Can I use Plain Yogurt Thinned with Milk instead of Buttermilk in French Toast?

Thinning yogurt reduces thickness for better bread absorption while retaining acidity. Use a ratio of 3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk per 1 cup buttermilk.

Can I use Sour Cream Thinned with Water or Milk instead of Buttermilk in French Toast?

Thinning sour cream helps achieve a pourable consistency while maintaining acidity. Use a ratio of 3/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup water or milk per 1 cup buttermilk.

Can I use Evaporated Milk + Lemon Juice instead of Buttermilk in French Toast?

Adds creaminess and acidity but is richer and less tangy than buttermilk. Use a ratio of 1 cup evaporated milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice (let sit 5 minutes).

Can I use Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar instead of Buttermilk in French Toast?

A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness. Use a ratio of 1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes).

Best Buttermilk Substitute in French Toast

5 tested options with exact ratios, science-backed explanations, and tips for success.

Filter by diet: Vegan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Nut-Free

Quick Answer

The best substitute for Buttermilk in French Toast is Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar because it replicates the acidity and slight thickness of buttermilk, which helps tenderize the bread and activate baking soda if present, resulting in a similar texture and flavor.

Top 5 Buttermilk Substitutes for French Toast

Substitute	Ratio	Notes	Dietary
⭐ Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar (Best)	1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)	Provides acidity and slight thickness similar to buttermilk, maintaining tender texture and flavor balance.	Nut-Free Gluten-Free
Plain Yogurt Thinned with Milk	3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk per 1 cup buttermilk	Thinning yogurt reduces thickness for better bread absorption while retaining acidity.	Gluten-Free Nut-Free
Sour Cream Thinned with Water or Milk	3/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup water or milk per 1 cup buttermilk	Thinning sour cream helps achieve a pourable consistency while maintaining acidity.	Gluten-Free Nut-Free
Evaporated Milk + Lemon Juice	1 cup evaporated milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice (let sit 5 minutes)	Adds creaminess and acidity but is richer and less tangy than buttermilk.	Gluten-Free Nut-Free
Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar	1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)	A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness.	Vegan Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Detailed Guide: Each Buttermilk Substitute in French Toast

Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar (Best Option)

1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

Nut-Free Gluten-Free

Quick tip: Provides acidity and slight thickness similar to buttermilk, maintaining tender texture and flavor balance.

This substitute works because the acid in lemon juice or vinegar curdles the milk slightly, mimicking the acidity and texture of buttermilk. The acidity helps break down gluten in the bread and tenderizes it, which is essential for the soft, custardy interior of French toast.

For best results, use whole or 2% milk and allow the acid to react for at least 5 minutes before mixing into the batter. Avoid using skim milk as it lacks fat, which contributes to mouthfeel.

Compared to original buttermilk, this substitute yields very similar results in texture and flavor, with a slight difference in tanginess depending on the acid used. It is the closest and most reliable replacement in French toast recipes.

Plain Yogurt Thinned with Milk

3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk per 1 cup buttermilk

Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Quick tip: Thinning yogurt reduces thickness for better bread absorption while retaining acidity.

Yogurt contains lactic acid similar to buttermilk, which tenderizes the bread and adds tanginess. However, yogurt is thicker and can make the batter too dense if used undiluted. Thinning it with milk balances the consistency for proper soaking.

Use plain, unsweetened yogurt and mix well with milk before adding to the batter. Watch for clumps and ensure even mixing.

This substitute produces a slightly tangier flavor and a denser texture compared to buttermilk but still yields a tender French toast.

Sour Cream Thinned with Water or Milk

3/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup water or milk per 1 cup buttermilk

Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Quick tip: Thinning sour cream helps achieve a pourable consistency while maintaining acidity.

Sour cream is acidic and rich, which helps tenderize the bread and adds a creamy tang to the batter. Its higher fat content can enrich the flavor but also risks making the batter too thick if not thinned.

Mix sour cream with water or milk to reach a consistency similar to buttermilk. Stir well to avoid lumps.

This substitute results in a richer, creamier French toast with a slightly tangier profile, but may be heavier than with buttermilk alone.

Evaporated Milk + Lemon Juice

1 cup evaporated milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice (let sit 5 minutes)

Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Quick tip: Adds creaminess and acidity but is richer and less tangy than buttermilk.

Evaporated milk has a concentrated creamy texture and, when combined with lemon juice, provides acidity to mimic buttermilk’s tenderizing effect. The richness can enhance mouthfeel but may make the French toast heavier.

Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly before use. This helps replicate buttermilk’s texture.

The final French toast will be creamier and less tangy than with buttermilk, with a slightly denser crumb.

Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar

1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

Vegan Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Quick tip: A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness.

Almond milk is plant-based and low in fat, but when acidified with lemon juice or vinegar, it mimics the acidity of buttermilk necessary for tenderizing the bread. However, the lack of fat can affect richness and mouthfeel.

Allow the mixture to curdle for 5 minutes before use. Use unsweetened almond milk to avoid unwanted sweetness.

This substitute yields a lighter, less rich French toast with a mild tang, suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets but with a noticeable difference in texture and flavor compared to buttermilk.

Vegan Buttermilk Substitutes for French Toast

Full Vegan guide →

Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Ratio: 1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness.

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Substitutes for French Toast

Full Gluten-Free guide →

Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Ratio: 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

Provides acidity and slight thickness similar to buttermilk, maintaining tender texture and flavor balance.

Plain Yogurt Thinned with Milk

Ratio: 3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk per 1 cup buttermilk

Thinning yogurt reduces thickness for better bread absorption while retaining acidity.

Sour Cream Thinned with Water or Milk

Ratio: 3/4 cup sour cream + 1/4 cup water or milk per 1 cup buttermilk

Thinning sour cream helps achieve a pourable consistency while maintaining acidity.

Evaporated Milk + Lemon Juice

Ratio: 1 cup evaporated milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice (let sit 5 minutes)

Adds creaminess and acidity but is richer and less tangy than buttermilk.

Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Ratio: 1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness.

Dairy-Free Buttermilk Substitutes for French Toast

Full Dairy-Free guide →

Almond Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar

Ratio: 1 cup almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 minutes)

A dairy-free and vegan option that provides acidity but less fat and richness.

❌ What NOT to Use as a Buttermilk Substitute in French Toast

Plain Milk

Plain milk lacks the acidity that buttermilk provides, which is crucial for tenderizing the bread and balancing the egg mixture. Using plain milk can result in a less tender, slightly denser French toast with a more neutral flavor.

Yogurt

While yogurt is acidic, its thicker consistency can overly thicken the batter, making it harder to soak evenly into the bread. This can lead to uneven cooking and a heavier texture in the final French toast.

Cream

Cream is too rich and lacks acidity, which can cause the French toast to be overly heavy and greasy without the tenderizing effect buttermilk provides. It also does not contribute to the slight tanginess that balances the sweetness.

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