Move over avocado toast, there’s a new trendy food taking over the internet, and it’s cloud bread!
This cloud-like, low-carb, 3-ingredient, bread recently took TikTok by storm! And it’s easy to see why, with minimal ingredients, this airy bread is easy to bake and makes a great healthy alternative to bread.
Best of all, vegans don’t have to pass up the opportunity to jump on this TikTok food trend. We’ve got the perfect, delicious vegan cloud bread recipe that will have you saying “oopsie” for all the right reasons!
What is Cloud Bread?
Cloud bread, also known as “oopsie bread,” is a type of bread that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its low-carb and gluten-free nature.
Many believe cloud bread originated from the Atkins diet or Keto diet, but it actually dates back far longer than that.
Classic cloud bread is a type of bread that originated in France and is also known as “pain en nuage” or “Nuage bread”.
It is a light and fluffy bread that is made using only a few simple ingredients, such as eggs, cream cheese or cottage cheese, and cream of tartar.
Traditionally, the egg yolks are separated, and the whites are whipped until stiff peaks form, and then the other ingredients are folded in.
The name “cloud bread” comes from the bread’s resemblance to fluffy clouds, and it has been dubbed “oopsie bread” due to the surprise people feel when they realize it doesn’t require any flour.
That’s right, this viral recipe doesn’t require even a dash of all-purpose flour or almond flour.
Is Cloud Bread Vegan?
Cloud bread is not traditionally vegan.
As mentioned, the original recipe for cloud bread typically includes animal-based ingredients like eggs and cheese, which are not vegan.
However, with a few simple substitutions, the recipe can be easily adapted to make it vegan-friendly, without losing any of the taste or cloud-like texture!
In this healthy recipe, we use chickpea brine, also known as aquafaba, as an egg replacement, as it’s able to mimic the texture of whipped egg whites.
What is Aquafaba?
If you’ve been throwing out the liquid from your chickpeas, you could be missing out on an amazing vegan ingredient!
Aquafaba is the liquid leftover after cooking or canning chickpeas or other legumes. It is often used as a vegan egg white replacement because of its ability to mimic the protein structure and properties of egg whites.
Aquafaba contains proteins, carbohydrates, and soluble plant fibers that give it emulsifying, foaming, and binding properties, similar to egg whites. When it is whipped, the proteins in the aquafaba denature and trap air bubbles, creating a foam similar in texture to whipped egg whites.
The carbohydrates in aquafaba also help stabilize the foam, which allows it to hold its shape and remain light and airy.
This makes aquafaba an excellent vegan egg substitute, especially for baking. It makes a delicious vegan mousse and vegan meringue!
As an added benefit, aquafaba is often more cost-effective than store-bought vegan egg replacements, and it’s something you might already have in your pantry.
While most people most commonly associate aquafaba with chickpeas, the brine from other neutral-tasting white pulses like cannellini beans, butter beans or limas, or navy beans will give you the same effect. However, using the liquid from darker beans, like black beans, will give you a richer, darker aquafaba that has a stronger, earthy flavor to it.
Is Vegan Cloud Bread Healthy?
Vegan cloud bread can be a healthy alternative to traditional bread for a few reasons.
It is low in carbohydrates, which can be beneficial for people who are looking to manage their blood sugar levels or following a low-carb diet.
It is also made with plant-based ingredients, making it naturally cholesterol-free and lower in fat than traditional bread.
The use of chickpea brine (aquafaba) as an egg replacement in vegan cloud bread adds a source of protein to the bread, which can help keep you feeling fuller for longer. Chickpea brine is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Another great benefit of cloud bread is that it’s gluten-free, which makes it a great cost-effective option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Overall, dairy-free cloud bread can be a healthy alternative to bread when made with wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients and consumed as part of a balanced diet.
What Does Vegan Cloud Bread Taste Like?
If it’s your first time making fluffy cloud bread it may be difficult to imagine how you can make bread with no flour and such few ingredients, let alone what it might taste like.
While cloud bread might not create the same delicious feeling as taking your first bite of freshly baked sourdough bread with salty vegan butter, it doesn’t taste all too different from other soft bread.
The taste of dairy-free cloud bread is mild and neutral, with a slightly eggy flavor from the use of aquafaba as an egg replacement. The bread itself is very light and airy, with a texture similar to a soft, fluffy meringue.
Since the bread doesn’t contain any gluten or yeast, it doesn’t have the chewy texture of normal bread, and it can be quite delicate and tender. The lack of traditional bread ingredients like wheat flour, yeast, and sugar means the flavor is not as strong as regular bread, but it can still be enjoyed as a low-carb, gluten-free option.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
While making vegan cloud bread is far easier than making other types of bread, there are still a few important things to keep in mind. So, before we get our hands in the clouds, let’s talk about this vegan cloud bread recipe!
Preparing the Aquafaba
Aquafaba is the most essential ingredient in this recipe, so it must be prepared correctly.
It’s important to choose the right type of beans. For this healthy recipe, the best option is to look for a can of chickpeas that contains only water and salt as ingredients.
A nifty hack to getting aquafaba to whip properly is to use it chilled or cold. Try popping the liquid in the fridge for an hour or two before using it.
It’s also important to use a clean, dry bowl when whipping aquafaba, as any grease or moisture in the bowl can prevent it from whipping up properly.
Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to whip the aquafaba until it forms stiff peaks. This can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the strength of your mixer. Be patient, as this step is crucial to achieving the light and fluffy texture of the cloud bread.
Don’t Substitute the Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, as it helps stabilize the chickpea brine and create the stiff peaks necessary for the cloud bread’s texture.
Unfortunately, other ingredients like baking powder or baking soda will not have the same effect, so it’s best not to make any substitutions.
Although the “cream” part may make it seem like it contains dairy, cream of tartar is completely plant-based. It’s actually a byproduct of fermenting grapes into wine.
Vegan Cream Cheese
For this fluffy cloud bread recipe, you can use any kind of vegan cream cheese that you like.
For the best results, use the cream cheese at room temperature, rather than chilled. This will make it easier to mix it into the batter and will ensure it blends well with the other ingredients.
You can also substitute the vegan cream cheese with the same amount of silken tofu or cashew cream.
Silken tofu is a great substitute for cream, as it has a mild flavor and a smooth, creamy texture, similar to cream cheese. Simply blend the tofu until it is smooth and creamy, before adding it to the recipe.
Cashew cream is another popular vegan substitute for cream cheese, and it’s easy to make at home. Simply soak raw cashews in water overnight, then blend them with a little water until smooth and creamy, and then add it to the cloud bread mixture.
When substituting vegan cream cheese with alternatives, the flavor and texture of the cloud bread may be slightly different than when using cream cheese.
Seasonings
One of the great things about this vegan cloud bread recipe is that it’s so versatile! You can easily add spices and dry herbs to give it more flavor. For example, adding 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder, dry herbs, onion powder, smoked paprika, or black pepper can add a nice kick of flavor.
Can You Keep Cloud Bread?
Any leftover vegan cloud bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, its texture may become slightly chewy or spongy over time. To extend its shelf life, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to a month.
How to Make the Best Vegan Cloud Bread
Get ready to whip up a batch of cloud bread that’s as light and airy as a spring day, all while being completely vegan.
This vegan cloud bread recipe makes 6 to 8 servings, depending on the size of the bread slices. Each serving size will vary depending on how thick or thin you slice the cloud bread. You can adjust the serving size based on your preferences and the number of people you are serving.
Equipment:
Electric mixer or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheets
Parchment paper
Spatula
Ingredients
3 tablespoons of chickpea brine (aquafaba)
1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
2 tablespoons of vegan cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 300°F.
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, whisk the aquafaba and cream of tartar together until stiff peaks form. This process may take several minutes, so be patient.
Remember, it’s important not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can cause the batter to deflate and result in a denser cloud bread.
- Once the aquafaba mixture stiffens up, add the sea salt, vegan cream cheese, and baking powder to the bowl, and gently fold everything together until well combined.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop the batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should be able to make 6-8 pieces of cloud bread, depending on the size you want.
- Bake the cloud bread slices for 25-30 minutes or until they are lightly golden on top. Make sure to rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking process to ensure each slice bakes evenly.
- Once the cloud bread is done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your vegan cloud bread with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, tomato, and lettuce, or use it as a sandwich bread substitute with a filling of your choice!
Making the Viral TikTok Vegan Cloud Bread
While plain cloud bread initially took off on TikTok, people quickly put their own spin on it and created a new sensation – colorful cloud bread!
To make the viral TikTok recipe vegan, simply follow the steps above, but add 2-3 drops of any food coloring of your choice to the whipped mixture.
What to Serve with Vegan Cloud Bread
If you’re opting for savory cloud bread, it can be enjoyed with any of your favorite sandwich or cracker toppings, like avo, vegan cheese, hummus, almond butter, peanut butter, or vegan butter.
You can also serve cloud bread as a sweet treat, especially if you make colorful cloud bread! Simply serve with vegan cream and fruit, drizzle with melted dark chocolate, or top with sprinkles and vegan butter to make a slightly healthier version of fairy bread.
The mild taste and unique texture of vegan cloud bread make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of your favorite meals!
Whether you’re following a low-carb diet, looking for a flour-free, high-protein bread, or simply want to try your hand at one of the many viral recipes out there, this vegan oopsie bread recipe is sure to be a big hit!
