Making a lovely home-cooked breakfast isn’t something most of us have the time to do before work. Sadly the majority of quick, easy options are full of sugar and preservatives. Buying food on the way to work may seem like a great idea until you get your credit card bill at the end of the month.
Whether you’re looking to save time or money, here are some easy, low-cost breakfast recipes high in nutritional value.
- Berry Parfait: Simply layer berries (sliced if they are larger) with honey and Greek yogurt in a jar. These can be made about a day or two in advance if you’re using something with a seal, like a mason jar. This can be a bit pricey, depending on if the berries are in season. You can also try to use frozen berries, other fruits, or oats. If you want to add some omega-3s into the mix, then sprinkle flax seeds or chia seeds into the yogurt.
- Avocado Toast: It’s outrageous how pricy avocado toast is, but it is so darn delicious. Simply toast a piece of bread or two. While you’re waiting for it to toast, smash the avocado up with some lemon, salt, and pepper. Once that’s done, you can fry up an egg. Then layer the avocado on top of the bread and top it with the egg. Start your day with a breakfast packed with healthy fats and protein!
- Peanut Butter & Banana Toast: This may seem too simple, but it’s packed with protein and potassium. Start with a toasted piece of bread, spread on the peanut butter, and then stack pieces of bananas on top. You can also sprinkle some honey on top. Just like the parfait, you can even top it with some flax seeds or chia seeds.
- Spinach & Tomato Omelet: Spinach is packed with so many great vitamins, I try to sneak it into all my meals. For this recipe, you’ll only need a handful, allowing that bundle from the grocery store to last all week. Whisk several eggs together. Once the oiled pan is hot, add the eggs. Place spinach and some diced tomato onto the cooking egg. Cook both sides, and that’s it! If you want to add a little extra flavor, feta cheese goes excellent with this omelet.
- Overnight Oats: This may not be considered fast since they need to sit overnight, but a little prep work leads to a delicious breakfast treat. In a jar, mix ⅓ cup of oats with about a ½ cup of almond or soy milk and a teaspoon of chia seeds. A little bit of maple syrup and vanilla extract will sweeten it up. The rest is up to your taste buds. For a crunch and some protein include nuts like chopped up almonds. Try a variety of berries or bananas. Seal it up and let it sit overnight. I love that I can still have a healthy breakfast on days when I know I won’t have any time in the morning.
- Tofu Scramble: This is probably the most in-depth recipe on the list. It can be reheated quickly, allowing you to have breakfast for days prepped in advance. Start by pressing the tofu while you prep your veggies. This works best with extra firm tofu, about 8 ounces. You can cook this scramble with onions, peppers, kale, or any vegetables you’d like. Cook the veggies about halfway before adding the tofu. Use a fork to crumble it. Add seasoning like garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and salt to the tofu. Cook for about 5 – 10 minutes until the tofu is brown.