40 Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Go for these healthy breakfast ideas to start your day right! These easy breakfast recipes are full of nutritious ingredients.
Are you stuck in a rut in the mornings? It can be hard to find wholesome options to start the day. But as two cookbook authors, we’ve made it our mission to find the best ways to incorporate healthy breakfast recipes into your life! Maybe it’s a cozy bowl of oatmeal topped with peanut butter and jelly, or a breakfast scramble full of colorful vegetables. There are so many tasty ways to incorporate nutritious whole foods into your morning.
What is a healthy breakfast?
But first, let’s define what the term “healthy” means when it comes to breakfast. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the best way to start the day is with nutrient-dense whole foods like fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. In general, breakfasts with low glycemic load foods are best, since meals that don’t spike blood sugar result in improved cognitive performance and more sustained energy.
What does this look like in terms of foods? Here’s what Harvard recommends as some examples of healthy breakfast foods:
- plain yogurt with fruit and nuts
- oatmeal with fruit and nuts
- whole wheat or rye toast with nut butter
- eggs with vegetables
- black beans and a corn or whole wheat tortilla.
This preference for fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds for breakfast is also the same philosophy as the Mediterranean diet, deemed the best diet in the world by US News and World Report. Try these top 20 Mediterranean Diet Breakfast Recipes for more healthy breakfast inspiration.
The recipes you’ll find below are build around the philosophy of nutrient-dense whole foods first. They all vegetarian, with many vegan and gluten-free options. You’ll find only a few healthy pancakes recipes, which include high concentrations of whole foods ingredients.
And now, our top 40 healthy breakfast recipes to try!
Here’s the ideal healthy breakfast recipe, easy and full of flavor: banana baked oatmeal! This recipe is wholesome and filling, and it’s packed with nutritious ingredients like oats and bananas. It happens to be a vegan baked oatmeal, so it has no eggs or dairy. Topped with a little nut butter and banana slices, it’s a wholesome way to start the day.
Also try: Everyday Baked Oatmeal, Baked Apple Oatmeal
Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. So why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too.
Also try: How to Make Fluffy Eggs
Another great healthy breakfast idea: Greek Yogurt Parfaits! Layer yogurt, berries and peanut butter granola or homemade granola in a glass, and looks loads fancier than it actually is. Make it day of, or it's also a quick make-ahead breakfast!
Looking for a savory brunch recipe to impress? Try a crustless quiche! This concept is our favorite for entertaining: it’s deliciously savory and hearty, with lots of protein to keep bellies full all morning. Even better: it’s so easy to whip up! No need to bother with a quiche crust: just whisk together the filling and pop it in the oven.
These healthy banana bread muffins have a secret: they're made of 100% oats and no flour! Throw bananas, oats and a few other ingredients into a blender and whiz. Then bake and you'll be amazed at the fluffy texture when they come out of the oven. These babies are fan favorites! Top with almond butter and they're a filling way to start the day (hey, it's basically just like oatmeal).
Want to liven up your breakfast game? Try Breakfast Quinoa! This alternative to oatmeal is just as satisfying. Critics of quinoa find it bitter or bland, but this way to prepare it is anything but! Cook it with milk, maple syrup and cinnamon, then load it up with toppings like fresh berries, coconut and nut butter.
Want a knock-out vegan breakfast idea? Look no further than this easy tofu scramble. It tastes extraordinarily similar to the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs: and it’s so hearty and satisfying! It’s hard to find healthy vegan breakfast ideas that are savory (so many are sweet), and this one is perfection. Even better: it takes only 10 minutes to make!
This yogurt protein bowl combines protein and carbohydrates for a filling healthy breakfast! Top Greek yogurt with dried tart cherries, apricots, cashews, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds for a deliciously wholesome way to start the day.
Need easy breakfast ideas? Here’s a quick and satisfying way to start the day with veggies and protein: this Healthy Breakfast Sandwich! It’s easy to load up mornings with sugar (granola, muffins, pancakes…you know the heavy hitters). This savory idea always satisfies. The spinach feta filling is full of hearty flavor, and it’s topped off with mashed avocado for more healthy fats.
Here’s a hearty whole grain that makes the ideal easy and healthy breakfast: oatmeal!What’s the best, easiest way to make it? Here’s our master recipe: exactly how to make oatmeal on the stovetop and in the microwave! This gets made multiple times per day in our house (the microwave version), and when we’re thinking ahead we make a big batch to eat off of all week.
Here’s a make ahead healthy breakfast that fits in the palm of your hand: these Magic Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies! Yes, it’s magic: oats, nut butter, applesauce, and maple syrup transform into cookies that you can eat for breakfast. There’s none of those traditional cookie ingredients: no flour, no butter, no oil, and no refined sugar. How is it possible? You’ve got to taste.
Here’s a healthy breakfast idea that’s a bit unexpected, but surprisingly satisfying…Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls! Sure, cottage cheese and pineapple or melon seems a little retro. So let’s dust off the concept and make a modern way to start the day. Top this high protein cheese with fresh berries or apple, cinnamon and drizzle of honey.
Here’s a customizable make-ahead recipe that works for healthy breakfast, lunch and snack: Egg Muffins! Bake up scrambled eggs in muffin tin cups with healthy veggies, then refrigerate them for meals all week! It's ideal as a grab-and-go breakfast. The filling is packed with good stuff: loads of spinach, cottage cheese for healthy protein, and jarred red pepper. They’re easy to whip up and so full of flavor!
Need breakfast or snack inspiration? Try a quick and easy Smoothie Bowl! Instead of sipping the fruity puree through a straw, try it in a bowl loaded up with toppings. It’s a satisfying blend of textures and flavors that makes a healthy way to start the day!
On the lookout for those elusive recipes that are healthy, easy and delicious? Meet our favorite easy Black Bean Breakfast Tacos! We created this recipe to be totally customizable based on your diet and available time. It stars our 5 minute black beans, a quick taco filling idea that’s bursting with flavor in just a few minutes.
Have you tried savory oatmeal? If not, it's high time to start. This savory breakfast idea will surprise you. It makes a pot of chewy toasted oats that are irresistibly tasty, topped with a fried egg and garlicky sautéed kale. The egg yolk makes a creamy sauce that covers everything in goodness. Eating a veggie-filled healthy breakfast just got easier.
Need a savory healthy breakfast idea? We’re all about simple around here, especially recipes that are low effort and high impact. Salmon toast is just that: a simple toast of artisan bread loaded with fluffy whipped ricotta, smoked salmon, capers and fresh dill. Each bite is a burst of smoky, creamy, rich, briny, salty and fresh!
It sounds too good to be true, but these 3 ingredient banana pancakes are fluffy, delicious, and ready in 10 minutes. They’re perfect for busy mornings or snacks! Using only banana, eggs, and flour, they're a healthy breakfast that's mostly based on whole foods. Subsittute oat flour for the all purpose flour if you like!
A great savory breakfast recipe: the Breakfast Quesadilla! Wow, is it satisfying. Scrambled eggs, black beans and melty cheddar cheese sandwiched between toasted tortillas and dipped into in guacamole? It’s basic in all the right ways, and at the same time a revelation in each bite.
Cottage cheese pancakes? Yes, this protein-packed pancake uses half the flour as a regular pancake recipe, relying on eggs and cottage cheese instead. Might sound a little off, until you take a bite. It's tender, fluffy, and vanilla-scented: in fact, it tastes like a cross between pancakes and French toast! Each pancake has 8 grams of protein, approximately 15% of your daily need.
Also try: 10 Healthy Pancakes Recipes
Here’s a smoothie that’s full of cozy spiced, naturally sweet flavor: this Apple Smoothie! It works anytime and in any season, but of course it’s perfect for fall. In fact, it’s a fun way to enjoy the flavors of apple pie or apple crumble! Cinnamon and vanilla are just the right compliment to the sweet tart fruit.
Ready for your new go-to granola recipe? This maple pecan healthy granola has been a favorite at our house for years. Now: most granola is not healthy. Store-bought and homemade granola recipes can be full of sugar and oil, and very high in calories. Here's a recipe that's actually healthy: and perfectly crunchy, warmly spiced, and just the right amount of sweetness.
Looking for a plant-based way to start the day? Try this vegan breakfast sandwich! Many vegan breakfast ideas are on the sweet side, like oatmeal, pancakes, and French toast. But this breakfast sandwich is a fun savory breakfast that takes just minutes to whip up! The savory chickpea pancake filling surprisingly has a similar flavor and texture to scrambled eggs.
Here's an easy healthy breakfast recipe: almond butter toast! For quick mornings, slather almond butter onto toast and load on the toppings: like sliced bananas or berries.
This breakfast smoothie tastes like a milkshake but it’s made of wholesome ingredients like banana, peanut butter and oats. Whiz it up with frozen bananas and it makes a thick and creamy, sweet puree that will have you professing your undying love!
Another great healthy breakfast recipe: acai bowls! This traditionally Brazilian treat is a frosty purple smoothie topped with a confetti of beautiful toppings. They're a total treat! One reader told us: “Made your acai bowl recipe and OH MY! I’ve never had one I’ve enjoyed as much as this. It was so perfectly balanced, and my husband loved it too!” Or, try it with mixed berries in this Easy Smoothie Bowl.
Another classic breakfast recipe? The omelette! This recipe makes the most delicious omelette you’ve ever had: classic French style, with a golden exterior, soft interior, and loads of savory flavor. Here’s our adaptation of Julia’s Child's classic technique. Add sauteed veggies to the filling for a healthy spin!
Baked oatmeal is the holy grail of easy breakfasts: once you bake up a pan, you can eat off the leftovers all week. Or, it’s the perfect special breakfast to serve for guests for breakfast or brunch. The tangy, tart pops of blueberries are a bright pairing to the hearty oats and cozy cinnamon and allspice.
Are you a steel cut oats fan? These chewy oats have a porridge-like texture and feel like a cozy hug in the morning. They’re a fun way to mix up the standard Old Fashioned oats, and may have some slight benefits over them: though both are an incredibly healthy way to start the day! You can make a big pot of steel cut oats in 25 minutes and eat off of the leftovers all week!
Don't have time in the morning to make healthy breakfasts? Make up a batch of pecan energy bars! The sweet flavor is reminiscent of pecan pie, and they’re full of superfoods like pecans and chia seeds.
Want to load on the nutrients for a healthy breakfast? This glowing green smoothie recipe is the perfect immunity-boosting drink with a sweet tart flavor! It stars green apples, loads of spinach, and protein-packed nuts. The tangy is balanced with sweet, and it has a loose but creamy texture that’s easily drinkable and a vivid, glowing green color.
Do the words apple cinnamon oatmeal make you first think of a packet of instant oatmeal? Turns out, it’s infinitely more delicious homemade! This oatmeal recipe is cozy and comforting, made with real fresh fruit and seasoned with maple syrup, cinnamon and a hint of allspice.
Here's an easy make-ahead breakfast idea: mini frittatas! Basically a muffin made of egg, they’re easy to meal prep and grab as you’re headed out the door. Refrigerate or freeze ’em, and you can eat off them all week. The best part: they’re so tasty! They’re filled with colorful veggies and crunchy pecans for added protein and nutrients.
Last up in our healthy breakfast recipes: avocado toast! Here's a nutrient dense way to start your morning. Top your toast with mashed avocado, optional egg (fried, poached, or hard boiled), and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It's deliciously wholesome, with no added sugar.
Most pancakes aren't healthy breakfast recipes. Let's face it: they're mostly flour and sugar. But these pancakes are different! These healthy banana oatmeal pancakes are just that: made mainly of oats and bananas (no flour!). They'll keep you full for hours.
Ready for a healthy start to your mornings? Try Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese! This healthy cheese adds an irresistibly savory flavor and fluffy texture to the eggs. Even better, it adds a pop of protein and helps to stretch the serving size without adding extra eggs. By adding the cheese, you can get away with 1 egg per serving and 9 grams protein.
Here’s a healthy breakfast idea that's perfect for mornings and all those in between moments, too: no bake Oatmeal Bars! These are big winners in our house and quickly solidified themselves into the weekly repertoire. These breakfast bars star peanut butter, honey, and Old Fashioned oats, and they’re a healthy breakfast you can feel good feeding yourself or your family.
Looking for the epitome of an easy and healthy breakfast idea? Try Overnight Oats! There’s no cooking involved here: in fact, you can mix up a jar in just 2 minutes! Leave rolled oats in the fridge overnight with milk, and it magically makes them into a sort of porridge. Eat them cold topped with berries or nut butter and they’re absolutely fantastic.
Here’s a genius simple idea that tastes far greater than the sum of its parts: Ricotta Toast! Spread ricotta cheese on toast, then load it up with sweet or savory toppings. Go basic with juicy ripe tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil, or hearty with tender smoked salmon, capers and fresh dill.
Sometimes a recipe comes along that’s so simple and tasty, we just cannot wait to share it with you. Such is the case with this Blueberry Oatmeal! This pot of oats has an irresistible sweet berry flavor that’s nuanced with cinnamon, allspice and a hint of vanilla. Even better is the color: the brilliant-purple hue makes it that much more fun to eat your breakfast.
A few more breakfast ideas…
Need a few more healthy breakfast recipes? Here are some more non-recipe ideas for busy mornings:
- Breakfast tacos: Make scrambled eggs and throw them in a tortilla with salsa: try these Epic Breakfast Tacos.
- Fried eggs: Try all the ways to fry an egg: Sunny Side Up Eggs, Over Easy Eggs, Over Medium Eggs, or Over Hard Eggs.
- Greek yogurt bowl: Swirl plain Greek yogurt with a hit of maple syrup and top with fruit and almond butter.
- Healthy waffles: These fluffy gluten free waffles are made with almond flour and egg.
40 Healthy Breakfast Ideas: Baked Oatmeal & More!
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 6 to 8
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This banana baked oatmeal is the ideal healthy breakfast! It’s full of good-for-you ingredients and so delicious, everyone will want seconds.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup pecan pieces (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup mashed banana or 2 very ripe bananas
- 1 ¾ cups milk of choice (dairy, almond or oat)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- For serving: Banana slices, almond butter or peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.*
- Butter an 8 x 8″ or 9 x 9″ pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the rolled oats, pecan pieces, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, and kosher salt.
- Dump the dries into the prepared pan.
- Mash the bananas. In the same bowl, whisk together the bananas, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla. Drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Stir lightly with a fork to make everything gets evenly incorporated.
- Bake 40 to 45 minutes until the top is nicely golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Before serving, spread the top with almond butter or peanut butter (or a combination) and top with banana slices. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 1 week: reheat in a 300 degree oven or microwave until warm.
Notes
*Make ahead instructions: do not make the entire pan in advance and refrigerate overnight because the oats will absorb all the liquid. You can mix up the wets and dries separately and store in separate containers (with the wets refrigerated), then pour them together in the morning and bake.
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Healthy breakfast recipes
More healthy meal inspiration
Looking for more healthy meal options? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite collections of recipes:
- 20 Go-To Healthy Dinner Ideas
- 15 Healthy Lunch Ideas
- 15 Shrimp Recipes That Are Healthy & Easy!
- 25+ Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
- 20 Delicious Healthy Snack Recipes
- 28 Day Healthy Meal Plan
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Sonja Overhiser
March 28, 2024 at 09:30AM
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