Vegan Options at IHOP for 2023

IHOP (International House of Pancakes) is a popular restaurant chain famous for it's pancakes and breakfast foods. Unfortunately, currently there is not a vegan waffle, French toast or vegan pancake option. But there are several menu items that can fit in with a vegan diet. So what are the vegan options at IHOP? Read on to find out.

NOTE: All nutritional and allergen information can be found on the IHOP web-site. They have also posted a Vegetarian and Vegan Menu Guide.

Breakfast Options

Breakfast is the biggest area where IHOP is lacking in vegan options. All of their pancakes, waffles, French toast, breakfast burritos and crepes contain animal ingredients. The good news is that there is now plant-based sausage on the menu.

The Plant-Based Sausage Power Combo - This combo comes with scrambled egg white which you can substitute for a vegan side options like hash browns or breakfast potatoes. It also comes with multigrain toast which you should get without butter.

Vegan Sides

While there aren't full vegan meals on IHOP’s menu, there are several side vegan items.

Plant-Based Sausage Patties
Hash Browns - no butter
Crispy Breakfast Potatoes - no seasoning salt
Mixed Fruit Cup
Grits
French Fries - no seasoning salt
Steamed Vegetables or Broccoli - no butter
Sautéed Veggies (spinach, mushrooms, peppers, and onions)
Multi-grain toast - no butter
Avocado
Corn Tortilla
Crispy Potato Pancakes
Rice and Barley Medley

NOTE: Bread options vary by location. Some restaurants serve sourdough toast or an English muffin but you'll need to check at the restaurant to check if they're egg and dairy free.

Combos

Avocado Toast - Order without eggs and bacon

Toppings and Additions

There are a few toppings for omelettes that can also work as a filling for a tortilla or with breakfast potatoes.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Sauteed Green Peppers & Onions
Sauteed Mushrooms
Sauteed Spinach
Tomato
Fire Roasted Poblano Salsa

Soup, salad and dressings

What's really surprising is that IHOP doesn't have any vegan salad dressings. Even their balsamic vinaigrette isn't vegan. So while they might have salad options, you'd have to eat it without dressing. However, their minestrone soup is a good lunch option, especially combined with a side dish.

House Salad (no dressing)
Chicken & Veggie Salad (No chicken or dressing)
Minestrone Soup

Syrups, Jams and Sauces

There are several kinds of vegan syrup varieties. But without any vegan pancakes, waffles or crepes, I'm not sure what the syrup would go on top of.

Various Jelly/Jam Flavors
Blueberry Syrup or Compote
Old Fashioned Maple Syrup
Strawberry Syrup
Chocolate Sauce
Strawberries in Glaze

Beverages

There are many vegan drink options at IHOP.

Coffee
Iced Cold Brew Coffee
Hot Tea
Lemonade
Sweeter Tea
Lemonade Iced tea
Unsweetened Iced Tea
Apple Juice
Cranberry Juice
Orange Juice
Tomato Juice
Lemonade
Sierra Mist
Mountain Dew
Pepsi and Diet Pepsi
Blue Raspberry Lemonade Splasher
Mango Lemonade Splasher
Wildberry Lemonade Splasher

Meal Ideas

If you are creative, you can put together a filling meal at IHOP made without animal products. Any of the following would be great with a fruit bowl on the side.

For Breakfast

Order the multigrain toast and a side of avocado to make avocado toast.
Try topping the hash browns with tomatoes and sautéed veggies.
You could order a corn tortilla, sautéed veggies, avocado and crispy breakfast potatoes to make a veggie breakfast burrito.

For Lunch or Dinner

The Plant-Based Sausage Power Combo - Substitute hash browns for the eggs and make sure there's no butter on the multigrain toast.
Try a bowl of minestrone soup with some French fries on the side.
You could order a corn tortilla, sauteed peppers, onions and mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, fire roasted poblano salsa and avocado to make a veggie burrito. Add a side of French fries.

NOTE: Check your local IHOP location as not all options are available at all restaurants.

New Vegan Breakfast Sandwich

IHOP is testing it's first vegan breakfast sandwich at one location in New York City. It's called the Plant Based Cali and is made with with Sweet Earth brand vegan sausage and JUST Egg. It also features arugula, roasted tomatoes and avocado, all on a vegan bun.

This location is operated by franchisee Bryan Mckenzie who is also vegan and wanted to respond to a growing demand for plant based options. Check out this article by VegNews to find out more. Hopefully the Plant Based Cali will be a new menu item at locations across the country.

stack of pancakes with strawberries on top

FAQ

Are IHOP pancakes vegan?

Unfortunately no there are no vegan pancakes at IHOP. IHOP pancakes contain eggs and dairy.

Summary

While I wouldn't call IHOP Restaurant a vegan-friendly place, there are solid choices beyond fries and a side salad. Actually, the standard vegan meal of a side salad won't even work there since they do not have any vegan salad dressings. If you stop there for lunch, you can put together a decent vegan meal with their side dishes such as a veggie burrito with fries.

For breakfast, your best bet is either avocado toast or a veggie breakfast burrito that you make yourself as neither one is actually on the IHOP menu. A veggie burger or other plant based option would be great additions to the menu that hopefully will be there in the future.

As consumer demand increases, the restaurant chains will respond. The pancake house really lacks breakfast items without dairy products. All the pancakes, waffles, and French toast contain dairy and some also contain eggs. Hopefully one day they'll have vegan pancakes or waffles as they aren't difficult to make and they should be aiming to be more inclusive. They already have a gluten-friendly menu which has both pancakes and waffles. Next step needs to be more vegan options!

Interested in finding out what's vegan at other restaurants? Check out:

Really in the mood for pancakes? Try this recipe for Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes. It's quicker than making pancakes on the stove top!