Vegan Blueberry Bread Pudding

After testing so many batches of banh mi bread, I ended up with a freezer packed with loaves of bread. Not knowing what to do with it and having fresh blueberries sitting on my counter, I thought: why not bake a fruity and decadent bread pudding?

Let’s be real – whoever came up with the original bread pudding deserves a metal. Turning old bread into a comforting dessert that tastes like you just baked the most amazing cake? Pure genius!

But hold on – my bread pudding is anything but ordinary. Oh no, it’s loaded with juicy blueberries and delicately infused with vanilla and lemon zest to enhance their flavor. It’s baked to perfection until the top becomes crispy and golden brown, while the inside remains tender and moist – imagine a warm croissant filled with berries, and you will get the idea!

⭐️ Why You Should Try It

Goodbye, dry pudding. Hello tenderness!

If you have tried bread pudding recipes before and got disappointed because you ended up with a dish filled with chewy and hard bread, then I’m happy to report that you won’t have the problem here. My first tries were far from being convincing, but after tweaking the amount of liquid, experimenting with different types of bread, and adjusting the baking time, I finally reached the ideal texture.

This pudding is moist on the inside, without being soggy, and has perfectly crispy edges.

Quick and simple.

Bread pudding is most probably the best way to not let that loaf of bread go to waste! The batter comes together in just one bowl using simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Then, all you have to do is dice the bread, let it soak in the batter, and bake. What a piece of cake!

What’s great about this pudding is that it reheats beautifully. A few minutes in the oven, and the pudding gets its softness and crispy edges again! This means you can have it as a quick weekday breakfast or enjoy it for dessert with a scoop of ice cream.

🥖 Ingredient Notes

Bread

Bread obviously makes the base of this recipe! While this pudding is designed for day-old bread, fresh bread can also be used. If you opt for stale bread, pick loaves that are only 1-2 days old – avoid bread that is rock-hard.

Which type of bread should I choose? I have experimented with French bread, banh mi bread, and brioche. The first two produced very similar results. However, when I used brioche, the pudding turned out a bit too rich and lacked the crispy tops – it was not our favorite option, so I highly suggest picking French baguette or bread for this recipe.

Blueberries

Fresh blueberries add freshness and fruitiness to the pudding. I use one whole cup, and we thought it was already very rich in berries, but feel free to add more if you like.

Can I use frozen blueberries? Yes, frozen blueberries work too, but you have to be very careful when incorporating them into the bread mixture. First, do not thaw them, and second, be very gentle so as not to mash them.

Plant-based milk

Traditional bread pudding relies on cream and/or eggs to add richness to the bread. Here, I substitute those ingredients with a combination of full-fat coconut milk and unsweetened plant-based milk (such as almond, oat, or soy milk) to achieve the necessary richness.

With that being said, you may wonder if it tastes like coconut. Well, the coconut flavor is very, very subtle and barely noticeable.

Sugar

To sweeten the pudding. You can use regular granulated sugar or pick a refined sugar-free alternative such as coconut sugar or maple syrup.

Lemon zest and vanilla extract

Next, on the list are two simple ingredients that truly boost the overall flavor. First, finely chopped lemon zest adds a bright, zesty note that complements the flavor of the blueberries. Then, vanilla extract adds floral notes and complexity.

Note: You can substitute lime zest for the lemon zest.

🥣 How to Make It

1. Dice the bread. Start by slicing your bread into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.

2. Prepare the batter. Add the coconut milk, plant-based milk, sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and lemon zest to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk until everything is combined.

3. Pour over the bread. Pour the batter into the bowl containing the diced bread and use your hands to toss the bread evenly.

4. Allow it to rest. Next, let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes. This will allow the bread to soak up the flavors and richness of the batter.
5. Add the blueberries. Add the blueberries to the bowl and gently incorporate them into the bread mixture. Try not to mash the blueberries or the bread.

6. Transfer to a pan. Lightly grease a baking dish with butter. Transfer the bread mixture to the prepared dish and spread it into an even layer. At this point, you can top with more blueberries for decoration.
7. Brush with butter. Use a pastry brush to brush the top of the pudding with melted butter.

8. Bake. Finally, pop it into the oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy!

🍫 Variations

Here are some ideas on how you can customize this pudding:

• Add nuts: For some crunch, you can add about 1/3 cup of chopped pecans, almonds, or macadamias to the batter.
• Infuse with spices: Add a generous pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for a hint of spice!
• Top with shredded coconut: Coconut pairs well with blueberries, so you can add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut directly into the batter before baking or simply sprinkle it on top after baking.
• Incorporate chocolate chips: For extra sweetness, feel free to incorporate a handful of vegan white chocolate chips!

🍦 What to Serve It With

First off, keep in mind that it’s best to serve the pudding warm. It just tastes better and has a more interesting texture. Refrigerated pudding is a bit meh as it is firmer and lacks the crispy top. You can serve it as is or with:

• A sweet sauce: Such as lemon curd, caramel sauce, custard sauce, or vegan condensed milk for extra sweetness.
• Ice cream: Top the warm pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert! The ice cream melting on top of the warm bread and juicy blueberries…WOW.

💬 FAQ

This blueberry bread pudding recipe is a great way to turn leftover bread into a rich and decadent breakfast/dessert! It’s easy to make (you can prepare it with the kids) and requires simple, everyday ingredients.

🥞 More Breakfast Recipes

Blueberry Overnight Oats

Perfect Vegan Waffles (Light & Crispy!)

The Best Vegan Crepes

The Best Vegan Pound Cake

⭐️ Did you like this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!