Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (2024)

By Randi Tisdall · Published: · Updated: 154 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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Getting kids to eat a healthy breakfast can be difficult.

I mean, one trip down the cereal aisle with children is enough to make me go insane. No, we are not getting “frosted” anything. Those puffs are LITERALLY nothing but sugar. Look, put down the chocolate crispies or else. And when you’re outnumbered 3 to 1, getting everyone to agree on plain bran cereal is close to impossible.

Enter this vegan breakfast sausage, which is something everyone can agree on without throwing a temper tantrum.

Because when you get to enjoy a classic breakfast with a vegan spin, everybody wins. These meat-free sausages are made using lentils, rolled oats, and ground flaxseed as the base, then mixed with a collection of sausage-worthy spices to bring the flavor on point. It’s seriously the best vegan breakfast sausage recipe EVERRRRRRR.

(And if you like this healthy vegan breakfast, you can also check out my amazing savory oatmeal recipe and the ultimate vegan omelette.)

Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (1)

Table of contents

  • A vegan sausage muffin that’s actually healthy
  • This vegan lentil sausage recipe is easy to make and use all week long
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to make vegan lentil sausage patties + video
  • Pin It!

“Wonderful recipe! We love the fennel, maple syrup, cayenne– well, EVERYTHING! I made a double batch for quick breakfasts for the week! Thanks for sharing this recipe!” -Sherry

“I am sold on these breakfast sausages…” -Stefani

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A vegan sausage muffin that’s actually healthy

Perhaps my favorite thing about these vegan breakfast sausages is that they’re actually healthy.

When I was a kid, I would beg my parents to pretty please take me through the breakfast drive-thru so I could get a sausage and cheese muffin, which was loaded with sugar and God knows what else. Even though eating one would send my stomach into convulsions and sometimes I would crash from a sugar coma before 10 am, I still wanted them.

Food can be one crazy drug.

But now, I can actually enjoy my sausage muffin, because I control what goes into them. No crazy amounts of sugar or chemicals that make my stomach do back flips.

Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (2)

I love using lentils as the main base for these sausages, since they are easy to work with + easy to manipulate the flavor. Plus, lentils are a good source of vegan protein, making this sausage muffin a healthy breakfast choice.

What’s more is that my kids LOVE sausage muffins, so a batch of these will keep their tummies satisfied.

“This recipe is the truth! It’s sooo good, smells amazing & not time consuming! Loved it sooo much!” – C

Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (3)

This vegan lentil sausage recipe is easy to make and use all week long

So the next time you’re battling your children in the cereal aisle, forget the boxed junk and make some of these instead.

They’re a snap to pull together, taking only 20 minutes to boil lentils + 15 minutes to bake. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge so your kids can access them all week long.

And if you really want to take it to the next level, you can make a double batch of these and freeze individually-wrapped patties. Defrost with a quick reheat in a non-stick skillet. You’re welcome.

“I froze my batch. They were perfect when reheated on a skillet for a few minutes. I just recommend covering the pan so the inside of the patty warms up. Really delicious with avocado on an English muffin! And seriously these are so much more wholesome and cheap than the frozen pre-made veggie patties from the store. Really loved this recipe.” -Kayla

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need 1 cup of ground flaxseed for this recipe?

YES. I know, it seems like a lot, right? But the flaxseed is part of the magic of this recipe. It not only works with the lentils to help bind the patties together, but keeps these patties healthy + gluten-free.

Let’s talk lentils. Can I use canned lentils or green lentils? And do I need to drain the lentils before adding to the bowl?

The lentils in this recipe are important because they provide the moisture that helps keep these patties wet enough to shape into patties. You can use any variety (even canned), but just keep in mind that this could change the texture, taste, and consistency of the mixture. I’ve made this recipe countless times, and this is why I always boil brown lentils from scratch– the lentils are the perfect texture and contain enough moisture to shape into firm patties.

My sausage patties keep falling apart and my mix seems dry– how can I hold them together?

If your mixture seems too dry, it’s probably because the lentils do not have enough mositure (maybe they were cooked too long?). To solve this, simply add a couple tablespoons of water, and a touch more if necessary. You’ll know you have a good patty when you can roll it into a ball and it doesn’t fall apart. To see this process in action, check out the helpful step-by-step video below.

Can I freeze these patties?

Absolutely! I have done this (as well as readers of BVK) with great success. I suggest wrapping each patty individually, and defrosting by frying lightly with oil in a frying pan. I do not use a microwave, but I imagine that would work fine too:)

Do I have to use smoked paprika?

Nope! If you can’t find smoked paprika, regular paprika will do. The smoked paprika adds a bit of flavor, so if you want that smoky sausage feel, you can always add 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite liquid smoke.

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Allergy Information & Substitutions

  • These breakfast sausages are 100% vegan, meaning they are meat-free, egg-free, and dairy-free. They are also naturally nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free (if you want your muffins GF, make sure to purchase gluten-free English muffins).
  • Make them soy-free by omitting the tamari OR using coconut aminos instead. Just remember that this may change the flavor.
  • I topped my sausages with Daiya American cheese, but you can use another vegan cheese of your choice.
  • See the FAQs for more on creating these vegan sausage patties.

“These vegan breakfast sausages were amazing!! They smells SO good the whole time that I slapped a piece of Daiya cheese on one as soon as they were out of the oven and ate it standing at the stove! They are WAY better than the real thing!!!! Yummy spices without the grease and gristle and you can taste them to adjust spices before they are cooked! Thank you for the recipe, I will be making these again and again!” -Christine

How to make vegan lentil sausage patties + video

What you need (for exact measurements, check out the recipe box below). To see the video, make sure your ad-blocker is disabled.

  • Lentils. I use classic brown lentils for the best texture + flavor.
  • Broth or water. For extra flavor, use a vegan beef or chicken bouillon cube.
  • Rolled oats. The smaller the oatmeal, the better your patties will hold together.
  • Ground flaxseed. This helps bind your patties and keeps them healthy and gluten-free. Yes, you really do need to use a whole cup.
  • Maple syrup. This adds a touch of sweetness, but is totally optional. Just keep in mind that if you leave it out, you may have to substitute with a splash of water.
  • Tamari sauce. You can also use soy sauce– tamari just keeps this gluten-free. If trying to do soy-free, swap this out for coconut aminos.
  • Spices: fennel seed, smoked paprika, sage, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. These bring the flavor + feel of traditional sausage.
  • Extras: vegan cheese slices and English muffins complete this breakfast sandwich, but are totally optional.

Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (7)

Vegan Breakfast Sausage (Lentils, Healthy, Gluten-Free)

Randi Tisdall

This is seriously the best vegan sausage recipe EVERRRRR. Great on it's own or served on English muffins, now you can enjoy this classic protein-packed breakfast without all the junk. Naturally healthy, cruelty-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.

4.38 from 194 votes

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Servings 12 patties

Calories 171 kcal

Ingredients

For vegan sausage patties:

  • 1 cup dried brown lentils
  • 3 cups broth or water (I like using vegetable or vegan beef/chicken broth)
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup ground flaxseed
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons tamari sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seed
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt ( I use Himalayan pink salt)

Extras:

  • vegan cheese slices, optional
  • 12 English muffins, toasted

Instructions

  • Rinse and sort lentils. Add to medium pot with broth and bring to a boil; cook on medium high for 15-20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and lentils are cooked through.

  • Transfer cooked lentils to a medium mixing bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix until combined well. The mixture should be moist (for more on this, check out the video in post + the FAQs for tips).

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Using your hands, divide mixture into 12 balls, then shape into patties. Transfer patties to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. If melting cheese on top, remove patties from oven after about 14 minutes and add cheese; return to oven for 1-2 minutes. Serve by themselves or with English muffins!

Notes

  • These breakfast sausages are 100% vegan, meaning they are meat-free, egg-free, and dairy-free. They are also naturally nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free (if you want your muffins GF, make sure to purchase gluten-free English muffins).
  • Make them soy-free by nixing the tamari OR using coconut aminos instead. Just remember that this may change the flavor.
  • I topped my sausages with Daiya American cheese, but you can use another vegan cheese of your choice.
  • See the FAQs + video above for more on shaping these patties.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this recipe? Tell me about it + share!Comment and let me know how it was! Then follow BVK on Pinterest @bohemianvegankitchen

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Thank you for taking the time to invest in your health and happiness!

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About Randi Tisdall

I believe that wellness starts in your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or boring! That's why I'm dedicated to sharing the best vegan comfort food and healthy recipes. Because at the end of the day, you should feel good about what you eat and how you feel, regardless of health restrictions or crazy schedules. Bohemian Vegan Kitchen has been featured by VegNews, Delish, Beyond Meat, MSN, and HuffPost.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly

    I do like the basis of this recipe. After reading all the comments, I added about a tablespoon of oil and extra water to make a very moist paste and omitted the syrup. The spices I completely changed to suit my taste. After letting the lentil-oats-flaxseed meal mixture sit overnight, I added some toasted sunflower seeds to add texture. I got 20 good-sized patties that baked for 23-27 minutes. The addition of oil and extra water made a moist patty that held together really well. I might try to brown in oil a couple of cooked patties, to see if I can get a little bit of a crust on them. If you remember that this is a lentil patty, not a pig or turkey patty, you will be happier in trying these. They are not going to taste, look or cook like an animal product. They are very good and I will make them again.Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (11)

    Reply

  2. Kristie

    3 cups of broth made the mixture very soupy! I kept adding oats till I got something that wasn’t too runny, but still couldn’t make balls, had to drop puddles of soupy mixture onto baking sheet! We’ll see if they set up and are edible.

    Reply

  3. Laura

    Love these. I put the entire mix into the food processor and pulse it a bit to give it more of a sausage texture. I cook up some JustEgg and put that, the sausage and some vegan cheese on an English Muffin … delish! MSeriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (12)

    Reply

  4. Kimchi

    I absolutely % ♥️ this recipe. It was so easy and quick to make. I am the only vegan in my family, so I froze the rest of the patties to use later. BTW, we made homemade pizzas last night and I kept enough of the recipe back so I could put it on my pizza. Mmmm . I also used some of the sausage recipe In my sausage gravy this morning over hashbrowns. I like my sausage more on the savory side rather than sweet so I added more fennel seed, smoked paprika and for more kick a little more cayenne pepper. Thank you so very much for this recipe.Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (13)

  5. JE

    Made these this morning. My only changes were I used molasses instead of maple syrup, I ground my fennel seed, and I left out the peppers since I am not a pepper person. I did put all the ingredients in my food processor to really meld everything together and I did have to add 2-3 T of water to moisten the final product to get the right consistency.. Another ‘fake’ sausage recipe I have made has you ‘fry’ these in a skillet. I decided to put my patties on the griddle on Medium heat and let them cook through and get slightly browned. They turned out really well. I liked the flavor, as well as the texture is closer to a sausage patty than the other ‘fake’ recipe is. I will be making these again. Thanks for postingSeriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (14)

    Reply

  6. Latasha Williams

    Today was my first day making theses & I agree with Danica H on them being dry. Is there a way to make them a bit more on the moist & meat texture side? I will be making them again, but I think I will have to tweak the recipe a bit. I’ll post an update when I make them again.

    Reply

  7. Lisa B.

    Will red lentils work?

    Reply

    • Randi Tisdall

      Hi there, I do not recommend red lentil because they will get really mushy. Brown or green work best!

      Reply

  8. Tina

    These were amazing. I only had sprouted brown lentils but they were perfect. I didn’t have flax seed so I used chia seed. Little less than a cup though. Didn’t have syrup so I used agave. I didn’t have fennel but I had a pepperoni spice that had fennel so I used that. I used fresh sage and thyme. I didn’t see to use smaller oats and mine were, well, huge. I added mushroom powder for more umami and lots of cayenne. Garlic too. Ok so…when I tasted the mixture, I was so pleased. My son even liked it and he doesn’t care for mock meats. Great recipe even though I had to make executive chef changes! Yum!Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (15)

    Reply

  9. Melissa

    Flavor was there just too dry. Will definitely make these again. I am thinking maybe use a food processor to blend lentils, oatmeal, and flax.Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (16)

    Reply

    • Brittany

      Great basic recipe, I like to add to vegan hash with sprouts and onions. In a pinch I used canned lentils which makes this super easy, adding veggie bullion for more flavor. Freeze well.

      Reply

  10. Maren

    If you are making these to freeze and reheat but want to add cheese, should I add it in the initial baking process like it says in the recipe? Or melt it on when I reheat it somehow?

    Reply

    • Randi Tisdall

      Hi Maren, if reheating by baking, I would begin without cheese, and then halfway add cheese to finish. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  11. Tim

    one cup of flaxseed? is this a mistype?

    Reply

    • Randi Tisdall

      nope, that is the correct amount!

      Reply

  12. Megan

    I love this healthy recipe! I modify it a bit (as I do with all recipes)… I add some black strap molasses, nutritional yeast and I don’t use fennel. I taste the recipe as I add in spices so I can adjust as needed to get the taste I want. It is so good on an English muffin with vegan cream cheese and avocado or vegan hollandaise sauce.Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (17)

    Reply

  13. Danette Russell

    This is the best vegan breakfast sausage recipe I’ve made. The seasoning is perfect. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  14. Danica Hubacheck

    I’ve made these twice now and have been disappointed both times. They are very dry, and don’t have a sausage texture at all in my opinion.Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (18)

    Reply

    • Latasha Williams

      I agree 100%

      Reply

  15. Tiffany

    Could I use chia seeds in place of flax?

    Reply

    • Maria

      I’ve made these twice and the flavor was good but texture was quite dry. The second time I made these I even added some of the liquid from cooking the lentils. This improved the texture a little but not enough to make me enjoy these sausage patties. They are very healthy and have no fat which contributed to the dry texture. If I try to make these again I might add a small amount of oil to the mixture.

      Reply

      • Darcey

        Excellent recipe. Not dry at all. When cooking the lentils I leave some of the water and don’t over-cook the lentils so it will have a great texture!Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (19)

        Reply

  16. Patricia G

    ******* An EXCELLENT breakfast patty! Many thanks!

    One variation – I have different sized scoops for burgers, meatballs, mini-muffins, etc. I used a medium scoop for each patty, then flattened them with a fork – easier to keep the size consistent, and may be easier than by hand. Also, it gave me 14 pattiesSeriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (20)

    Reply

  17. Shelley

    These came together very well and I had high hopes! But the fennel overpowers the other flavours and that was disappointing. I’m a fan of fennel but I wanted to taste the sage and thyme as well. They were also very dry after baking. I think a TBS. of oil in the mix might help with that ‍♀️. I wanted a slightly juicy burger, if that’s even possible…but this was more like a dry biscuit texture. I like that it doesn’t taste like a bean burger though so I think it has potential. Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (21)

    Reply

    • Kassandra

      This recipe is alot better than some of the others I have tried
      I did use canned lentils had to add a tablespoon or two of water
      They were delicious!!!
      Now I have the reasonable expectations that it is NOT SAUSAGE
      it’s not gonna be exact it never is
      But nonetheless DELICIOUS
      THANK YOUSeriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (22)

      Reply

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Seriously the Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What gives breakfast sausage that distinct taste? ›

Breakfast sausage (or country sausage) is a type of fresh sausage, typically made from pork, that is a common breakfast food in the United States. In the United States, the predominant flavorings used for seasoning are black pepper and sage. There are also varieties seasoned with maple syrup or cayenne pepper.

Is vegan breakfast sausage healthy? ›

Plant-based sausages sold in supermarkets are likely to have just as much salt as their meat counterparts, so they're unlikely to make it onto a list of health-foods. However, vegan sausages are likely to have considerably less saturated fat making them a healthier option overall.

Who makes the best veggie sausage? ›

  • 1 Beyond Meat. Popular California-based brand Beyond Meat offers a wide range of realistic-tasting plant-based meat products, including pork-like sausages. ...
  • 2 Impossible Foods. ...
  • 3 Gardein. ...
  • 4 Field Roast. ...
  • 6 Lightlife. ...
  • 7 MorningStar Farms. ...
  • 8 Future Farm. ...
  • 9 THIS.

What is plant-based breakfast sausage made of? ›

The key ingredient in vegan sausage is typically either pea protein or soy protein, along with one or more oils (canola, coconut, sunflower), spices and other plant-based additions. Nutritional value varies depending on the manufacturer's precise recipe.

What is the white stuff coming out of breakfast sausage? ›

The white stuff is, in fact, mold. A very specific mold, used in the fermenting of sausages. By innoculating the sausages with a specific and beneficial mold, the good mold kills any bad molds and keeps them from spoiling the product... It may have been “killed” after the sausage was made and just left on for flavor.

What is in Morning Star veggie sausage? ›

Ingredients: Water, wheat gluten, corn oil, egg whites, soy protein concentrate, contains 2% or less of potato starch, salt, sodium caseinate, soy protein isolate, methylcellulose, sugar, canola oil, spices, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soy, wheat, and corn), yeast extract, caramel color, guar gum, natural and ...

Are vegan sausages ultra processed? ›

Imitation meats or meat substitutes - such as vegan nuggets, sausages, and burgers or fake chicken pieces and ready meals - are sometimes classified as ultra-processed foods4. These are convenience foods that contain additives like sweeteners, salt and artificial flavours but contain few nutrients.

Are vegan sausages highly processed? ›

Almost all meat substitute products are processed, generally to mimic the texture, flavour and appearance to conventional meat, or to achieve a similar protein contribution.

What brand of plant based sausage does IHOP use? ›

In 2022, one forward-thinking location Flip'd by IHOP, a fast-casual offshoot of the breakfast chain, in New York City delved into a vegan breakfast sandwich with the Plant Based Cali sandwich that featured a vegan sausage breakfast patty created especially for IHOP by vegetarian brand Sweet Earth, mung bean-based Just ...

What are three 3 Flavours are vegan sausages available in? ›

What are the Beyond Sausage flavors? Three: Original Bratwurst and Hot Italian; plus new Sweet Italian.

Does Beyond Meat make a breakfast sausage? ›

Beyond Breakfast Sausage® offers the delicious taste of traditional pork breakfast sausage while being a better for you and convenient plant-based breakfast option.

What is Jimmy Dean plant-based sausage made of? ›

Fully Cooked Plant-Based Patty: Water, Coconut Oil, Textured Soy Protein Concentrate, Egg White, Modified Cellulose, Soy Protein Isolate, Salt, Natural Flavors, Dextrose, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Caramel Color, Monosodium Glutamate, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin.

What are the ingredients in MorningStar breakfast sausage? ›

WATER, WHEAT GLUTEN, CORN OIL, EGG WHITES, SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF POTATO STARCH, SALT, SODIUM CASEINATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, METHYLCELLULOSE, SUGAR, CANOLA OIL, SPICES, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (SOY, WHEAT, AND CORN), YEAST EXTRACT, CARAMEL COLOR, GUAR GUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, ...

Is MorningStar sausage vegan? ›

Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties | MorningStar Farms®

What makes a high quality sausage? ›

The best sausages are made from good cuts of meat with plenty of fat, which will cook quickly and be tender and juicy inside the usually narrow casing, which is why pure meat sausages with no additives are generally more expensive than cheaper varieties which are laced with preservative and other adulterants.

What makes sausages taste better? ›

Ground Herbs and Spices

Ground spices blend seamlessly into the sausage meat. Because ground herbs and spices are smaller, they distribute through the meat evenly. They are less noticeably visible in the meat; what they lose in visual aesthetic they make up for in all-over flavor.

Why does some sausage taste like black licorice? ›

The main difference in Italian sausage when compared to other sausages is the seasoning. The particular ingredient that usually sets Italian sausage apart is fennel. This is a licorice scented herb that gives Italian sausage its unique taste that is different than other types of sausage.

Why does smoked sausage taste different? ›

Typical smoked sausage flavors are primarily due to black pepper, dextrose, and smoke.

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