I’m a big fan of breakfast. As a matter of fact, I’d even go so far as to say that it ranks among my top 6 (yes, 6) favorite daily meals. But, if there’s one thing that I love almost as much as breakfast (well, you know, aside from lunch, dinner, and snacks…), it’s sleep. Which is why, as a teenager, I’d often find myself lying in bed 20 minutes after I was supposed to have gotten up… still debating whether or not that bowl of cereal waiting on the table for me was worth getting out of bed for.
This daily struggle continued well into my sophomore year of high school, when I discovered the beauty that is the grab-and-go breakfast. Finally, a solution to silencing my rumbling tummy without sacrificing sleep! Sounds great, right? Well, the only problem was… I discovered this solution at the bottom of a Tim Hortons to-go bag.
With age (and approximately 720,835 hours worth of nutrition courses), comes the wisdom that starting each day with a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Sandwich and a medium Vanilla Iced Capp probably isn’t the best choice for my health – or my wallet. But if you think that means that I’ve succumbed to compromising my precious beauty sleep, think again. As an adult, I’ve found that my body craves adequate sleep now more than ever. Luckily, I’ve found a more balanced way to approach my morning meal. By simply preparing my breakfast the night before, I can rest assured that I am out the door on time, healthy breakfast in tow.
With graduate school starting tomorrow (cue panic attack..), the battle between sleep and breakfast is only going to become more and more real. After talking with current students, I’ve (reluctantly) come to the accept the fact that, in order to ensure that I get out of the house in enough time to snag a coveted parking spot, breakfast will need to wait. And although I have a handful of make-ahead breakfast recipes tucked in my back pocket, I think we can all agree that a new school year calls for a new (breakfast) wardrobe.
I recently reached out to some fellow healthy living bloggers, many of whom are also RDs, to find out what some of their go-to to-go (say that 5 times fast) breakfasts are – and boy, did they deliver. I’m so excited to share this recipe roundup with you all today, and not to mention try out some of these recipes myself! So whether you spend your mornings ushering a herd of kids out the door, sitting in traffic, or stalking students for a parking spot, you’re going to want to give these quick and easy breakfast ideas a try. From sweet to savory to just downright delicious, I guarantee you’ll find something worth getting out of bed for. Now the only question is… which one to make first??
Ah, overnight oats… the holy grail of the healthy blogging world. And for good reason – requiring less than 5 minutes to throw together, overnight oats are pretty much the epitome of a healthy grab and go breakfast. A nutrient-dense breakfast that tastes indulgent, can be easily transported, and takes zero time in the morning to prepare? Sign me up.
Berry Cherry Overnight Oats via Street Smart Nutrition
Strawberry Chocolate Overnight Oats via Nutrition by Nazima
Apple Peanut Butter Overnight Oats via A Whisk and Two Wands
Golden Milk Overnight Oats via Healthy Helper
Chocolate Chia Overnight Oats via Savour and Shine
Fact: breakfast tastes better when it’s served in a cute mason jar. These bowls can be prepared the night before, so all you need to do in the morning is grab a spoon and dig in. Breakfast doesn’t get any easier than this!
Blackberry Cantaloupe Parfait via Kati Mora
Wild Blueberry Chia Breakfast Bowl via My Cape Cod Kitchen
Almond Butter and Banana Chia Pudding via Holley Grainger
Paleo Chocolate Chia Pudding via Balanced Life Leslie
I love keeping energy bites on hand for easy snacking, but these nutrient-packed treats can also double as a breakfast on busy mornings. Made with wholesome ingredients, they’re essentially a more nutritious alternative to store-bought granola bars (oh, and did I mention they’re no-bake?!) Simply grab a few while you’re running out the door and pair with a piece of fruit or a yogurt for a complete meal.
Vegan Fruit, Nut & Seed Energy Bites via Emily Kyle Nutrition
No Bake Peanut Butter Cherry Trail Mix Bites (Vegan, GF) via Bucket List Tummy
Mango Cashew Energy Bites via Running Dietitian
Cookies for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do! These breakfast cookie recipes are filled with whole grains, protein and fiber, making them the perfect choice for any time of the day. Pair with a some fruit or a cold glass of milk (or a latte) and start your day off right!
Breakfast Cookies with Apricots and Dates via Healthy Ideas Place
Lemon Raspberry Breakfast Cookies via The Foodie Dietitian
Oats & Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies via Food, Pleasure and Health
Who says eggs are only for the weekends? With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy this protein-rich food every day! Bonus: many of these recipes can be easily customized, so you can try a different flavor combo each week and say goodbye to breakfast boredom once and for all.
Southwest Cottage Cheese Muffins via Hungry Hobby
Chicken Sausage, Kale and Mushroom Frittata via Sweet and Strong
Easy Egg Muffins via Live Lean Eat Green
Think you’re not an oatmeal person? Think again! With these baked oatmeal recipes, you’ll have your taste-buds thinking that you skipped breakfast and went straight to dessert. Sure, we know that they’re full of nutritious ingredients… but that can be our little secret.
Banana Zucchini Oatmeal Cups via Hummusapien
Ricotta Berry Oatmeal Cups via Nutritioulicious
Whole Wheat Blackberry Oat Bars via Dishing Out Health
Oatmeal Breakfast Pie via Nutrition Starring You
Superfood Skillet Breakfast Bake via Miss Allie’s Kitchen
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars via The Real Food Dietitians
Muffins and donuts don’t have to be off limits! Skip the calorie bombs at the coffeeshop and whip up a batch of your own to enjoy throughout the week (or freeze some to have on hand in case of emergency). The ultimate portable breakfast.
Banana Chocolate Chip Mason Jar Muffins via Emily Ruth Weir
Spinach Banana Muffins via Joy. Food. Sunshine.
Sweet Potato Blueberry Protein Muffins via Eat The Gains
Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Donuts via The Clean Eating Couple
What are your favorite grab & go breakfasts? Feel free to link up in the comments section!
Cara Harbstreet
Awesome round up! And yes, after approximately the same amount of hours spend in nutrition courses and the wisdom of age, I’ve figured out that if I don’t prep the night before, it comes down to coffee for breakfast and little else. Thanks for the feature, I’m honored to be included!
Kara
Thanks so much, Cara! And I agree.. a little prep work works wonders. Keep the delicious recipes coming!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Great roundup and so useful for the school days coming our way! Thanks for including my oatmeal cups!!
Kara
Thanks, Jessica! Can’t wait to try them out!
Allie @ Miss Allie's Kitchen
GIIIRRRLLL! This is seriously a loaded post! Pinning and using this for sure! Thanks so much again for using my recipe/photo for the cover! Can’t wait to share your recipe tomorrow!
Kara
Thanks Allie – So glad you like it! Can’t wait to read your post tomorrow!
Kaila @ Healthy Helper Blog
Thank you so much for including my recipe!!!
Kara
Thank YOU for sharing, Kaila!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains
Oh man these all look so good! I am definitely going to have to make some of these soon! Thanks for including my muffins π
Kara
Right?? The hardest part is deciding where to start! Thanks for sharing your muffins.. can’t wait to make them π
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green
Thanks so much for featuring me in this! LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!
Kara
Thanks for the delicious recipe, Diana! Glad you like it π
Emily Kyle
So many delicious recipes here, thank you for including mine!
Kara
Thanks for sharing, Emily! <3
Sarah @Bucket List Tummy
Thank you so much for including my recipe! I am drooling over all of these. Can’t wait till the morning!
Kara
Right?? I’m debating having breakfast for my next 30 meals… Thanks for sharing your recipe, Sarah!
Brittany Poulson
Great round-up! I’m always looking for easy grab-and-go breakfasts! Can’t wait to try some of these.
Kara
Thanks, Brittany! I hope you find some you like (although I’m confident you will!)
Marie
Great post with so many wonderful resources! Thanks for including me!
Kara
Thank YOU for sharing your cookie recipe with me, Marie! Can’t wait to try them out π
Kerri McGrail
I am all about overnight oats for quick weekday breakfasts! I will be checking out several of those recipes!
Kara
Overnight oats are the BEST! Hope you find some you like!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
So. Much. Deliciousness!
Kara
Right?? Drooling!
rachel @ athletic avocado
I want ALL of these! yum!
Kara
Me too! Soo many delicious options!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
TOTALLY amazing round up!! I NEED grab and go (easy) breakfasts. Busy momma with a toddler and a newborn rarely has time to eat these days!
Kara
Thanks, Chrissa – So glad you like it! Hope some of these can make your mornings a little easier π
Emily Weir
Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day, but I constantly find myself running out of inspiration and turning to link-ups like these for fresh ideas. And thanks for sharing my mason jar muffin recipe! π
Kara
I feel ya! Always on the look-out for new breakfast ideas. I’m a sucker for anything in a mason jar, so your muffins are right up my alley π