Vegan breakfast options…. real talk — I used to think “vegan breakfast options” meant sadness on a plate. Like, a banana and… vibes? Maybe a half-hearted bowl of dry oats if you’re lucky? I didn’t get it. Breakfast was supposed to be greasy, cheesy, buttery chaos. Or sugary cereal nostalgia bombs that rot your teeth while feeding your soul.
But plot twist — I went plant-based-ish (we’re not labeling anything too aggressively here), and suddenly had to rewire my whole breakfast identity.
Which was tragic. Because I love breakfast. Like, irrationally. Like, “I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to pancakes” level love. So I went on a full-blown mission: find vegan breakfast recipes that didn’t make me cry inside.
And now? I’m gonna overshare all my weird little kitchen wins (and fails) with you.
That One Time I Tried to Make Vegan Eggs and It Turned Into Soup
Let’s just start here because I feel like we need to bond over my failures before I try to inspire you.
So, someone online — you know the type, aesthetic kitchen, suspiciously perfect nails while chopping scallions — promised me that chickpea flour + water + “a touch of kala namak” (which I now know is just fancy sulfur salt that smells like an egg fart) would make the best scrambled “eggs.”
Y’all.
I made a gritty yellow sludge that stuck to the pan like heartbreak sticks to old Adele songs.
My roommate walked in, sniffed the air, and deadass asked if something died in the sink.
Anyway, don’t do that.
The Real MVPs: Actually Tasty Vegan Breakfasts I Swear By Now
1. Tofu Scramble That Doesn’t Suck
You ever just crave a good ol’ breakfast plate situation? Scramble, toast, maybe some avocado pretending it’s bacon?
Tofu scramble is IT. Not that bland nonsense — I’m talking turmeric, garlic, nutritional yeast (yes, the “nooch,” I know it sounds like a Muppet), black pepper, a splash of soy sauce. Smash up some firm tofu, toss it in the pan, and sauté it till it gets golden.
Pro tip: don’t skimp on the onions. Or the paprika. Or your dreams.
2. Vegan Pancakes That Don’t Taste Like Regret
Okay, I didn’t believe it either. But flaxseed “eggs” actually work if you let ‘em chill. Mix 1 tbsp ground flax with 3 tbsp water and wait like 5-10 minutes until it gels up like weird chia goo. Then add to your pancake batter with almond milk, a bit of apple cider vinegar (trust), and cinnamon.
These babies come out fluffy. Like, I made them for my niece and she had powdered sugar all over her face like a tiny coke dealer. 10/10 memory.
Bonus: throw some blueberries in. Or chocolate chips. Or both. This is a safe space.
3. Overnight Oats, aka Lazy Girl Magic
I don’t even like oatmeal hot. Something about the texture makes me feel like I’m being punished. But overnight oats? Chilled? Creamy?
Literal dessert disguised as health food.
My go-to mix:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- dash of vanilla
- drizzle of maple syrup
- handful of berries
- peanut butter swirl (because obviously)
Throw it in a jar. Wake up. Shake it. Eat it in bed while avoiding real responsibilities.
4. Avocado Toast — But Make It Extra
Yes, I know. Avocado toast is the millennial cliché that just won’t die. But listen — it’s only basic if you let it be.
I jazz mine up with:
- crushed red pepper
- Everything But The Bagel seasoning (Trader Joe’s, I owe you)
- drizzle of tahini
- microgreens if I’m feeling like a Pinterest mom
- and a sprinkle of hemp hearts (mostly so I feel like I’m thriving)
Try it on rye. Or sourdough. Or whatever bread you didn’t forget to buy this week.
Let’s Talk Smoothies (a.k.a. My Excuse to Pretend I’m a Gym Person)
Smoothies are the one part of my vegan breakfast journey that made me feel like I had my life together — even when I 100% did not.
Like, I’d be sipping on a kale + banana + almond butter thing while sitting in a pile of laundry and pretending I had any idea what I was doing with my taxes.
Go-to combo that doesn’t taste like grass:
- 1 banana
- Handful of spinach (you won’t taste it, pinky promise)
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup oat milk
- dash of cinnamon
- blend like your life depends on it
Optional: protein powder if you’re into that kinda thing. Or a shot of espresso if it’s that kind of Monday.
Wait—What About Vegan Breakfasts On-the-Go?
I hear you. Some mornings are pure chaos. Like, keys missing, Zoom calls in 8 minutes, hair still wet, why-is-my-shirt-backwards chaos.
Here’s what’s saved me:
- Peanut butter banana wraps – tortilla, smear of PB, banana, roll it up like your emotional baggage and go
- Vegan protein bars – not all are created equal, but Lärabars? Kinda tasty
- Trail mix and coffee – chaotic, but it counts
- Pre-baked muffins – I make a batch of these oat-blueberry babies and freeze ‘em
You can also check out this hilariously chaotic vegan food blog I love: Hot For Food. The energy is chef’s kiss. https://kohopoho.com/low-carb-meal-ideas/.
Some Weirdly Awesome Add-Ons
- Vegan cream cheese + jam on toast = don’t question it, just try it
- Chickpea omelets – when made right, they’re like savory crepes. When made wrong… soup.
- Homemade granola – baking it makes your house smell like heaven, plus you can sneak chocolate into “breakfast”
- Leftovers for breakfast? Always valid. I’ve eaten cold vegan curry at 8AM with zero shame.
Final Thought of vegan breakfast options
Going plant-based for breakfast isn’t about pretending scrambled tofu is eggs or that oat milk froths like a dairy barista fantasy (it tries, okay?). It’s just about finding foods that make you feel good — like emotionally and digestion-wise.
And hey, if you accidentally eat Oreos for breakfast once in a while? They’re vegan. It’s fine
If you’ve got a favorite vegan breakfast hack, send it my way. Bonus points if it involves chocolate or can be eaten in a moving car without causing a disaster.
Till next time—keep it messy, keep it planty 🌱
Want more chaotic kitchen tales? Check out my post on low-carb meals that don’t taste like sadness or binge-watch my TikTok playlist of recipes I absolutely did not invent but pretend I did.
