No time? 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 30 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 30 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes I hope you’ll love.

30 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!

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.

Get the recipe here.

5. No-Bake Fig Newton Bites

I adored Fig Newton biscuits when I was a wee one, so I’m only too happy to bring them back into my life. And you won’t even need to heat up the oven to make these bad boys! They’re wonderfully sweet from the figs whilst also containing a heart-healthy dose of omega 3 fats from the mix of walnuts and flax seeds.

Get the recipe here.

6. 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.

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. But 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 tasty. Make up a double batch and stick it in the fridge to spread on toast, on baked potatoes, or even use it as a sauce in pasta (just add a bit of oil).

Get the recipe here.

8. Vegan Almond Feta Cheese

I think it’s a pretty great time to be alive when you can take five ingredients and produce a cruelty-free, yummy vegan cheese with it, am I right?! Vegan cheese can be pretty much junk food, so the fact you know exactly what’s going in this is a bit of a godsend to those of us that miss the taste of cheese. You can enjoy this almond-based cheese crumbled into a Greek salad, stuff it into some roasted peppers with quinoa or simply enjoy with crackers for a snack.

Get the recipe here.

9. 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?

Get the recipe here.

10. Hot Vegan Cauliflower Wings

If you don’t know by now that cauliflower wings make THE BEST substitute for chicken, then where have you been living? Seriously? They’re so darn good! Once it’s baked, the cauliflower becomes crisp on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside, whilst maintaining a kind of meaty texture. These just require some flour, cauliflower and spices – and I’m sure they’ll soon become your go-to favourite of all these 5 ingredient vegan recipes.

Get the recipe here.

11. 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 – and kids love ’em!

Get the recipe here.

12. 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.

Get the recipe here.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Butternut Squash Soup

How vibrant is this dish? 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. My favourite part is the toppings, which add some interesting textures and flavours.

Get the recipe here.

16. 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 ingredients.

Get the recipe here.

17. Pan Seared Soy Sauce & Black Pepper Tofu

Another recipe to prove 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 or stir-fry for a more filling meal.

Get the recipe here.

18. 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? It’s perfect for packed lunches and side dishes at dinner, too.

Get the recipe here.

19. Tomato & 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. Tomato sauce and beans are two vegan staples so many of us already have in our pantry, so this is one you can make spur of the moment when you’re behind on your weekly grocery shopping.

Get the recipe here.

20. 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, and the typical fatty cheese is replaced with nutritional yeast for flavour, and sweet potato puree for texture.

Get the recipe here.

21. Simple Vegan Sushi – No Mat Needed!

You’d think that all kinds of sushi would be on this 5-or-fewer recipe list, 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.

22. Garlic Avocado On Toast

Avocados have such a mild, nutty taste, they’re almost begging to be pimped up. Sure, avo is lovely on its own, but add some chili and garlic and it turns into a party in your mouth! It’s filling, delicious, and perfect for when you have nothing in the fridge or can’t be bothered to cook.

Get the recipe here.

23. 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? This recipe ticks all the boxes.

Get the recipe here.

24. 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. Only 5 ingredients – but you can add as many things to dip as you like.

Get the recipe here.

25. 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 flour tortillas, beans, tomato sauce, avocado and if you like, tofu (I left it out) to make this, and add some cilantro, chili and lime for some extra zing!

Get the recipe here.

26. Vegan Pavlova

If you’re wondering how the hell you can enjoy meringue without the use of eggs, then you may want to look further into aquafaba! It’s the answer to all of our vegan dessert dreams. Okay, so it’s basically the juice left once you’ve drained a can of chickpeas – sounds gross, I know. But you won’t even be able to detect a single chickpea. It seems the proof is – quite literally – in the pudding!

Get the recipe here.

27. Healthy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

I can’t wait to try these 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.

28. Pistachio Chocolate Banana Sushi

Okay, so this is not technically ‘sushi’, but who cares about technicality when something this good exists?! Healthy bananas are covered with decadent dark chocolate and then topped further with crunchy chunks of pistachios. How fancy would this look if served to guests after a nice Japanese meal?

Get the recipe here.

29. 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 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.

30. 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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