When a mini-fridge and microwave are your only kitchen appliances, it might seem like eating vegan is a challenge. Guess again! There are plenty of delicious and filling options you can make with smaller storage space—and we’re here to help you pick out some essentials. Even if you have a full kitchen, our list below is great for anyone craving a quick and easy meal.

Breakfast

Overnight Oats


Overnight oats can be made without any cooking! Just soak them in water, juice, or plant-based milk overnight!

Optional toppings:

  • fresh or dried fruits
  • cinnamon
  • non-dairy milk or yogurt

Do this the night before to have them ready in the morning:

  1. In a bowl or jar, combine oats with an equal amount of the liquid of your choice such as water or soymilk. For example: 1/2 cup rolled oats + 1/2 cup almond milk.
  2. Mix in a sweetener of your choice such as sugar, stevia, date syrup, maple syrup, or agave. To prevent dry oats at the bottom of the container be sure to stir well so that all of the oats will be soaked.
  3. Cover and leave in the fridge overnight. They will be ready to eat in the morning!

Avocado Toast


Avocado toast is delicious and so easy! Just toast your favorite bread and add sliced or smashed avocado!

Instructions:

  1. Toast your favorite bread.
  2. Make sure your avocado is soft and ripe. Top bread with sliced or smashed avocado.
  3. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Topping suggestions:

  • vegan cheese or butter
  • spices, hot sauce, herbs, and sea salt
  • lemon juice, onion slices, hummus, or anything you like

Bagels


When you’re in a hurry you can grab a bagel! They’re delicious either plain or with a variety of toppings. Vegetable and herb-infused bagels typically go well with toppings such as hummus, vegan butter, and avocado while fruit and raisin flavored bagels tend to go better with vegan cream cheese or PB and J.

Serving suggestions:

  • a cinnamon raisin bagel with vegan cream cheese such as Miyoko’s or Daiya
  • a plain bagel with peanut butter and jam
  • a garlic or onion bagel with hummus

Microwaved Sweet Potato with Toppings


Not only is this recipe fast and easy but it tastes almost like you’re eating a pie! This is a go-to breakfast recipe if you are traveling, or when your only appliance is a microwave.

Instructions:

  1. Poke holes all over the sweet potato with a fork and microwave ìt for 8-12 minutes.
  2. Cut it down the middle.
  3. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Suggested toppings:

  • maple syrup, date syrup, or another sweetener
  • sliced bananas, dates, or berries
  • chopped or sliced nuts
  • herbs, spices, or sea salt
  • vegan butter, peanut butter, nut butters, tahini, or vegan whipped cream
  • chia seeds or hemp seeds

Yogurt with granola and fruit


There are many varieties of vegan yogurt. Here are a just few vegan yogurt brands to look for:

  • So Delicious
  • Silk
  • Forager
  • Kite Hill

Suggested toppings:

  • granola
  • fresh or freeze-dried fruit
  • nuts and seeds
  • chopped dates

Lunch

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich


Instructions:

  1. Smear the nut butter of your choice onto your favorite bread. The bread can be toasted if you like.
  2. Add chopped bananas and enjoy!

Alternate ingredients:

  • almond butter
  • cashew butter
  • jam
  • Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

Bread with Toppings


Make this simple lunch with hummus or leftover beans. Optionally, the greens can be steamed by simply placing them in a bowl and microwaving for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Optional toppings:

  • hummus
  • greens such as spinach, kale, or swiss chard
  • avocado
  • lemon, lime, salt, pepper, or other seasonings

Hummus and Avocado Veggie Pita or Wrap


Instructions:

  1. Spread hummus onto a wrap or pita of your choice.
  2. Add sliced avocado, spinach, sprouts, onion slices, tomatoes, or other veggies.
  3. Wrap and enjoy!

Options:

  • For a dressing-like consistency: Put some hummus in a bowl with a little bit of maple syrup and lemon juice. Whisk to combine. Toss this mixture with your veggies before putting them into your wrap or pita for a better distribution of flavors.
  • If you don’t have hummus you can use a can of drained chickpeas. Using a fork, smash the chickpeas into a paste and add sriracha sauce for a spicy buffalo kick!

Mason Jar Salads


Try doing this:

  1. Add salad ingredients such as greens, quinoa, tofu, sprouts, olives, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, beans, and berries to a mason jar.
  2. Add your favorite dressing or make your own by adding ingredients such as lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, herbs, and spices.
  3. Put the lid on. Shake well and enjoy!

Salad can be so much more than just lettuce and tomatoes! Here are some more suggestions:

  • nutritional yeast
  • chopped dates or raisins
  • vegan cheese or sour cream
  • vegan meats
  • chopped avocados

Bean or Chickpea Salads


Just open a can of beans or chickpeas to get this easy salad started!

Instructions:

  1. Add a can of drained beans or chickpeas to a bowl.
  2. Add chopped onions, peppers, or other veggies of your choice.
  3. Add your favorite dressing and enjoy! If you don’t have any dressing you can make your own with a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and spices such as thyme.
  4. You can also make a dressing by mixing tahini with an equal volume of water in a 1:1 ratio. Add garlic powder, salt, or other spices to taste.

Dinner

Microwave Pasta with Meatless Crumbles and Red Sauce


Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl.
  2. Stir and microwave for 1-3 minutes.
  3. Enjoy!

Microwaved Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans, Cumin, and Vegan Sour Cream

Instructions:

  1. Poke holes all over the sweet potato with a fork and microwave ìt for 8-12 minutes.
  2. Cut the sweet potato in half.
  3. Add your toppings and enjoy!

Optional toppings:

  • black beans
  • spices such as cumin
  • herbs such as chives or cilantro
  • vegan cheese or sour cream

Ramen Noodles with Frozen Microwaved Veggies


Instructions:

  1. Cook ramen noodles and frozen veggies in a microwave according to package instructions.
  2. Drain the noodles and combine them with the cooked veggies.
  3. Add the seasoning pack or your own seasonings. Mix well and enjoy!

Optional toppings:

  • cooked beans or tofu
  • sriracha or other sauces
  • chopped avocados

Burrito


Burritos are highly customizable! Follow these general instructions:

  1. Place beans or vegan meat on a tortilla and microwave it until warm.
  2. Add toppings such as salsa, chopped avocados, microwaved rice, or vegan sour cream.
  3. Roll and devour!

Beanie Weenies (baked beans, mustard, ketchup, vegan hot dogs)

Instructions:

  1. Dump a can of baked beans into a bowl and add vegan hot dog slices.
  2. Add mustard, ketchup, or other flavorings.
  3. Microwave until warm and enjoy!

Dessert

Apples and Peanut Butter


Instructions:

  1. Slice your favorite apple with a knife or apple slicer.
  2. Dip apple slices into you your favorite peanut butter, or spread peanut butter onto the apple and eat it like a cookie. Yum!

Alternative preparations:

  • Sprinkle with hemp seeds.
  • Stir maple syrup or other sweeteners into your peanut butter.
  • Almond butter, cashew butter, tahini, and other nut/seed butters are great alternatives.

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup natural peanut butter
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup oats
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Instructions:

  1. Microwave maple syrup and peanut butter for 30 seconds.
  2. Mix with other ingredients.
  3. Roll balls onto parchment paper and chill.

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Coconut Energy Bites

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup natural peanut butter
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut, shreds or flakes

Instructions:

  1. Microwave maple syrup and peanut butter for 30 seconds.
  2. Mix with other ingredients.
  3. Roll balls onto parchment paper and chill.

Stuffed Dates


Instructions:

  1. Divide dates into 2 pieces and remove the pit.
  2. Fill the empty space where the pit was with walnuts or almond butter. Top with raspberries if desired.