Vegan Breakfast Ideas: 62 Easy Recipes for Every Occasion

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say. So step away from those processed and packaged breakfast items and why not try one of these easy vegan breakfast recipes instead? With options to choose from including pancakes and waffles, quick bread recipes, oatmeal, smoothies, and savory vegan breakfast ideas – there’s something for everyone!

Just because your plate isn’t filled with meat, dairy, and eggs doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a hearty, wholesome start to the day – even better when it’s a frugal one too! So whether you’re a sweet or savory vegan breakfast type of person, we’ve got you covered! Rather than shying away from the kitchen come morning time, these vegan breakfast ideas will have you craving your next breakfast adventure!

Key Takeaways

• • Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so try out these easy vegan breakfast recipes.
  • Options include pancakes, waffles, breads, oatmeal, smoothies, and savory dishes.
  • There are vegan recipes to suit everyone – whether you prefer sweet or savory breakfasts.
  • Many traditional breakfast foods can be made vegan by swapping ingredients.
  • Making vegan versions of familiar breakfast dishes can help you add more plant-based meals.

Pancakes and Waffles

For those with a sweet tooth, vegan pancakes and waffles are a perfect way to start (or end) the day. Whether you want to serve them up as part of a special occasion vegan breakfast, brunch spread, or just mid-week treat. Here are some fluffy egg and dairy-free vegan crepes, pancakes, and waffles to add to your quick vegan breakfast recipe repertoire! You can even whip up a large batch at the beginning of the week to reheat throughout!

The Ultimate Vegan Waffles

These homemade vegan Belgian waffles are the perfect addition to your vegan breakfast, brunch, or even dinner table! They’re fluffy, with a crisp outside and tender middle. Plus, once you have the regular version down, you can enjoy chocolate waffles too!

Belgian waffles are beloved for their extra-deep pockets—the better for filling with butter, jam, or maple syrup. They are often thicker than their American counterparts, and made with a yeasted batter and crunchy pearl sugar.

https://www.belgianboys.com/blogs/home/what-makes-a-waffle-belgian#:

Dairy-Free Waffles

This vegan Waffles recipe will give you a fluffy and delicious stack for a cozy morning. Get your waffle makers ready and toasty!

Vegan Pumpkin Waffles

During the cooler Fall months of the year, our favorite vegan waffles are also packed with warming spices like these vegan pumpkin waffles or apple cinnamon waffles! They’re hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor. Plus, most importantly, they taste delicious when doused in syrup!

Easy Vegan Crepes

These Parisienne-style vegan crepes from World of Vegan are 100% egg and dairy-free, but you’d never be able to tell! Filled up with vegan homemade Nutella, this easy vegan breakfast recipe doubles up as a tasty dessert, too!

“Coffee Cake” Baked Pancake with Oat Streusel Topping

This vegan baked pancake from Liv B is the perfect mix between a thick pancake and coffee cake (and we’ll never say no to cake for breakfast!), complete with oat streusel topping. It’s not too sweet, is oil-free, and is packed with cinnamon. Plus, it makes for a great meal-prep plant-based breakfast idea.

Easy Banana Pancakes

Banana pancakes are a simple, fuss-free, easy vegan breakfast recipe. They’re dairy-free, egg-free, refined-sugar-free, and can be made gluten-free. Plus, they’re the perfect pancake base recipe – great for adjusting (like these spinach banana pancakes)

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

For another classic breakfast turned vegan, try these vegan blueberry pancakes. They’re simple and yet packed with flavor and bursting with blueberries. Serve with syrup or even whip up a double batch and enjoy for dessert too with a big scoop of ice cream.

Vegan Potato Waffles

These easy, vegan potato waffles from Raepublic are gluten-free and oil-free yet wonderfully crunchy outside with a tender, moist middle. Yet they’re also filling and comforting, making for the perfect savory vegan breakfast.

The Best Vegan French Toast Recipe

Enjoy French toast 100% egg and dairy-free with this simple vegan French toast recipe from Veggies Don’t Bite. In no time at all, you’ll be slapping away family members’ hands as they try to steal some of this tasty plant-based breakfast from your plate!

Quick Breads, Muffins and Cookies

If you want a sweet, quick vegan breakfast, then this is the category for you. Whip up a double (or triple) batch of your favorite vegan bakes and store them in the fridge or freezer to reheat through the week (or weeks!). Plus, who doesn’t like a breakfast that could double up as dessert?!

Apple Cinnamon Bread

This apple cinnamon bread is not only packed with fresh apple and warming cinnamon, but it also contains chewy raisins, crunchy walnuts, and melty-sweet chocolate chips. The result is an easy vegan breakfast recipe that tastes like a dessert but will nourish and keep you satisfied until your next meal!

Healthy Vegan Breakfast Cookies

These quick vegan breakfast cookies from Rainbow Plant Life are healthy enough to eat for breakfast or a post-workout snack! Made with oats, seeds, and almond butter, these cookies are deceptively delicious and are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and soy-free!

Cinnamon Sugar Chai Muffins

These muffins from Six Vegan Sisters are reminiscent of cinnamon sugar donuts but with a chai twist. They’re made up of deliciously fluffy chai muffins coated in melted vegan butter and then a cinnamon-sugar mixture – delicious!

Pineapple Walnut Muffins

These sweet vegan walnut pineapple muffins are a delicious summery tropical treat, ready in just 30 minutes and perfect as an easy vegan breakfast, snack, and dessert! Best of all, they’re so buttery and sweet that no one would even guess that they’re dairy-free and egg-free!

Easy Vegan Banana Bread

Like the rest of the world (seemingly), we here at PBOAB spent a lot of time in the kitchen in 2020 whipping up loaf after loaf of banana bread. The only difference is that our versions are 100% egg and dairy-free! This base recipe comes as close to ‘perfect’ as I can ever admit. Though if you prefer yours with some extra fruit, you might also enjoy our easy blueberry banana bread or peach banana bread.

Savory Vegan Breakfast Recipes

‘Regular’ savory breakfast recipes are usually packed with meat, eggs, and dairy. However, there’s no reason to think you can’t enjoy a savory vegan breakfast that’s just as hearty, wholesome, and satisfying but 100% meat-free. In fact, within this category, you’ll find tacos, burritos, a hash, and more!

Vegan Breakfast Tacos

There is never a wrong time to enjoy tacos! In fact, these vegan breakfast tacos are a perfect combination of veggie breakfast ingredients, including buttery hash browns, silky avocado, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and vegan ‘mince’ crumbles all wrapped up in warm tortillas. The result is a hearty, wholesome, and delicious way to start the day.

Vegan Breakfast Burritos

These Mexican-style, vegan breakfast burritos from Healthy Simple Yum are filled with an eggy tofu-chorizo scramble, poblano peppers, onion, crispy air-fried potatoes, pico de gallo, and creamy avocado. The most flavorful breakfast burrito with an authentic Mexican touch!

Eggless Benedict

Traditional eggs benedict combines an English muffin topped with bacon, poached egg, and dairy-heavy hollandaise sauce – definitely not making most lists of vegan breakfast recipes. Until now. This egg-less benedict ditches all the dairy and eggs for a hearty, savory vegan breakfast combining tomato and avocado over English muffins with a super creamy vegan hollandaise! You can even throw in your favorite vegan bacon if you’d like!

Vegan Sheet-Pan Frittata

This Vegan Frittata (Breakfast Casserole) from Jessica in The Kitchen is perfect for your healthy vegan breakfast or brunch, made easily on a sheet pan! The filling, made with tofu, is loaded with burst tomatoes, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms, making for a flavourful dish. It’s great for weekends, holidays and special occasions.

Scrambled Tofu: The Best Vegan Scrambled ‘Egg’

If you’re craving a plate piled with scrambled eggs but follow a plant-based diet – then vegan tofu scramble is the next best thing. This simple method and combination of ingredients help you prepare a scramble that tastes remarkably egg-like to satisfy all the cravings!

Once you’ve got the basics down, experiment with more vegan breakfast ideas like this Nopalitos Tofu Scramble or even Mediterranean polenta scramble!

Breakfast Hash (With Pepitas)

This breakfast hash is a great option for those who love a hearty, savory vegan breakfast idea. It’s packed with protein and simple ingredients (which are super versatile) and will satisfy you until lunch. Enjoy it as-is, with some scrambled tofu, or even stuffed into a breakfast burrito!

‘Hash Brown’ Pancakes with Homemade Ketchup

If you want to enjoy delicious hashbrowns for breakfast with just a fraction of the ‘fuss,’ then try these potato and leek ‘hashbrown’ pancakes. This hearty, savory vegan breakfast is packed with flavor, and all you need is a blender, one bowl, and a skillet! Plus, these spud-tastic pancakes are super versatile – mix up the spuds, add in extra veggies, and enjoy with your sides of choice!

Veggie Frittata

There’s never a wrong time to enjoy a delicious and nutritious frittata – including as part of a delicious healthy plant-based breakfast or brunch spread. This recipe is egg-free, soy-free, and gluten-free – instead, using a protein-dense chickpea flour and black salt (Kala namak) base to re-create the eggy texture and flavor.

Tofu Chilaquiles

If you love Mexican dishes and savory breakfasts, this vegan tofu chilaquiles is a must-try. With a combination of fried or baked corn tortillas topped with salsa and garnished with tofu, beans, and avocado, this healthy savory vegan breakfast is packed with flavor, fiber, and protein. It’s also super versatile – head on over to the recipe to see what we mean!

Easy Sweet Potato Toast

Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savory, this healthy plant-based breakfast recipe hits the spot! Load it up with your favorite nut butter, fruits, and a sprinkle of seeds, OR slather on the avocado for a new (and delicious) take on avocado toast!

All Things Oatmeal

We here are PBOAB don’t think it would be possible to pull together a list of easy vegan breakfast ideas without featuring lots (and lots) of oats. They’re frugal, versatile, and packed with nutrients. So whether you want to enjoy a warming bowl of oatmeal, oatmeal cookies, or whip up a batch of homemade vegan granola – there are tons of ways to enjoy this simple ingredient as part of your vegan breakfast or brunch spread.

Overnight oats (Pumpkin)

Overnight oats are one of our favorite frugal, low-effort vegan breakfast ideas. Combine oats, a liquid, sweetener, and your add-ins of choice, then leave to soak overnight, and you have a week of healthy, hearty, and endlessly customizable ideas for vegan breakfasts (like these pumpkin overnight oats or salted caramel overnight oats)!

Stovetop Oatmeal

Prefer regular warming oatmeal? No problem – combine your oats, sweetener, and liquid in a saucepan on the stovetop instead and play around with the endless flavoring options like these carrot cake oats or apple cinnamon oatmeal!

Savory Oatmeal Breakfast Bowl

This vegan, savory oat breakfast bowl from Vegan Yack Attack is a great way to change up your usual oat routine! With a sheet-pan hash, smoky coconut bacon, creamy avocado, and more – this savory oat bowl is more than packed with flavor (and 100% vegan!) and makes for a delicious healthy vegan breakfast!

Walnut Oat Scones

These walnut oat scones are hearty, wholesome, and the perfect addition to any vegan/ vegetarian breakfast spread or to enjoy alongside a cup of tea or coffee! Best of all, they require just two bowls, 10 minutes of prep, and 11 ingredients – all of which are pantry staples!

Simple Vegan Yogurt Parfait

Pulling together a simple and delicious vegan yogurt parfait takes just a handful of ingredients and very little time. This yogurt parfait is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants with a combination of dairy-free yogurt, granola, and fruits. Enjoy it as a quick vegan breakfast, brunch, or snack!

Homemade Vegan Granola

Whether you want to enjoy granola with milk, yogurt, to top a parfait, smoothie bowl, or more – we love making homemade versions. That way, you can control all the ingredients and the sugar content. Plus, you can even make all sorts of flavor variations like peanut butter granola, nutty granola, or cacao granola, etc.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars (Gluten-Free)

For a super simple grab n’ go high-protein vegan breakfast, try these chewy peanut butter granola bars. With just a handful of ingredients, you can prepare these gluten-free chewy breakfast bars with a combination of oats, peanut butter, dried fruits, maple syrup, and chocolate chips. Best of all, this recipe is super meal-prep friendly (for the fridge or freezer) for an ultimate fuss-free vegan breakfast on the go!

BONUS: Smoothies

On mornings you don’t feel up to food; why not whip up a smoothie instead? They take just minutes to prepare, are packed with vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, and there are tons of options to choose from, so you’ll never get bored. Even better, enjoy your morning vegan smoothie in shake form or a bowl and topped with all your favorite toppings; fresh fruit, nut/seed butter, ‘sprinkles’ (like seeds, puffed quinoa, etc.), cacao nibs, etc.

So often, I hear from readers who are looking for vegan breakfast ideas. It makes sense – for many of us, eggs and yogurt are pretty standard breakfast fare. What other options are out there?

Well, good news! 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.

Below, you’ll find classic vegan breakfast recipes like these as well as out-of-the-box ideas that you might not have tried before. They’re all fresh, flavorful, and energizing – a perfect way to start the day. 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! With oats, scrambles, pancakes, and more, you’re bound to find something you love.

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. Not an oatmeal person? You’ll find recipes using quinoa and chia seeds in this category too.

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 above, or have fun inventing your own.

Steel-Cut Oatmeal

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!

Vegan Breakfast 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.

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!

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!

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!

Easiest Chia 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.

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.

Vegan French Toast

French toast sans eggs? You betcha!

Whole Wheat Vegan Waffles

Tbh, 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.

Fluffy 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!

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.

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.

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.

Breakfast Polenta Bowls

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.

Vegan Breakfast 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.

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.

Vegan 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Creamy 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.

Blueberry Smoothie

Rooibos tea gives this smoothie an earthy, complex depth of flavor. But if you don’t have any on hand, don’t worry. This vibrant berry blend is still delicious without it.

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.

Vegan 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.

Vegan Sweet Potato 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 crave-worthy sweet and savory flavor.

Raspberry Vegan Scones

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.

Vegan 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.

FAQs

What are some good vegan breakfast ideas?

Some popular vegan breakfast ideas include pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, smoothies, tofu scrambles, avocado toast, granola and yogurt parfaits, muffins, and savory dishes like breakfast tacos or sandwiches.

Do you need eggs to make vegan pancakes and waffles?

No, you can make fluffy vegan pancakes and waffles without eggs by using ingredients like banana, applesauce, vinegar, baking powder, plant-based milk, and aquafaba.

Can vegans eat oatmeal and porridge?

Yes, oats and porridge are naturally vegan! They make a satisfying high-fiber vegan breakfast.

What ingredients make baked goods like muffins vegan?

To make muffins and other baked goods vegan, use plant-based milk, oil, applesauce or banana instead of eggs, and swap butter for vegan butter or oil.