
Veganism was huge in 2019, and guess what? It’s set to be even bigger this year.
According to Veganuary, an astonishing quarter of a million people tried adopting a vegan diet over 2019 and nearly half will keep up their efforts to eat a plant-based diet free from meat and animal products.
Things are certainly getting easier from just a few years ago when veganism meant resigning yourself to the fact that pickings would be woefully slim.
When it launched last year, Gregg’s vegan sausage roll sold out instantly as both vegans and carnivores rushed to see how it compared to the real thing. Now KFC, McDonald's and Burger King have all added vegan meals to their menus, acknowledging our shifting tastes. This past Christmas has seen tables across the land filled with festive fare, including more vegan-friendly options than ever.
Now that January has arrived, many will be gearing up to rebalance the indulgence of the festive period with a cleaner, healthier diet. The benefits go beyond just feeling better; many scientists agree that easing our reliance on meat and filling plates with more plants and pulses could help cut climate change and repopulate the rapidly diminishing wildlife on our land and in our oceans.
Good for the planet, good for you. If you’re not vegan, you certainly know someone who is, or at the very least, given it a try.
Whether you’re considering changing your eating habits to include more vegan options or you’re ready to commit wholeheartedly to a plant-based diet, these cookbooks will help guide you on your path to a more vegan life.
See our favourites below
Best Vegan Cookbooks 2020
Dirty Vegan: Another Bite
Dispelling the idea that all vegans are sickeningly virtuous, plant-munching bores, Matt Pritchard is back with his second vegan cook book, titled Dirty Vegan Another Bite.
Off the back of his BBC show Dirty Vegan, 80+ recipes are divided into helpful chapters such as Super Quick Midweek Meals, Comfort Food, Classics and the alarming-sounding Food with Legs, until you realise the dishes are named so because they are full of energy.
If you're not sure what to try first, go for the Crispy Peking Jackfruit Pancakes: game-changer.

£20 | Waterstones | Buy it now
BOSH! Healthy Vegan
With awards coming out of their ears for their number 1 best-selling vegan cook book BOSH!, authors Henry Firth and Ian Theasby are back with this second offering BOSH! Healthy Vegan.
The Sheffield-based duo, touted as the Ant and Dec of the vegan world, began showing us how to whip up plant-based recipes on social media before bringing out their first book in 2018.
The new book is a guide to healthier vegan meals that are perfect for brightening up dull January days; think green shakshuka, sunny Sri Lankan curry and indulgent banana chocolate mousse. Most of the recipes call for ingredients you can easily find on supermarket shelves and the stunning photography will leave you wondering which one to try first.
Perfect for first-time vegans as well as seasoned pros.

£10.40 | Amazon | Buy it now
Mildreds Vegan Cookbook
Hands up who's heard of Mildreds? One of London's top vegetarian and vegan restaurants, dishes are packed with so much flavour, you won't even notice the total absence of meat. But as one of the city's hottest tables, getting a chance to dine there can be somewhat of a lottery. Thanks to this cook book though, you can skip the lines altogether and make their mouthwatering plates at home.
There are feasting ideas to pore over, ideal for sharing between friends and family, such as Memphis Bourbon Barbecue Skewers and Rainbow Root Slaw with Orange and I-can't-believe-it's-vegan Espresso Crème Caramel.
In fact, the book does vegan BBQ exceptionally well with plenty of ideas to devour now as well as barbecue season proper.

£17.66 | Amazon | Buy it now
Deliciously Ella The Plant-Based Cookbook
We couldn't compile a vegan cookbook list and omit Ella Mills nee Woodward. Better known as Deliciously Ella, she's responsible for single-handedly making vegan food cool and triggering the bandwagon many of us find ourselves clambering aboard today.
This hardback cookbook was the fastest selling vegan cookbook of all time and continues to be hugely popular thanks to the 100 all-new plant-based recipes that cover everything from mid-week suppers to lengthy weekend brunches and afternoon tea.

£14.45 | Amazon | Buy it now
Vegan Chocolate Cookbook
While most of us can get our heads around vegan starters and mains, how to do animal product-free desserts well can leave the best of us flummoxed. Indulgence without eggs, cream, butter and milk? Is it even possible?
Well, yes it is and author Fran Costigan is here to show you how with her expansive sweets-specific book, Vegan Chocolate.
Dive into a world of decadence: you'll find recipes for chocolate cakes, brownies, truffles, puddings, ice creams and more, all made 100 per cent vegan.
Detailed instructions will give even the most reluctant cook restaurant-quality results in no time. Invite all your friends over to admire your efforts - then watch their mouths drop when you tell them everything they've just devoured is vegan.

£26.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Bazaar: Vibrant vegetarian and plant-based recipes
Full disclosure: this book isn't strictly vegan. But before you scroll away, rest assured that there are some v-friendly recipes within, but they’re mixed with veggie meal ideas too. Still, no bad thing for anyone who wants to dip their toe into a greener diet before fully taking the plunge.
So what can you expect from Sabrina Ghayour’s ‘Bazaar’? Buckle up for a rapturous jaunt across the Middle East – not an obvious region that springs to mind when thinking of flavoursome vegetarian fare, which makes this book all the more of a treasure.
There are comfort foods, pomegranate-speckled salads and a sweet tamarind & spiced miso dressing that might just change your life. The genius ideas are so superbly written and taste divine, you’ll forget that everything you're devouring is entirely meat-less. Can't say fairer than that.

£11.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
I Can Cook Vegan
From the bestselling author of Veganomicon, Isa Chandra Moskowitz reveals the easy and simple methods behind good vegan home cooking.
As well as recipes and mouth-watering photography, there’s also detailed shopping lists, myth-busting FAQs and pep talks to keep you going on your meat-free journey.

£22.99 | Abrams | Buy it now
How To Be Vegan And Keep Your Friends
Vegan with a side of humour? That's how unusual gifts company Firebox serves it best. Whether you're treating a vegan virgin to the book or want it for yourself for inspiration, this is a joyful leap into the diet.
Recipes includes meat and animal product-free snacks like Green Tea Noodles, vegan-friendly pizza bases and gyoza filled with water chestnuts, but there's also helpful advice on what to order when you're out and how to keep the peace with your meat-eating mates.
An essential for anyone considering making the leap.

£12.99 | Firebox | Buy it now
LEON Fast Vegan
Love Leon? Then you'll love this colourful cookbook that reveals how to make good plant-based food fast. With more than 150 recipes packed into its 304 pages, there's no chance of repeating meals - unless you want to, that is.
There are three sections to peruse: mains, sides and sweets. Inspiration comes from across the world: think vegan sushi, Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pancakes and oodles of Italian pasta.
Be warned: you won’t believe some of these dishes are vegan. They’re the opposite of everything you might think; indulgent, filling and wildly rich in flavour.

£25 | Oliver Bonas | Buy it now
Heavenly Vegan Dals & Curries: Exciting New Dishes from an Indian Girl's Kitchen Abroad
Rakhee Yadav pulls you through a journey across the Subcontinent by each flick of her beautiful cookbook, which contains all-vegan recipes for warming daals and rich curries that will warm the cockles on freezing January nights.
It's not traditional Indian though; these dishes are inspired by the author's travels around the world, so expect to find the likes of Naan Tacos with Amarinth & Pea Koftas & Spicy Cilantro Avocado Chutney, as well as Five Lentil Dal with Pumpkin, Raw Bananas & Eggplant.

£11.19 | Amazon | Buy it now
Verdict:
Dirty Vegan is delicious read and even more fun to cook and experiment with using inventive but easy to follow recipes. Don't be put off by the title — this book is a well stocked armoury of wholly healthy meals, dreamy comfort dishes and the best type of 'junk' food any vegan, or otherwise, would want to eat all day every day. The Mildreds and Leon vegan cookbooks are a must for anyone (which is everyone) that is a fan of the bricks and mortar restaurants. Got a sweet tooth? Even if you're not a vegan, the Chocolate vegan cookbook deserves a space in everyone's kitchen.