50+ Vegan Breakfast Ideas
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and when it’s plant-based and packed with flavor, it’s even better! Whether you love hearty, savory dishes or quick, grab-and-go options, this guide has everything you need to start your day right—without eggs, dairy, or meat.
If super crisp hash browns, softly sweet vegan pancakes, savory tofu scramble, or fresh fruit-filled smoothie bowls sound like heaven to you, our guide to vegan breakfast will be a lifesaver (literally)!
When you’re just starting out on your vegan journey, simple things can sometimes get confusing. Starting your day with the right food can truly help to motivate you for the rest of the day. With this guide, you’ll have the best tool to transform a basic, dairy-filled breakfast to a delicious and downright delectable meal that’s plant-based and positively free from animal suffering.
Veganize Your Favorite Breakfast Recipes
An easy way to make breakfast as simple as possible without having to pour through stacks of plant-based cookbooks, is to make a vegan version of an already familiar and favorite breakfast. What does that mean exactly?
For example, if you usually have cereal, fruit, and milk in the morning, all you need to do is replace the dairy milk with a plant-based beverage. There are so many creamy and delicious nut and seed milks on the market (some with added flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, or hazelnut, too!) that there won’t be a lack of choices.
Are you used to having scrambled eggs, toast with butter, and bacon on the side? Whip up a JUST egg or tofu scramble, swap out the butter for vegan butter, and use a tasty tempeh or eggplant bacon instead. Easy-peasy!
Common Substitutions for Breakfast Ingredients
- Nut or seed milk instead of cow’s milk
- Vegan butter instead of dairy butter
- Egg-like substitutes for eggs
- Vegan meats instead of animal-based meats
Quick & Easy Vegan Breakfasts
These recipes are great for busy mornings! You’ll notice many of these are oatmeal inspired. There are so many reasons to love oatmeal—high levels of heart-healthy fiber, supremely satisfying, chock full of whole grain goodness, and so easy to adapt with different tasty toppings. You can enjoy it cold, warm, hot, or even in a smoothie!
Overnight Oats
Choose from enticing Strawberries and Cream, Apple Pie, or Peanut Butter Overnight Oats!
Baked Oatmeal With Berries
So easy to make and bake! The seeds and nuts add healthy fats while the fresh berries give it and extra sweet flavor and insoluble fiber.
Strawberries & Cream Smoothie
The ground oats provide such a creamy, thick texture to the smoothie that’s oh-so-heavenly!
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Sweet, spicy, and great to take on the go. Just cut a slice and carry it with you.
Vegan Granola Bars
Ditch store-bought snacks and make your own granola bars packed with nuts, seeds, and just the right touch of sweetness. Perfect for meal prep, these bars come together in just 30 minutes for an easy, on-the-go vegan breakfast idea.
Savory Vegan Breakfast Foods
Are you a sweet or savory breakfast lover? Do you prefer early morning eats that are less like lunch and more like dessert, or the other way around? Luckily, we’ve got you covered for both in our vegan breakfast guide! First up, savory vegan breakfast ideas.
Jalapeño Cornbread
These fluffy, dairy-free cornbread muffins are a fun and flavorful addition to breakfast. Whether you enjoy them alongside a cozy bowl of soup or as a savory morning snack, they’re quick to make and freezer-friendly!
Toast
Make toast with a smear of vegan butter and vegan strawberry jam. This rosemary beer bread or some vegan spelt bread would be perfect!
Hash Brown Waffles
Love crispy hash browns? Love waffles? This genius fusion of two breakfast favorites is made with just four simple ingredients and a waffle iron. It’s the ultimate crispy, golden breakfast treat!
Vegan Bagels
Serve your favorite vegan bagels with dairy-free cream cheese and New York style carrot lox for a savory version.
Warm Polenta with Mushrooms & Greens
For a warm, hearty start to the day, try this creamy polenta topped with flavorful veggies. It’s comforting, filling, and the perfect savory breakfast for chilly mornings.
Air-Fryer Home Fries
If you’re craving crispy, golden home fries, this easy air fryer recipe will be your new go-to! Cost-effective, quick to make, and absolutely delicious—it’s a must-try for breakfast potato lovers.
Vegan Breakfast Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this hearty breakfast casserole is a fantastic make-ahead option. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for brunch or a comforting way to start the day.
Spring Asparagus Frittata
Made with tofu as the base, this savory, protein-packed frittata highlights the best of seasonal veggies. Serve it with a fresh side salad for a balanced and satisfying brunch.
Vegan Sausages
Whether you’re shopping for the best store-bought options or making your own, vegan sausages are a game-changer for a high-protein, savory breakfast. Serve them with toast, in a breakfast sandwich, or alongside a hearty scramble.
Vegan Breakfast Sandwich
Take your morning to the next level with this irresistible, plant-based breakfast sandwich. It’s a guilt-free, satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weekdays or a relaxed weekend brunch!
Sweet Breakfast Ideas
Like to start your day on a sweet note? I’m drooling just thinking about all of the interesting and appetizing options! How about you?
Vegan Smoothies & Smoothie Bowls
Smoothies are a great on-the-go option! Some of our favorites include tropical mango banana smoothie, gingerbread, and creamy pineapple banana. When you have a little more time, try a smoothie bowl. This beet smoothie bowl, acai smoothie bowl, and dragonfruit smoothie bowl are all delicious options!
Vegan Muffins
The flavor variations are endless! Try vegan banana muffins with an easy crumble topping, plant-based blueberry muffins, or vegan chocolate chip muffins!
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Craving something rich and chocolatey for breakfast? This moist and decadent zucchini bread is like having cake for breakfast—while sneaking in veggies! The zucchini keeps it incredibly soft, but the chocolate flavor steals the show.
Maple Pecan Vegan Granola
Start your morning with a bowl of homemade, crunchy granola baked to perfection with toasted pecans, pure maple syrup, and warm cinnamon. Whether you sprinkle it over yogurt or enjoy it by the handful, it’s a wholesome way to fuel your day!
Vegan Waffles
Whether you’re making weekend waffles for the family or hosting a brunch, this foolproof waffle recipe delivers crispy edges and a fluffy center every time. Works with any waffle iron—including Belgian!
Classic Vegan Pancakes
Nothing beats a stack of fluffy, golden pancakes to start the day! This easy, 15-minute recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients for a perfectly light and airy texture.
Vegan Sheet Pancakes
Love pancakes but hate flipping? This no-fuss, one-pan recipe lets you bake a whole batch at once, so you can enjoy a warm breakfast with zero hassle. Add your favorite toppings for the ultimate customizable meal!
Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes
Brighten up your breakfast routine with these refreshing, zesty lemon poppyseed pancakes! They’re gluten-free, vegan, and packed with citrusy goodness, making them a delicious way to shake things up.
Maple-Drizzled Vegan French Toast
Who says you need eggs for French toast? This golden, crispy, plant-based version is just as indulgent as the classic but made with dairy-free ingredients that everyone can enjoy!
Creamy Berry Polenta
Warm, creamy, and perfectly comforting, this breakfast polenta is a delicious alternative to oatmeal. Top it with fresh fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a cozy morning meal that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying.
Fancy Vegan Breakfast Feasts
On the flip side, creating a beautiful vegan breakfast dish might be the very thing you love to do. When you have a little extra time to put into cooking up something special, it can be really satisfying. Along with recipe ideas, here are a few ways to make these meals more meaningful.
Vegan Crepes with Homemade Hazelnut Topping
If you’ve ever dreamed of strolling the streets of Paris with a warm, chocolate-filled crepe in hand, you’re in luck! These easy four-ingredient vegan crepes are just as delightful and can be filled with fresh berries, sliced fruit, or homemade vegan Nutella for a breakfast that feels truly special.
Tropical Fruit Salad
Bring a taste of summer to your mornings with this bright and refreshing fruit salad! Packed with juicy oranges, cherries, strawberries, and kiwi, it’s a simple yet delicious way to add more fresh fruit to your breakfast routine.
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Nothing beats the warm, gooey goodness of homemade cinnamon rolls, and this plant-based version is just as soft, fluffy, and irresistible as the classic. Whether it’s a weekend treat or a special occasion breakfast, these rolls are pure cinnamon-sugar bliss!
Vegan Scones
Start your day on a sweet and sophisticated note with these tender, buttery vegan scones. Each bite is bursting with juicy raspberries and creamy white chocolate, making them perfect for brunch, afternoon tea, or a cozy morning treat.
Vegan Egg Options for Breakfast
If scrambled eggs are your morning go-to, you may feel a bit lost when it comes to planning a plant-based breakfast. The ideas above should get you started, and many people find that scrambled tofu (aka “tofu scramble”) fills all their breakfast scramble desires. But if you just can’t imagine life without eggs, don’t worry! There are several vegan egg brands coming to life that can give you that familiar morning egg scramble experience.
Popular Vegan Egg Products:
- Just Egg (liquid)
- Simply Eggless Plant-Based Eggs (liquid)
- Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg (powder)
- Vegg (powder)
- Neat Egg (powder)
There are other powders and vegan egg products out there, but these are the most popular and the most egg-like, in our opinion. This is a swiftly evolving arena, however, and new vegan egg substitutes are sure to come to life frequently as humans continue to unlock the magical power of plants, so stay tuned!
And who knows, cultured eggs (eggs grown from animal cells without harming the animals) may be here before we know it. Cultured meat (aka “Clean Meat“), cultured dairy, and cultured eggs can give you the same experience of eating your favorite animal foods without the cruelty, the antibiotics, the hormones, and lots of other “no thank yous” that are traditionally served up with these products.
If you’re jonesing for a hard-boiled egg, you’re unfortunately out of luck. There is no spot-on vegan hard boiled egg that we know of—yet. You can try our vegan deviled potatoes though!
Vegan Coffee Creamers
Another important topic comes in the form of breakfast beverages. Specifically with coffee creamer. There are some serious concerns about curdling and separation. If can’t have your coffee or tea without this creamy concoction, don’t panic.
Here are a few helpful tips and tricks to finding your perfect vegan creamer:
- Put Seeds & Nuts Second – Many people have found that using a nut or seed milk didn’t really give them the rich consistency that they were looking for. Instead, choose a soy or oat-based milk that will mimic the taste and texture of a dairy-based cream. These are both also more neutral in flavor than nut or seed-based milks.
- Limit the List of Ingredients – A really first-rate product will only need a few ingredients to create a great flavor and character. Look for creamers with cleaner, less processed foods such as soy, oats, coconut sugar, and water. Shy away from artificial flavors, additives, oils, and trans fats.
- Go for Organic – Because nuts, seeds, soy, and oats are some of the most antibiotic-filled foods grown in the world, I would highly recommend choosing organic if you can afford it. That way, you’re saving yourself a lot of harm from powerful pesticides and also supporting plant-based businesses.
- Create Your Own Creamer – If you’ve tried everything that’s available and you’re still unhappy, maybe it’s time to try homemade almond milk. The trick is to use half the amount of water that the recipe calls for. Usually, it’s 3-4 cups. In that case, I would try using two cups first to see how you like it and then decrease to one and a half if that’s not quite thick enough for you.
Fast Food Vegan Breakfast Options
Sometimes, there’s just not enough time to make or eat breakfast at home. If you’re in a pinch and really need to stop for an early morning snack on the road, here are some tips for vegan breakfast options:
- Einstein Bros Bagels: Choose from a number of vegan-friendly bagels and enjoy along with peanut butter, strawberry jam, hummus, or salsa and veggies. Also choose from cinnamon twists, fresh fruit cup, and chips for sides.
- Denny’s: A toasted English muffin or slice of toast with peanut butter and jelly (or margarine and pancake syrup), hash browns, oatmeal (made with water), fruit, and a juice or coffee/tea.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Beyond Sausage Sandwich (no egg or cheese), brown sugar oatmeal, hash browns, juice or coffee/tea.
- IHOP: Oatmeal (made with water), maple syrup, fruit cup, potato pancakes, English muffin, toast (with jelly, peanut butter or avocado), hash browns, veggies, grits and a juice or coffee/tea.
- McDonald’s: Fruit and maple oatmeal (made with water), apple slices
- Panera Bread: Steel-cut oatmeal (made with water or almond milk), toasted bagel with strawberry spread, Better Than Avocado Toast, peach & blueberry smoothie (made with almond milk), apple, banana, fruit cup, and juice or coffee/tea.
- Starbucks: Blueberry or classic oatmeal (made with water or plant milk), sprouted grain/multigrain/plain bagel with avocado, hazelnut or almond butter, chickpea bites and avocado protein box, fruit salad, fruit bars, dried fruits and nuts, and an assortment of coffees/teas with plant milk.
Favorite Breakfast and Brunch Cookbooks
If you’re still in search of extra ideas for breakfast or brunch, here is a list of popular vegan cookbooks on this very subject:
- The Ultimate Vegan Breakfast by Nadine Horn
- Vegan Brunch by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
- The Homemade Vegan Pantry by Miyoko Schinner
We also highly recommend the breakfast and brunch recipes from The Friendly Vegan Cookbook. We might be a little biased, since this cookbook was written by World of Vegan founder Michelle Cehn and Plant-Based on a Budget founder Toni Okamoto, but the recipes were all rigorously tested and have gotten rave reviews. Our favorites are the crunchy granola, creamy mango smoothie, and toaster pastries (just like vegan Pop Tarts). Definitely give those a go!
Quick and Easy Vegan Breakfast Tips
When you wake up in the morning, the very thought of making breakfast might cause a mini meltdown (believe me, I’ve been there!). To make things easier for yourself (and your stomach), here are a some really simple recommendations for planning your first food of the day.
- Make Your Food the Night Before – Even if you’re not a planner, it’s worthwhile to take a few minutes each night (or even on one night) to cook or cut up or corral your breakfast-to-be. Match a batch of overnight oats, fruit salad, granola bars, vegan blueberry muffins, or literally anything you have a fancy for. If you make several portions in one go, you’ll have breakfast all set for the entire week. You’ll be so happy you made the effort.
- Blend It Up Beautifully – If you can only slurp down something sweet and cold before you start your day, smoothies are an optimal option. Grab your blender, add some frozen fruit, a cup of protein-filled plant milk, a handful of gorgeous greens, and, in moments, you’ll have yourself a healthy, delicious, plant-based breakfast. This mango smoothie recipe is one of our favorites!
- If All Else Fails, Fall to Fruit & Veg – You really don’t need to rely on recipes to fill your belly. Have a bowl of fruit by the door ready to grab or cut up chunks of fruit and slices of fresh veggies to snack on until you’re in the right mindset to make a meal.
More Vegan Food Resources
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This is so helpful because sometimes it’s hard for me to think of breakfast ideas
So many yummy breakfast ideas to try out! Thanks for such a delicious list!
Morning becomes so busy and unmanageable especially when you are a working woman and this is the same issue that I have been facing each day but since the day I have across this post by you I really got a great help it has helped me be quicker and also on time at work.
I’m so glad it is helpful! I can definitely relate, as a working mom any ways to make breakfast faster and easier is a huge win!