If you’re looking for vegetarian breakfast ideas, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been mostly vegetarian for nearly 25 years and surprisingly, breakfast is often the most difficult meal. Sure – pancakes, waffles, and oatmeal are naturally meat-free, but I usually prefer to bulk up on the protein at breakfast, and that’s where it can get especially tricky.
I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not alone, so I thought that today I would round up some of my very favorite vegetarian breakfast ideas!
From easy make-ahead breakfast puddings to breakfast sandwiches to creative scrambled eggs to frittatas and beyond, these vegetarian breakfast ideas will help keep you inspired – and your mornings fueled!
Tips for Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes
You really don’t need meat for flavor and protein. Sure, bacon and sausage are generally flavor bombs and add a lot to the breakfast plate, but they’re certainly not necessary. You can whip up a batch of tofu bacon to have handy in the freezer, and there are some great vegetarian sausage patties out there (I’m looking at you, Trader Joe’s!) Plus, with eggs, yogurt, chia seeds, and more, you might be surprised at how many vegetarian protein options there are for vegetarian breakfasts.
Plan ahead. Or even better, make it ahead! Nobody wants to spend 45 minutes in the kitchen making breakfast. Okay, maybe that can be fun on a Saturday morning, but I’m guessing you’d rather sleep an extra 45 minutes than spend it working in the kitchen (🙋🏼♀️). So if you make sure you have a few ingredients at the ready for an easy vegetarian breakfast or whip up a batch of basil seed pudding or bagel breakfast sandwiches ahead of time, your life will improve exponentially. Guaranteed.
Ready for some specific vegetarian breakfast recipes? Here we go!
This Starbucks copycat is a fave! With quinoa and oats plus fresh strawberries, coconut, and toasted almonds. Perfect summer breakfast. Love this one for making ahead of time!
Okay, so this full English breakfast takes some effort to put together, but ohmygoodness is it worth it. Traditional English breakfast often includes sausages and/or bacon, but this one swaps in halloumi for that salty hit of flavor. As far as prep goes, you actually can prep a lot of the components in advance which is super helpful.
There's not much a big pile of waffles won't fix! These classic waffles are the perfect texture – crispy edges, fluffy inside. Serve up with a variety of syrups and/or jams, peanut butter, and berries. Yum! Also try my fluffy (and shockingly easy) vegan waffle recipe, or hearty banana almond butter waffles. Serve up with tofu bacon or veggie sausage for some added protein (I always add the peanut butter or almond butter, too)
With black beans and tofu scramble, this breakfast bowl is packed with protein. I always feel so good after eating this one, plus it's great for prepping ahead of time too.
I know it's another breakfast pastry but I'm sorry, I can't leave scones out. Scones are so easy to make and melt-in-your mouth good. I've got recipes for every season – fresh strawberry scones, mini vanilla scones, cinnamon brown sugar scones, and these carrot cake scones. (Plus a lot more – just search the site for "scones!") There's no way I can choose a favorite, honestly. Pair with some fruit and vegan bacon and you're good.
Granola can be weirdly expensive in the store, plus it never tastes as good as homemade. There's an easy solution: Make your own! Plus you can customize it however you like it. Add it to yogurt, eat it like cereal with milk, or take a big bag on your next road trip or hike. There's nothing granola can't do!
Yogurt can be a great source of protein, and when you mix it with fresh fruit + some of that homemade granola you just made, it's a next-level breakfast! I love these berry parfaits in the summer, but come fall, these Apple Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Parfaits are where it's at.
Oatmeal isn't exactly a revolutionary vegetarian breakfast idea, but this version is really fun! Blueberries make the prettiest purple oatmeal (and it tastes amazing too).
This hearty bowl of oats is an oldie but goodie! Steel cut oatmeal is heartier, chewier, and a little more interesting than your standard oatmeal. I also have a mango coconut steel cut oats and Instant Pot banana oatmeal on Kitchen Treaty, but this carrot cake version has my heart .
Black Bean, Mushroom, & Avocado Breakfast Scramble
Beef up your scrambled eggs and make them into a scramble! (But don't literally beef them up because we're talking vegetarian breakfast recipes, of course). For this breakfast scramble, we have scrambled eggs, black beans, and sautéed mushrooms dotted with creamy avocado. Such a good combo! Lots of breakfast scrambles have hash browns mixed right in; I really like to serve this one with a side of roasted Yukon gold potatoes.
I know, I know – hard-boiled eggs aren't exactly revolutionary. But I wanted to throw them in as a reminder that these protein-packed gems make the perfect make-ahead, grab-and-go breakfast. I love to make Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs because the peel comes right off. It's amazing. Try them with everything bagel seasoning!
You've surely heard of chia seed pudding, but let me introduce you to its lesser-known cousin, basil seed pudding! Basil seeds are an especially fiber-rich ingredient and the pudding is delicious! I have a classic basil seed pudding recipe and also a chai-spiced basil seed pudding for a little variety.
Baked oatmeal is a revelation! It's so hearty and almost tastes like bread pudding for breakfast. You can assemble the ingredients ahead of time (it's so easy to put together) and bake in the morning. Love it. I also have a delicious pumpkin chocolate chip baked oatmeal that's on repeat all fall and winter long!
I make a version of this Vegetarian Breakfast Strata every Christmas, but there's no reason why it should stay relegated to holiday times! It's such a hearty and tasty way to make a low-effort breakfast. It feels fancy but takes hardly any time to make! Try Chiles Relleno Breakfast Strata and Mushroom Swiss Breakfast Strata too.
This easy breakfast hash combines black beans, sweet potatoes, and kale for a hearty start to your day. It's excellent combined with berries and some avocado slices. Top with a poached egg or leave it out of the equation if you don't do eggs. Either way, it's delicious!
This creative spin on vegetarian eggs benedict brings avocado toast into the equation – because why wouldn't you?! A thick slice of tomato + lemony avocado hollandaise seal the deal.
This is one that works particularly well for our mixed-diet household – my guy gets bacon or sausage on his and I go with a veggie bacon or just egg and cheese for mine. Whip up a bunch and freeze for quick and easy breakfasts forevermore.
Not to be punny, but I felt like I had a little egg on my face after I published this breakfast tacos recipe. Because apparently in Austin, breakfast tacos are all the rage – and this crunchy-shelled version ain't it. But what these breakfast tacos ARE are super easy, really delicious, and very hearty. So they're not Texas style, but I think they're worth trying!
Another oldie but goodie! I went on a mini breakfast frittata kick for awhile there and created three versions, a couple with with quinoa for a boost of nutrients. We've got cheddar corn as pictured, plus tomato mozzarella mini frittatas, and a lovely zucchini herb mini frittata. Choosing a favorite would be like choosing a favorite child – impossible! Oh, and if you love frittatas like we do, check out this Leftover Veggie Frittata. It's got a formula you can follow for using just about any veggies and cheese.
Add a hit of both protein and flavor to your scrambled eggs with plain Greek yogurt and feta cheese! The Greek yogurt makes these eggs nice and creamy and the feta brings so much flavor.
Muesli is so underrated! It's a mix of grains, nuts, and dried fruits – sort of like granola, but not cooked. It's super easy to make up a huge batch of muesli to have on hand. Just serve it up with your favorite milk and fresh fruit. Super hearty!
This Starbucks copycat brings spinach, egg whites, and feta to the table, all wrapped in a thin bread and served up warm. Super hearty and easy to make ahead and freeze!
This is honestly one of my favorite recipes I've ever created. It's literally a bunch of seeds all held together with tahini and honey. They're dotted with melty chocolate chunks and finished with sea salt and they're SUPER good and hearty. I like to have a batch in the freezer for quick snacks and easy grab and go breakfasts.
From scrambled eggs to frittatas, waffles to pancakes, oats to seeds and everything in between – here are 25+ vegetarian breakfast ideas that are easy, hearty, and sure to fuel your day. These Greek yogurt scrambled eggs with feta and dill are just one delicious recipe!
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Karen is a vegetarian home cook living among carnivores. She loves creating irresistible and flexible recipes that help multi-vore families like hers keep the peace - deliciously.
A real-life home cook who just loves to create and share awesome recipes
Hi! I’m Karen – I’m a real person with real recipes. No A.I. here! Since 2009, every recipe on Kitchen Treaty is thoroughly tested and loved before I hit “publish.” I’m a home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m a vegetarian married to a carnivore, and my goal is to coexist deliciously.