No time? Low on cash? No food in the house? These quick 5 ingredient vegan recipes have you covered!
By Lora O’Brien
I think we’ve stood in front of a seemingly empty fridge and thought to ourselves, ‘There’s nothing to eat!’ Most of the time, we’re looking at an array of potential eating options, but we just can’t see them.
The fact is, you can do a lot with a little. You don’t need a recipe with an ingredients list as long as your arm to make something tasty; all you do need is a bit of creativity!
I’ve looked around and managed to find some seriously wonderful vegan recipes with five or fewer ingredients. Yep that’s right – FIVE or fewer!
I didn’t count stuff like salt, because it’s kind of a given that you’ll be adding salt and pepper to taste in just about anything you eat. And some of these have optional sauces, so I just ignored their ingredients on the count list.
But the bottom line is that these are pretty damn simple and quick to make.
So whether you’re new to cooking, are pressed for time, or are just after some healthy recipes, here a few 5 ingredient vegan recipes I hope you’ll love.
Quick 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes
1. Peanut Butter & Berry Quinoa Smoothie
Do you ever wake up ravenous? This super fueling smoothie will fill you up fast and keep you going all day long, thanks to all that quinoa, almond milk and peanut butter. High in protein, and super yummy, too!
Get the recipe here.
2. Chocolate & Cherry Chia Pudding
Chia puddings are quick and easy to make, and are great for breakfast OR dessert! Almond milk and maple syrup add a delicate sweetness which works well to mellow out the strong taste of cacao, and then cherries are a wonderful texture and tartness.
Get the recipe here.
3. Easy Vegan Pancakes
Honestly, there’s never an excuse to turn to icky, chemical-ridden pancake mixes when making your own is THIS simple and quick! Fresh maple syrup and sliced bananas make this totally drool-worthy.
Get the recipe here.
4. Avocado & Pomegranate Sweet Potato ‘Toast’
In case you missed the memo, there’s a new kid on the food block. And he’s called sweet potato toast! Abandon your regular bread and jump aboard this exciting new food.
It’s SO easy to make and tastes damn good! All you have to do is slice sweet potatoes and grill them for 5-10 minutes until they’re cooked through and firm on the outside, yet tender inside – yep, like toast. Smash some avo on top and garnish with pomegranate and hemp seeds for a healthy and hearty meal.
Short on time? Of course, use the bread of your choice instead.
Get the recipe here.
5. Raw Orange Bars
I’m not sure about you, but I tend to find citrus based foods really refreshing. I’m just mad for citrus, so I’m all for adding its zing into some raw healthy snacks! These are perfect to make at the start of the week and take along with you at work, or if you’re out running errands. They’re guaranteed stop hunger pangs between meals!
Get the recipe here.
6. Popcorn Roasted Cauliflower
What does cauliflower have in common with popcorn, you may ask? Well, when cauliflower is roasted at high heat with some olive oil, it gets super crunchy and crispy. Add some sea salt, and it’s a bit reminiscent of popcorn, for sure. Yum!
Get the recipe here.
7. Carrot Cashew Pate (that bursts with flavour)
Okay, so I was in two minds over whether or not to add this recipe simply because, well, it’s more seven ingredients than five. But then I told myself, well salt isn’t really an ingredient, more a seasoning, which leaves us six. Lemon is much the same, so it doesn’t really count as an ingredient, so yes, this recipe made it! Plus I’ve tried and tested this myself and it’s seriously delish.
Make up a double batch and stick it in the fridge. It’s perfect as a quick meal! You can:
- spread on toast
- top onto baked potatoes
- use it as a sauce in pasta (just add a bit of oil)
- let your imagination go wild!
Get the recipe here.
8. Salt & Vinegar Kale Chips
There’s something about the combination of salt and vinegar that we Brits just love. But if you’re craving a little snack, don’t reach for a pack of crisps. Make your own healthier version that will taste as great, if not better! Kale makes a wonderful snack – when baked, it’s so crispy and addictive! And if salt and vinegar doesn’t work for you, you can play around with different variations.
Why not use some nutritional yeast to make them cheesier? This is definitely one of the easiest – and tastiest – of all the 5 ingredient vegan recipes!
Get the recipe here.
9. Brussels Sprout Tater Tots
If you’re a fan of potato nuggets, then you’ll dig this recipe big time! It’s taken that popular lunchtime favourite and has given it a healthy overhaul without compromising on texture or flavour. Plus, they’re actually one of your five-a-day. But that’s not all! Lids love ’em, and they’re super cheap. Great for those on a budget!
Get the recipe here.
10. Crispy Kumara Cakes
Just THREE ingredients go into these delicious sweet potato cakes. They’re wonderfully crispy on the outside and have that wonderful sweet, creaminess of the sweet potato inside. Seriously, I’m drooling right now!
These were topped with a green cashew sauce, but honestly, they’re so good you don’t really need any sauce at all. If you’re in a rush and do love a nice sauce, though, you could just dip these into some ketchup or vegan mayo.
Freeze some up and serve them for lunches whenever you like!
Get the recipe here.
11. Grilled Sweet Curry Corn
Corn always reminds me of my childhood, as my granddad used to grow it in his garden. My brother and I would pick it fresh and grill it on the BBQ. My obsession has carried on into adulthood, so I’m always looking for ways to enjoy this veg.
This recipe has a real sweet and spicy charm from the mango chutney and curry powder – just be sure you’re using organic corn to ensure you’re avoiding the nasty GMO stuff.
Get the recipe here.
12. Easy Black Bean Burgers
Veggie burgers can be complicated at times, but they really needn’t be! These take just five common ingredients, but if you want to, you can embellish them with all the garnishes and sauces you like. Oh, and once blended, you can then choose to either bake or fry these babies.
Get the recipe here.
13. Butternut Squash Soup
How vibrant is this soup? It just reminds me of sunshine! Coconut milk adds a sweetness and richness whilst the ginger works to balance it all out to a refreshing flavour. But my favourite part is the toppings, which add some interesting textures and flavours.
Get the recipe here.
14. Vegan Tacos
Any time I see tacos on the menu, I am ALL over that! Tacos are just life, man. I swear it to you. And the best part of this Mexican classic? They’re pretty easy to make. All you need is – yep, you guessed it – five simple ingredients.
Get the recipe here.
15. Pan Seared Soy Sauce & Black Pepper Tofu
This is another of those 5 ingredient vegan recipes that proves you can have an abundance of flavour with very few ingredients!
This tofu is crispy on the outside thanks to being marinated, and then pan seared in a soy and black pepper sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion for a quick side dish, or serve with rice for a more filling meal.
Get the recipe here.
16. Mexican Quinoa Bowl
Quinoa is an amazing grain. Although it’s a Peruvian native, you can easily make it Mexican style! This recipe is similar to Mexican rice than you’d find at restaurants, but of which tend to be cooked with a heap of oil. Why not make a large batch and enjoy this throughout the week?
This bowl is one of those 5 ingredient vegan recipes that’s perfect for packed lunches and side dishes at dinner, too.
Get the recipe here.
17. Creamy White Bean Pasta
I live for quick and easy pasta recipes! I find that they not only satisfy me, but that I like to make more than I need because it tastes so great cold the next day. This simple and delicious white bean pasta is loaded with garlic. Which is why it’s one of my fave 5 ingredient vegan recipes!
Get the recipe here.
18. Sweet Potato Quesadillas
By now, you’ve probably guessed I’m pretty keen on Mexican food – or rather, vegan versions thereof. These quesadillas are easy to make. The typical fatty cheese is replaced with nutritional yeast for flavour, and sweet potato puree for texture. They’re crispy on the outside, and creamy on the inside. Yum!
Get the recipe here.
19. Simple Vegan Sushi – No Mat Needed!
You’d think that all kinds of sushi would be on this list of 5 ingredient vegan recipes, but surprise! It’s normally deceptively complicated to make. Until now. This vegan version is super simple, and you don’t even need a mat to roll these babies up!
Get the recipe here.
20. Easy Broccoli Soup
Creamy, healthy and savoury – what else do you want from a big bowl of steaming broccoli soup? Well, that it’s easy to make and has 5 or fewer ingredients, right? Tip: a touch of garlic infused sea salt makes this bowl perfect.
Get the recipe here.
21. Instant Pot Taco Pot Hummus
SO easy to make and SO darned delicious! If you’re bored with your usual hummus, this is a total game changer. This counts as one of our 5 ingredient vegan recipes. But you can add as many things to dip as you like!
Get the recipe here.
22. Vegan Enchiladas
Yep, it’s another Mexican dish! And it’s one of the easiest of all the 5 ingredient vegan recipes here. Just take tortillas, beans, tomato sauce, avocado and if you like, tofu (I left it out) to make this. Add some cilantro, chili and lime for some extra zing!
Get the recipe here.
23. Healthy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
This is one of those 5 ingredient vegan recipes I can’t wait to try myself! Seriously, oh my god! They remind of a *certain* chocolate bar brand I used to devour several years ago. And the best part is that they’re pretty healthy, require no baking, have just FIVE ingredients and, um, what else? Oh yeah… it’s chocolate!!!
Get the recipe here.
24. Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
Not only are these super quick to make with minimal ingredients, but they’re also pretty fun, too! So if you’ve got little ones are looking to keep them entertained over the summer period, just sit them down and make them get busy!
Things may get a little mucky, but with no heat needed they’re pretty safe. Plus, once they’re ready you’ll get a peaceful five minutes whilst they hoover them up.
Get the recipe here.
25. Raw Apple Pie in a Glass
Normally, apple pie can be pretty fussy – mainly because of the crust. Without that, you’ve got the same sweet and spicy flavours, but without the hassle – and the calories – of the flour crust.
Get the recipe here.
Main image: vegan tortilla roll ups. Get the recipe here.
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Lora O'Brien
Food Editor at Eluxe Magazine
After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience of being a new mom. See more about Lora here.
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