If you’re anything like me, these easy breakfast ideas will be lifesavers!
I can’t tell you how many mornings I’ve suffered through bland oatmeal and wished I’d made a little more effort.
The issue is usually my lack of mental capacity before coffee. But with this list, you don’t have to think. Just point and go!
From breakfast pizza and tacos to quinoa breakfast bars and overnight casseroles, this list of 32 brilliant breakfast ideas has something for any craving!
30+ Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas Your Family Will Love
1. Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
This bowl has seven ingredients, and one of them is chocolate. Need I say more?
Quinoa is good for us, we all know that, and I love this nutrient-packed twist on regular old oatmeal.
Cooked in coconut milk and mixed with maple syrup and cocoa, this dish is not too sweet and is creamy and thick.
Serve with sliced bananas and even some dark chocolate shavings for an extra morning boost.
2. Bisquick Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This recipe takes just 20 minutes to throw together, and after 40 minutes in the oven, you will have a hearty and warm start to your day.
If browning the sausage and mixing the Bisquick seems like too much for the morning, this recipe can be made the night before to save you from having to function too early.
3. Chocolate Buttermilk Pancakes with Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
This might not be one for a rushed Tuesday before school and work, but it’s definitely worthy of a Sunday morning at home.
The ingredient list is a bit long, but it’s just a matter of separating the wet and dry ingredients and then mixing it all gently in a big bowl.
Now, making caramel first thing is asking a lot, I know. So I won’t tell if you buy a jar from the store.
4. Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are awesome when you can change them up. I do get a little sick of the same old thing day in, day out.
So when I saw this recipe, I knew it would be welcome in my rotation.
The inclusion of protein powder is a nice touch, but you can leave it out if you don’t have any.
Adjust the maple syrup to your liking and top with chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
5. Brioche French Toast
I would recommend making the custard for this recipe the night before. Keep it in the fridge, and it will be perfect when you need it.
In fact, you could even slice the bread and leave it on a tray to dry out overnight. The drier, the better!
Be sure to soak your bread thoroughly, and don’t skip the skillet! It toasts the bread to perfection!
6. Oatmeal Brulee
As mentioned above, I often find oatmeal a little bland.
But my mind was blown when I tried this incredible dessert-like breakfast.
For once, simple is better. The vanilla flavor is all you need with that amazing brown sugar crust.
Although I prefer my oats cooked in milk for extra creaminess!
7. 5-Minute Grilled Cinnamon Toast With Chocolate
It might sound decadent, but how is melted chocolate worse than peanut butter, jam, or Nutella?
Who said we can’t indulge for breakfast, anyway? We got up. We deserve a treat!
If you’ve made grilled cheese before, you can make this crazy easy grilled chocolate sandwich.
Be sure to butter the bread and sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar before adding it to the skillet so it can melt and caramelize.
Try adding chopped strawberries if you feel like it could use something healthier.
If not, why not go all out and throw in some mini-marshmallows?
8. French Toast Casserole
Make-ahead meals are some of my favorites, and that includes this French toast casserole.
We’re supposed to start our day off with something substantial, but who has the time?
This recipe can easily be made up the night before and thrown in the oven when you get up.
In fact, it’s better when the bread has time to soak up all the custard.
You can use any bread you have leftover, including baguettes, brioche, croissants, or even donuts if you’re feeling naughty.
9. Churro Crescent Rolls
These soft, warm, ultra-delicious cinnamon crescent rolls could not be easier to make.
It takes less than five minutes to open the can, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar, and roll these babies up.
It will take longer to preheat the oven!
(Psst: If cinnamon isn’t your thing, try this sweet yet mild cheese danish recipe!)
10. Nutella Crepes with Strawberries
The trick to making crepes is to have a totally smooth batter, free from lumps.
This isn’t easy to get by hand, but if you have a blender, you’re good to go!
All seven ingredients can be blitzed together, and then you’ll need to rest the batter in the fridge (another great thing to make the night before).
Stack your crepes and keep the plate in the oven, so they stay warm.
When you’re ready to eat, smother with Nutella and serve with sliced strawberries and bananas.
11. Strawberry Banana Granola Parfaits
Maybe it’s just in my head, but these parfaits make me feel like I’m indulging.
They look so pretty in glass jars with the stacked ingredients and are super easy to modify.
Once you’ve made your own granola, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
12. Savory Bread Pudding – Ham and Cheese Classic
Savory bread pudding is kind of a revelation.
Bread, cheese, salty ham (or bacon) baked together with a salted custard? What’s not to love?
A nice way to infuse this dish with flavor is to heat the milk and cream with the shallots, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Let it cool slightly before mixing it into the eggs.
Be sure to use mature cheddar for the most flavor or a smoked cheese for something slightly different.
13. Pecan Chocolate Waffles
You’ll never regret getting a waffle iron.
These crunchy pecan waffles are a snap to make up and are wonderfully flavored with chocolate syrup.
The chocolate butter is incredibly delicious and melts over the top like a dream.
14. Breakfast Pizza
I could happily eat pizza every day of the week, and with this breakfast pizza, I can have it at every meal!
Use store-bought dough for a super-fast base and top with everything from bacon, sausage, onion, and eggs.
I love the whole eggs with ooey-gooey yolk, but cheesy scrambled eggs would make a fabulous alternative.
15. Mint Grapefruit Mimosas
Whether it’s a summer Sunday or just the end of a rough week, you deserve a mimosa!
This fresh, sweet and sour version is delightful and fruity, and super simple.
The honey simple syrup is needed to balance out the sourness of the grapefruit.
But if you’re a fan of the tart fruit, you can always leave it out or cut back.
Serve with fresh mint and a sliver of grapefruit peel.
16. Southwest Breakfast Quesadillas
As much as I love quesadillas, they’re not super filling when eating dinner.
But breakfast quesadillas? They’re perfect!
Keep things simple with scrambled eggs, peppers, jalapenos, and plenty of cheese.
17. Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
Stop spending a ton of money on steamed milk and weak coffee, and try making your lattes at home.
Who knew you could make up a thick foam with nothing more than a whisk?
Just remember to heat the milk first and use your favorite type of coffee. Easy peasy.
18. Sweet Potato Frittata
Frittata can be served hot or cold and is a beautiful combination of potatoes, egg, and cheese.
I particularly love this sweet potato option and would likely use shallots to up this recipe’s sweetness.
The vegetables will need to be softened for a few minutes, and then everything needs to be baked for around 30 minutes.
19. Breakfast Tacos
I can’t say enough good things about breakfast tacos.
Bacon, sausage, chorizo, spiced beef, the list goes on.
And if we can devour avocado toast for breakfast, why not scrambled egg tacos with spicy guacamole?
20. Trisha Yearwood’s Blueberry Pancakes
There’s nothing like a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes dotted with blueberries.
When they cook, the blueberries will heat up and burst, giving you incredible flavor in every bite.
For the thickest, fluffiest pancakes out there? Don’t over-mix the batter! Stir it gently and cook over medium to low heat.
21. Breakfast Sliders
Served in Hawaiian sweet rolls, these sliders are full of sausage, egg, and cheese.
For the simplest ever version, whisk your eggs, cooks your sausage, and bake in a casserole with cheese on top.
Slice into squares and serve with some of those spicy breakfast potatoes we talked about before!
22. Jessica’s Pistachio Oat Squares
These six-ingredient squares are vegan and gluten-free.
The maple syrup acts as a sweetener and a binder, keeping the blitzed pistachios and oats together.
Another option could be to use dates in the mix, adding extra sweetness and offering a chewier texture.
23. The Ultimate Savory Oatmeal Recipe
Savory oatmeal might sound a little out there, but it’s absolutely worth a try!
Cooked in bone broth, it is full of mushrooms, spinach, scallions, and poached eggs.
Serve with a dash of sweet chili sauce and crispy onions.
24. Salted Honey Apple and Gouda Toast
Luxurious doesn’t have to be complicated.
Thick slices of bread are topped with generous amounts of gouda, crispy bacon, and apples.
It all gets toasted together before being drizzled with honey and sprinkled with thyme and sea salt.
It sounds like a brunch in a fancy restaurant but comes together as easy as an Egg McMuffin.
25. Egg McMuffin
Speaking of Egg McMuffins…
Getting those great round eggs is as easy as cooking them in metal rings.
If you can find sausage patties, that will make your prep super easy. But you can always make your own with your favorite sausage meat.
Not a fan of English muffins? Try these fantastic Cheddar Bay Biscuits instead!
26. Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
Although I’m not vegan, I do like to try out new recipes and use non-dairy when possible.
Chia pudding is such a great breakfast option that is full of nutrients and really simple to make.
I would suggest whisking the peanut butter slightly and adding the milk in slowly, so it’s smooth.
Once everything is mixed, it just needs to sit for 30 minutes.
Try serving with slices of bananas or add mashed bananas to the mix!
27. Mexican Scrambled Eggs
Give your scrambled eggs an upgrade by adding in tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapenos.
Cook your eggs low and slow for the fluffiest, creamiest eggs possible.
Serve in a fresh tortilla with refried beans and cheddar jack cheese.
28. Avocado Muffins
Instead of using oil or butter, this recipe incorporates avocado.
Blend it with eggs, milk, banana, vanilla, and honey before string in whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
The avocado flavor is mild so that it won’t stand out, and it pairs perfectly with dark chocolate chips.
29. Pineapple & Avocado Smoothie
Smoothies are a fantastic way of getting your fruits and veggies in on the go.
This creamy smoothie recipe uses avocado and pineapple for a sweet and tropical breakfast drink.
I like to freeze my fruit for a thicker consistency, and the honey will give a touch of sweetness I find needed in most smoothies.
30. Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Soft and chewy breakfast bars are an easy baked dish that you can make up and eat throughout the week.
With whole wheat flour and apple sauce, these are much healthier than most bars.
I love the combination of quinoa and oats and the crunch from the chopped nuts.
31. Baked Oatmeal Cups 4-Ways
Chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, blueberry almond, and peanut butter banana are four great flavor combinations made from one simple oatmeal base.
Once these are baked and cooled, they will last for a week in an airtight container.
Or try making a big batch and freezing. When you need breakfast, pull one out and let it thaw overnight.
32. Croissant Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is already a pretty sweet treat for the morning.
But making it with croissants has to be the ultimate indulgence.
The buttery pastry adds a whole new level of flavor that you will go crazy for.
This recipe suggests raspberries as a filling, which makes a fresh and fruity dish.
But feel free to throw in some dark chocolate chips, too!