Published: · Modified: by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and ShareASale associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What do vegans eat for breakfast?
Start your day off right with these vegan breakfast ideas! These are some of my favorite vegan breakfast recipes, with both sweet and savory options.
One of the most common questions I get from non-vegans or new vegans (after "Where do you get your protein?" and "How do you not die without cheese?") is, "What do vegans eat for breakfast?"
It makes sense that folks who are new to veganism or are veg-curious have trouble coming up with vegan breakfast ideas. Don't worry. I'm here to help!
Jump to:
- Almost-instant breakfasts
- Weekday morning breakfasts
- Easiest vegan brunches
- What should a vegan breakfast include?
- Bonus ideas
If you grew up eating the Standard American Diet, you are probably used to starting the day with eggs, bacon, sausage, dairy cheese, and other animal foods.
The good news is that you can replace these with plant-based alternatives or mix up your mornings with something totally new. Do what makes you most comfortable!
All of the vegan breakfasts listed here are easy to make, and I'm breaking things up into three categories, ranging from quick to leisurely:
- Almost-Instant - These are make-ahead breakfasts or things like smoothies that come together in minutes.
- Weekday Morning - Quick and easy breakfasts that you can pull together before work or school.
- Vegan Brunch - More leisurely options for a lazy weekend morning.
Almost-instant breakfasts
You overslept. Your kid has no idea where his second shoe has gone. You need something now, something you may have to finish eating in the car. Let's do this.
These are breakfasts that take only minutes to make or are make-ahead, so you can grab them and go.
1. Vegan Strawberry Muffins
Moist and fluffy vegan strawberry muffins with a touch of oats are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
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2. Banana Apple Muffins
Moist and fluffy vegan banana apple muffins have a lovely, banana bread texture and flavor with tender chunks of sweet apple!
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3. Baked Oatmeal Cups
Tender baked oatmeal cups are a perfect quick breakfast. They only take seven ingredients and about half an hour to make!
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4. Strawberry Tahini Smoothie
A strawberry tahini smoothie that's rich, creamy, sweet, and refreshing with no nuts, milk substitutes, or added sugar.
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5. Chai Latte Chia Pudding
Rich, creamy, spiced chai chia pudding is a protein-packed, make-ahead breakfast. It only takes about five minutes to throw together!
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6. Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats
This six-ingredient banana and peanut butter overnight oats recipe is sweet, creamy, and so, so decadent. No chia seeds, no yogurt needed. Just plenty of PB and banana goodness!
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7. Lemon Blueberry Chia Pudding
Lemon chia pudding topped with Blueberry Muffin Lärabars and fresh blueberries is a filling, healthy, make-ahead vegan breakfast bowl!
Weekday morning breakfasts
These are easy vegan breakfasts that take just a few more minutes of prep. But they're still totally doable on a weekday morning, assuming you woke up relatively on time and that your child can confirm the location of both shoes.
8. Tofu Scramble
What I love about a tofu scramble is its versatility! Make this basic tofu scramble as-is, or try one of the four flavor variations!
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9. Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Turn leftover quinoa into a satisfying breakfast porridge with fruit and nuts!
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10. Breakfast Tacos
Vegan breakfast tacos stuffed with a veggie-packed tofu scramble, creamy avocado, and zesty pickled jalapeños are the 30-minute breakfast or brunch you've been looking for!
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11. Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Start these nutty, hearty steel cut oats before you hit the shower, so it will be ready to eat when you're done getting dressed. It's packed with sweet apple and lots of seasonings!
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12. Cheesy Vegan Grits
Creamy vegan grits with plant-based cheese and crispy, smoky mushroom bacon is a hearty breakfast or brunch. And it's so easy to make!
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13. Air Fryer Baked Oatmeal
Sweet, creamy PB&J air fryer baked oats is a one bowl recipe that's so satisfying. You'll love how easy it is to make baked oatmeal in the air fryer!
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Easiest vegan brunches
Is brunch the same as breakfast? I like to think so.
These recipes are perfect for a laid-back morning, when you you have a bit more time but still don't want to work hard. No shoes or alarm clock required!
14. Grits Casserole
A hearty, cozy vegan grits casserole with sautéed mushrooms that taste like sausage! It's a perfect breakfast or brunch casserole for a weekend morning.
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15. One-Pot Vegan Breakfast Casserole
My family is addicted to this super easy vegan breakfast casserole topped with crispy tater tots. The best part? It all comes together in one pan!
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16. Vegan Quiche Lorraine
Vegan quiche Lorraine is rich, decadent, and flavorful. Packed with plant-based bacon, it's a new favorite vegan brunch or dinner recipe!
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17. Breakfast Kale Salad
Breakfast Kale Salad is all the goodness of a breakfast sandwich without the bread. Instead, it’s all piled into a big, beautiful bowl.
What should a vegan breakfast include?
That's really up to you. I tend to not worry about protein and other nutrients at breakfast. If we're being honest, I've been vegan since 2006 and have rarely, if ever, thought about getting enough protein.
To me, a good vegan breakfast is one that's tasty and filling, so choose options that tick those boxes for you. Maybe that means just a smoothie, if you're not a big breakfast person.
Maybe you need a bit more food in the mornings, so you also have a muffin or a bowl of oatmeal.
Everyone's body is different, so I recommend experimenting with what you eat for breakfast until you land on the vegan options that work best for you.
Bonus ideas
Of course, you don't have to cook at all to make a good, vegan breakfast. Sometimes, simple is the best! Here are some vegan breakfasts that you probably already know how to make:
- toast with peanut butter or vegan butter
- oatmeal with maple syrup and nuts
- grits with vegan butter
- cold cereal with plant milk
- a smoothie
Just like any other food, what vegans eat for breakfast can range from the very simple to the very complicated. It can be healthy or not. And it can be satisfying and delicious, if you choose the right recipes.
