10 Great Indian Vegan Breakfast Ideas

Over the years, and more recently, transitioning vegans and vegan aspirants have asked – I find it easier to ensure that my lunch-dinner is vegan but how do I ensure a vegan breakfast? 

Today’s post answers this very question. We are not going to tell you in detail the importance of breakfast as the first meal of the day. You probably already know. We are not going to give out recipes either. You can find plenty when you know ‘what’ to find! We are not going to tell you ‘where’ to find them. Because they are all around you!

Asmita Chatterjee, the writer of this post, will simply prompt you towards the existing Indian vegan breakfast ideas all around you! If cooking these items at home, you can steer clear of ingredients such as butter and ghee and if eating out, you can verify and ask for them to be lactose free.

Also, before we begin, we’d like to say a ton of thanks to all who generously contributed their photos to enrich this post!

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10 Great Indian Vegan Breakfast Ideas

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A healthy breakfast is a great way to kick start your day. It boosts your productivity levels and energises your system.

On top of that, including a delicious vegan spread in your morning meal gives the perfect nutrition your body needs. But for most Indians, breakfasts mean – bread and butter, omelette, scrambled eggs, milk. What if I told you there were thousands of vegan breakfast ideas you are missing out on?

Below, I discuss 10 such Indian vegan breakfast ideas you can start trying out tomorrow. And no, you won’t get bored of eating the same thing every day!

Without further ado, let’s dig in.

1. Paratha/Roti with Sabzi/Vegan Curd

A North Indian breakfast staple, paratha/roti with sabzi is a delicious vegan breakfast idea that is easy to cook. Add some vegan curd into the mix and you have a complete meal. Make sure to skip on ghee and butter while cooking. Instead, stuff your paratha with veggies like potato, cauliflower, raddish, coriander to make it even more tasty and a healthy vegan choice.

2. Idly-Sambar-Chutney

Made from rice and split black gram, idly is rich in fiber. Sambar is a spicy curry teeming with vegetables like tomato, carrots, papaya. Together, they make an unbeatable combo for a vegan breakfast. What’s more, Idly-Sambar is a breakfast that it is really easy to digest.

3. Dosa-Sambar-Chutney

This amazing recipe is a native to South India, but loved by Indians all over the world. Dosa made from split black gram, chutney from coconut paste, and sambar a spicy vegetable curry – it is a delicious, fulfilling vegan meal to start your day off with.

4. Poha

Poha is a quick breakfast snack made with beaten rice or flattened rice, spices, peanuts and onions. Popular in Maharashtrian and Gujarati cuisines, it is a great option if you’re short of time and want to cook something on the go!

5. Upma

One of the most common breakfast recipes, rava upma or simply upma is a savory porridge made with semolina and a medley of veggies. It makes for a filling and satisfying meal, especially with a side of vegan chai or filter coffee!

6. Besan ka Chilla

Loved in North India, besan chillas are basically spiced chickpea flour crepes that are easy to make and 100% vegan and gluten-free.

7. Bread with Peanut Butter

What’s not to love about the simple Peanut Butter Bread? With just 5 minutes of prep time, grab one before you head out for work. Simply ensure that the store-bought peanut butter does not list “honey” as an ingredient and the bread you buy does not list any ingredient derived from cow’s milk. 

8. Dalia

Loaded with vegetables, dalia or broken wheat porridge is a highly nutritious and healthy vegan morning meal.

9. Oats With/Without Plant Milk

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. In modern times, let’s call this apple “oats.” Packed with rich fibers and nutrients, it’s the ideal breakfast choice. Soak in warm water and add some dry or fresh fruits with date syrup or jaggery – and you have a deliciously healthy vegan breakfast ready to savour!

10. ‘Simply Fruits’ Day

Did you know that mornings are the best time to eat fruits? With all the options listed above, do include a fruit every morning AND keep one day aside to eat a ‘simply fruits’ breakfast. This is a good way to detox your system. Just ensure you have enough in quantity to fulfil calorie requirements. You don’t want to feel hungry on a simply fruits breakfast, do you!

All of these wonderful Indian vegan breakfast ideas are easy to make, with very little prep time. So try them out and make your mornings more nutritious and delicious!