It has been said countless times — a wholesome breakfast is the best way to start the day. In this guide, you’ll find lots of vegan breakfast ideas and recipes.
Some are high in protein, others are on the lighter side; all are great ways to start the day. Enjoy this roundup of vegan breakfast foods, and keep it handy!
Unlike dinner, a meal for which most people crave a certain amount of variety, breakfast can consist of a handful of choices to put on rotation.
Basic breakfast foods for vegans and vegetarians
Good-quality cold breakfast cereals: Choose organic, whole grain varieties. These can be embellished with dried fruits, nuts, or mixed with granola. Serve with your favorite plant-based milk (oat, almond, cashew, etc.).
Granolas: These are good on their own or mixed with other cold cereals. Purchase in packages or in bulk or make your own crunchy granola when you have time!
Hot cereals and cooked whole grains: Even leftover brown rice, millet, or quinoa can serve the same purpose as grains like steel-cut oats as a breakfast bowl. See a multitude of possibilities in the section just following this one.
Fresh fruits in season: Bananas are welcome all year around; berries are good for summer and oranges and mangoes are delicious in winter. For serving as is or used for making juices, smoothies, or topping cereals. And avocado is also a fruit; spread on toast or just scooped out of its shell, it provides good fats and fiber.
Whole grain pancakes and waffle mixes: If making pancakes or waffles is a possibility for anything other than weekend brunches, keep a whole-grain pancake and waffle mix in the pantry.
Fresh whole grain breads, rolls, bagels, and English muffins: Mix and match for variety; keep some in the freezer.
Spreads for breads: All-fruit preserves, vegan buttery spread, vegan cream cheese, and nut butters are good ones to have on hand. Some people enjoy hummus in the morning, too.
Plant-based milk: Almond, rice, hemp, soy, or other plant-based milks in aseptic cartons are useful to have on hand, both in regular cartons in the refrigerator, or in aseptic containers in the pantry (refrigerate once opened).
Silken tofu: Tofu scrambles don’t have to be complicated, especially first thing in the morning. Keep a few aseptic packages of silken tofu in the pantry. This kind of tofu doesn’t have to be drained, blotted, etc. … just mash, heat up with a little vegan butter, and season. Add scallions and/or baby spinach — or not. serve with toast and fruit for a quick, hearty breakfast.
Vegan breakfast sausage: Good-quality vegan breakfast sausages (usually found with other plant-based proteins in the freezer aisle) start the day off with protein, either on their own or as part of a breakfast sandwich. If you’re a DIY kind of person, you may enjoy making Tempeh Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties and popping a few in the freezer for later use.
Plant-based yogurts: Vegan yogurts have gotten so much better in the past few years! Cashew, oat, and even soy yogurts have vastly improved, and are just as tangy and thick as their dairy counterparts. Enjoy them on their own or add them to smoothies for extra substance and flavor. Or, make a delicious yogurt parfait, which takes minutes and is such a festive way to start the day; see just below.
WHOLE GRAIN HOT CEREALS
Though cream of wheat or oatmeal are fine choices as hot cereals, there’s a myriad of grains to explore for breakfast, from tiny whole grains to cracked, rolled, and ground grains. Explore the hot cereal and bulk sections of natural foods stores for lots of possibilities.
If these grains are new to you, buy them in packaged form so you can follow specific instructions for cooking. Once they’re familiar, you have the option of purchasing them in bulk. Here are a few to explore:
Rolled grains: These are made from whole grains that have been steamed, then flattened with steel rollers. Rolled grains you’ll find at your natural foods store include barley, kamut®, and spelt.
Whole grains: Nutritious whole grains that be served cooked for breakfast include quinoa, millet, amaranth, and teff. You’ll more likely find these with whole grain products or in bulk than with hot cereals.
Cornmeal and grits: Grits (aka hominy grits), are a traditional breakfast staple of the American south. You’ll find quick grits in most any supermarket, but whole-grain stoneground grits (available in natural foods stores) are more flavorful and nutritious. See more in How to Cook Grits and 5 Easy Ways to Serve Them.
“Cream of” Cereals: In this category are cream of wheat (farina) and cream of rice. These are generally made from refined grains, with vitamins and sometimes iron added back in.Their smooth, light textures make them especially appealing to young children. If heartier hot cereals may not appeal to your young children, “cream of” cereals may good for getting them into the hot cereal habit. Stir in a little wheat germ for extra flavor and nutrition, and gradually mix with a portion of heartier hot cereals. Look for organic versions in natural foods stores.
Oats: Many forms of cooked oats have traditionally graced the breakfast table. Rolled oats and oatmeal are perhaps the most common; oatmeal is simply a finely ground form of rolled oats; it cooks even more quickly than the relatively quick-cooking rolled oats. Steel cut oats, sometimes called Scottish or Irish oatmeal, are simply sliced whole oat groats, and make for a hearty cereal.
You can also use oats to make delicious breakfast treats other than cooked cereal, like Blueberry Baked Oatmeal or Fruit and Oat Breakfast Cake. (just below). See lots more ideas in our Guide to Oats.
WAYS TO EMBELLISH HOT CEREALS
Start with any of the cooked grains listed above, then add a bit of sweetening, spice, fresh fruit, and nuts or seeds for a nourishing breakfast that will sustain you all through the morning. (leftover, unseasoned quinoa is ideal for this —less to do in the morning!)
Plant-based milk: Once hot cereals are cooked, you can add a little plant-based milk to the saucepan and cook until it absorbs to give the grain a creamier texture. Or, for added richness and protein, use a combination of water and plant-based milk (rather than just water) to cook the grain.
Dried fruits: Dark or golden raisins, cranberries, cherries, currants, or chopped apricots, dates, or Turkish figs, or diced dried tropical fruits are all worth a try mixed into hot cereals.
Fresh fruits: Banana, strawberries, and blueberries are naturals with hot or cold cereals. In the winter, lightly cooked apples and pears are wonderful with hot cereals as well.
Nuts and seeds: Toasted slivered or sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans, and sesame and sunflower seeds are all good for sprinkling on hot cereals.
Wheat germ, ground flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds: All of these provide concentrated nutrition; wheat germ is an excellent source of Vitamin E and the B vitamins; the seeds do as well, and are good plant sources of valuable Omega fatty acids.
Spices: Ground cinnamon gives a lively flavor boost to sweetened hot cereals; ground nutmeg works, too, in small doses.
Natural sweetener: If you like your hot cereal a little sweeter, add a judicious amount of maple syrup, agave nectar, or any natural granulated sugar — coconut sugar is a good choice.
Vegan buttery spreads and/or plant-based cheeses: Some people like their hot cereals with a sweet theme; others prefer cheese and vegan butter. If you’re going for the sweeter effect, you can, of course, also melt a bit of vegan butter into the hot cereal for added richness.
HOT CEREAL BREAKFAST BOWLS
Breakfast Quinoa Bowl with Fresh Fruit
Quinoa Porridge with Cinnamon and Raisins
Peanut Butter and Jam Whole Grain Breakfast Bowls
Avocado Toast
Somewhere along the way, some wise person decided that avocado toast makes a good breakfast option. While there are many ways to make it, I think a basic spread is most appetizing first thing in the morning: Simply mash 1/2 to 1 ripe avocado, add a splash of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. A spoonful of vegan mayo, though optional, adds a bit of creaminess. Spread on a fresh whole grain bread — especially good on sourdough.
If you have the time and inclination, explore some deliciously offbeat ways to embellish avocado toast. Most are savory, though there’s one with a sweet twist — a cocoa and banana variation that’s an entirely different take on avocado toast.
Savory vegan breakfast recipes
If you have extra time and a good appetite in the morning, you might enjoy the following vegan breakfast recipes. Though most are quick, consider making them the evening before, or at least doing some of the prep, since time is almost always at a premium in the morning, Or, you can make any of these dishes for dinner and plan on leftovers for breakfast.
Vegetable Tofu Scramble with Lots of Variations
Easy Homemade Vegan Cottage Cheese
Ultimate Eggless Egg Salad
(great on toast or in pita bread)
Easy Hash Brown Potatoes
(try the tofu or tempeh variations)
Vegan Breakfast Muffins with Plant-Based Bacon or Sausage
More Vegan Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
Explore these roundup collections to find breakfast and brunch recipes to make on weekend and when you’re more at leisure. None are complicated, they just need a bit more time than you may have on busy weekday mornings.
Vegan Brunch Recipes for Cozy Weekends & Celebrations
Oatmeal Desserts and Breakfast Treats
If you like these vegan breakfast ideas and recipes, explore more …
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