4 Vegan Brunch Dishes That Aren't Avocado Toast

Weekend brunch with family or friends is an institution that signifies a slower pace than weekday mornings, leisurely cups of coffee, long chats and a generally relaxed vibe. Brunch is also synonymous with bacon, eggs and sausage, but consumer-conscious brunch spots are recognising the demand for vegan brunch options, and there's much more on offer than the vegan brunch staple of avocado toast. Here are four vegan dishes to look out for next time you go out for brunch:

Vegetable Frittata

If you're looking for a hearty brunch dish you can enjoy with a side of sourdough toast, opt for a vegetable frittata. It's made with a chickpea flour batter that has kala namak added to it. Kala namak is a black salt from India that has an egg-like flavour. Loaded with veggies and with an optional topping of melty vegan cheese, a frittata is the perfect dish for those with a big appetite.

Quesadilla

If you enjoy a brunch you can pick up with your hands and get stuck into, a cheesy quesadilla filled with peppers, vegan bacon and mushrooms will hit the spot. Nut-based vegan cheeses or those made with coconut oil are popular choices for quesadillas as they melt well, and there are a number of plant-based crispy bacon alternatives to try, such as those made with textured soy protein or dried aubergine and liquid smoke.

No-Huevos Rancheros

What's not to love about this Mexican dish that combines protein-packed black beans with creamy avocado and a spicy tomato sauce? Egg replacers that are made with a combination of chickpea or tapioca flour, nutritional yeast and vegetable protein are a popular choice when serving no-huevos rancheros. Add a crispy corn tortilla and some fresh coriander and your taste buds will be tingling.

Seitan Sausage Sandwich

If you miss the classic sausage sandwich with grilled onions and ketchup, look out for a seitan sausage version. Seitan sausages are made with vital wheat gluten and are high in protein. They are a good option if you want to avoid soy, and they have a meaty texture. Add a side order of potato pancakes or hash browns and pickles if you really want to party.

These are just a few vegan dishes you can often find on brunch menus, but if your chosen brunch venue doesn't offer much in the way of vegan options, it's easy to customise common brunch dishes. Replace the eggs in huevos rancheros with extra vegetables, ask for an English muffin with a baked Portobello mushroom and fresh salsa or order a burrito or wrap with hash browns, beans, grilled tomatoes and asparagus.