If you've been curious about a plant-based diet, here's the ultimate list of delicious plant-based recipes to inspire you in the kitchen. Pursuing a plant-based diet is gaining popularity in today's culture, and for good reason. Essentially, a plant-based diet is a more flexible version of the vegan diet.
Focused on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, the plant-based diet has been shown to be wildly beneficial for our health in preventing chronic diseases! The goal of the plant-based diet is to introduce more real and wholesome food into the diet, and to consume less processed and refined foods.
It can be hard to know where to even begin when beginning a new lifestyle change related to food, so we've rounded up some of our favorite plant-based recipes to get you experimenting in the kitchen. Here are 30 easy and oil-free plant-based recipes that will have you wishing you'd started cooking plant-based sooner!
Breakfast
Photo credit: Running On Real Food
1. Whole Wheat Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
The best fluffy homemade pancakes from ingredients to plate in just minutes. Made with just 7 simple ingredients, this is the perfect clean stack. Top with your favorite fruits, a drizzle of maple syrup, some Wildway granola, and enjoy!
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Photo credit: Maria's Search for Happiness
2. Vegan "Egg" Patties
Step aside egg mcmuffin sandwich, there's a new plant-based sammie in town who is much cleaner and tastier! These "egg" patties are made from mung beans and are the perfect addition to any breakfast sandwich for a bonus protein and veggie punch.
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Photo credit: The Green Creator
3. Easy Crispy Hash Browns
The non-greasy and still delicious hash browns you always dreamed of; so long lake of grease. The only ingredient required? Quality potatoes. Get the recipe for these crispy hash browns, but some tips on how to make them crispy as well!
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Photo credit: Feasting On Fruit
4. Sweet Oil-Free Crepes
Take a trip to France from the comfort of your own kitchen. These deliciously simple crepes are made with only 5 ingredients and are sweetened with just one banana. Stuff with some dairy-free yogurt and sliced banana or strawberries for the perfect light and refreshing breakfast!
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Photo credit: Rainbow Plant Life
5. Healthy Vegan Breakfast Cookies
Cookies like you love, but make the delicious AND healthy for you. These cookies are full of nutrient-rich ingredients like coconut, flax and hemp seed, dried fruit, and much more. The best part is they're vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, and have no refined sugar!
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Photo credit: Watch Learn Eat
6. Cheesy Vegan tofu Scramble
If you're an eggs for breakfast kinda person, fear not, there's a plant-based version just for you! These cheesy vegan "eggs" are made from tofu! Add in some flavorful spices like turmeric and nutritional yeast for taste and you're good to go. Tofu scramble pairs perfectly with some tempeh bacon, roasted potatoes, and fruit.
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Photo credit: Make It Dairy Free
7. Vegan Pumpkin Waffles
Who said pumpkin has to be limited to just fall time? Certainly not us, we're about the big orange veggie year-round. These waffles are free of the top 8 allergens and there is even a gluten-free version; these waffles are for everyone. Top with some fresh blueberries and Wildway granola for a sweet and surprising crunch!
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Photo credit: Wildway
8. Mint Chocolate Chia Pudding
Chia seed pudding is a lifesaver for those who don't want to put too much effort into a meal, or who are in a crunch for time. This mint chocolate chia seed pudding is made with only 5 key ingredients plus whatever toppings you choose to add on *hint hint* Wildway granola is the best in our totally unbiased opinion.
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Photo credit: Veggiecurean
9. Vegan Chickpea Pancakes
Looking to step outside your comfort zone with plant-based foods? These vegan chickpea pancakes are the savory pancake you never knew you needed to try! Made with just 9 simple ingredients and on your plate in just 15 minutes, these cakes are surprisingly quick and delicious.
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Photo credit: Love & Lemons
10. Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Is it really a complete round up list if cinnamon rolls are not included? This cinnamon roll recipe is proof that not all cinnamon rolls are created equal, but they can be equally delicious. These soft and gooey rolls are just like the ones you love, but are completely plant-based!
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Lunch & Dinner
Photo credit: Another Music In A Different Kitchen
11. Orange Sesame 3-Bean Salad
From ingredients to a bright and delicious salad bursting with citrus and savory flavors in under 30 minutes. This salad recipe is so easy and is full of nutrients from fresh oranges, as well as a boost of fiber from a variety of bens.
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Photo credit: Nora Cooks
12. Simple Vegan Pesto
Get fancy with your pasta night and take it to the next level with creamy vegan pesto! Made with 5 ingredients, completely free of oil and cheese, and full of delicious garlic and basil flavors. Amp up your spaghetti and take it to the next level.
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Photo credit: Wildway
13. Baked Cauliflower Falafel
When veggies take a boring turn, get fancy with them. These cauliflower falafels are a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet in a subtle way. The cauliflower adds the perfect touch of moisture as well as absorbs seasonings and spices to make for very flavorful falafels!
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Photo credit: Running On Real Food
14. Vegan Greek Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a great dish to throw a variety of veggies in, and this one is no exception. This salad is so easy to make as it's made with only simple and fresh herbs and veggies, as well as pasta of course. It also features a surprising tofu feta that won't make you miss the dairy cheese one bit.
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Photo credit: Earth of Maria
15. Easy Vegan Mushroom Stew
The comforting and warm meal we all love to feast on every now and then. Packed with veggies, made in under 30 minutes, and insanely flavorful, this stew is a meal that is great to prep for the week to enjoy night after night.
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Photo credit: Zen & Zaatar
16. The Best Sweet Potato Vegan Mac & Cheese
Just like the mac & cheese you loved as a kid, but make it vegan with a vegetable-based sauce! Classic macaroni noodles drenched in a creamy and seemingly cheesy sauce that's made from sweet potatoes and tahini. Give your childhood-self a taste of the quality mac & cheese they always dreamed of.
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Photo credit: Rainbow Plant Life
17. Creamy White Beans with Kale and Wild Rice
A staple vegan dish, some form of rice and beans. Not only does this boast the perfect balance of complex carbs and plant-based protein legumes, but the creamy coconut-based sauce takes it to a whole other level! This is a comfort meal if we ever saw one, but not just good for your taste buds, for your body too.
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Photo credit: The Simple Veganista
18. Italian Vegan Stuffed Peppers
These Italian stuffed peppers are what's on the menu tonight! The perfect easy and quick recipe that just so happens to be full of nutritious and wholesome ingredients like veggies, spices, and protein-packed tempeh. Pro tip, make more than you need and use them as meal prep to have for the week.
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Photo credit: Vegan Richa
19. Vegan Carnitas with Mushrooms
A vegan spin on a classic taco staple for many. These vegan carnitas feature mushrooms in place of pork, and not surprisingly, is a more healthy and delicious version! This recipe requires only 1 bowl, 40 minutes, simple ingredients, and no oil!
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Photo credit: Monkey & Me Kitchen Adventures
20. Sweet Potato Black Bean Taquitos
Skip the fast-food subpar restaurant taquitos and make these delicious ones in the comfort of your own kitchen! These sweet potato and black bean taquitoes pack in the protein and complex carbs with wholesome veggies and legumes. Pair with avocado for healthy fats and you're all golden!
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Photo credit: Simply Ceecee
21. Vegetarian Dagwood Sandwich
Layers on layers on layers - exactly how we like our sandwiches. This bold sammie packs in a flavorful punch that will leave you happy and more than satisfied. Raw and crunchy veggies, crisp toasted bread, and smooth spread like hummus and avocado will have your tastebuds on the edge of their seat with each bite.
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Photo credit: Zen & Zaatar
22. Eggplant Meatballs with Roasted Red Pepper Tahini
These eggplant meatballs are proof you don't need meat to make a good meatball. This fancy, yet simple, recipe is perfect for your next Italian night. A delicious vegan take on classic Italian meatballs that won't have you missing the boring meatballs of your past!
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Photo credit: Cooking Classy
23. Veggie and Hummus Sandwich
Who doesn't love a loaded veggie sammie? Certainly not us. This veggie and hummus sandwich features hearty seed bread jam-packed with fresh cut crunchy veggies and a homemade classic hummus you'll fall in love with.
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Photo credit: Jar of Lemons
24. Chili Mango Zesty Quinoa Salad
Who ever said salads are boring has never had this zesty quinoa salad before! This salad packs in all the refreshing and flavors and vibrant colors to create a delicious and happy meal. Boost your taste buds and mood with this dish!
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Snacks & Dessert
Photo credit: The Simple Veganista
25. Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
Energy bites are a staple recipe for us as they're the perfect on-the-go snack or light dessert. These cranberry almond energy bites are naturally sweetened with dried cranberries and dates! All you need are 7 simple ingredients and just 30 minutes to make these bomb bites.
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Photo credit: Ela Vegan
26. Flourless Vegan Brownies with Chickpeas
Chickpeas in a brownie? Don't knock it until your try it for yourself! This recipe is full of surprises like a sweet potato frosting and a chocolatey chickpea brownie base. These brownies are both delicious and full of healthy ingredients, you'd never know they were healthy!
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Photo credit: Chocolate Covered Katie
27. Carrot Cake Banana Bread
Looking to get fancy with your staple banana bread recipe? We've got the perfect recipe for you. This carrot cake banana bread is divinely moist and soft and requires simple ingredients with no refined sugar. Treat yourself to a slice for breakfast or dessert!
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Photo credit: Rise Shine Cook
28. Vegan Roasted Pizza Chickpeas
We love roasting chickpeas to throw on top of our salads for a punch of protein or to have as a crunchy snack. These pizza seasoned chickpeas are the perfect savory treat that are full of fiber and flavorful seasonings. Take half an hour to whip up your new favorite snack.
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Photo credit: Karissa's Vegan Kitchen
29. Easy Oil-Free Hummus
Skip the restaurant style hummus, stay at home and make an even more tasty version in your own kitchen. This oil-free hummus requires just 6 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time. What are you waiting for? Get to making this fluffy hummus for yourself!
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Photo credit: Rosslyn Maria
30. Vegan White Chocolate Brookies
A brownie and a cookie in one? We've died and gone to dessert heaven! These chocolatey pillows of deliciousness are oil-free, vegan, and wicked fudgey. The best part doesn't stop at the taste, but also that these babies can be made in just 10 minutes!
