Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Healthy Meals Vegan 30 High Protein Vegan Breakfast Ideas to Keep You Full Until Lunch These easy vegan breakfast options are for anyone following a plant-based diet, protein proponents, and everyone else. By Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 29, 2024 Close Photo: Erin Scott If you're looking for high protein vegan breakfast ideas, look no further. Whether experimenting with veganism or simply looking to eat less meat and fewer animal products, finding a vegan breakfast recipe that tastes good and keeps you full until lunch can be challenging. With bacon and eggs a non-starter, a vegan dish with enough protein for breakfast, though tricky, is far from impossible. Look over our list of plant-based breakfast recipes that are easy to make, taste delicious, and pack in the protein. Why Is Protein Important? Protein is a crucial component of overall health and, if you're omitting meat, eggs, and dairy from your diet, consuming enough protein is more challenging. Protein is responsible for producing antibodies, enzymes, blood, connective tissue, and hormones. It's also critical for muscle repair and growth, which is why eating a protein-rich meal shortly before or after a workout is important. 01 of 30 Vegan Breakfast Burrito With Tofu Scramble Jennifer Causey As any longtime vegan knows, tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein. In this recipe, it's crumbled to resemble scrambled eggs and flavored with ground turmeric, cumin, and nutritional yeast, which gives it a bold and slightly cheesy taste. Sliced avocado and whole-wheat tortillas contribute to its protein tally. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 30 Overnight Oats With Strawberries and Toasted Almonds Jen Causey This no-cook breakfast recipe gives old-fashioned rolled oats the overnight treatment and serves them cold. To keep it vegan without sacrificing protein, prepare them with plant-based milk, and skip the honey or use a plant-based alternative, like agave. The recipe calls for fresh strawberries and sliced almonds, but feel free to use your favorite toppings like chopped almonds, banana slices, and granola. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 30 Nutty Superfood Breakfast Bites Grace Elkus If you prefer (or seem to always end up with) breakfast on the go, make a batch of these no-bake bars over the weekend and grab one or two before running out the door. Protein from almonds, quinoa, and pistachios keeps you full all morning. To keep it vegan, swap the honey for a vegan honey alternative. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 30 Creamy Coconut Yogurt Getty Images Vegan yogurt used to be hard to find but these days, you can pick some up at most grocery stores. If you're a volume yogurt consumer, consider this vegan breakfast recipe for making your own: You'll save money, and it's probably better for you. Based on coconut milk and nut milk, it takes just 15 minutes hands-on but needs a day or two to ferment. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 30 Avocado Toast Danny Kim It doesn't get much easier or tastier than avocado toast. In its simplest form, this trendy breakfast food is naturally vegan and a great source of protein thanks to the avocado. To kick the protein content up a notch, top your toast with sesame seeds or seasoned tempeh (a type of fermented tofu), and use sprouted grain bread. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 30 Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie Greg Dupree This refreshing beverage takes just 5 minutes to make, is super healthy, and looks pretty enough for a spot on your socials. Coconut milk delivers the protein, while apple cider vinegar gives it just the right tang. Keep this smoothie recipe completely vegan by omitting the honey or using a plant-based alternative. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 30 Tofu Scramble Wraps With Spinach and Spiced Sunflower Seeds Erin Scott Who needs scrambled eggs when you can have scrambled tofu? This recipe from Jane Goodall (yes, that Jane Goodall) transforms plain tofu into a protein-packed flavor bomb by adding chickpea flour and turmeric. Sunflower seeds, fresh spinach, and whole-wheat tortillas contribute to this breakfast's high protein score. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 30 Creamy Date Shakes With Cinnamon Greg DuPree Start your day on a sweet note by sipping one of these creamy date shakes. While Medjool dates contribute an irresistible butterscotch-like taste, most of the protein comes from almond milk and hemp seeds. Add a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter to propel its protein content to the next level. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 30 Raspberry Smoothie Bowl Christopher Testani Forget drinking your smoothie: Try a protein-loaded smoothie bowl for breakfast. Simply blend your smoothie ingredients—mostly banana, raspberries, and almond milk—pour into a bowl, and top with fresh fruit, nuts, granola, and seeds. Replace the honey with agave nectar to keep it vegan. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 30 Pomegranate-Almond Toast Caitlin Bensel Move over avocado! This vegan breakfast recipe tops whole grain toast with protein-rich almond butter and pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas), along with pomegranate arils for color, fiber, and antioxidants. Make this innovative breakfast in just 5 minutes, and customize it with your favorite toppings. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 30 Pink Dragon Smoothie Caitlin Bensel Fiber-rich dragon fruit blends with raspberries and a cooked beet for a vibrant-colored breakfast smoothie. This recipe uses soy milk and yogurt, both high in protein. To keep it vegan, use vegan yogurt and swap the honey for agave. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 30 Maple, Pear, and Pecan Slow Cooker Steel-Cut Oats Brie Passano For this comforting breakfast staple, slow-cook the oats overnight and wake to a protein-full bowl topped with pecans and sliced pears. Feel free to play with the toppings: Apples, walnuts, and almonds also work. Serve with dairy-free milk for a wholesome vegan breakfast. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 30 Good Morning Green Smoothie Caitlin Bensel This healthy green smoothie blends two vegetables—spinach and cucumber—with apple and pineapple, but it's the hemp seeds and soy milk that give it high-protein status. This on-the-go breakfast option is ready in just 5 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 30 Vanilla-Cinnamon Chia Pudding Heather Meldrom This easy breakfast recipe combines chia seeds with almond milk for a delicious, protein-filled vegan pudding. It takes a couple of hours to set in the fridge, so prep it the night before to enjoy a creamy dessert-like breakfast. For added flavor, texture, and nutrients, top with toasted coconut, nuts, and fresh fruit. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 30 Berry Matcha Smoothie Getty Images This breakfast smoothie recipe blends blueberries and spinach with matcha powder, as well as protein-rich coconut milk and yogurt. Ready in only 5 minutes, it's perfect for busy mornings. Keep it vegan by using plant-based yogurt, and top with chia or hemp seeds for even more protein. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 30 Easy Toss-and-Bake Granola Jonny Valiant This make-ahead vegan granola uses oats, almonds, and pumpkin seeds to deliver protein. Pull a 6-cup batch together on the weekend to serve on busy workday mornings as a topping for vegan yogurt and oats or for munching as-is. You can store it for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container, but we doubt it'll be around that long. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 30 Banana-Cashew Smoothie Image Studios/Getty Images With simple ingredients like protein-rich cashews and bananas, this four-ingredient smoothie is simple and quick to make. Add soy milk and chia seeds for more protein, and top with fresh banana slices or toasted coconut for a truly delicious breakfast. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 30 Savory Oatmeal With Spinach Greg DuPree Try savory oatmeal for a twist on breakfast oats. This recipe cooks the oats with onions before simmering, creating a risotto-like texture. Top with baby spinach, but skip the poached egg and Parm to stay vegan, and enjoy a comforting, warm breakfast. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 30 Coffee-Tahini Smoothie Caitlin Bensel Try this creamy, coffee smoothie for a caffeine boost in the morning. Avocado and oat milk bring the protein, and tahini adds a unique, not-too-sweet flavor. It's the perfect breakfast for coffee lovers and busy folks. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 30 Spicy Peanut and Banana Chia Bars Heather Meldrom These make-ahead homemade granola bars provide a quick breakfast-on-the-go option, packing in protein from rolled oats, chia seeds, and peanut butter. The recipe calls for honey and butter but, for vegan bars, replace them with plant-based varieties. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 30 Creamy Mango Smoothie Gorchittza2012/Getty Images Get a fresh start to your day by blending frozen mango chunks with plant-based milk and vegan yogurt, and you end up with this protein-rich, creamy smoothie. Top with toasted coconut, fresh pineapple chunks, or seeds for added flavor. One sip and you'll feel like you're on an island vacation! GET THE RECIPE 22 of 30 No-Bake Lemon Chia Bars Grace Elkus These make-ahead bars are the perfect breakfast on days when there's no time to make breakfast. Roasted cashews and chia seeds make up the bulk of their protein content, and with just a few pulses in a food processor and a 30-minute chill, you have lemony, slightly sweet bars to get your day started. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 30 Strawberry Flax Smoothie Grant Cornett This simple five-ingredient breakfast smoothie can have you nourished and on your way in no time. With two easy recipe swaps to make it vegan—namely a non-dairy yogurt and a honey alternative—there's barely a more delicious way to get your morning protein. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 30 Strawberry-Chia Breakfast Pudding Greg DuPree This vegan breakfast recipe is not for the spontaneous, but if you remember to prep this breakfast the night before, you'll be richly rewarded. Chia seeds need to soak in coconut yogurt, coconut milk, and vanilla overnight (or at least 4 hours) to become soft and flavorful by morning. To serve, mix with strawberries (or any fruit) and top with your favorite granola. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 30 Tropical Instant Oatmeal Mix Victor Protasio Start your day with a culinary trip to the tropics! This make-ahead, 20-serving recipe replaces several boxes of those sugar-laden, instant oatmeal packets you can buy at the store. What's more, this mix includes protein-rich chia and pumpkin seeds to keep you going all morning. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 30 PB&J Overnight Oats Antonis Achilleos This make-ahead vegan recipe transforms the flavors of a childhood staple into a breakfast treat. Chia seeds and peanut butter pump up the protein, while strawberry jam and banana slices make it fruity and fun. For a vegan version, swap the Greek yogurt for a plant-based one and the honey for maple syrup or agave. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 30 Vegan Banana Bread Alison Miksch Banana bread isn't known as a high-protein breakfast option, but this vegan version uses non-dairy yogurt, soy milk, and walnuts to up its protein value. Add more nuts or seeds, or slather a slice with peanut butter for even more protein heft. This vegan recipe makes two loaves: one to serve at breakfast all week long and the other to freeze for later. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 30 Grapefruit Salad With Vanilla Syrup and Yogurt Christopher Testani This bright, colorful breakfast ties together fresh apples, grapefruit, and banana with a vanilla syrup and protein-packed yogurt (use non-dairy to keep it vegan). For more protein, top it with chia seeds. It's ready in just 10 minutes but, for a speedier breakfast, prep the grapefruit the night before. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 30 Gingery Berry and Oat Smoothie Grant Cornett If you love breakfast smoothies because of their 5-minute prep time, you'll have to summon up some patience for this one. The recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats to soak in water for 15 minutes, but after that, you're mere minutes from gingery enjoyment. Swap the whole milk for non-dairy to stay vegan, or use non-dairy yogurt for a thicker, more protein-filled breakfast. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 30 Cucumber and Avocado Toast Sarah Karnasiewicz This veg-ified twist on avocado toast has a few things going for it: There are only four ingredients; it gives you a head start on your daily veg count; each slice has more protein than an egg; and prep is quick and easy. For more protein, use sprouted grain bread instead of sourdough. GET THE RECIPE 34 Easy Vegan Dinner Ideas That Even Picky Eaters Will Love Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit