19 High-Protein Vegan Breakfasts that Are Plant-Based and Totally Satisfying
You’re trying to add more protein to your breakfast rotation—it is essential to muscle-building and maintaining energy, after all. The only catch? You don’t eat meat, dairy or eggs (or any animal products, for that matter). No worries, friend: Thanks to tofu, quinoa, nut butters and nut milks, there are plenty of protein-packed vegan and plant-based dishes that are easy to make and will keep you satisfied with any bacon or eggs involved. From overnight oats with peanut butter to sweet potato hash, here are 19 high-protein vegan breakfasts to start your day on the most delicious, filling note possible.
RELATED: 28 High-Protein Breakfast Ideas That Will Keep You Full ’Til Lunchtime
1. Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter and Banana (29g protein)
The peanut butter, oats and nut milk will keep you full until lunchtime rolls around, but the even better part is that it’s ready when you roll out of bed. Just assemble the jar the night before, and add the toppings on your way out the door.
2. Vegan Quinoa Breakfast Frittata (16g protein)
A frittata without eggs? Yep, it’s a thing, thanks to protein-rich chickpea flour, which acts like eggs when combined with water. Toss in any vegetables you like (or whatever’s hanging around in your fridge).
3. No-Bake Gluten-Free Breakfast Cookie for One (25g protein)
Admittedly, this is a big breakfast cookie. You could easily split it in half and still get 12 grams of protein in your morning meal. (Or eat the whole thing; we won’t judge.)
4. Vegan Spiced Blueberry Breakfast Cake (10g protein)
Cake for breakfast is totally acceptable when it’s made with nutritious spelt flour and blueberries. Banana bread who?
5. Vegan Chilaquiles with Red Sauce (11g proteins)
See ya later, cheese: This plant-based version of chilaquiles is made with crumbled tofu and is ready in just 15 minutes.
6. Vegan Chickpea Omelet with Mango Salsa (10g protein)
It cooks like eggs, looks like eggs and even tastes a lot like eggs. You had us fooled (and don’t even get us started on the juicy mango salsa).
7. Vegan Buckwheat Waffles with Strawberries (9g protein)
Sure, these waffles are tasty and downright gorgeous, but they also happen to be gluten-free, since buckwheat flour isn’t a grain, unlike traditional wheat flour.
8. Green Smoothie with Avocado and Apple (9g protein)
Just swap the honey for maple syrup or agave if you want to keep it truly vegan. Just don’t skip the chia seeds, which are key to this smoothie’s protein punch.
9. Chamomile and Maple Porridge (10g protein)
This plant-based porridge is the morning calm we need after hitting snooze twice. It’s made with chamomile tea, which is known to be soothing and tastes slightly floral.
10. Cocoa Peanut Butter Granola (9g protein)
It’s sweet and rich enough to taste decadent, but also has plenty of protein to keep you satiated until your next meal. (And that’s more than we can say for most granolas.)
11. 6-Ingredient Breakfast Quinoa (8g protein)
Swap the usual oats for quinoa, which is gluten-free and loaded with plant-based protein. The berries and coconut are a lovely touch, but customize it as you see fit. Might we suggest peaches and almonds, or bananas and pecans?
12. Roasted Chickpea Avocado Toast (14g protein)
FYI, regular avocado toast contains only about six grams of protein. But if you add chickpeas…well, it’s a total game-changer. The tahini dressing is just gilding the lily at this point.
13. One-Bowl Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes (17g protein)
They’re as fluffy and flavorful as any diner short stack, but a little more nutritious and ready in 20 minutes.
14. Chickpea and Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash (11g protein)
Chickpeas and sweet potatoes are both relatively high in protein as far as vegetables go. It only makes sense to combine them into one simple, savory dish.
15. Chickpea Crepes Topped with Smashed Avocado and Arugula (12g protein)
These savory crepes make a delicious and deceptively fancy breakfast, but you could also serve them for lunch or dinner.
16. Peanut Butter Banana Green Smoothie Bowl (13g protein)
Can you believe there’s a cup each of spinach and cauliflower in there? Not at first sip you can’t.
17. Scrambled Tofu (21g protein)
It’s basically the building block for any savory, protein-rich vegan breakfast. Eggs need not apply.
18. Orange Chia Seed Pudding (8g protein)
It tastes like a Creamsicle and is best if you make it the night before. Who doesn’t love a make-ahead breakfast?
19. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie (11g protein)
As far as we know, there’s no rule that says your breakfast can’t taste like dessert (especially if you sneak a cup of spinach in there).
RELATED: 30 High-Protein Meals That Aren’t Boring Steak and Potatoes