by Liberty Stembridge, Lifestyle Columnist
Published in Lifestyle on 17th October, 2019
Been wanting to improve your diet, or try some more plant-based meals, but don't know where to start, or if you have the time? These quick and easy plant-based breakfast recipes will have you full of energy, vitality and nutrients in no time at all.
Pancakes might seem like a lengthy meal to make for breakfast, but really they can be super quick, easy and simple. An excellent option for a day when you need a bit of a pick-me-up in the morning.
For this recipe, simply mash the banana well and mix with the maple syrup, coconut oil, and nondairy milk. Combine with the flour and baking soda and stir well until fully mixed, the mixture should be runny, but still thick.
Preheat a non-stick pan with some coconut oil, and dollop a generous amount of mixture into the pan. Wait until the pancake is about halfway cooked and easy to flip before turning over to cook through on the other side. For an optional extra, add in some chocolate chips!
Sometimes, the simpler the better. On days when you're feeling run down, or can't be bothered to make breakfast, plain oatmeal is here to save the day. In this recipe, a dollop of coconut cream adds a little extra creaminess to give the oatmeal an upgrade from average to amazing.
To make this, simply combine the oats, milk and coconut cream in a saucepan and cook on the stove on medium heat, stirring as you go. When the oatmeal has expanded and thickened, pour into a bowl and top with the maple syrup or brown sugar.
Like the previous recipe combine the oats, milk and coconut cream in a pan. Once the mixture is hot, add the frozen fruit and cook until the mixture is thick and the berries have completely defrosted. Pour into a bowl, drizzle maple syrup as desired and top with any additional toppings such as nuts, chia seeds or grated apple.
As before, combine the oats, milk, and cream in a pan and heat until warm, then add in the chocolate chunks and peanut butter and stir continuously until the chocolate has melted and the entire mixture is thick and well combined. Pour into a bowl and enjoy as is or with some extra added toppings (frozen raspberries go really well).
This protein smoothie recipe uses hemp protein as an all-natural, plant-based source of protein. The banana, chocolate, and peanut butter give it a treat-like feel, but without any of the guilt, plus they add in some extra good fats and carbs to keep you running all morning. If you don't like hemp protein powder or don't have access to any, try a regular vegan chocolate-flavored protein powder instead.
Simply chuck all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. The end result should be a thick, creamy and super yummy thick-shake to enjoy on the mornings when you need to get going quickly.
Missing scrambled eggs whilst on a plant-based diet? Not to worry, this classic combo of avo, tofu, and toast will satisfy all of your cravings. To make the tofu scramble you will need:
When using silken tofu, this recipe works best, however, it can be done with firm tofu, you will simply need to crumble the tofu first, and mix with a bit of soya milk.
To make, add the silken tofu to a preheated frying pan with a splash of oil. Add the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, turmeric, and salt and stir gently as it cooks. The tofu should start to "scramble" and become lumpy.
Once it is thoroughly cooked, remove from the frying pan and serve!.
To make the avocado toast, simply take one ripe avocado and scoop out the flesh. Mash with a fork and combine with some lime juice and salt for an extra kick. Spread onto some well-toasted bread and finish off with some salt, pepper and plenty of scrambled tofu for a quick, easy but filling breakfast.
Technically overnight oats aren't a quick recipe since you need to leave them in the fridge overnight, but considering how quick and easy they are to make the night before, we'll include them here.
If the idea of eating cold porridge disgusts you, fear not - overnight oats may sound unappealing, but in reality, they are a delicious breakfast treat you'll look forward to getting out of the fridge every morning.
Overnight oats might just be the simplest recipe ever, simply mix all of the ingredients in a bowl or jar and pop in the fridge overnight. There are many different creative ideas for overnight oat toppings, but a good go-to is always fresh fruit, maple syrup and chopped nuts for a bit of crunch.
You will need some time to prepare your homemade granola, but once you get the hang of the recipe, you'll be able to whip some up in no time at all. This granola is a plain, nutty/fruity variety, but you can adapt to make it any flavor combination you want.
Create a wet mixture of the maple syrup, nut butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully mixed. Next, combine the oats, seeds, and nuts with the cinnamon and salt. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until combined fully. Transfer the mixture onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and spread evenly.
Bake for 20 minutes at 300F, then remove from oven and stir/flip with a spatula to make sure each side bakes evenly. Return to oven for another 10 minutes, then remove and leave to cool. Last, add the coconut flakes and dried fruit and transfer to an airtight container to store (or just eat it all right away)!
A classic British favorite, baked beans on toast has truly stood the test of time. In this recipe, you'll be able to enjoy this heart-warming brunch without all the excess salt, sugar and oil.
To make the baked beans you will need:
To make, finely chop the onion and gently sauteed in olive oil in a frying pan. Once the onion is completely soft and cooked through, add in the garlic and continue to cook. Once both the garlic and onion have sauteed fully, add in the chopped tomatoes and mixed herbs.
Finally, drain the can of haricot beans and add to the mixture. Crush and mix the haricot beans with a fork until the mixture is thicker and most of the beans are broken. Serve hot on well-toasted sourdough bread with some plant-based butter, topped with salt and pepper.
Acai bowls might look complex, with the extravagant arrangement of flowers, granola and various tropical fruits you'll see on Instagram, but in reality, an acai bowl is just a special (and very yummy) kind of smoothie bowl. They've taken the world by storm, with acai cafes popping up here, there and everywhere. Rather than pay $10 for one though, make it yourself quickly, easily and without even having to leave the house.
For those new to the Acai craze: the acai berry is native to Brazil, where they are a popular national dish. They're also touted as a health food for the bountiful number of antioxidants and nutrients they contain.
To make, add the pineapple, banana, and mango to a high-power blender and blend until at least somewhat combined. Then, add in the acai, lime juice, and cold water and blend until completely smooth. Pour into a bowl and top with whatever toppings you desire. Banana, strawberries, coconut flakes, goji berries, and chia seeds are all popular choices.
Yogurt and granola is the perfect breakfast option for when you want to feel spoilt, or you're bored of your regular muesli and banana, but don't want to spend extra time cooking a special meal.
With more and more plant-based yogurt options becoming available, there's something to suit everyone, whether you like it creamy or fruity. Simply find your favorite yogurt, and top with some homemade granola and fresh fruit for a simple, quick but high-end breakfast.
Craving something warm and comforting for breakfast? These quick and easy 30-minute banana breakfast muffins are the perfect way to start the day. Share the excess with your friends or save them for a snack later on.
Preheat an oven to 400F. In a bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients - the banana, milk, oil, sugar, vinegar, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients - the flour, salt, and baking powder.
Make a well in the dry mixture and pour the wet mixture into the dry, then mix well with a wooden spoon until the mixture is fully combined, stirring in the walnuts last.
Pour your mixture into pre-prepared muffin tray and transfer to the oven to cook for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool for 5 minutes and then enjoy!