Toasted Bread Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Toasted bread sauce is a comforting, traditional accompaniment with a creamy texture and rich roasted flavor. Perfect for drizzling over roasted vegetables or vegan roasts, this sauce offers a delicious twist using almond milk and soya cream.

Ingredients
- 6 slices white bread (ensure it’s vegan)
- 2 tbsp butter-flavoured rapeseed oil, plus extra to serve
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 thyme sprig
- 600ml almond milk
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 100ml soya cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast the bread slices until they are dark brown and crispy. Allow them to cool, then blitz in a food processor to create rough crumbs.
- Step 2: Heat half of the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until it becomes soft, sticky, and lightly browned.
- Step 3: Add the bay leaf, thyme sprig, and almond milk to the saucepan. Season with ground cloves, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf and thyme. Stir in all but a small handful of the toasted breadcrumbs. Cook the sauce gently over low heat until it thickens. For a smoother texture, blitz the sauce briefly in a blender if desired.
- Step 5: While the sauce thickens, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan. Fry the reserved toasted breadcrumbs until golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Stir the soya cream into the sauce, heating it gently through without boiling. Transfer the sauce to a serving dish, then spoon the fried breadcrumbs over the top and drizzle with extra rapeseed oil before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a splash of lemon juice or a teaspoon of mustard to the sauce before serving.
- Use gluten-free bread if needed to make this recipe gluten-free.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more almond milk gradually while cooking.
Storage
Store the toasted bread sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Gently reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking or drying out. Add a splash of almond milk if it becomes too thick during reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this bread sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made up to two days in advance and stored chilled. Reheat gently before serving and add a little extra almond milk if needed.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Absolutely. Using vegan bread, butter-flavoured rapeseed oil, almond milk, and soya cream keeps this sauce completely vegan-friendly.
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Toasted Bread Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan toasted bread sauce is a creamy, rich accompaniment made from browned bread crumbs, aromatic herbs, and plant-based milk and cream. Perfect for adding depth and warmth to your meals, it combines toasted bread crumbs with almond milk, soya cream, and fragrant spices to create a comforting sauce with a crispy topping.
Ingredients
For the Bread Crumbs
- 6 slices white bread (ensure it’s vegan)
- Extra oil for frying crumbs
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter-flavoured rapeseed oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 thyme sprig
- 600ml almond milk
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 100ml soya cream
Instructions
- Toast and Prepare Bread Crumbs: Toast the six slices of white bread in a toaster until dark brown and crispy, then allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, pulse the toasted bread slices in a food processor to create rough bread crumbs. Set aside all but a handful of these crumbs.
- Cook Onion and Infuse Flavors: Heat half of the butter-flavoured rapeseed oil (about 1 tbsp) in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is just browned and sticky. Add the bay leaf, thyme sprig, and pour in the 600ml almond milk. Season with a pinch each of ground cloves, ground nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Combine Bread Crumbs with Sauce: Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig from the saucepan. Stir in all but the reserved handful of bread crumbs into the sauce. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a sauce consistency. If you prefer a smooth texture, blitz the sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Fry Remaining Bread Crumbs: Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter-flavoured rapeseed oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the reserved handful of bread crumbs and fry them until golden brown and crispy, taking care not to burn them. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir the 100ml soya cream into the thickened sauce and heat through gently. Transfer the sauce into a serving dish. Spoon the fried golden bread crumbs over the top and drizzle with a little extra rapeseed oil for added richness and shine.
- Storage: The sauce can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently before serving.
Notes
- This sauce is vegan and uses plant-based milk and cream alternatives.
- To achieve a smoother sauce texture, blitz the sauce after thickening as desired.
- Use vegan bread and check labels to ensure all ingredients comply with vegan standards.
- The sauce is excellent served alongside roasted vegetables or plant-based roasts.
- Can be prepared ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: toasted bread sauce, vegan sauce, plant-based sauce, almond milk sauce, bread crumb sauce, British sauce, vegan Christmas sauce

