Vegan recipes: Breakfast ideas

Breakfasts often consist of butter, eggs and milk - but what if you’re vegan, or following another type of dairy-free diet? Here are five vegan breakfast ideas to try...

Vegan Flapjacks with Seeds and Blueberries
We’ve used a soya-based margarine to make these tasty flapjacks. They freeze well too, and are perfect for breakfast on the go. Cuts into 25 squares.

Ingredients
150g soya-based (or other dairy free) margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp agave syrup
130g muscovado sugar
150g rolled oats
80g plain, fine, wholegrain flour
60g mixed seeds
1 tsp baking powder
100g fresh or frozen blueberries

Method
Melt the margarine, vanilla extract and agave syrup in a pan over a low heat. In a bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Pour in the melted margarine mixture and stir well. Press into a lined 25cm 25cm baking tin and bake at 180ºC for 15-20 minutes. Cool completely and then cut into squares.

[Related: Cook the perfect St George’s Day roast dinner: chefs’ tips]

Wholemeal Toast with Almond Butter, Banana and Agave Syrup
Plant-based agave syrup is a perfect alternative to honey, while almond butter contains vitamin A, which is good for the skin. Serves 1.

Ingredients
2 slices of wholemeal toast
2 tbsp almond butter
1 banana, peeled and sliced
1-2 tsp agave syrup

Method
Spread the almond butter over the toast slices and arrange the banana over the top. Drizzle with a little agave syrup before serving.

The Mixed Grill: Scrambled Tofu, Bubble and Squeak with Grilled Mushroom and Tomato
There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a hearty weekend breakfast if you’re following a vegan diet. Scrambled tofu might sound weird, but it has a texture similar to scrambled eggs, and provides protein. Make the bubble and squeak using leftover mashed potato and greens and serve with a slice of wholemeal toast spread with soya-based margarine. Serves 1. 

Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
40g tofu, drained and pressed
1 spring onion, trimmed and chopped
1 flat mushroom
1 tomato
small handful leftover mashed potato (made without butter, milk or cream)
2 tbsp chopped, cooked greens (kale or cabbage work well)

Method

Press the cold mashed potato and greens together to form a patty. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan and fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until heated through and golden. Meanwhile, drizzle the mushroom and tomato with olive oil and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Grill until warmed through and sizzling. Finally, in another small frying pan heat the remaining oil and fry the spring onion, until soft. Chop the tofu into pieces and then mash a little with the prongs of a fork. Add to the spring onion and fry for 3-4 minutes. Serve hot, with a side of baked beans if you like.

[Related: Modern twists on traditional English recipes]

Toasted Cherry and Nut Muesli
Make a batch of this muesli and keep in an airtight jar to see you through the week. Just serve with oat, almond or soya milk. Makes 9-10 servings.

Ingredients
150g rolled oats
50g walnuts, roughly chopped
50 brazil nuts, roughly chopped
40g roasted chopped hazelnuts
90g dried cherries

Method
Scatter the oats, walnuts and brazil nuts onto a large tray and slide into a 150ºC oven, cooking them for 25 minutes. Take out, and while the oats and nuts are hot, stir in the chopped hazelnuts and dried cherries. Leave to cool completely and then pour into an airtight container.

Kiwi, Apple and Mango Smoothie
This smoothie is packed with vitamins that will kick start your day. Kiwi is high in vitamin C and mango is rich in vitamin A. Diced mango can be bought frozen so it’s easy to add to smoothies like this. Makes 1 large or 2 small glasses.

Ingredients
1 kiwi fruit, peeled and cut into quarters
1 eating apple, cored, peeled and chopped into chunks
50g fresh or frozen mango chunks
200ml cold filtered water
extra kiwi slices, to garnish

Measure out the water in a large jug and add the diced kiwi, apple and mango chunks. Blend with a stick blender until smooth and serve with a slice of kiwi if you like, for decoration. Drink straight away.

Will you be trying out these recipes? Let us know over on Twitter now.