Vegan Cinnamon Toast for Kids

Today I am in the kitchen with my daughter's current obsession recipe of Vegan Cinnamon Toast. I kid you not when I say she requested and devoured four giant pieces of this stuff on our recent lazy weekend Saturday morning. Maybe it was even six pieces, I lost count! Okay, I will note she does not eat the crusts, but they are so important for the texture and handling of the toast!

Speedy Breakfast, Snack or Dessert Recipe

This is a recipe that you can easily make in five minutes, and include your kiddo in the cooking process. And the cool thing about vegan cinnamon toast is that it can easily be served as a snack, breakfast side or even a dessert! When I serve it at breakfast, I pair it with some soy or pea milk and some fruit, maybe even a diced JUSTEgg if she is into it. And you can easily dial the sugar part up or down based on what meal it is served for.

I mean, at it's core, cinnamon toast is really just a fast way to enjoy the flavor and essence of a cinnamon roll, right?!

Tips and Tricks Ahead

Don't be fooled, this isn't just a basic recipe! There are a few tips and tricks I have to make your cinnamon toast extra amazing. Let's get going...

The Magic of Cinnamon Toast

Vegan cinnamon toast is a plant-based play on one of those timeless recipes that brings back fond childhood memories for many of us. There’s something so comforting about the warm, buttery toast coated in a sweet, cinnamon-sugar sprinkle. And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make, which makes it perfect for cooking with kids.

But this vegan cinnamon toast recipe isn’t just any cinnamon toast. We’re going to take it up a notch with some simple tweaks that will make it extra special and maybe even a little healthier.

And if you are a culinary history buff, check out this origin post in the New York Times on Cinnamon Toast.

Why We Love Vegan Cinnamon Toast

There are so many reasons why vegan cinnamon toast has become a favorite in our household. First of all, it’s incredibly simple to make. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch in minutes. It’s also highly customizable, which means you can adapt it to suit your taste preferences or whatever you have on hand.

For my daughter, the best part is that she gets to be involved in the cooking process. She loves helping out in the kitchen, and cinnamon toast is the perfect recipe for little hands. From spreading the vegan butter to sprinkling the cinnamon sugar, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to get hands-on and feel like they’re really contributing to the meal.

Browse more of my vegan breakfast recipes to pair with this toast!

Choosing the Right Bread

The first step in making the perfect vegan cinnamon toast is choosing the right bread. While any bread will technically work, some varieties are definitely better than others. For the ultimate vegan cinnamon toast experience, I recommend using a thick, hearty bread that can hold up to the toppings. Whole grain bread adds a bit of extra fiber and nutrients, while sourdough gives a nice tang that pairs beautifully with the sweet cinnamon sugar.

If you’re making this recipe for little kids, consider using a soft, fluffy white or whole wheat bread. It’s a great way to make sure the toast is easy to eat and appealing to little ones. For an extra treat, you could even use cinnamon raisin bread for double the cinnamon flavor!

The Perfect Vegan Butter Spread

One of the key ingredients in my vegan cinnamon toast is, of course, the butter. There are so many great vegan butter options available now that it’s easy to find one that tastes just like the real thing. My personal favorite is Miyoko's Oat Butter. It sounds odd, but it is SO GOOD. I like the one that comes in a container with the blue lid. You can spot it in the photo above...

The key to getting a perfect spread is to make sure your butter is soft, but not melted. This will help it spread easily over the bread without tearing. If your butter is straight out of the fridge, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.

And that is why I love the Oat Butter in the container. It is always ready to spread.

Cinnamon-Sugar Magic

The cinnamon-sugar mixture is where the magic really happens. Many recipes will say to make a cinnamon-sugar mixture ahead of time. Using 1:3 ratio of white sugar to cinnemon. Well, I don't do that. I simply add the sugar, then sprinkle the cinnamon over top.

I also do not use white sugar. Instead, I will either use dark brown sugar - or coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel flavor that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon, while turbinado sugar gives a nice crunch.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Cinnamon Toast

Now that we’ve got our ingredients sorted, let’s talk about a few tips and tricks to make your vegan cinnamon toast extra amazing:

1. Toast Twice for Extra Crunch: Toast the bread before adding the butter,etc.
2. Soft on One Side: I love toast that is soft on one side (the bottom) and crunchy on the top. To achieve this effect, you ONLY use the oven on broil setting. This way the top caramelizes and gets all crunchy sweet with the butter and sugar, while the bottom side stays soft and fluffy. The edges get browned and crispy too.
3. Get Creative with Toppings: Try adding fresh fruit like sliced bananas or strawberries. Nuts or granola can also work.
4. Add a Touch of Spice: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a little cayenne to your cinnamon-sugar topping.
5. Go Savory-Sweet: If the butter isn't savory enough for you, add a pinch of salt.
6. No Butter! If you are out of butter, replace with olive oil or avocado oil - or even coconut oil. Add a pinch of salt to mimic the savoriness of butter.
7. Make It a Meal: Try serving it alongside a smoothie or a bowl of fruit for a balanced breakfast. Not even kidding, it can even be paired with savory dishes if you are willing to be creative with taste buds! It could even be a gateway item to get your kids to eat the rest of their dinner!
8. Soak the Edges: For extra decadence and healthy fats, I will drizzle avocado or olive oil over top my toast before putting it in the oven.
9. Use Fresh Cinnamon: Grind your own or simply make sure that your cinnamon is fresh. Check that expiration date!
10. Add Raisins and Almond Butter: I love adding raisins and drizzling a nut butter over top before baking.

Cooking with Kids: A Learning Experience

One of my favorite things about making cinnamon toast with my daughter is that it’s a great way to teach her some basic cooking skills. From spreading the butter to measuring out the cinnamon and sugar, there are so many opportunities for little ones to practice their motor skills and learn about different ingredients.

Yes, she usually licks the sugar bowl somewhere during the process, and maybe slathers on a bit too much butter, but hey, that's part of cooking with kids!

I also love using this recipe as a way to talk about nutrition and making healthy choices. We discuss why we use vegan butter, the benefits of whole-grain bread, and how sugar should be enjoyed in moderation. It’s a fun and interactive way to start teaching kids about food and cooking.

Making Memories in the Kitchen

At the end of the day, the best part about making cinnamon toast isn’t just the delicious end result—it’s the memories we create in the process. There’s something so special about spending time together in the kitchen, making a mess, and enjoying the fruits of our labor.

I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Whether you’re making it for a quick breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or a fun cooking project with your kids, vegan cinnamon toast is sure to be a hit. So grab your ingredients, gather your little helpers, and let’s make some memories (and some delicious toast) together!

Final Thoughts

I’d love to hear how your cinnamon toast turned out! Did you try any fun variations or add any special toppings? Share your creations in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to keep experimenting and having fun in the kitchen.

Thanks for joining me on this cinnamon-sugar adventure. Until next time, happy cooking!