5 Protein-Packed Plant-Based Breakfasts to Make in Your Instant Pot

Two of the biggest food trends of the last decade meet in these easy Instant Pot breakfast recipes.

About one in every five Americans owns an Instant Pot, according to a January 2019 Instapot Life survey. And from 2017 to 2019, retail sales of plant-based foods climbed 31 percent, per the Good Food Institute.

Not only are these satisfying, high-protein breakfast recipes quick to make in the hands-off, multitasking appliance, but they also pack good-for-you plant proteins.

While many think bypassing animal proteins means you'll fall shy on your protein quota for the day, it's absolutely possible to hit your goal for this muscle-building macronutrient with vegetarian sources. (By the way, here's the real difference between plant-based, vegetarian and vegan diets.)

Focusing on a meat-free breakfast is a great way to step down from a completely carnivorous menu if you're used to meat at all three meals, explains Michelle Hyman, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian at Simple Solutions Weight Loss.

"Forgoing meat can place emphasis on choosing fruits and vegetables, which many times, my clients struggle to get at breakfast." Each of the meatless Instant Pot breakfast recipes here offers at least 12 grams of protein (or about as much as two eggs, per the USDA).

But if you don't feel like counting, Rachel Fine, RD, has an easy rule of thumb: "Rather than focusing on the numbers for grams of protein at breakfast, I suggest aiming for two sources of plant-based protein, such a serving of seeds and nut butter."

• Calories: 320 calories
• Protein: 12 grams

In this high-protein vegetarian breakfast recipe — inspired by those Instagram-trendy Japanese soufflé pancakes — you simply mix the batter and "bake" in the Instant Pot to serve four in one fluffy flapjack.

Each serving has 12 grams of protein from the eggs and milk, and you can easily score even more by topping with Greek yogurt or nut butter. To add fiber, trade whole-wheat for all-purpose flour and fold a handful of berries (frozen or fresh) into the batter.

• Calories: 419 calories
• Protein: 16 grams

Yes, this recipe calls for cooking the oats on your stovetop, but it works just as well when you follow the recipe developer's advice for cooking steel-cut oats in an Instant Pot to make the base of this high-protein, plant-based breakfast.

Once your oats are cooked to tender perfection along with nut butter, almond milk, hemp and chia seeds and maple syrup, you can finish with any bonus mix-ins or toppings you're craving. Think: Fruit and protein powder.

"Adding a plant-based protein powder — like pea protein or almond protein — to oats is a way to quickly boost the protein in a plant-based diet," Fine says.

Allergic to peanuts? Try this with almond, sunflower seed or your favorite alternative seed butter.

• Calories: 285 calories
• Protein: 12 grams

Use the sauté function to caramelize the veggies, then steam the egg casserole in your Instant Pot. Top with cheese, allow to cook for 3 minutes more to melt, then devour — this keto-friendly, plant-based breakfast is just that easy. It's a cinch to customize with any leftover veggies and cheeses as well.

"Including more sources of plants in your morning will often come packaged with naturally occurring fiber. Fiber helps to maintain blood sugar and thus promote sustained levels of energy through your morning. You'll also feel fuller for longer, which can help fuel you through a busy morning," Fine says.

• Calories: 557 calories
• Protein: 18 grams

With more protein and fiber than oats, it's time you invited quinoa to the breakfast table. This high-protein Instant Pot breakfast recipe features both of these hearty whole grains along with almond milk, chia and hemp seeds, flaxseed meal, cinnamon and syrup.

To make this in an Instant Pot, opt for steel-cut oats. Combine all of the ingredients in the appliance and cook on high for one minute, then allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then dress it up as desired, like with sliced almonds, fresh fruit or a spoonful of nut butter.

• Calories: 359 calories
• Protein: 13 grams

After just 4 minutes of pressure cooking and 10 minutes of pressure release, your high-protein oats become a blank slate for seasonal toppings, such as canned pumpkin, diced apples, sliced bananas or seeds.

"Shelled hemp seeds are another high-protein option [9.5 grams per 3-tablespoon serving] that can fit into many plant-based breakfast recipes, including pancake mixes, oats and smoothies. Hemp seeds are also great sources of iron and zinc, two minerals important for metabolism," Fine says.