Delicious and nutritious plant based healthy vegan recipes packed with flavour! Quick and easy breakfasts, filling meals and healthy snacks.
So last year was really rather blah. And I say that as someone who (thankfully) wasn’t directly affected by Coronavirus. It curtailed some or our plans and seeing family but other than a couple of internet friends no-one I knew contracted it. I can’t imagine how stressful it’s been for some people and their families.
How have you coped? Have you found the positives in change or new routines? Cooking has always been my happy place. I’m a feeder. Are you a feeder? I get disproportionate pleasure from people enjoying my food. Whether it’s because I’ve cooked it for them or someone has made and enjoyed one of my recipes. THAT is like a giant virtual hug and gives me all the warm and fuzzies. But in the last couple of months I’ve largely ditched anything even remotely healthy in favour of all things packed with Christmas goodness instead! Don’t get me wrong, it’s been overwhelming how many people have contacted me to say they’re making my Vegan Christmas Cake or Viennese Whirl Mince Pies. Or that roasted sprouts (with grapes and walnuts) are gracing their Christmas table. Makes my heart so so happy.
But being vegan also used to be the healthy option. And then someone realised eating vegan isn’t just about vegetables, pulses, fruit and beans. Vegan food CAN taste like your previous favourite indulgence. And because of this, there’s a definite shift into the less healthy option thanks to fast food giants such as McDonalds, KFC, Burger King and supermarkets et al jumping on the vegan bandwagon and offering us even more choice. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes, we all know what we SHOULD be eating, vegan or otherwise. It shouldn’t be all overly processed, with little to no nutrition and full of sodium and fat. But there IS a place for it. As a treat, stand-by or hangry emergency. And these high street names finding a way of giving us vegan options shows there is demand. Hallelujah. And anyone consuming less animal products for whatever reason is ok in my book.
So whether you’re vegan, curious about plant based food, giving Veganuary a go, or just trying to cut down your meat/dairy/fish intake, I’ve put together a list of some easy, healthy but utterly delicious food ideas. Because I flipping well need the reminder too. My stretchy pants are no longer my stretchy pants. They’re just my pants.
Healthy Vegan Breakfasts:
What’s your favourite meal of the day? Mine’s always been breakfast so lets start our days off right with something filling, healthy and downright delicious!
Apple and Cinnamon Baked Oats – made with just a handful of healthy ingredients these fruit and spice baked oats will leave you satisfied until lunch. They’re also the perfect make-ahead for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack!
If you like baked oats there’s also these strawberry and chocolate baked oats or these raspberry and apricot baked oats or even these chocolate peanut butter baked oats. I love them all and end up making batches of them every couple of weeks. I know then I’ve got something super quick but delicious ready and waiting.
Healthy Breakfast Muffins – because muffins are a great way to start the day! It took me a while to accept a muffin as a healthy breakfast thing rather than an occasional treat, but a few easy tweaks to a normal vegan muffin recipe means they won’t derail your diet!
If you like muffins for breakfast (because it feels like a treat doesn’t it?!) you’ll also love these blackberry jam breakfast muffins.
Antioxidant Smoothie – grab your blender and pack in your fruit and veggies from the get go with this deliciously healthy (and super easy) smoothie!
I love smoothies, in the warm summer months they’re my go to for healthy, refreshing and cooling down. This rehydration smoothie also really hits the spot if you’ve over-indulged on the celebratory tipples!
Quinoa Porridge – creamy and delicious topped with homemade jam. The extra energy boosting ingredients makes this vegan breakfast a great alternative to oats!
Or try these Apple Crumble Oats for another perfect autumn breakfast.
If you like porridge but don’t want something warm for breakfast when the weather is nicer try overnight oats …
Raspberry and Baobab Overnight Oats
Healthy Cookies – yep you can have your cookie and eat it. For breakfast! With much less sugar than the average cookie and packed with nutrients these healthy cookies are a delicious and convenient breakfast or a healthful treat to stave off the afternoon hungries!
Vegan Scrambled Eggs – a pinch of Himalayan black salt is all it takes to turn a humble block of tofu into delicious vegan scrambled eggs!
Like what you see? We’ve got even more vegan breakfast recipes right here!
Do you have your main meal at lunch or dinner time? My lunches tend to be quick and functional. I often prep on a Monday for the week but I also love something as simple as roasted vegetables and hummus dip. What’s your go to lunch?
Whether your main meal is quick and simple in the middle of or at the end of a long day, or a more flamboyant feast when you have more time we’ve got something for you. Family favourite tacos, quick and easy noodles, warming soups or perfectly spiced veggies.
Healthy Vegan Meal Ideas:
Cream of Mushroom Soup – rich, thick and hearty, this vegan cream of mushroom soup is full of deliciously satisfying flavour from just a few uncomplicated ingredients.
Easy Minestrone Soup – finding yourself with leftover vegetables? Try this easy and healthy one pot soup full of classic Italian flavours.
Love soup? Especially when it’s cold and frosty out .. warm your cockles right up with this White Bean Soup with Leeks & Pesto or how about this rich and creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheese Toasties.
Sesame Noodles and Veggies – a quick and healthy alternative to take out but taste just as good and can be eaten hot or cold for an easy weeknight meal or meal prepped lunch!
Teriyaki Mushroom Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw – Why limit tacos to just Tuesday?! Sticky, smokey and all the Asian teriyaki flavours are piled into these mushroom tacos with a base of creamy vegan red cabbage slaw. Delicious!
For even more deliciously healthy noodle recipes try this Instant Pot Vegetable Lo Mein or this light but filling Asian Noodle Soup. Or how about saucy noodles topped with Sesame Ginger Crispy Tofu!
Peri Peri Tacos – sweet, smoky flavours of peri peri in these vegan tofu and broccoli tacos, topped with a bright fresh sweetcorn salsa!
BBQ Bean and Lentil Tacos – oh boy, I love to stuff my face with these! The combination of meaty textures thanks to the beans and lentils, rich barbeque sauce and bright fresh guacamole makes you want to just funnel them into your mouth one after the other!
Za’atar Tofu and Cauliflower with Tzatziki Sauce – crispy baked za’atar tofu and cauliflower, gently spiced and full of flavour. Drizzle with a creamy vegan tzatziki sauce for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
And if you love cauliflower try these BBQ Cauliflower Wings – one of my lunchtime favourites! Or these Crispy Sesame Ginger Cauliflower Tacos.
Healthy Indian Takeaway – crisp, succulent tofu marinated in gorgeous warming spices with vegetable cauliflower fried rice all go in to making this a healthy Indian takeaway.
If you love spicy or Indian food try this Cauliflower Curry or this Chickpea and Potato Curry or how about this delicately spiced Golden Rice Pilaf!
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing – gently spiced cauliflower cooked to crispy perfection! Drizzled with a smooth creamy tahini dressing this roasted cauliflower is easy and SO delicious!
Pizza Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes – why not turn your plain jacket potatoes into pizza stuffed ones?! Makes a perfect meal for the whole family that’s so simple to make ahead too.
Spring Greens Salad – get yourself ready for asparagus season with this bright spring salad. Tonnes of crunchy flavour and a light, fresh dressing!
I absolutely love salad and dreaming up new and delicious ways to turn plain lettuce into something hearty and healthy
Warm Peach and Sweet Potato Salad – crisp leaves, crunchy nuts, sticky peaches and roasted sweet potatoes all wrapped up in a piquant balsamic vinegar dressing. YUM!
If you’re feeling inspired we’ve got loads more vegan meal recipes right here!
Of course snacking can be the derailment of any healthy eating. But what if those snacks themselves were healthy? And being healthy doesn’t mean compromising on flavour. No they’re not dripping in cream, butter or salt but they are utterly delicious, quick and easy to make and have on hand for snack emergencies (yep, I get those too) and can even be full of rich dark chocolate!
Healthy Vegan Snack Ideas
Minted Pea Guacamole – bright petit pois and fresh herbs liven up a traditional guacamole, giving it a lovely sweetness and chunky texture, perfect for dipping and spreading!
Rainbow Vegetable Spring Rolls – brighten these dark January days with colourful fresh veggies wrapped in sweetheart cabbage dipped in a spiced plum sauce!
Pina Colada Ice Lollies – dream of long summer days with these refreshing non-alcoholic, kid friendly lollies!
Chia Chocolate Protein Bites – little balls of flavour and texture, naturally sweetened and full of nuts, zesty orange and zingy goji berries. Not to mention healthy little chia seeds of course!
Healthy Vegan Granola Bars – don’t buy them when you can make your own! Based on Martha Stewart’s recipe these Granola Bars aren’t JUST healthy, they’re also a little addictive!! Full of nuts, dried fruits, seeds and spices they’re a perfect on the go treat!
Peanut Butter Oat Bars – EASY no bake homemade peanut butter oat bars – full of seeds, nuts and dried fruits. Refined sugar free but sweet and chewy and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack!
Homemade Larabars – These refined sugar free homemade larabars are the perfect healthier snack! Full of dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and a dash of sea salt, they are sticky, delicious, nutritious and very moreish!
Love snacks as much as we do? Look no further than our comprehensive list of Vegan Snacks!
If you made it this far thank you so much for reading! I hope you’ve found something to kick start you off on a healthier journey. Life is full of challenges, always, but knowing you’ve got a healthy something in there somewhere has to be a good thing right? Let me know what inspires you to be healthier or if you try any of our recipes, I LOVE hearing from you!
