8 Plant-based Breakfast Ideas
Whether you are an early riser or like to sleep in late, the first meal of the day should be nourishing. Without dairy and meat, you may wonder what options you have for making a filling breakfast.
With the increased availability of plant-based products in stores and online, your breakfast can look similar to what you already eat. It is also really simple to make a hearty meal from scratch without spending hours preparing food.
Let’s talk about some of my favorite breakfasts. Get free recipes, including the pancakes and chia seed pudding mentioned below, by downloading a copy of the No Oven Required Cookbook.
1. Veggie Omelette & Hash Browns
To make an egg-free omelette, JUST egg is a convenient option made from plants. While this is not an everyday product for me, I enjoy treating myself to veggie-stuffed omelette on occasion. It pairs well with frozen Dr. Praeger’s hash browns that only take a few minutes to heat.
2. Vanilla Almond Milk Yogurt with Granola and Peaches
There are numerous types of dairy-free yogurt available, and you can pick one based on your flavor preferences and desired thickness. The taste and consistency vary depending on the plant-based milk used – almond, coconut, oat, or soy. Add store-bought or homemade granola for some crunch and then finish with fresh fruit like peaches or strawberries.
3. Stone Ground Grits with Veggies
Growing up in the South, grits were a staple in my house when I was younger. I still enjoy them today, but I love to add vegetables for a savory breakfast. Use oat or cashew dairy-free milk for ultimate creaminess. Saute mushrooms, onions, and greens (e.g – spinach or kale) and top your bowl of grits with the veggies for a flavorful experience.
4. Waffles with Strawberries, Pecans, and Coconut Whipped Topping
It is possible to make waffles without eggs and dairy with simple replacements. My favorite egg substitute to bind ingredients is ground flax seeds mixed with water. It adds extra fiber without changing the taste of what you are making. Plus, any plant-based milk can be turned into dairy-free buttermilk by adding some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Once your batter is prepared, make your waffles and be amazed.
5. Fruit and Greens Smoothie
A smoothie provides many nutrients with very little effort to prepare. Adding spinach or kale to the blender is an excellent way to add a servings of leafy greens. To prevent having chunks of leaves, blend the greens with liquid (plant-based milk, water, or coconut water) before adding other ingredients. For great results, use frozen fruit like bananas and berries to create a thick smoothie. Then top with hemp or pumpkin seeds.
6. Pancakes with Bananas, Blueberries, and Walnuts
A stack of pancakes is sure to make any day better. Light, fluffy pancakes can be achieved using a very unique egg replacement – aquafaba. If you’ve never heard of it, let me introduce to a great egg-white substitute. It is the liquid from a can of chickpeas and adds moisture when cooking. Mix into the pancake batter, and you won’t even taste it.
7. Chia Seed Pudding with Strawberries, Coconut Flakes, and Macadamia Nuts
Chia seeds are pretty incredible because they are tiny yet packed with nutrients. They are a plant-based source of fiber, protein, calcium, and magnesium. They swell in size when mixed with liquid, and a gel-like coating is created. Mix the chia seeds with dairy-free milk and allow it sit in the refrigerator overnight for a refreshing breakfast.
8. Oatmeal with Fruit, Seeds, and Peanut Butter
My go-to breakfast is a hearty bowl of oatmeal. I love how easy it is to customize and make each bowl different. Adding fresh fruit is a great way to use natural sugar to sweeten the oatmeal. I top with nuts or seeds for texture and drizzle with natural peanut butter or molasses for protein and iron. Try steel cut oats for a more filling breakfast that will keep you energized well into the day.
