I’m not sure why I never think to post about breakfast. Actually, I am sure why. It’s because I always assume breakfast is so easy that you don’t need any help with it. But, let’s be real, we could all always use a few more ideas for any meal.
You already know that I believe that healthy eating should be easy. Deciding what to eat and putting a meal together really shouldn’t take up too much time from you day.
But, when looking at breakfast specifically, it really shouldn’t take up too much. During the week, most of us are quickly getting breakfast together before heading off to work (or even to the desk right over in the other room), getting ready to workout, walk the dog, etc. You don’t have time to think long and hard about breakfast or make a fancy one. And I totally don’t want you to do that either.
In order for breakfast to be filling, I like to look at what can we can add to make it as balanced and satisfying as possible. Typically, I like for breakfast to contain 3 main components: a source of protein, a whole grain, and fruit. This combo ensures that your breakfast gives you protein + fiber – both needed to help keep you full – and also helps you get some nutrients in the morning too.
With all of that in mind, here are 20 easy, healthy, balanced and filling breakfast ideas so that you truly never have to wonder what to make for breakfast again:
1. Loaded yogurt bowl: Greek yogurt + whole grain cereal + blueberries
Yogurt bowls are the ultimate in convenience. Add whole grain cereal for some fiber, top it with berries and you’re good to go. Try a 2% or higher fat yogurt to make it the most filling and satisfying!
2. Avocado toast: whole grain toast + mashed avocado + hard-boiled egg
Avocado toast never fails. Mash avocado and add a little lime juice, salt and pepper. Top your toast with a hard-boiled egg or 2 (that you can prep in advance to save time!). It’s filling and easy.
3. Strawberries & cream oatmeal: oatmeal + collagen powder + strawberries
I love making oatmeal with unsweetened vanilla almond milk and collagen. It’s a great way to add a little more flavor and some protein, too. You can add strawberries to this one for that strawberries and cream flavor, but really any fruit will do.
4. Cereal & milk: cereal + milk of your choice + banana slices
There’s little better than a bowl of cereal and milk! Use cow’s milk or soy milk for more protein, or you can even mix almond milk with collagen (read more about different milks here!) and top with banana slices. Some of my favorite high fiber cereal brands are Kashi and All Bran.
5. Omelet & toast: egg omelet + whole grain toast + clementine
This one may sound a little more involved, but really, all you need is 5 minutes to throw a few egg omelet together. Add in the toppings of your choice – veggies, cheese, or just go plain – plus add some toast on the side and an easy, no prep piece of fruit like a clementine.
6. Peanut butter English muffin: peanut butter + English muffin + apple
Peanut butter on an English muffin truly never fails. Add some apple slices on top and sprinkle with cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy. It’s easy and satisfying.
7. Banana chocolate chip oaties
This one is a make ahead breakfast, but, if you take the 20 minutes to make in advance one day, you’ll have this breakfast ready to go for the week! Add some peanut butter to your oaties for a little added protein… plus it’s pretty delicious too.
8. Shakshuka: eggs + tomato sauce + crusty bread
I’m counting the tomato sauce as fruit here, ok? We’re looking at flexible, easy breakfasts – nothing too rigid! To make, simply add some olive oil to a pan with tomato sauce, create a well to crack some eggs into and let the eggs cook on low until they’re set. Dip crusty bread for breakfast perfection.
9. Toaster waffles: waffles + peanut butter + sliced banana
Gotta be honest, this is one of my favorite breakfasts. And, it couldn’t be easier to make! Some of my favorite toaster waffles are Vans and Kashi. Make sure to add a little maple syrup on top, too. No dry waffles over here!
10. Loaded sweet potato: sweet potato + Greek yogurt + chopped apple
Make a sweet potato into your bowl and load it up with the goods. Quick hack: wash and poke holes in the sweet potato and bake it in the microwave for 8 minutes. Then slice it open, add some Greek yogurt and top it with chopped apples and cinnamon. YUM.
11. Tofu scramble: tofu + tomatoes + whole grain toast
Don’t love eggs? No problem. Scramble tofu in a pan the same way you’d scramble eggs! Add some chopped up tomato (yep, counting this as our fruit again here… but feel free to add other fruit too!), sprinkle with salt and pepper and add some toast on the side.
12. Simple smoothie: frozen strawberries + Greek yogurt + milk
For the easiest smoothie ever, simply mix frozen fruit, Greek yogurt and some milk of your choice to blend. I usually recommend eating something on the side or adding something on top with smoothies too. We need to physically chew to feel full, so adding a little cereal on top of your smoothie can go a long way to help with fullness.
13. Peanut butter banana bars
This is another make ahead option, but it’s so worth making ahead. These bars are made with oats, peanut butter, bananas and chocolate chips, so they have everything you’re looking for, plus chocolate. Make this on a Sunday to have breakfast for the week!
14. Cottage cheese bowl: cottage cheese + cereal + chopped pear
I know, I know, cottage cheese is a polarizing one. But, if you love it like me, there’s nothing more refreshing than a bowl of cottage cheese with cereal and some fresh fruit. Make sure to add some cinnamon on top too!
15. Overnight oats: oats + peanut butter + banana
The great thing about overnight oats is that you simply put them in the fridge at night and then they’re ready to go in the morning. Mix your oats with the milk of your choice and in the morning, top with sliced banana and some peanut butter. I love this combo when it’s warm outside!
16. Almond butter sweet potato: sweet potato + almond butter + raspberries
This combo might sound weird, but bear with me here. Bake your sweet potato in the microwave like I mentioned above, cut the sweet potato in half and add some almond butter that’ll melt right in and top with fresh berries. It’s SO decadent and good.
17. Baked pear: pear + Greek yogurt + granola
If you’ve never tried baking a pear, it’s another decadent option. Preheat the oven to 400 F and slice a pear in half vertically. Throw it in the oven for 20 minutes while you’re getting ready. Then let it cool and top with some yogurt and granola. Some of my favorite granola brands are Oat My Goodness and KIND.
18. Banana blender pancakes: banana + oats + eggs
This was one of the first recipes I ever added to my blog (and it may need a little renovation, tbh), but it’s so good and so, so good. You basically just blend the 3 ingredients together and then let them cook for a few minutes. Super easy and satisfying.
19. Open-faced breakfast sandwich: bagel + avocado + egg
Toast a whole grain bagel, mash some avocado on top and add a fried egg. It’ll only take you about 10 minutes and will keep you full for hours.
20. String cheese and a bar: just like it sounds!
The ultimate in convenience, this one is just like it sounds. Grab a piece of string cheese for some protein, plus a snack bar (here’s a list of my faves!). This breakfast will fill you up and couldn’t be easier.
