16 High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Day

Get your day started right with one of these healthy and tasty vegetarian breakfast ideas.

vegetarian green smoothie made with fresh spinach
Photo:

BHG/Crystal Hughes

Going meatless doesn't mean sacrificing a filling meal. These high-protein vegetarian breakfast ideas are full of flavor, with at least 9 grams of protein, courtesy of eggs, yogurt, beans, nut butters, and more. Whether you're on Team Sweet (pancakes and smoothies) or Team Savory (scrambles and toasts), we have a tasty protein-rich vegetarian breakfast recipe everyone will love.

Paleo Egg and Sweet Potato Scramble
Andy Lyons
01 of 16

Air-Fried Flaxseed French Toast Sticks with Berries

Air-Fried Flaxseed French Toast Sticks with Berries
Caitlin Bensel

Protein: 14 grams

This is one of our high-protein vegetarian breakfast recipes picky eaters will love. Pop the cinnamon-scented whole grain bread sticks into the air fryer for an irresistible, golden brown, crunchy coating. The seeds, egg custard, and whole grain bread pump up the protein, so this decadent-tasting morning meal will keep you satisfied until lunch.

02 of 16

Sheet Pan Egg-Stuffed Bagels

Sheet Pan Egg-Stuffed Bagels
Carson Downing

Protein: 18 grams

What do we love about this easy sheet pan recipe? Everything. Bagels bring the flavor, while eggs and feta cheese lend protein. Fresh herbs, salty olives, and juicy tomatoes round out a meal that's better than a deli.

03 of 16

Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies

Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies with sliced banana. Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies R271011
Brie Passano

Protein: 16 grams

Wondering what to make for a fast high-protein vegetarian breakfast? Consider smoothies—fruit, vegetables, and dairy—you'll find all three food groups here. Thanks to Greek yogurt, milk, and chia seeds, this is a breakfast smoothie with serious staying power.

04 of 16

Buttermilk Bran Cakes with Apple-Walnut Topping

Buttermilk Bran Cakes with Apple-Walnut Topping on plate with glass of orange juice
Jason Donnelly

Protein: 10 grams

Believe it: Pancake recipes can be more than a carb fest. With low-fat yogurt, walnuts, and an egg in the mix, you won't be scrounging for snacks an hour after devouring a plate of this delicious high-protein vegetarian breakfast. Come fall and winter, use apples or pears in the topper; in summer, try swapping in cherries or berries.

05 of 16

Oatmeal with Goat Cheese, Dates, Walnuts, and Honey

Oatmeal with Goat Cheese, Dates, Walnuts, and Honey in bowl with spoon
Blaine Moats

Protein: 10 grams

We've never seen such an elegant-looking (yet easy-to-prep) bowl of oatmeal. Goat cheese, dates, walnuts, and honey give a sophisticated feeling to this high-protein vegetarian breakfast and offer an irresistible combination of sweet and salty. And you choose the oat. Whatever you've got on hand will work, though we suggest regular, versus quick-cooking, for a bit of a protein advantage.

06 of 16

Strawberries and Cream Waffle Sandwiches

Strawberries and Cream Waffle Sandwiches with honey
Jason Donnelly

Protein: 10 grams

Cream cheese, roasted sunflower kernels, and whole-grain bread are the keys to this waffle sandwich's big nutritional value. Try whipped ricotta cheese or plain Greek yogurt rather than cream cheese for even more protein. When strawberries aren't in season, try this protein-rich vegetarian breakfast recipe with sliced bananas instead.

07 of 16

Peanut Butter and Fruit Quinoa

Peanut Butter and Fruit Quinoa in white bowls
Andy Lyons

Protein: 10 grams

Here's a breakfast hack: Trade oatmeal for quinoa, and you'll score twice as much protein. Stir in a bit of peanut butter, jelly, and top with a spoonful of peanuts for a fast and filling vegetarian breakfast. For a make-and-take breakfast, build these parfaits in Mason jars and pack a spoon.

08 of 16

Avocado and Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Avocado-Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Andy Lyons

Protein: 12 grams

Avocado toast is delicious. But you know what's even better? A high-protein vegetarian breakfast sandwich that takes that concept to the next level in just 10 minutes. Simply spread mustard on toasted whole wheat bread, then top with mashed avocado, steamed asparagus, and a hard-boiled egg.

09 of 16

Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwiches

Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwiches with spinach, egg, and tomato
Jason Donnelly

Protein: 13 grams

Skip the drive-through muffins today. Instead, wrap up one of these vegetable-topped flatbreads that can be customized with eggs cooked to your liking. A batch of this high-protein vegetarian breakfast for four takes only 20 minutes to prepare.

10 of 16

Ginger-Sesame Oats With Mushrooms and Charred Green Onions

Ginger-Sesame Oats with Mushrooms and Charred Green Onions in white bowl with spoon
Andy Lyons

Protein: 21 grams

If you're ready to give this savory oatmeal trend a try, here's an option for you—use water to simmer the nutritious steel-cut oats. Mushrooms cooked in sesame oil with fresh ginger add a flavor boost to a high-protein vegetarian breakfast you'll want to make every weekend.

Buy It: Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats ($5, Walmart)

11 of 16

Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast

Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast with bananas and pecans
Andy Lyons

Protein: 24 grams

For a morning when you're in the mood to indulge, but still want a high-protein vegetarian breakfast, try this mascarpone-stuffed French toast. (Better yet, prep it the night before so all you have to do is bake, come brunch time.) Instead of maple syrup, each stack is served with a salted caramel-banana sauce.

12 of 16

Rice and Bean Frittata

Rice and Bean Frittata
Kritsada Panichgul

Protein: 26 grams

Rice and beans aren't just good for a Mexican dinner side dish. Eggs, beans, and cheese make for a morning triple threat in this high-protein vegetarian breakfast. Zucchini and rice add heartiness; tomatoes and parsley keep it fresh.

13 of 16

Birdie in the Basket

Birdie in the Basket muffins with egg and cherry tomato and spinach
Jason Donnelly

Protein: 9 grams

This easy vegetarian breakfast is as cute as its name. Fill muffin cups with hash browns, eggs, and cheese, then top with pesto and tomato. You can easily amp up the vitamin level if desired by trading sweet potatoes for russets.

14 of 16

Oatmeal with Eggs Sunny-Side Up, Avocado, Cheddar, and Chives

Oatmeal Sunny-Side Up Eggs Avocado Cheddar Chives
Blaine Moats

Protein: 21 grams

Give maple syrup, berries, and cream a day off. Oatmeal gets a savory makeover when paired with nutrient-rich eggs and avocado. Fresh chives and Gruyère cheese boost the flavor profile of this vegetarian breakfast.

15 of 16

Savory Egg and Sweet Potato Scramble

Savory Egg and Sweet Potato Scramble in pan
Andy Lyons

Protein: 15 grams

This satisfying high-protein vegetarian breakfast skillet allows each person two eggs and half a sweet potato. For heartier appetites, toss in a few more seasonal vegetables, add a slice of whole wheat toast, or try our absolute favorite serving style: stuffed inside a whole wheat pita.

16 of 16

Berry-Coconut Smoothie Bowl

Berry-Coconut Smoothie Bowl
Adam Albright

Protein: 18 grams

"Go bowling" gets a new meaning with this high-protein vegetarian breakfast that's also Paleo-friendly. It's packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins via cashews, flaxseed, berries, and coconut flakes. Top your bowl with cacao nibs if you're in a chocolate mood or a handful of nuts if you need even more protein.

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