For a such a small country, the fame of Austrian cuisine has spread far and wide. From the iconic Schnitzel to the classic Apple Strudel, traditional Austrian cuisine is not exactly known to be very vegan-friendly – until now!
We’ve done all the hard work and figured out the easy way to veganise many of Austria’s best dishes. In this collection, you’ll find a vegan Austrian recipe for every occasion. But first, let us tell you what Austrian food is all about…
Austrian Cuisine
Most of what is now called Austrian cuisine had its origin in other parts of Europe. Countries, which used to be part of the Austro-Hungarian Habsburg Empire. Schnitzel came from Italy, goulash from Hungary…
The Austrians took recipes from all over their territory and made them their own. In the same spirit, we took a bunch of selected Austrian recipes and adapted them to make them our own – and deliciously vegan of course!
Simplified, Austrian food comes in two classes: Outrageously indulgent and expensively extravagant, or humble and down-to-earth. The latter would rely on widely available and seasonal ingredients, such as potatoes, cabbage, greens and root vegetables. Often enough, such staples would also find their way into more sophisticated dishes for Sundays and special occasions.
Many of our vegan Austrian recipes use the most simple ingredients and transform them into something incredibly delicious and indulgent.
Being Vegan in Austria
“The interest in veganism is steadily increasing in Austria. Currently, 9.5 % of the population live vegetarian (including vegan) and 1.2 % live purely vegan.”
Vegane Gesellschaft Österreich
Growing up in Austria usually means being used to a diet based heavily on animal products. Becoming vegan was therefore all the more difficult for Paul, who took great culinary pleasure in traditional Austrian cuisine. But this is what motivated us to make fantastic vegan versions of traditional Austrian dishes!
Nowadays, Paul can be a happy vegan and still enjoy Schnitzel, Strudel and more! Whether you are Austrian, traveling in Austria, or simply want to get a taste of this beautiful country, in this collection you’ll find healthier, more planet friendly and cruelty free Austrian recipes for you to try!
Mahlzeit! *
Sophie and Paul
* That’s like bon appetit in Austrian!
Vegan Austrian Recipes
The Austrian Empire is long gone, but its cuisine lives on! As we work our way through the Austrian cuisine and adapt our favourite meals for a vegan diet, our list just keeps on growing. Dive into indulgent cakes, yummy savoury comfort food and our vegan versions of Austrian classics such as Schnitzel and Strudel!
Austrian Main Dishes
You could call Schnitzel the National Dish of Austria - every restaurant in Austria serves it. So of course, we had to come up with an AWESOME vegan schnitzel recipe! It's crispy and tender and 100% plants!
Borrowed from Hungarian Cuisine, this goulash is full of deep paprika flavour. Top with cubes of smoked tofu to make this meal complete. A yummy comfort food for lunch or dinner.
Chanterelles are known as Eierschwammerl in Austria. And when mushroom season arrives, every Austrian guest house and mountain hut is likely to have them on the menu! This rich goulash makes the most of this seasonal speciality.
This breakfast scramble is based on a tradition farmer's dish in Austria - a gröstl is a fry up that gives a second life to leftovers from the day before, usually potatoes or dumplings. Adding things like seasonal wild mushrooms gives this dish a special touch!
Austrian Soups
Soups are often served as a starter, so when the main dish arrives, the worst of the hunger is dealt with. These Austrian soup specialities, however, do in no way play a support role!
Chanterelles are our favourite mushroom to forage in the Austrian countryside. This creamy chanterelle soup lets their flavour shine and makes a perfect stater to a meal, or a light lunch. Best served with rye sourdough bread!
In Spring, there's another wild food on the menu - Bärlauch or wild garlic. This creamy wild garlic soup is fresh and flavoursome!
What is a bread doing in soup recipes? It makes for a perfect companion to any Austrian soup or stew!
Bread in Austria is completely different to that light fluffy stuff you find in the UK or US. Rye flour is often used which creates a darker, denser and delicoius bread. This super seedy sourdough is the bread we bake whenever we want a real loaf of bread!
Austrian Cake Recipes
In Austria, coffee and cake is a big thing. No surprise that there are many different types of cakes! Whether it's a seasonal cake with fresh fruit or a rich and dark chocolate cake - they are all sinfully tasty!
The most famous cake from Austria is the Sachertorte. Transport yourself to a Viennese cafe with a slice (or two!) of this decadently delicious vegan chocolate cake.
Apricot cake is the highlight of summer in Austria. We discovered an awesome trick to veganise this famous Austrian cake - come and discover what it is!
We thought it was going to be tough to veganise this redcurrant cake, which is often served as a teatime treat. But with the magic ingredient of aquafaba, it's not that tricky at all. Fun fact: Austrians call the meringue topping "Schnee" aka snow!
Sheet cakes, made on a large baking tray rather than a tin, are commonly made in Austria. This vegan sponge is generously covered in soft, juicy plums. Such a great cake to enjoy in Autumn!
Austrian desserts and sweet treats
In case you haven't noticed yet - sweet cuisine has huge tradition in Austria. People there regularly have a sweet meal as a main course! Crazy? Or do they just know what's good? See for yourself!
Probably the most iconic sweet dish from Austria, it is easily made vegan by using oil instead of butter. We show you the traditional way of stretching the pastry paper thin before it is filled with tasty apples and toasted breadcrumbs. If you haven't tasted the apple strudel, you haven't tasted Austria!
Suitable as a main meal.
Another sweet dish using apples. In Austria, it is often eaten as a main course. Slices of apples coated in a simple batter and fried in a pan. It is easy and down to earth, but tastes almost too naughty to count towards your five a day! It's perfect topped with cinnamon sugar.
Suitable as a main meal.
These sweet dumplings are a classic Austrian dish. Our vegan apricot dumplings are made with an easy potato dough, and covered in sweet toasted breadcrumbs. Come and discover why these Marillenknödel are a family favourite in every Austrian kitchen.
Suitable as a main meal.
Vegans can now keep it like the Kaiser... with this light and fluffy scrambled sweet pancake. Kaiserschmarrn must not be missing in a list of classic Austrian recipes. Rounded off by the flavours of raisins, fruit compote, and a generous sprinkle of icing sugar!
Suitable as a main meal.
This dish is a speciality of the Waldviertel in Austria, where they grow poppies. These delicious Mohnnudeln are made from potato and covered in a sweet poppy sugar.
Deep-fried and jam-filled doughnuts are the perfect thing to sweeten up the cold season. Traditionally eaten only in 'carnival season' from 11 November to the beginning of lent in February. Every Austrian child loves this seasonal treat!
Austrian Preserves
There's a big tradition for preserving in Austria. Cellars are filled with shelves stacked with jars full of jam, compote, pickles... Here's a few of our favourite Austrian preserves that we love to stock up on and enjoy throughout the year.
Apricots are a speciality of the Wachau region in Austria. This is the best jam in the world, according to anyone who has ever tried it. Not too sweet, but full of fruit. Perfect for pancakes, your breakfast bread - or to spoon straight from the jar (it really is that good).
Wild plums are abundant in Austria. There's something wonderful about going out to gather a big bowlful of fruit - completely free! This wild plum compote makes a delicious dessert, as well as going amazingly with our Vegan Kaiserschmarrn.
On a hot day in Austria, there's nothing more refreshing than a glass of Hollersaft aka Elderflower Cordial. Every Spring you can find Oma's across the country making big batches of this delicious flower syrup.
Loved our recipe? Have a question we can answer? We'd love to hear from you! Sophie and Paul 💚