With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, many people are looking for tasty vegan biscuit options to enjoy with their morning coffee or tea. The good news is that there are plenty of delicious vegan biscuits on the market today. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about vegan biscuits including:
What makes a biscuit vegan?
For a biscuit to be considered vegan it must not contain any animal products or by-products. This means no eggs, dairy milk, butter, lard, or other animal-derived ingredients can be used in the recipe. Vegan biscuits rely on plant-based ingredients like:
- Plant-based milk (soy, almond, oat, etc.)
- Vegetable oil or vegan butter
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Sugar
These simple ingredients allow you to make deliciously flaky and flavorful vegan biscuits right at home. When shopping, just check the ingredient list on the packaging to confirm the biscuits are 100% plant-based.
Health benefits of vegan biscuits
Going vegan with your biscuit choice provides some excellent health advantages:
- Lower in saturated fat – Vegan biscuits are made without butter so they are much lower in unhealthy saturated fats.
- Higher in fiber – The lack of butter also bumps up the fiber content compared to traditional biscuits.
- Fewer calories – On average, vegan biscuits contain 25-50% fewer calories per serving vs non-vegan.
- Lower cholesterol – No animal products means zero dietary cholesterol.
- Potentially fewer allergens – Great for those with dairy/egg allergies.
For those looking to improve heart health, lose weight, or avoid common allergens – going vegan with biscuits is an easy switch to make.
Are vegan biscuits healthy?
While vegan biscuits are lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber than non-vegan versions, they should still be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding the nutrition profile of vegan biscuits:
- Higher in sugar – Vegan biscuits often use sugar or maple syrup to compensate for the lack of butter flavor, so sugar content is similar to regular biscuits.
- Lower in protein – Non-vegan biscuits utilize eggs and milk for protein, but vegan biscuits lack these sources.
- May be made with refined flour – Not all brands use 100% whole grain flours.
- Often still contain vegetable oil – This adds mostly unsaturated fats.
When consuming vegan biscuits, practice portion control and balance them out by also eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and lean proteins as part of your meals. This ensures you get adequate fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals in your diet.
7 popular brands of vegan biscuits
Thanks to skyrocketing consumer demand, there are now tons of delicious vegan biscuit options available in grocery stores. Here are 7 of the most popular national brands making 100% plant-based, animal product-free biscuits:
| Brand | Key Products |
|---|---|
| Annie’s | Vegan Cheddar Style Biscuits, Vegan Buttermilk Style Biscuits |
| Immaculate | Original Vegan Baking Mix, Gourmet Biscuit Mix |
| Trader Joe’s | Vegan Buttermilk-style Biscuits |
| Simple Mills | Almond Flour Sea Salt Biscuits, Parmesan & Herb Biscuits |
| Birch Benders | Vegan Baking Mix, Gluten-Free Baking Mix |
| Bob’s Red Mill | Gluten Free Biscuit Mix |
| King Arthur | Gluten Free Biscuit Mix |
This table shows some of the most popular vegan biscuit products from major natural food brands that are widely available. They offer variations like classic buttermilk and cheddar styles, gluten-free options, and convenient baking mixes.
7 homemade vegan biscuit recipes
If you enjoy baking from scratch, there are endless ways to whip up homemade vegan biscuits. Here are 7 tasty recipes to try:
| Recipe | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Flaky Vegan Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegan butter, almond milk, baking powder |
| Vegan Cheddar Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegan butter, soy milk, vegan cheddar, baking powder |
| Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegan butter, non-dairy buttermilk, baking soda |
| Vegan Drop Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegetable oil, almond milk, baking powder |
| Vegan Sausage Gravy Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegan butter, soy milk, vegan sausage, vegetable stock |
| Gluten Free Vegan Biscuits | Gluten-free flour blend, vegan butter, non-dairy milk, xanthan gum |
| Vegan Herb & Cheese Biscuits | All-purpose flour, vegan butter, oat milk, herbs, vegan cheese |
From classic flaky, buttery, savory cheddar or drop-style to gluten-free and filled with herbs or gravy – the possibilities are endless for making plant-based biscuits at home. Get creative with dairy-free milks, oils, flours and spice combinations!
5 things to look out for when buying vegan biscuits
If you want to ensure you’re getting high-quality vegan biscuits free of animal products, here are 5 key things to look for when comparing brands and reading labels:
- Vegan certification – Check for a vegan label from Vegan.org or PETA to guarantee no animal-derived ingredients.
- Non-dairy milk – Almond, soy, oat and other plant-based milks should be used over dairy milk.
- No butter/ghee – Ensure no butter, ghee or other animal-based fats are listed.
- No eggs or honey – These animal products are occasionally hidden in biscuits.
- No unnecessary additives – Watch for artificial colors, flavors, preservatives.
Reading the ingredient lists carefully and looking for vegan certifications are the best ways to determine if store-bought biscuits are truly plant-based and animal product-free.
Are restaurant biscuits vegan?
It can be tricky trying to find vegan biscuit options when dining out for breakfast or brunch. Here are some tips for getting vegan biscuits at popular restaurant chains:
- Ask about ingredients – Politely ask your server about the ingredients in biscuits, especially dairy and eggs.
- Avoid gravy – Biscuits & gravy is a classic, but most gravies contain sausage and are not vegan.
- Choose plain biscuits – Plain biscuits or those served with jam have the best chance of being vegan.
- Try national brands – Opt for places like Tim Hortons or Burger King that may have dedicated vegan biscuits.
- Check ahead if possible – Reach out to a restaurant beforehand to ask about vegan menu options.
While options are still limited, more and more restaurants realize the demand for vegan biscuits and are including them on menus. Checking in advance and asking questions when dining out are your best tactics for finding vegan biscuit choices.
How to bake vegan biscuits from scratch
If you want total control over ingredients, baking vegan biscuits at home couldn’t be easier. Here is a simple step-by-step guide:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1 TB baking powder, 1 tsp salt.
- Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut in 1/4 cup cold vegan butter until mixture looks crumbly.
- Stir in 3/4 cup plain non-dairy milk just until a sticky dough forms.
- Turn out dough onto a floured surface and gently knead a few times.
- Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut rounds using a biscuit cutter.
- Place biscuits on the baking sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving warm!
In less than 30 minutes you can have a fresh batch of fluffy vegan biscuits ready to enjoy! Get creative by adding herbs, spices, vegan cheese or other mix-ins to suit your tastes.
Delicious ways to serve vegan biscuits
Now for the best part – enjoying your vegan biscuits! Here are 9 delicious ways to serve and top biscuits for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime snack:
- With vegan butter or jam
- As a breakfast sandwich with vegan sausage & egg
- Biscuits & mushroom gravy
- Stuffed with vegan chicken salad
- Crumbled over chili or vegan soups
- Layered with sliced tomatoes, basil, olive oil
- Sweet biscuits with fresh strawberries & coconut cream
- Savory biscuits with hummus and sliced cucumbers
- Cinnamon biscuits with icing and bananas
However you top them, vegan biscuits make for a quick, affordable, and comforting meal or snack any time of day. Get creative with sweet and savory flavor combinations!
Storing and freezing leftover vegan biscuits
For fresh-baked taste with minimal effort, be sure to store leftover biscuits properly. Here are some tips:
- Store in airtight container at room temp up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate in sealed container 3-4 days.
- Freeze unbaked biscuit dough in balls or rolled out in layers separated by parchment up to 2 months.
- Bake frozen biscuits with no thawing. Just add a couple extra minutes to baking time.
- To reheat, place in 300°F oven 5 minutes or microwave 20 seconds.
With proper storage in the fridge or freezer, you can enjoy freshly baked vegan biscuits on demand. Simply thaw, reheat and enjoy fluffy biscuits anytime!
Vegan biscuit recipe ideas
Here are 5 creative recipe ideas to inspire your own homemade vegan biscuits:
- Spicy cheddar jalapeño biscuits – Fold in vegan cheddar, diced jalapeños, cumin and cayenne pepper.
- Everything bagel biscuits – Top with onion, garlic, sesame seeds and poppy seeds before baking.
- Lemon blueberry biscuits – Fold in fresh or thawed blueberries and 1 tsp lemon zest.
- Sourdough biscuits – Substitute 1 cup sourdough starter for 1 cup non-dairy milk.
- Pesto Parmesan biscuits – Swirl pesto into biscuit dough and top with vegan Parmesan.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavoring vegan biscuit dough! Start with plain biscuits mastered and then get creative transforming them into sweet, savory or spicy treats.
Troubleshooting common vegan biscuit issues
Having trouble getting your vegan biscuits just right? Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dry, crumbly texture | Add a bit more non-dairy milk or knead dough slightly longer. |
| Too sticky | Add a Tbsp or two more flour until no longer sticky. |
| Didn’t rise much | Check baking powder expiration and use heaping teaspoons. |
| Burnt bottoms | Place biscuits higher up on the pan and on middle rack. |
| Dense, heavy texture | Avoid over-kneading. Handle dough gently when shaping. |
With a few simple tweaks you can get your vegan biscuits light and fluffy every time. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect formula!
Conclusion
From store-bought to homemade, there are now endless options for tantalizing vegan biscuits that are fluffy, flavorful and free of animal products. When shopping, look for vegan labels, check ingredients lists, and know what to avoid. Making your own allows for total control over ingredients plus creativity with add-ins. Master basic biscuits, learn proper storage methods, and troubleshoot any issues for irresistible biscuits anytime. With practice, vegan biscuits can be just as delicious and satisfying as traditional versions – so go ahead and enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or a quick snack!
