How to Make Vegan Croissants

If you’re looking to indulge in the buttery goodness of croissants while sticking to a vegan diet, you’re in luck! Making vegan croissants at home is easier than you might think. With just a few simple swaps, you can create light, flaky, and delicious croissants that are entirely plant-based. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to make vegan croissants from scratch.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

Before you begin making vegan croissants, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened soy milk
• 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted

2. Prepare the Dough

Follow these steps to prepare the dough for your vegan croissants:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the soy milk and melted vegan butter.
3. Stir the mixture until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, until it doubles in size.

3. Prepare the Vegan Butter

One of the key components of croissants is the buttery layers that give them their signature flakiness. To make vegan croissants, you’ll need to prepare a vegan butter substitute. Here’s how:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of vegan butter and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour.
2. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, cut the flour into the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. The mixture should be crumbly, but still hold together when pressed.
3. Shape the butter mixture into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

4. Assemble and Shape the Croissants

Now it’s time to assemble and shape your vegan croissants. Follow these steps:

1. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Place the chilled vegan butter rectangle in the center of the dough.
3. Fold the dough over the butter, enclosing it completely.
4. Roll out the dough again into a long rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Starting from one end, fold the dough tightly in a letter-fold fashion. Repeat this process once more.
6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.

5. Bake Your Vegan Croissants

Finally, it’s time to bake your vegan croissants to golden perfection. Follow these final steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Cut the dough into triangles.
4. Take each triangle and roll it up tightly, starting from the wider end.
5. Place the shaped croissants onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake the croissants for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky.
7. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Now you can enjoy your homemade vegan croissants! Serve them warm or at room temperature, plain or with your favorite vegan spreads for a delightful plant-based treat.