World Vegan Day - Easy Vegan Meals for Students

World Vegan Day for 2021 is on 1st November and is used to celebrate the benefits of veganism, such as the health benefits and positive impact on the natural environment. 

You can get involved with World Vegan Day by trying out some vegan meals or even a full vegan diet for a period of time. There are also festivals and events held throughout November to celebrate World Vegan Day, you can find more information about these with the Vegan Society. 

We’ve gathered a list of easy vegan recipes for you to try below, with ideas for breakfasts, hearty meals and even sweet treats. 

Vegan Breakfasts

Going vegan doesn’t mean just salad leaves and avocado! These easy vegan recipes for breakfast times are great for any student to prepare on a budget and enjoy as part of World Vegan Day celebrations. It’s known that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so start it off right with a filling breakfast that is completely plant-based. 

Vegan Full English

Following a vegan diet doesn’t have to involve missing out on a hearty fry up! This easy vegan recipe comes from BBC Good Food and can easily be adapted to include all your favourites. This recipe serves two people. 

Ingredients:
1 x large potato
1 ½ x tbsp peanut butter
14 x cherry tomatoes
Sunflower oil
2 x tsp maple syrup
1 x tsp maple syrup
1 x tsp soy sauce
¼ x tsp smoked paprika
1 x large mushroom
349g silken tofu
1 x tbsp nutritional yeast
½ x tsp turmeric
1 x clove garlic
4 x vegan sausages
200g baked beans
Salt and pepper 

Method:
Step 1 - Hashbrowns
Boil the potato whole for 10 minutes then drain and allow to cool. Peel the skin and grate the potato. Mix with the peanut butter, season well and leave to set in the fridge. 

Step 2 - Tomatoes, Sausages and Beans
Heat the oven too 200C/180C(fan)/gas 6. Place the cherry tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with sunflower oil and bake for approximately 30 minutes until the skins have blistered. 

Cook the beans and sausages according to the package instructions.

Step 3 - Mushrooms
Mix the maple syrup, soy sauce and smoked paprika in a large bowl, slice the mushroom and coat in the mixture. Heat 2 tsp sunflower oil in a pan, add the mushrooms and fry until golden. 

Step 4 - Hashbrowns
Heat sunflower oil in a pan, split the potato mixture into four and fry for around 3-4 minutes on each side. 

Step 5 - Scrambled Tofu
Crumble the tofu into a frying pan, sprinkle in the remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper and fry for approximately 4 minutes until well seasoned and hot. 

Step 6 - Serving
Divide everything onto two plates and enjoy. 

Vegan Breakfast Muffins

Looking for breakfast on the go? Vegan breakfast muffins are great to prepare in batch and just grab to enjoy whilst you’re at university or out and about. This easy to follow recipe comes from BBC Good Food. 

Ingredients:
150g muesli
50g soft brown sugar
160g plain flour
1 x tsp baking powder
250ml soy milk
1 apple
2 x tbsp grapeseed oil
3 x tbsp nut butter
2 x tbsp demerara sugar
50g pecans

Method:
Step 1
Heat the oven to 200C/180C(fan)/gas 6 and line a muffin tin with cases. 

Step 2
Mix 100g muesli with the brown sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl. Combine the milk, apple (peeled and grated), oil and 2 tbsp nut butter in a jug and stir in the dry mix. Divide between the cases. Mix the remaining muesli and nut butter with the demerara sugar and the pecans and spoon over the muffins. 

Step 3
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the muffins are golden. Enjoy warm for the best taste. 

Easy Vegan Recipes

Whether it’s a meal for the entire flat or a quick bite to eat after uni, these vegan recipes for students are both affordable and easy to make, it doesn’t take a master chef to prepare great food. 

Easy Vegan Mac no Cheese Recipe

A vegan take on the traditional mac and cheese, this mac no cheese recipe still has a creamy taste without the need for cheese. What’s more, this recipe is both cheap and easy to make, the perfect mid-week meal for students. This recipe serves two, but is easy to double up to feed more of your friends 

Ingredients:
200g dried macaroni
1 x butternut squash
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 x vegetable stock cube
150ml of water 

Method:
Step 1
Heat the oven to 200C/180C(fan)/gas 6. Chop the butternut squash into squares of approximately 2cm by 2cm. Place these on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the butternut squash is soft.

Step 2
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it to one side. 

Step 3
Mix the stock cube with the boiling water and pour it into a food processor. Add the butternut squash, season with salt and pepper and blend into a paste. If needed add more water slowly. 

Step 4
Mix the butternut squash mixture with the cooked pasta, split it into two bowls and serve. 

Easy Vegan Chilli

A twist on the ever-popular chilli con carne, this vegan chilli is completely plant-based but still bursting with flavour. Add rice, tortilla chips or serve on jacket potato if you wish. This recipe comes from The Cheap Lazy Vegan, and it really is cheap and easy to make. 

Ingredients:
2 x cans of diced tomatoes
1 x can black beans, drained
1 x cup vegetable protein
1 x cup water
Salt and pepper

Method:
Step 1
Add all ingredients into a pan, you can add additional vegetables if you want. Bring to a boil and then simmer for around 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 

Step 2:
Serve whilst hot. You could also serve with rice or tortilla chips. 

Vegan Desserts

Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to miss out on desserts or a little sweet treat and these three-ingredient recipes are a great way to get a chocolate fix without breaking the bank. Try them out on World Vegan Day and let us know how you get on. 

Easy Vegan Brownie Recipe

This easy vegan brownie recipe from Delightful Mom Food really is quick and easy to make. With just three ingredients you can soon be enjoying these sweet treats for an affordable price. 

Ingredients:
3 x large ripe bananas
½ cup cocoa powder
1 ½ cups almond butter

Method:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200C/180(fan)/gas 6. Prepare an 8in x 8in baking dish and spray it with cooking oil. 

Step 2
Using a fork, mash the bananas and mix in the almond butter until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and mix until all combined. 

Step 3
Pour the batter into the baking dish, smooth with a fork and then cook for approximately 25-30 minutes until completely set. Leave to cool before slicing. 

Chocolate Crunch Bars

Another three-ingredient vegan dessert, the recipe for these chocolate crunch bars is easy to follow and cheap to make, great if you’re on a budget. Find this recipe below or on Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen. 

Ingredients:
200g dairy-free dark chocolate
2 tbsp almond butter (or any vegan butter)
1 x cup rice crispies 

Method:
Step 1
Break the chocolate into small pieces and add to a microwavable bowl along with the butter. Melt in the microwave slowly, stirring every 30 seconds to 1 minute. Once completely melted, mix in the rice crispies.

Step 2
Split the mixture into moulds, these can be straight bars or circles to create a doughnut feel. Place these in the fridge and leave them to completely set, this should take about 1 - 2 hours. 

Try the easy vegan recipes above and let the team here at true student know how you get on. Share your pictures on social media and use #worldveganday, or check out other people’s meals using the hashtag. Or, why not get your housemates together and cook up a vegan brunch together. You’ll find you can enjoy filling, enjoyable meals that are completely plant-based whilst still being affordable.