What I've Been Trying and Loving Recently: Vegan Edition

For some reason I have been in the cooking spirit recently, possibly because I now have someone to cook for (shoutout to my boyfriend). Not only is it a great way to save money, but I also learn new skills, recipes, and have fun throughout the process. I wanted to share a mix of new and old vegan recipes I've recently made and enjoyed!

Vegan Apple Crisp

I wanted a simple dessert perfect for sharing that did not require any extensive prep or complicated instructions. This easy vegan apple crisp was a hit for me and my boyfriend and it goes well with some vegan vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Filling

• 4-5 Gala apples, peeled & sliced (or diced)

• 2-3 tbsp agave

• 1.5 tsp apple pie spice

• 1 tsp lemon juice

Crisp Topping

• 3/4 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup agave

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 coconut oil, melted

• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175º C).

2. Toss apple with agave, apple pie spice, lemon juice, and flour.

3. Spread apples evenly in baking dish.

4. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, sugar or agave, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Mix in the coconut oil with fingers until mixture becomes crumbly.

6. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.

7. Bake 35-40 minutes until bubbly and golden.

8. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• If you want the crisp to be less gooey, use a little more flour or less sugar/agave.

• If the topping browns too fast, cover it loosely with foil.

• If apples seem watery, bake for 5-10 more minutes uncovered.

Simple Vegan Pancakes

Last week I was in the mood for a more decadent and sweet breakfast and had more time, so I decided to make pancakes. This recipe is so easy to make and will produce a steaming stack of 8-10 delicious pancakes in no time!

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 cup plant-based milk

• 1 tbsp oil (olive or coconut)

• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add plant milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir until just combined.

3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and lightly oil it.

4. Pour 1/2 cup batter per pancake (or 1/4 for smaller or thinner pancakes).

5. Cook 2-3 minutes until bubbles form, flip, and cook another 1-2 minutes.

Tips:

• If you want a high-protein version you can add 1/2 cup of protein powder and/or peanut butter.

Vegan Pesto Pasta

I love pesto! I have made a vegan pesto before, but it wasn't made the "traditional" way so I wanted to try to stick to a traditional recipe as much as I could while still making it vegan. I loved it so much that I will be adding it to my rotation!

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil (packed)

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2-3 tsp nutritional yeast

• 1-2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Pinch of black pepper

• 1/4 cup vegan Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to pasta instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

2. Blend all pesto ingredients until mostly smooth.

3. Toss hot pasta with pesto, adding pasta water a little at a time until glossy and saucy.

Tips

• If you want to make this high protein, add in pan-seared cubes of tofu, chickpeas, white beans, edamame, or tempeh crumbles.

• If you want a higher veggie content, add in cherry tomatoes, spinach or arugula, roasted or sautéed broccoli, or mushrooms.

• If you're looking for an extra flavor boost, add extra lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil right before serving.

High-Protein Vegan Baked Oatmeal

I love oatmeal. It's typically my go-to for breakfast foods. However, sometimes I get tired (or lazy) of the same old thing and I want to switch it up!

Baked oatmeal saves time and it makes it easier to pack away or take t0 go. I also like the texture after it has been refrigerated much more than regular oatmeal or overnight oats.

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups rolled oats

• 2 cups sweetened almond milk

• 1/4 cup agave syrup

• 1/2 cup peanut butter

• 1 scoop or vegan protein powder of your choice

• 2 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil

• 1.5 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp apple pie spice or pumpkin spice

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

2. Whisk almond milk, agave, peanut butter, and oil until smooth.

3. Stir in oats, spices, baking powder, and salt.

4. Pour into greased 8x8 dish.

5. Bake 35-40 minutes, until center is set.

6. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.

Tips:

1. Add 2 mashed ripe bananas in place of sugar for a natural sweetness

2. You can add dried or fresh fruit for additional natural sweetness and a different flavor.

Chia Seed Pudding

If you need an easy-to-make and yummy to-go breakfast, try chia seed pudding! You can add yogurt, and fresh berries or berry compote to make a delicious parfait. I make big batches and store it in the fridge to eat throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup sweetened almond milk

• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk everything together well (important!).

2. Let sit for 5 minutes, whisk again (prevent clumps).

3. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Tips

• If the texture is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp almond milk.

• If the texture is too thin, add 1 tsp chia seeds and wait 15 minutes.

• If the mixture is too clumpy, whisk again after 5 minutes.

• If you don't like the texture of chia seeds, blend all the ingredients together.

• If you plan to meal prep for several days, a slightly thinner mixture is better because chia seed pudding thickens over time.

I hope that you give these recipes a try and let me know what you think! As I try new recipes, I'll make more recipe posts to help you achieve a healthier, delicious, and balanced diet! Enjoy!

Part of the content in this post was created with help from artificial intelligence. It is recommended that readers verify the information and consult with experts as needed. The author and blog owner are not responsible for the correctness of AI-generated content.