Sunrise. Shower. Into the kitchen. Matcha. Coffee. Feed the pet(s). But what in the world do you have time to eat before rushing off to work? (And yes, you may also be in charge of feeding family members in addition to yourself. These recipes can help feed a pair or a bunch, in speedy fashion.)
But let's start with you. What will satisfy you? Make you feel like you ate something healthy, but also delicious? And how do you start your day off on a vegan note, because that seems like a pretty good idea? Easy! Today I am sharing 12 Five-Minute Vegan Breakfasts. Let's get things started 2018!...
Keeping Things Simple. Here is the list. Details + photos below.
1. Wild Blueberry Oatmeal
2. Breakfast Sandwich (2 ways)
3. Nut Butter Toast with banana
4. Leftover Waffles
5. Easy Greens Wrap
6. Bagel + Cream Cheese
7. Muffin or Loaf
8. Fruit Smoothie
9. Green Smoothie
10. Cereal Bowl
11. Parfait
12. Avocado Toast
These breakfast ideas are made to be simple + fast. Recipes that boost your blood sugar and have a mix of carbs, protein and healthy fats. But F-A-S-T is key here. I mean, I do this food + recipe thing for a living, and even I do not normally spend more than a few minutes on a weekday breakfast.
I end up reaching for go-to breakfasts + a matcha latte.
The breakfasts below all pair very well with whatever latte you reach for. (Except for the smoothies. When I make a smoothie, I usually drink my smoothie first, then have my latte an hour or so later on..)
Need vegan latte recipe ideas - besides your go-to coffee? Check out these 8 Not-Coffee Lattes - including matcha, golden milk and more.
Do You Eat Breakfast Every Day? Short answer: yes. But the size varies. I tend to be a morning nibbler, which is easy for me since I work from home. Most days I eat one of the recipes below, paired with a matcha latte. Fast and simple is my breakfast style during the week. But yes, every day I eat something in the morning to wake up my body and boost my morning blood sugar, but the caloric amount varies. Morning hunger varies for me, as I am sure it does for most people. Some days I eat just enough to feel energized, other days I eat a sturdy breakfast early on. "Sturdy" usually means larger portions of the ideas below, or two or three of the items below.
..However, I realize that I have the luxury of work from home eating flexibility. Most people leave their homes for work or school. So a solid, hearty breakfast, one that lasts, is far more important.
Today, for example. Today I had a 'sweet' version of the breakfast sandwich recipe below and a giant matcha latte made with protein-rich plant milk (Ripple pea-based milk). I also nibbled some nuts and ate a Sumo mandarin orange (basically a giant piece of citrus). It is now almost 2pm and I am about to go make something else to eat. I might do some avocado toast paired with the leftover roasted cauliflower we have in the fridge.
Some random pairings might be...
- Breakfast Sandwich + matcha latte
- fruit, almond butter toast, latte, more fruit later on
- smoothie, almond butter toast, latte
- smoothie + latte later on
- matcha + big cereal bowl + more fresh fruit
- avocado toast with hemp seeds + matcha + fruit to snack on
- breakfast sandwich loaded with veggies + latte
- bagel loaded with veggies + latte + fruit later on
And so on!
Hydrating: No matter how big my breakfast is, hydrating in the morning is a must.
When in doubt: Eat something. Sometimes we don't actually feel 'hungry' in the morning. For me, eating something anyways has proven to work out splendidly.
But what about?... What about skipping breakfast on some days? Or if you are trying to lose weight? Some articles you may want to check out:
- Time: "Here's What Skipping Breakfast Does to Your Body
- Harvard: "Confessions of a Breakfast Skipper"
- WebMD: "Lose Weight, eat Breakfast"
..Overall, like most health advice these days, there isn't a clear cut line of "do this, not that." That is why a combination of: trying new things, reading books + studies, consulting professionals and listening to your body is usually a good idea.
If you are really stuck on how much to eat in the mornings, or are trying to lose weight, I would highly advise taking the plunge and seeking out the advice of a professional.
Happy 2018 everyone, let's get this day and year started off on a nourished note!...
12 Five-Minute Vegan Breakfasts
1. Wild Blueberry Oatmeal
- 1 packet unsweetened quick oatmeal
- ½ cup wild blueberries, frozen
- splash of non-dairy milk to taste
- splash of maple syrup or sprinkle brown sugar (optional)
- swirl of almond butter to taste (optional)
How: Cook oatmeal according to package (a few minutes in the microwave with water is what I do). Then when the oats are super hot, fold in the blueberries, splash on milk and add optional sweetener and nut butter. Serve.
Minutes 1-2: Cook oatmeal
Minutes 2-5: Add toppings
Similar to this recipe with chia seeds..
2. Breakfast Sandwich (two ways!) - fancy version
Sweet:
- 1 vegan English muffin, any variety
- 1 vegan sausage patty (I like Gardein, Sweet Earth or GimmeLean varieties)
- 1 teaspoon strawberry jam
Savory:
- 1 vegan English muffin, any variety
- 1 vegan sausage patty (I like Gardein, Sweet Earth or GimmeLean varieties)
- 1 slice vegan cheese (pre-sliced works best) - vegan cheese reviews
- 1 teaspoon jam or hot sauce (optional)
How: Toast English muffin. Cook patty in a skillet, with a splash of oil - or you can also cook in the microwave (take just one minute). To melt the cheese, microwave works very well. Simply cook patty, add cheese on top and cook additional 20 seconds or so. To melt cheese in the skillet, I usually cook the patty, flip, then add the cheese, turn heat to low, add one small ice cube, and cover patty and ice with a lid, allowing the steam to melt the cheese. Add the patty to the muffin and serve. You can get fancy by adding greens or other toppings, but not necessary.
Minutes 1-4: Cook patty and toast muffin.
Minutes 4-5: Add spread. Assemble. (jam..)
Fancy version with tofu. Keep it simple with vegan sausage patties.
3. Nut Butter Toast with Banana - easy recipe
- 1-2 slices whole grain toast
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- 1 banana, sliced
- optional sprinkle of hemp, chia or pumpkin seeds -- cinnamon or cayenne also optional
How: Toast bread. Add nut butter. Add sliced banana. Sprinkle optional goodies on top.
Minutes 1-3: toast bread, slice banana.
Minutes 3-5: Spread nut butter, add banana.
4. Leftover Weekend Waffles - Warmed Up
- Freeze leftover waffles from the weekend. Warm up in toaster or microwave. Add nut butter or fruit on top, if desired.
Minutes 1-4: Warm up waffles.
Minutes 4-5: Add toppings.
5. Easy Greens Wrap
- 1-3 corn tortillas, warmed
- 1-2 tablespoon hummus (or cream cheese or nut butter or smashed avocado)
- greens
How: Warm tortillas. Spread hummus (or cream cheese or nut butter or smashed avocado). Add greens. Fold over. Eat.
6. Bagel and Cream Cheese (Veggies Optional)
- 1 bagel (whole grain preferred)
- 2 tablespoon vegan cream cheese (Kite Hill chive is my favorite, but there are a few brands out there.)
- optional veggies can be added to taste (spinach, onion, tomato...)
- fresh black pepper
How: Toast bagel. Add cream cheese. Add optional veggies. Sprinkle pepper. Enjoy.
Minutes 1-3: Warm tortillas. Prep toppings.
Minutes 4-5: Spread hummus (or other) Add greens.
Try store bought cream cheese or make this fun strawberry spread!
7. Muffin or Loaf - Warmed Up
- 1 muffin
- nut butter or jam (optional)
- fruit on the side
Try this pumpkin loaf or these cinnamon toast muffins
How: Bake muffins over the weekend. Warm one up in the microwave or toaster oven. Add optional nut butter.
Minutes 1-4: Warm.
Minutes 4-5: Add any spread or nut butter.
8. Fruit Smoothie - too many faves to share just one!
Browse smoothie recipes on my site, or snag my book 365 Vegan Smoothies.
- There are so many variations for this option. From berry to citrus to banana and acai, fruit smoothies are a delicious and nutrient-packed breakfast. Add protein and nutrition powders if desired. Check out my vegan protein powder reviews here.
One fave recipe: Easy Energy Almond Butter Banana shake
Minutes 1-3: Add ingredients to blender.
Minutes 3-5: Blend and pour.
Creamsicle is also energizing for the morning!..