33+ Quick and No Fuss Vegan Breakfast Ideas for Kids

Are you seeking vegan breakfast for kids ideas? 

In this article, I’ve curated a few of my current favorite vegan breakfast recipes keeping in mind what my three vegan children like to eat. 

I’ve tried including recipes exclusively from vegan recipe creators, whenever possible. This way, you may discover a few new places to find tasty vegan recipes!

I’ve also included my personal nutrition tips for each recipe. They’re intended to make each recipe more well-rounded, from a nutrition perspective, so you can more easily meet your vegan child’s daily nutrient needs. 

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Table of contents

• What’s a healthy vegan breakfast for kids?
• Grab-and-go vegan breakfast ideas for kids
• Protein-rich vegan breakfast for kids
• Oatmeal and granola vegan breakfast recipes for kids
• Vegan baked goods to start the morning with
• Vegan pancakes, waffles, or french toast for breakfast
• Vegan breakfast smoothies for kids

What’s a healthy vegan breakfast for kids?

Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To be honest, I think that all meals are equally important. 

Each provides an opportunity for your child to eat an array of nutrients, which, when done right, will help meet their daily nutrition needs. 

Breakfast just happens to be the first one of the day. So you might as well start the day off right!

Here are the main criteria I rely on when judging whether a breakfast is well balanced:

• Is it colorful? The more colorful a breakfast, the more nutrient-rich foods it’s likely to contain. I try to include at least one colorful fruit or vegetable in each of my breakfasts. The more colorful, the better!
• Does it contain a source of protein? Protein, together with the fiber found in the fruits and veggies from the tip above, will help your breakfast have some lasting power. This helps keep your child full and satisfied for longer.  
• Does it have a source of iron? Iron is a super important nutrient that many children don’t get enough of. I try to add a source of iron to each meal and snack, even if it’s just a sprinkle of ground flaxseeds on top of their meal. 
• Does it have a source of fat? Proportionally to their size, children need to eat more fat than adults do. Foods naturally rich in fat, such as shredded coconut, nuts, seeds, or their butters, are great breakfast options. 
• Does it include a calcium-rich food? Calcium is another nutrient that vegans tend to get too little of. Breakfast is a great opportunity to include a calcium-fortified plant milk or yoghurt to your child’s meal. 

How to use these healthy vegan breakfast criteria

I try to keep these criteria in mind when putting together a vegan breakfast for my children. I also rely on them to decide which food additions are needed to make a vegan breakfast recipe I’ve found online more well-balanced, when needed. 

These are seemingly simple criteria. Yet, when consistently integrated into your child’s breakfast, they can have a big impact.

For more ideas on food combinations you can make to meet these criteria, check out these 76 vegan starter foods that are perfect for babies and children alike. 

For more info on how to supplement a well-balanced vegan diet for children, check out my dietitian’s guide to vegan supplements for kids.

In sum: A balanced vegan breakfast should include a combination of iron-rich, calcium-rich, fat-rich, and nutrient-rich foods. 

1-6: Grab-and-go vegan breakfast ideas for kids

Sometimes, you’re running short on time. You may just need a breakfast that your child can eat in the car, bus, or (in my case) the bakfiets on their way to school. 

Here are a few options for vegan breakfast for kids that are easy to grab and eat on the go. 

• Breakfast tortilla: whole grain tortilla wrap topped with nut butter, flaxseeds, chocolate chips, and a banana, served with a glass of calcium-fortified plant milk (in a to-go bottle). This is my go-to easy breakfast when I’m short on time. Kiddos love it, and so do I!
• Tofu egg patties by Essy Cooks: these are easy to make and can be included in a wide variety of grab-and-go vegan breakfast sandwich recipes.
• No-bake cereal bars by Lazy Cat Kitchen: these nutrient-rich bars have everything your kiddos need to start the day. Serve them with a glass of calcium-fortified plant milk or smoothie for a balanced on-the-go breakfast. 
• Bagels topped with this homemade tofu cream cheese by Plant-Based RD or this  soy-free vegan cream cheese version by Monkey and Me: top with your child’s favorite fruit or veggies for a well-balanced start to the day. 
• Vegan breakfast crunch wrap by Eat Figs not Pigs: an interesting spin on the typical vegan breakfast burrito. Make these when you have a little extra time, and freeze a few to reheat on busy mornings. 

7-11: Protein-rich vegan breakfast for kids

Protein helps keep your child fuller for longer. It also helps them grow, and prevents them from becoming overly hangry between meals. 

Here are a few protein-rich vegan breakfast ideas that my kids enjoy. I hope you’ll find some amongst them that your family can enjoy too. 

• Silken tofu scramble by Veggies Save the Day: simple, yet delicious and ready in 15 minutes or less. Serve with sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and toast. 
• Vegan scrambled eggs (no tofu) by Loving it Vegan: this recipe offers an interesting alternative to tofu, using chickpea flour. Serve it with hashbrowns, sliced fruit, and a glass of fortified plant milk. 
• Southwest vegan bake by The Nut Free Vegan: all-in-one casserole-style breakfast. Skip the chillies if your kiddos don’t like it spicy!
• Protein-packed tempeh breakfast hash by Well Vegan: this one requires marinating the tempeh first. So either keep it for the weekend, or make it ahead of time, and simply re-heat in the morning. 
• Lentil frittata by Vegan Richa: made with red lentils and veggies. The veggies can be easily substituted for the ones your child likes most. Great alternative to the very popular chickpea flour or tofu. Can be made ahead of time and frozen.

12-15: Oatmeal and granola vegan breakfast recipes for kids

My kids are crazy about oatmeal and granola. 

In the winter, they request oatmeal several times a week. As for granola, a homemade batch seldom lasts longer than a few days. 

The cool thing about both oatmeal and granola recipes is that you can dress them up with a wide array of toppings. So there’s almost always a way to suit everyone’s taste buds, and no two breakfasts are exactly the same.

Here are a few recipe ideas to get you inspired. 

• Vegan zucchini bread oatmeal bake by Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures: make this on the weekend, and reheat in the morning, for a quick yet well-balanced vegan breakfast for kids. 
• Peanut butter overnight oats by Ela Vegan: these are such a simple mix of kid-friendly ingredients;  chia seeds, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. Mix the night before, and simply serve come morning time. Feel free to sub the ganache for vegan chocolate chips or sprinkles if you’re short on time.
• Crunchy vegan chocolate granola by Zucker and Jagdwurst: a chocolatey deliciousness in the morning. Serve with fortified plant milk or yoghurt for a well-balanced vegan breakfast for kids. 
• Vegan pumpkin chocolate chip baked oatmeal by The Full Helping: did you know oatmeal could be baked? Make this one ahead of time, freeze in single-serve portions, and simply reheat in the morning. Top with a dollop of nut butter, and some calcium-fortified plant-based yogurt. Or take it on the go, with a glass of calcium-fortified soy milk.

16-21: Vegan baked goods to start the morning with

My children definitely inherited my sweet tooth. We all looooove baked goods. What’s nice about vegan baked good breakfast recipes is that you can often make a double or triple batch, and freeze the rest. 

Then, simply reheat the morning of, as needed. 

This is a great way to have nice baked goods for breakfast, even when time is limited, like on weekdays. 

• Vegan cinnamon buns by Lazy Cat Kitchen: add a dollop of nut butter and fortified plant-based yogurt, and serve with a side of fresh fruit. 
• Muesli breakfast bars by Lucy & Lentils: easy to batch-make. Grab-and-go together with a smoothie for a well-balanced breakfast option. 
• Vegan breakfast scones by That Vegan Nephew: I love scones (and my kiddos too). These are super simple to make, yet so tasty. Serve with nut butter, heated up frozen fruit (or jam), and a glass of calcium-fortified plant milk. 
• Grab and go savory muffins by Gaz Oakley: a nice twist on the typically sweet-tasting muffins. Can be made in advance and frozen if needed. Serve with a glass of calcium-fortified plant milk. 
• Vegan pretzel biscuits by Rabbit and Wolves: serve with a glass of calcium-fortified soy milk and some fruit, or a homemade smoothie to make it a full, well-balanced breakfast option.
• Banana oat cookies by The Pesky Vegan: these 2-ingredient cookies are super simple to make. Serve them with a glass of calcium-fortified soy milk. You can even make a cookie sandwich by spreading some nut butter between them.

22-27: Vegan pancakes, waffles, or french toast for breakfast

Pancakes are a weekly occurrence in my household. We typically make them on the weekend, when we have a little extra time to spare. 

Just like oatmeal and granola, pancakes are a great breakfast base you can top various nutrient-rich foods. Our favorite toppings include nut butter, fresh fruit, plant-based yoghurt, maple syrup and ground flax or chia seeds. 

• Easy vegan sheet pan pancakes by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken: easy to make and ready in 15 minutes. Top with your favorite toppings, and serve with a side of fortified plant-based yoghurt or fortified plant milk. 
• Savory chickpea pancakes with avocado sauce by Emile Eats: a protein-rich alternative to the typical pancake. This one is packed with veggies and the fat-rich avocado sauce makes it great for children. 
• Potato zucchini pancakes by Fried Dandelions: great alternative to flour-based pancakes. Serve with fresh berries, nuts, seeds, and a dollop of fortified plant-based yoghurt. 
• Vegan griddle pan waffles by Gaz Oakley: these are great if you, like me, don’t currently own a waffle maker! Top with a protein-rich calcium-fortified vegan yoghurt, fresh fruit, and ground flaxseeds. 
• Vegan french toast by Nora Cooks: delicious vegan french toast ready in 10 minutes. Top with calcium-fortified plant-based  yogurt, fresh fruit, nuts, ground flaxseeds and a little maple syrup. 
• Vegan sweet potato pancakes by No Sweat Vegan: an interesting way to add extra nutrients and a touch of natural sweetness to your pancakes. Serve topped with nuts, plant-based yoghurt, and fruit for a well-rounded breakfast. 

28-33: Vegan breakfast smoothies for kids

Smoothies are super versatile. 

They make for a quick breakfast, and can also be great on the go. Plus, you can drink leftovers (if you have any left) as a snack. Win-win-win!

• Chocolate bean smoothie by With Extra Veg: white beans is a great, yet seldom used way to add extra protein to smoothies. This creamy, chocolatey smoothie is definitely a worthy addition to a vegan breakfast for kids.
• Strawberry banana milkshake by Plant-Based on a Budget: requires only 4 ingredients and is super simple to make. I’d personally add a few tablespoons of flax, chia, or hempseeds to the mix for added nutrition. 
• Peanut butter and jelly smoothie by Pick Up Limes: I’d serve this as a smoothie rather than a smoothie bowl. I’d also blend dried oats and ground flaxseeds to the mix to make it a full on-the-go meal. 
• Kale smoothie (that tastes like a milkshake) by Loving it Vegan: frozen kale in a smoothie is one of the few ways my kids actually enjoy eating leafy greens. Serve with a muffin or granola bar to make it a full breakfast. 
• Blueberry pineapple smoothie with coconut cream by Desiree RD: the coconut cream ups the fat content of this smoothie, making it great for younger children. Mix some oats in or serve with a muffin or breakfast bar.
• Rhubarb cherry splash by Veggies & More: this recipe uses tofu to up the protein content of this smoothie. The spinach, beets, and cooked quinoa make it a complete balanced vegan breakfast meal.

To sum it all up

Vegan breakfast for kids don’t need to take long or be overly complicated. 

Most of the options I’ve shared above are either quick to make, or can be made in advance and only reheated in the morning. 

If there’s a recipe you really feel like trying, but think it’ll be too long, why not try breakfast for dinner? It’s a favorite in my family!

I hope that these ideas for vegan breakfast for kids help broaden your repertoire. 

And if you have any favorites of your own that I haven’t mentioned here yet, feel free to share them in the comments below. That way, every reader can enjoy them too!