And just like that, it’s back-to-school time! I’m lining up the fall recipe calendar, getting ready to test, shoot, and share a slew of new ideas. For us, this season will be busy, and I know that it will be for many of you too. Today, I’m sharing my favorite healthy breakfast ideas to get these jam-packed days off to a great start. You’ll find ones that are perfect for making ahead and taking on the go, ones that are quick and easy to whip up in the morning, and even a few for days when you have a bit more time to linger over breakfast. Below, I share over 60 healthy breakfast recipes, divided into 11 (yes, 11!) categories: oats, eggs, smoothies, bowls, quick breads, pancakes & waffles, breakfast tacos, breakfast cookies, toast, muffins & scones, and bars & balls. Whether you’re someone who craves something savory or sweet first thing in the morning, or whether you like to enjoy breakfast at home or grab it and go, you’re sure to find some healthy breakfast ideas you love.
Healthy Breakfast Oats
Oats are loaded with fiber, so they’re a great healthy breakfast! If you’re like me, though, you might run the risk of getting stuck in an oat rut. In college, I ate plain instant oatmeal every day. After four years, I couldn’t stand the stuff. To avoid oat burnout, make sure to vary your toppings! Any nut butter, fresh fruit, dried fruit, yogurt, nut, seed, or jam is fair game. Savory oatmeal is delicious too. You can also change up how you prepare your oats. Make baked oatmeal or homemade granola, or prep a big batch of overnight oats for quick breakfasts throughout the week. Find these and more oat recipes below:
Overnight Oats (pictured above) Baked Oatmeal How to Make Oatmeal Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats Savory Oatmeal Whole Oat Porridge Homemade Granola
Egg Breakfast Recipes
If you’re someone who wants to prioritize protein in your breakfast, egg recipes are a great choice. Make a quick omelet, scrambled eggs, or fried eggs in the morning, or try one of the recipes below to change things up. Make egg bites for a portable breakfast option, for example. On days when you have more time, start the day with a big breakfast casserole or shakshuka.
How to Make a Frittata (pictured above) Breakfast Casserole Egg Bites Breakfast Egg Muffins Shakshuka Sweet Potato Hash Crustless Quiche
Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
Smoothies are some of the best breakfast recipes, as they pack a big serving of fruits and veggies into your first meal of the day. Through years of making smoothies, I’ve found that a handful of spinach is almost undetectable, so toss some into a fruit smoothie for extra nutrients! Alternatively, blend in a superfood like hemp seeds, nut butter, matcha, or maca powder for an extra healthy kick. Make your smoothie the night before and store it in the fridge for a grab & go breakfast, or prep individual smoothie packs. Portion out the fruit, veggie, and superfood ingredients for a single smoothie into a container, prepping for as many days as you like at once. Store containers in the freezer, and in the morning, blend a frozen pack with almond milk or juice. Enjoy!
Strawberry Banana Smoothie (pictured above) Avocado Smoothie Coffee Smoothie Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Green Smoothie Mango Smoothie Blueberry Smoothie Kale Smoothie Matcha Vanilla Smoothie
Healthy Breakfast Bowls
If you’re looking for some new, out-of-the-box breakfast ideas, a breakfast bowl might be the thing for you. In this category, almost anything goes. When I’m making a savory bowl, I top rice or farro with a soft-boiled egg, vegetables (leftover roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cauliflower, etc.) and a flavorful sauce like pesto or tzatziki. My sweet bowls vary. Sometimes I’m in the mood for chia pudding. On other days, I’ll top quinoa with almond milk, cinnamon, and fresh fruit and call it a meal.
Tamago Kake Gohan (Avocado & Egg Brown Rice Bowls – pictured above) Farmers Market Breakfast Bowls Chia Seed Pudding Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Quick Bread Breakfast Recipes
Moist, comforting, and lightly sweet, quick bread is a delectable breakfast option. In the summer, I almost always have individual slices of zucchini bread in my freezer. In the fall and winter, pumpkin bread and banana bread take its place. Enjoy a thick slice of your favorite quick bread on its own, or top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt and seasonal fruit for extra staying power.
Healthy Banana Bread (pictured above) Zucchini Bread Pumpkin Bread Chocolate Zucchini Bread Lemon Blueberry Bread
Pancake & Waffle Breakfast Ideas
Pancakes and waffles may not be something you can whip up every morning of the week, but unlike their cousin French toast, these breakfast recipes keep well if you make them ahead and freeze them. So double your weekend batch of pancakes or waffles, and freeze the leftovers for busy mornings! When you’re ready to eat, pop them in the toaster or microwave to thaw. Enjoy with maple syrup!
Vegan Banana Pancakes (pictured above) Pumpkin Pancakes Blueberry Pancakes Almond Flour Pancakes Oatmeal Pancakes Gluten Free Pancakes Homemade Waffles
Healthy Breakfast Tacos and Burritos
After years of living in Austin, breakfast tacos are my favorite healthy breakfast. Most often, I scramble eggs with spinach and top them with avocado, hot sauce, and pico de gallo. But all sorts of variations are fair game here! Add vegetables like roasted sweet potatoes or vegan shiitake bacon, or use a different salsa. Have fun making your breakfast tacos your own! I also love a breakfast burrito first thing in the morning. Instead of making these from scratch on a weekday, I prep them on the weekend and freeze them so that I can quickly thaw them during the week.
Breakfast Tacos (pictured above) Healthy Green Breakfast Tacos (recipe below) Breakfast Burrito Vegan Breakfast Burrito
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Breakfast cookies are the perfect on-the-go morning treat. Ingredients like flax, oats, nuts, seeds, and even quinoa fill them with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. In addition to the fruit and veggie variations listed below, I love the Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies on page 35 of Love and Lemons Every Day. These breakfast recipes are great ones to make ahead of time and freeze for busy mornings. To thaw, pop them in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds, and head out the door!
Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (pictured above) Quinoa Breakfast Cookies Carrot Cake Cookies
Sandwich & Toast Breakfast Ideas
If you’re looking for tried and true easy breakfast ideas, toast is the thing for you! Pop a slice of whole grain bread in the toaster, and load it up with your favorite seasonal toppings. I like to start with a creamy spread and then add a layer of roasted or raw veggies, fruit, and/or fresh herbs. I’m a diehard fan of avocado toast, but hummus, ricotta, and nut butter are good starting points for making delicious toast too. Or, swap the bread for an English muffin or bagel, and make a breakfast sandwich! The recipe below freezes well, so it’s a great healthy breakfast for meal prep.
Avocado Toast Breakfast Sandwich (pictured above)
Healthy Breakfast Muffins and Scones
When I was growing up, chocolate chip muffins were a breakfast staple in our house. Muffins are still one of my favorite ways to start the day, but I don’t just limit myself to chocolate chip. I love all the recipes below! Like other healthy breakfast baked goods, muffins and scones freeze well. I like to keep a frozen stash on hand at all times.
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins (pictured above) Blueberry Muffins Healthy Banana Muffins Carrot Muffins Zucchini Muffins Apple Muffins Blueberry Scones
Bars & Balls Breakfast Ideas
If you’re someone who loves to start your day with a granola bar, try swapping out the packaged kind for ones you make at home. All of these recipes are simple, made with good-for-you ingredients that combine to make delicious, nutritious morning treats. Like baked goods, these bars and balls keep well in the freezer, so prep a batch to have on hand for easy healthy breakfasts and snacks!
Pistachio Oat Squares (pictured above) Homemade Granola Bars Energy Balls
Looking for more healthy breakfast ideas?
Check out this list of my favorite brunch recipes or best vegan breakfast ideas!
