Refresh Your Morning Routine with These Delicious Vegan Breakfast Ideas
Many traditional breakfast recipes like oatmeal and smoothies are naturally vegan, and others, such as pancakes and muffins, can be made vegan with a few easy ingredient swaps. If you want to add more plant-based meals to your diet or just want to shake up your morning routine, I hope you’ll try one! Below, you’ll find classic vegan breakfast recipes along with out-of-the-box ideas that you might not have tried before.
Lovely Oat and Porridge Vegan Breakfast Recipes
It’s impossible to write about vegan breakfast ideas without mentioning oats. They’re so darn versatile – you can soak them, simmer them, bake them, and more – and they taste great with all sorts of sweet and savory toppings.
1. Overnight Oats
Pack them in a Mason jar for an easy, on-the-go breakfast, or load them up with toppings at home. These cool and creamy oats are endlessly customizable. Try one of the four topping combinations or have fun inventing your own.
2. Steel Cut Oats
On cold mornings, I love warming up with a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal. As with overnight oats, the toppings are half the fun here. Pile on fresh fruit, nuts or nut butter, coconut flakes, and more.
3. Whole Oat Porridge
Who says oatmeal has to be sweet? Miso, tamari, green onions, and squash add complex flavor to these savory porridge ideas. Cozy and satisfying, they’re a nourishing vegan breakfast that’s guaranteed to keep you full till lunch.
4. Homemade Granola
Made with almond butter and maple syrup, this granola is lightly sweet, warmly spiced, and packed with nutty clusters. Serve it with fresh fruit and oat milk or your favorite plant-based yogurt.
5. Baked Oatmeal
I love to make this recipe for a special occasion brunch. Assemble it ahead of time, and pop it in the oven right before you eat.
6. Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Quinoa acts as a protein-rich alternative to oats in this cinnamon-spiced breakfast bowl. Top it with your favorite seasonal fruit.
7. Chia Seed Pudding
This hearty grain-free pudding is a perfect grab-and-go breakfast. Stir it together in the evening, and allow it to chill in the fridge overnight. In the morning, it’ll be thick, creamy, and ready to eat.
Pancakes, Waffles, and French Toast
Nope, you don’t need eggs to make fluffy pancakes, tender waffles, or custardy French toast. I love to make these vegan breakfast recipes on the weekend. If I have leftovers, I freeze them for busy weekdays. Pop waffles in the toaster or pancakes in the microwave to reheat.
1. Vegan Banana Pancakes
Made with a blend of oat flour and whole wheat pastry flour, these healthy pancakes are soft, fluffy, and bursting with banana flavor. Douse them in maple syrup, or smother them in peanut butter and sliced bananas.
2. Vegan French Toast
French toast sans eggs? You betcha!
3. Whole Wheat Vegan Waffles
Honestly, I prefer vegan waffles to ones made with butter or eggs. They have a lovely light texture and a tangy buttermilk flavor from my go-to ingredient – a squeeze of lemon juice.
4. Pumpkin Pancakes
In the fall, Jack and I love to start Saturday mornings with these fluffy pumpkin pancakes. Not a pancake person? Make this vegan pumpkin French toast or these pumpkin waffles instead.
5. Vegan Carrot Waffles
If you love carrot cake, you’ll go crazy for these cinnamon-spiced carrot waffles. Dress them up with maple syrup and dollops of coconut whipped cream.
Savory Vegan Breakfast Ideas
So many vegan breakfast ideas are sweet – oatmeal, smoothies, waffles, etc. But if you’re a savory breakfast person, don’t worry. Below, you’ll find vegan breakfast recipes for scrambles, bagels, and more.
1. Tofu Scramble
This tofu scramble is the ultimate plant-based breakfast. It’s quick enough to make on a weekday, but I love to serve it with tortillas, salsa, vegan bacon, and sautéed greens for a hearty weekend brunch.
2. Avocado Toast
There’s a reason avocado toast got so trendy a few years back – it’s delicious. Experiment with fresh, bold topping combinations like the 5 you see above, or keep things simple. I’ll never turn down a thick slice of toast piled with sliced avocado and sea salt.
3. Breakfast Polenta Bowls with Chimichurri
Whenever I have roasted sweet potatoes or broccoli leftover from dinner, I make this comforting breakfast bowl the next day. I love the chimichurri’s zingy flavor with the creamy polenta and veggies, but a scoop of vegan pesto would work here too.
4. Homemade Bagels
Crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle, these homemade bagels will give any store-bought ones a run for their money. Smother them in everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or sea salt.
5. Vegan Carrot Lox
Nope, that’s not salmon. Salt-roasted carrot strips replace the fish in this all-veggie lox recipe.
Vegan Breakfast Cookies and Muffins
Like pancakes and waffles, vegan breakfast cookies and muffins are super freezer-friendly. Make a double batch over the weekend, and stash the rest in the freezer for quick breakfasts throughout the week.
1. Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? Sign me up! Ground flaxseed, almond flour, almond butter, walnuts, and oats pack these cookies with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
2. Carrot Quinoa Breakfast Cookies
These carrot-flecked cookies make it easy to eat your veggies. I make them whenever I have leftover quinoa hanging around in the fridge. Along with pepitas and almond butter, it fills the cookies with fiber and plant-based protein.
3. Healthy Banana Muffins
When I was a kid, my family ate muffins for breakfast nearly every day. Years later, nothing gets me more excited to get out of bed in the morning than the thought of a warm muffin. These banana muffins are some of my favorites. They’re moist, fluffy, and bursting with spiced banana flavor.
4. Vegan Lemon Muffins
Enjoy these lemon and chia muffins on their own, or top them with tangy vegan frosting for a more decadent breakfast treat.
5. Coconut Mango Muffins
Mango, coconut flakes, and lime juice give these muffins a tropical flair.
Smoothie Vegan Breakfast Ideas
If you want to start your day with a whole lotta fresh fruits and veggies, look no further than these plant-based smoothie recipes.
1. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This banana-berry combination is a classic for a reason, but if you want to get creative here, feel free. I love adding a handful of raspberries for a tarter flavor or blending in basil or mint for a refreshing kick.
2. Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl
This breakfast bowl tastes so good that it could pass as dessert. But don’t be fooled – it’s made with good-for-you ingredients like berries, almond butter, and spinach.
3. Avocado Smoothie
Avocado will take your smoothie game to a whole new level. It gives this refreshing blend an AMAZING creamy texture and packs it full of healthy fats.
4. Blueberry Smoothie
This delicious smoothie has a secret ingredient – frozen cauliflower. You can’t taste it, but it gives the smoothie the BEST thick and frosty texture. Yum!
Quick Breads, Rolls, and Scones
Start the day with a little something sweet. These vegan breakfast baked goods are best enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
1. Healthy Banana Bread
I could eat slice after slice of this banana bread. A mix of almond flour and whole wheat pastry flour gives it a super moist and tender texture.
2. Sweet Potato and Sage Breakfast Biscuits
These cozy biscuits are one of my favorite recipes from Love & Lemons Every Day. Made with fresh sage and baked sweet potato flesh, they’re moist and aromatic, with a craveworthy sweet and savory flavor.
3. Vegan Scones with Raspberries
These yummy scones aren’t just vegan – they’re gluten-free, too. Enjoy them plain, or dress them up with a simple powdered sugar glaze.
4. Cinnamon Rolls
Coconut oil steps in for butter in these ooey, gooey vegan cinnamon rolls. I make them every year for the holidays, and they’re always a hit with family and friends.
More Favorite Vegan Recipes
If you love these vegan breakfast recipes, check out these 31 Plant-Based Recipes or these 85 Best Vegan Recipes for lunch or dinner. Or if you’re craving something sweet, try one of my 30 Best Vegan Desserts.
Vegan Breakfast Ideas – Vegan Banana Pancakes
Rate this recipe: 5 from 12 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
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These vegan banana pancakes are one of our favorite vegan breakfast recipes.
Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 cup mashed banana, about 1 large
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons almond milk, plus more if needed
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• Heaping 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• Maple syrup, banana slices, and/or pecans, for serving
Cook Mode: Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the flaxseed, water, and banana. Mash and stir until well combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
2. Add the olive oil, vanilla, and almond milk and whisk. Add the whole wheat and oat flours and sprinkle the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt evenly over the top. Stir until all the ingredients are combined, but the batter is still a bit lumpy. The batter will be a bit thick, but if it’s too thick to scoop, stir in an additional 1 tablespoon almond milk.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle to medium heat. Brush the skillet with a little olive oil and use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to pour the batter into the pan. Use the back of the cup to gently spread the batter a little more. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear, about 1 minute per side, turning the heat to low as needed so that the middles cook without burning the outsides. I usually start with medium heat and move to low heat as my pan starts to hold residual heat after each batch.
4. Serve with maple syrup, sliced bananas, and/or pecans.
Notes: I like Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. To substitute the whole wheat pastry flour, use a 50/50 mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
What are some vegan breakfast recipes mentioned in the article? *Classic vegan breakfast recipes include overnight oats, steel cut oats, whole oat porridge, granola, baked oatmeal, cinnamon quinoa breakfast bowl, chia seed pudding, vegan banana pancakes, vegan French toast, whole wheat vegan waffles, pumpkin pancakes, vegan carrot waffles, tofu scramble, avocado toast, breakfast polenta bowls with chimichurri, homemade bagels, vegan carrot lox, oatmeal breakfast cookies, carrot quinoa breakfast cookies, healthy banana muffins, vegan lemon muffins, coconut mango muffins, strawberry banana smoothie, berry superfood smoothie bowl, avocado smoothie, blueberry smoothie, healthy banana bread, sweet potato and sage breakfast biscuits, vegan scones with raspberries, and vegan cinnamon rolls.*
Can traditional breakfast recipes like oatmeal and smoothies be made vegan? *Yes, many traditional breakfast recipes such as oatmeal and smoothies are naturally vegan. Pancakes and muffins can also be made vegan with simple ingredient swaps.*
What toppings can be added to steel-cut oatmeal in the morning? *Steel-cut oatmeal can be topped with fresh fruit, nuts or nut butter, coconut flakes, and more.*
How can vegan French toast be made without eggs? *Vegan French toast can be made using egg substitutes such as applesauce, bananas, or flaxseed meal mixed with a liquid like almond milk or soy milk.*
What ingredients are used in the vegan carrot lox recipe? *The vegan carrot lox recipe uses carrot strips that are salt-roasted to replace the fish in a traditional lox recipe.*
What are some examples of vegan breakfast baked goods mentioned? *Vegan breakfast baked goods mentioned include oatmeal breakfast cookies, carrot quinoa breakfast cookies, healthy banana muffins, vegan lemon muffins, and coconut mango muffins.*
What’s special about the blueberry smoothie recipe? *The blueberry smoothie recipe has a secret ingredient: frozen cauliflower. This ingredient enriches the smoothie’s texture without altering its flavor.*
How can you prepare breakfast polenta bowls with chimichurri? *You can prepare breakfast polenta bowls with chimichurri using leftover roasted veggies like sweet potatoes or broccoli and topping them with a zingy chimichurri sauce. Vegan pesto can also be used as an alternative.*
What is the baking process for homemade bagels? *Homemade bagels are made with ingredients that give them a crispy exterior and chewy interior. They are then baked until golden brown and can be topped with a variety of seasonings or spreads.*
Are there any sweet vegan breakfast options mentioned in the article? *Yes, the article includes several sweet vegan breakfast options such as oatmeal breakfast cookies, carrot quinoa breakfast cookies, healthy banana muffins, vegan lemon muffins, coconut mango muffins, strawberry banana smoothie, berry superfood smoothie bowl, and more.*
