranberry sauce that adds a beautiful tasty combo. Completely easy to make and can be whipped together in just 30 minutes. Gluten-Free option available.

This Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats recipe is a healthy way to kick start your day and is beautifully textured. These Oats boasts it’s creaminess, thickness from the thickly cut oatmeal used, and generous nutty flavor from the delicious peanut butter; which all create quite the experience in just one bowl. All vegan and Gluten-Free.

These Gluten-Free + Vegan Buckwheat Waffles + Blueberry are the perfect option for allergy sensitivity to grains and gluten. Made in just one bowl, these waffles are naturally sweetened, fluffy, thick, airy, and topped with a delicious Blueberry compote that creates a killer flavor profile! The perfect breakfast or brunch dish with the perfect taste for your mornings!

This Creamy Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge recipe is a healthier take on the delicious traditional Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge which includes boldly sweet flavor and is beautifully textured. This version of porridge boasts it’s creaminess, thickness from the thickly cut cornmeal used, and a generous play on spices and freshly topped berries and toasted pecans, which all create quite the experience in just one bowl.

Let’s dig our forks right into this recipe, shall we?

Whisk together all the ingredients (except for the bread) into a large bowl and set aside so that everything marries together and activates, about 5 minutes.

Preheat griddle to medium-high heat and add 1 Tbsp of vegan butter, melting it.

Dip 1 slice of bread into the batter, soaking it in for a few seconds on each side. Place slice unto the heated griddle, cooking on each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Repeat until all french toast has been made.

For Roasted Chickpeas: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, add chickpea and seasonings, stirring them together until well coated.

Add chickpeas to baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, tossing them mid-way until golden brown and crisp. 

Remove from oven and set aside.

Assembly:

To serve—stack french toast atop each other, spoon roasted cajun chickpea over stack, and top with sliced grape tomatoes, if desired. Drizzle with date syrup or pure maple syrup and enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you choose to make this Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea recipe or any other recipe from us, be sure to tag us on Instagram at #Orchidsandsweettea so that we can share the love!

5 from 5 votes

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Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea

This Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea recipe is perfect for healthy option for breakfast or a nice brunch. This French Toast is thick, delicious, uses a handful of ingredients, naturally sweetened, and completely dairy-free and vegan. Fully laced with classic cinnamon flavor, this french toast dish comes as a great play on sweet and savory, which will have you going for a second round.

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Keyword baked, bread, breakfast, brioche, brunch, chickpea, cinnamon, classic, dairy-free, dates, easy, fall recipe, fluffy, food, french toast, healthy, holidays, homemade, indulge, plant-based, recipe, savory, spicy, sweet, vegan

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Creator Shanika | Orchids + Sweet Tea

Must-Haves:

Vegan French Toast:

• 1 loaf Whole Wheat Challah bread, sliced semi-thick (Vegan-Approved!)
• 1 cup Almond milk, Unsweetened (I use Califia Farms; You can use your fave plant-based milk!)
• 1 Tbsps D'Vash Organics Date Syrup
• 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
• 2 tsps Arrowroot Starch
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 Tbsp vegan butter, for cooking

Roasted Cajun Chickpeas:

• 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained + rinsed
• 2 Tbsps garlic powder
• 2 Tbsps Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsps smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp onion powder

Other:

• D'Vash Organics Date Syrup, for garnish
• handful of sliced grape tomatoes, optional

Instructions:

1. Whisk together all the ingredients (except for the bread) into a large bowl and set aside so that everything marries together and activates, about 5 minutes.

2. Preheat griddle to medium-high heat and add 1 Tbsp of vegan butter, melting it.

3. Dip 1 slice of bread into the batter, soaking it in for a few seconds on each side. Place slice unto the heated griddle, cooking on each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Repeat until all french toast has been made.

For Roasted Chickpeas: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, add chickpea and seasonings, stirring them together until well coated.

2. Add chickpeas to baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, tossing them mid-way until golden brown and crisp. 

3. Remove from oven and set aside.

Assembly:

1. To serve—stack french toast atop each other, spoon roasted cajun chickpea over stack, and top with sliced grape tomatoes, if desired. Drizzle with date syrup or pure maple syrup and enjoy!

2. Bon Appetit!

Tips | Notes:

BREAD: Instead of challah bread, you can also use ciabatta bread or any other rustic bread. In most cases, day old bread works best!

DATE SYRUP: To purchase the date syrup mentioned throughout this recipe, see D’Vash Organic’s Original Date Syrup on their site. 

 

 

Savory Cinnamon French Toast + Cajun Chickpea.