Your morning meal can set the tone for the rest of your day by giving you an energy boost right out of the gate, staving off cravings by the time you’re plunked in front of your desk. A healthy breakfast provides a combo of protein, fiber (from fruits, veggies, nuts, or complex carbohydrates like whole grains, beans, and starchy veggies), plus some fat, so your a.m. meal will digest slowly, keeping you satisfied and energized for hours.
Whether you’re into sweet or savory breakfast, these 10 easy, healthy breakfast recipes will make you forget all about the donuts in the break room!
1Sweet: Overnight Oats
Overnight oats — a cousin of that beloved breakfast staple, oatmeal — can be made the night before in a to-go container so breakfast is ready to go when you are!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp ground flax
- 1/2 banana, sliced or ½ cup berries
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup plain yogurt*
- ½ cup milk of choice*
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl or to-go container until well mixed. Cover and leave in fridge to soak overnight.
- In the morning, uncover and enjoy.
*If using almond, coconut, hemp milk, or other low-protein non-dairy milk and yogurt, adding a scoop of protein powder will help make this more filling.
2Sweet: Ricotta & Honey Toast
This flavorful, filling breakfast is ready in minutes. You can use almost any kind of fruit if strawberries just aren’t happening. A few suggestions: blackberries, pears, or figs. Feel free to swap almonds or walnuts for the pistachios. Nut-free? Sprinkle some ground flax or chia seeds on top for some fiber and healthy fats.
Ingredients:
- 1 slice hearty, whole grain bread
- 2 Tbsp part-skim ricotta
- 3-4 strawberries, sliced thin
- 1 Tbsp shelled pistachios
- 1 tsp honey
Directions:
- Toast bread. Spread with ricotta.
- Add berries and top with pistachios. Drizzle honey on top.
3Sweet: Tropical Smoothie
Smoothies are one of the easiest breakfasts that you can consume on-the-go. This smoothie is a quick and delicious way to make a dent in your fruit and veggie needs for the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain kefir (a fermented milk drink)
- ½ cup frozen mango chunks
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 kiwi, peeled
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 cup ice
- 1 large handful baby spinach
Directions:
- Layer ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy.
4Sweet: Easy PBJ Oatmeal
Think it takes all morning to make your oats on the stovetop? All you really need is five minutes and a microwave to make these ingredients into a meal. Got 10 minutes? Feel free to whip this up the old fashioned way.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 c rolled oats
- 1 Tbsp ground flax
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup blueberries, divided
- 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice, or water
- 1/3 cup liquid egg whites (or more milk or water)
- 1/2 -1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp jelly
Directions:
- Mix oats, flax, cinnamon, vanilla, and 1/4 cup blueberries in a microwave-safe bowl. Add milk and egg whites. Stir well.
- Heat in 45-second intervals (probably 3-4), stirring each time, until oats are fluffy and all liquid has been absorbed but not overcooked.
- Top with peanut butter and jelly and the rest of the blueberries.
5Sweet: Kicked-Up Cold Cereal
Cold cereal gets a bad rap, thanks to sugary varieties that fill you up for all of five minutes and leave a lot to be desired in terms of nutrition. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! Adding high-fiber berries and chia seeds while swapping in kefir for that skim milk will give a humble bowl of cereal some serious staying power. When it comes to your cereal base, look for something with less than 5 grams of sugar and make sure that whole grains are one of the first ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup low-sugar cereal
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup plain kefir
- cinnamon to taste (optional)
Directions:
Pour ingredients into a bowl and eat immediately.
6Sweet: Mocha Smoothie
This smoothie is a tasty way to get the day started with a little jolt, regardless of whether you go decaf or regular. All you do is swap out some or all of the liquid in your smoothie for cold, brewed coffee (make a pot the night before and put in the fridge). You can add the spinach or not, but why not get some greens in when you can make them taste like a Frappuccino? Just saying…
Ingredients:
- 4-6 oz cold black coffee
- 4 oz milk of choice
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup ice
- 1 large handful baby spinach (optional but encouraged)
Directions:
- Layer ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
7Savory: Avocado Toast
Avocado toast makes a great blank-slate breakfast. Top with a fried egg, some smoked salmon, or a tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds for a nutrient boost.
Ingredients:
- 1 slice hearty, whole grain bread
- ½ a ripe avocado
- Sea salt & pepper to taste
- Topping(s) of choice
Directions:
- Toast bread. Spread with avocado.
- Top with desired add-ons.
8Savory: Egg and Veggie Muffins
You can eat these tasty muffins the day you make them or store extras in an airtight container in the fridge. All you need to do is warm them up in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients:
- 6 eggs or 1.25 cups liquid egg whites
- 5 cups chopped veggies (ex: broccoli, pepper, mushrooms, etc)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line or grease a six-muffin tin.
- Whisk together eggs/whites, spices, and cheese.
- Divide egg mixture amongst muffin cups. Add vegetables.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until set.
9Savory: Frittata-To-Go
This easy-peasy frittata makes even a weekday breakfast feel like Sunday brunch. Bonus: you can enjoy this hot or cold. To make a larger frittata, multiply the recipe and cut into individual slices after cooling.
Ingredients:
- 1 small handful leafy greens
- 1 clove garlic, minced, or garlic powder
- 1/2-3/4 cup veggies of your choice (ex: mushrooms, peppers, etc)
- 1/2 cup liquid egg whites or 2 whole eggs, beaten
- 1-2 Tbsp cheese (ex: goat, gruyere)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wilt greens in the microwave (zap for 30 seconds) or on the stovetop.
- Spray the inside of a large ramekin or small baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place veggies inside.
- Mix egg whites, salt & pepper, and cheese together. Pour egg mixture over veggies.
- Bake for about 25 minutes until set.
10Savory: Lentil & Veggie Bowl
If you don’t have time for a tofu scramble, this vegan-friendly recipe is a great way to use up leftover roasted veggies. It’s also great with a sprinkle of goat cheese and an egg on top if milk and eggs are on the menu.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cooked lentils
- 1 cup roasted veggies
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp goat cheese (optional)
- 1 egg (optional)
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients and enjoy.
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