Let’s be honest, breakfast is the one meal vegans aren’t always expected to nail. People think you’re out here nibbling fruit and sipping oat milk like you don’t miss a proper fry-up. But in the UK, you can absolutely have a full-blown breakfast: sausages, hash browns, black pudding, chocolatey cereal, flaky pastries. All 100% plant-based.
This post shares the best vegan breakfast options in the UK right now. Some are labelled vegan, some are accidentally plant-based, and some will genuinely surprise you. Spoiler: the Jus-Rol croissants make the cut, obviously.
What Does “Accidentally Vegan” Mean?
Accidentally vegan means the product isn’t labelled as vegan, but the ingredients are animal-free. No eggs, no butter, no sneaky milk powder. It wasn’t made with vegans in mind, but it turns out safe.
In the UK, accidentally vegan foods are everywhere. Especially at breakfast. From hash browns to cereals and pastries, you’ll find loads of things that don’t scream “vegan” but work perfectly. Always check the label because recipes can change. Once you know what to look for, you’ll spot them easily.
The Full Vegan English
If you’re like me, you want a proper breakfast. Not a green smoothie. Not a chia pudding. A full English, but vegan. And yes, you can absolutely make it happen.
Build it like this:
- Vegan sausages: Richmond Meat-Free sausages taste herby and realistic. Beyond and This also do solid options.
- Vegan bacon: If you miss that salty, smoky strip on the side, try La Vie, This Isn’t Bacon, or Plant Pioneers Smoky Streaky from Sainsbury’s. Fry until crispy and stack it in your breakfast butty.
- Hash browns: Most supermarket frozen ones are accidentally vegan. Always check the label, but you’ll usually be fine.
- Vegan black pudding: You’ll find plant-based black pudding from The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Co. or V Pud. It brings proper savoury depth.
- Baked beans: Heinz baked beans are vegan. So are most supermarket own-brand tins.
- Grilled tomatoes and mushrooms: Fry them with olive oil and garlic to give them a little love.
- Toast with vegan butter: Flora Plant, Pure, and Naturli all melt beautifully on hot toast.
This full English version delivers all the comfort without the compromise.
Don’t Forget the Egg
Egg on toast is a British staple. It’s quick, comforting, and everyone’s had it at some point. Let’s keep it going, vegan-style.
Vegan Egg Alternatives
- JUST Egg: You can find it online or in specialist shops. It scrambles like the real thing.
- Crackd: This UK liquid egg substitute works well in scrambles and omelettes.
- OGGS: People use this mostly for baking, but it can work in softer egg-style dishes too.
Or skip the substitutes and go straight to tofu scramble.
Quick Tofu Scramble Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ block of firm tofu (pressed)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp black salt (kala namak)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A splash of oat milk or knob of vegan butter
Instructions:
Crumble the tofu into a hot pan with a little oil. Stir in the spices and cook for 4–5 minutes until heated through and golden. Add oat milk or vegan butter at the end to make it creamy. Serve on toast with mushrooms, tomatoes or avocado.
Vegan Cereals: Labelled and Accidentally Plant-Based
You might assume all cereal is vegan. Sadly, no. Some include:
- Vitamin D3 (often from sheep’s wool)
- Whey (a dairy byproduct)
- Milk powder
- Honey
But don’t worry, there are plenty of vegan-friendly cereals out there.
Labelled Vegan Cereals
These cereals proudly say they’re vegan:
- Fuel 10K Granola (Chocolate Chunks): Chocolatey, crunchy, filling, and plant-based. My favourite.
- Lizi’s Granola: Some flavours are clearly labelled vegan and taste brilliant.
- Tesco Free From Choco Snaps: Found in the Free From aisle and easy to love.
- ASDA Free From Choco Hoops and Cornflakes: Budget-friendly and clearly marked.
- M&S Plant Kitchen Nutty Granola: Full of flavour and texture.
Accidentally Vegan Cereals
These don’t say vegan on the box but usually are. Just double-check the ingredients:
- Weetabix: Iconic and vegan.
- Shreddies (Original): Crunchy and dairy-free.
- Alpen No Added Sugar (Original): Often free from milk and honey.
- Morrisons Bran Flakes: A healthy, simple option.
- Aldi Malted Wheaties: Like Shreddies, just cheaper.
Add Plant Milk and Vegan Yoghurt
Cereal without milk or yoghurt? Not a chance.
Plant Milk
- Oat: Creamy and perfect for granola. Oatly and Aldi own-brand both work.
- Almond and Soy: Light, slightly sweet, and easy to find.
- Coconut: Great if you like a sweeter option.
Vegan Yoghurt
- Alpro: Available everywhere and reliable.
- Nush: Nut-based and slightly tangy.
- Coconut Collaborative: Thick, creamy, and very coconutty.
- Tesco and Aldi own-brand: Budget-friendly and surprisingly good.
Pour it, spoon it, mix it. However you use it, they make breakfast better.
Vegan Baked Goods: Croissants, Pastries and More
You don’t need to give up pastries because you’re vegan. In fact, you’ll find plenty of flaky, buttery options without animal products.
Top Pick: Jus-Rol Croissants and Pain au Chocolat
These come in a pop-open tin, bake fresh in your oven, and taste incredible. Accidentally vegan and absolutely essential.
Other baked favourites:
- Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll: Quick, savoury, and satisfying.
- Co-op Jam Doughnuts: Soft, sugary, and surprisingly vegan.
- Aldi Bake at Home Petit Pains: Great for mini breakfast sandwiches.
- Lidl Pretzels: The salted bakery ones are usually vegan. Perfect with nut butter.
- ASDA Free From Chocolate Chip Muffins: Found in the Free From aisle and full of flavour.
Final Thoughts
You can absolutely enjoy the best vegan breakfast options in the UK without sacrificing flavour or comfort. Whether you want a full English with black pudding, a bowl of chocolate granola, or freshly baked croissants, there’s no shortage of choice.
So next time someone says “I couldn’t be vegan, I love breakfast,” hand them a plate of hash browns and a flaky pastry. Then just smile and carry on eating.
If you’re interested in learning more about vegan nutrition, the Vegan Society has a brilliant resource hub covering everything from balanced breakfasts to B12.
Before you go…
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