5 Easy, Delicious and Nutritious Plant-Based Breakfasts

Breakfast is an important part of our day and therefore eating a nutritious breakfast is the perfect way to jumpstart your morning.

Over the years, I’ve found my go-to hassle-free breakfasts that are easy to make, nutritious, and—most importantly—delicious. These recipes have been inspired by a mix of online content, cook books and some cherished gems from family and friends.

Let's dive straight into the regulars at our house

1. Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

This is the easiest one on my list and it's a fantastic way to kick off your day. It's packed with fibre and essential nutrients, making them a comforting and fulfilling breakfast option.

To make this:

Soak oats, chia seeds and seeds with your choice of plant-based milk overnight in the fridge (optional add chopped dates for that natural sweetness). In the morning, just stir and add your toppings like fruits, nuts, more seeds, and enjoy. For a thinner, warmer consistency, pour in a splash of warm milk just before serving.

Ingredients for this recipe:

- 1/2 cup rolled oats

- 1 cup oat milk (or your favourite plant-based milk)

- 1 tablespoon chia seeds

- 1/2 banana, sliced

- Berries of your choice

  - Nuts and seeds of your choice

For a touch of natural sweeteness, add in a little maple syrup or date syrup. Mashed dates work beautifully too.

2. Avocado on Toast

Another no-brainer breakfast that's quick to make and various options. This dish is full of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins making it perefct for a satisfying start to the day.

To make this:

Mash a ripe avocado in a bowl. Add sliced cherry tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper, a dash of lemon juice. Mix it all together, then spread it over a slice of your favourite - whole grain or sourdough. toast of your choice. Finish it off with a sprinkle of seeds like pumpkin, sunflower and chia for added texture and nutrients.

Ingredients for this recipe:

  - 1 slice whole-grain / sour-dough bread

  - 1 ripe avocado

  - 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

 - A squeeze of lemon juice

  - Salt and pepper to taste

- Pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds

For an extra kick sprinkle some chilli flakes!

3. Mushroom Pate on Toast

Mushrooms are good of Vitamin D and B, and when you add walnuts, you're also getting a dose of omega 3 and healthy fats - making this breakfast both nutritious and, of course, delicious.

To make this:

Heat oil in a pan and sauté chopped onions in a pan until they beginto soften and brown, add green chillies (if using), then stir in the mushrooms. Cook until the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated. Stir in the walnuts and cook for a few more minutes and season with salt, peppr and chopped parsley.

Allow the mixture cool slightly, then blend it into a smooth pate. Spread generously on your favourite slice of toast and garnish with seeds like pumpkin, sunflower and chia for that extra crunch and nutrients.

Ingredients for this recipe:

-  1 slice whole-grain / sour-dough bread

  - Mushrooms

- 1/4 cup walnuts

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Green chilli (optional)

- Fresh parsley, chopped

  - Pumpkin, sunflower and chia seeds

- Olive or avocado oil (for sautéing)

Want an additional kick, sprinkle on some chilli flakes!

3. Banana Oat Pancakes

For me, this is the only way to enjoy pancakes! They're breakfast classic, and making them plant-based is surprisingly easy than you might think. The ingredients in this recipe make it not just delicious but also guilt free.

To make this:

Start by preparing your dry ingredients - combine oat flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt in a bowl and set aside. In a blender, mix the wet ingredients: ripe bananan, plant-based milk, avacado oil and vanilla essence. Pour the blended mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until you have a smooth batter.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and pour the batter to make pancakes. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve this warm with fresh fruits of your choice, nut butter and a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra bit of sweetness.

Ingredients for this recipe:

  - 11/2 cups rolled oats (blend into flour)

 - 1/2 table spoon baking powder

  - A pinch of salt

  - 1 cup oat milk (or your favourite plant-based milk), room temperature

  - 1/4 cup avocado oil

  - 2 ripe bananas

- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence

  - 2 ripe bananas

  - Sliced bananas and berries of your choice

  - nuts and seeds of your choice

Sprinkle with seeds - Pumpkin, sunflower and Chia for that added crunch and nutrients!

5. Tofu Scramble

A classic twist to the famous egg or paneer bhurji (scramble) that I loved so very much while growing up - and i'm just as happy that it can be made using tofu! It tastes just as scrumptious as the original and is with just as much protein. Goes perfectly well with a slice of toast or wrapped in a multi-grain flatbread.

To make this:

Heat oil in a pan and sauté diced onions and green chills untill the onionas soften and begin to brown. Add diced red bell pepper, turmeric powder, pepper powder and chilli powder (if using), and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Next, crumble the tofu and mix well, allowing it to absorb the flavours. Cook for a few more minutes untilleverything is well combined. Season with salt to taste and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Serve warm on a slice of toast or wrap it up in a multigrain flatbread. Sprinkle pumpkin, sunflower, and chia seeds for an extra nutritious boost.

Ingredients for this recipe:

- 300 grams of Tofu (firm and crumbled)

- 1 medium onion, diced

- 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped

- 1 red bell pepper, diced

- Salt to taste

  - 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder

  - 1/4 tsp of pepper powder

- 1/4 tsp of chilli powder (optional)

- Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

  - Olive oil for cooking

Tip: Soak the tofu block in warm water with 1/4 teaspoon of salt to enhance it's flavour. Squeeze excess water and crumble it before adding to the pan.

Hope you enjoy making these as much as I do

The key to enjoying any recipe is making it your own. Experiment with the ingredients (add or remove as per your preference) while sticking to the core idea of the dish.

For example, we love our chillies, we add them to nearly every savory meal. We also sprinkle a variety of seeds on just about everything for that extra boost of nutrition.

Happy cooking :-)