60+ Easy Breakfast Ideas to Fuel Your Day

updated Aug 18, 2020

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Easy Toasted Muesli

Finding time to make and eat a satisfying breakfast on busy weekday mornings can feel so tricky. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for easy breakfast ideas. Sure, thick slices of challah French toast are one of the first things I turn to on lazy weekend days, but weekday mornings are when I rely on options that are quick, simple, mostly healthy, and filling enough to get me through the morning.

The good news is that there are so many recipes that fit the bill, and we have over 60 breakfast ideas that prove it. Need a something that comes together in mere minutes? Mug omelets, smoothies, and DIY instant oatmeal cups are for you. We have lots of ideas for making a warm batch of oats (sweet or savory!), for those who crave a warm breakfast. And if a make-ahead meal is more your style, go for granola, banana bread, scones, egg muffins, or a frittata.

Oats and Porridge

It doesn’t matter whether you start with old-fashioned or steel-cut oats — there are so many ways to turn oats into a hearty, wholesome breakfast. And when you want to change things up in the morning, go for a bowl of porridge that starts with barley, quinoa, farro, or a mix of whole grains.

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Easy Stovetop Oatmeal

There's no time for mushy oatmeal. This is our foolproof method for making a really good pot of thick and fluffy oats.

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Masala Chai-Spiced Oatmeal

Steeping a couple teabags in the pot before adding the oats, infuses plenty of warm, spiced aromas into breakfast.

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Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Think slow cooker oats are just for utility? Think again. These are the ultimate rich and creamy oats that you'll want to savor.

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Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Stir everything together in the slow before going to sleep and wake up to a warm, creamy breakfast. It will also make your kitchen smell amazing.

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Miso Breakfast Oatmeal

Give breakfast a savory twist by cooking the oats in chicken or vegetable broth, then stir in a spoonful of umami-rich miso paste.

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DIY Instant Oatmeal Cups

This 1-hour weekend project that can help you sleep in all week. Learn how to make portable oatmeal cups at home, just how you like them.

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Healthy Baked Oatmeal

Assembled in advance, baked oatmeal comes out of the oven with the most amazing crackly top and a tender, creamy center.

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Mocha Crunch Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Still think oatmeal is boring? Try adding a little rich espresso and cocoa powder, plus a few nuts and chocolate chips on top.

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Blueberry Walnut Overnight Oats

If there was a prize for the breakfast that delivers the highest reward for the least amount of effort, overnight oats would be the clear winner.

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Morning Glory Overnight Oats

Inspired by the hearty muffins of the same name, tender soaked oats are mixed with apple, carrot, and walnuts for a wholesome, make-ahead breakfast.

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Breakfast Barley Bowl with Mango, Coconut, and Banana

This not too sweet breakfast bowl feels sunny, light, and decadent all at the same time. Barley has a lengthy cook time, so get a jump on breakfast it the night before.

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Breakfast Grain Bowl Mix

This breakfast grain bowl features quinoa and steel-cut oats and is flavored with ginger and lemon. Make it on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week.

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Apple Farro Breakfast Bowl with Cranberries and Hazelnuts

Ready to change up your regular oatmeal routine? Make hearty, toothsome farro the star of breakfast.

Granola and Muesli

Oatmeal isn’t the only way to turn humble oats into breakfast. Here’s some of our favorite ways to cook them up into a batch of crunchy (or chewy!) granola or muesli. Did you know you can even make granola in your slow cooker?

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Easy Homemade Granola

This easy, foolproof recipe will teach you the basics of making a really good batch of granola. Get the basics down, then customize it any way you like.

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Almond Butter Granola

Sticky almond butter and maple syrup are a delicious magnetic force that pull the oats and sliced almonds into the sweet, jagged clusters that answer the call of your crunchy granola cravings.

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Soft & Chewy Granola

There’s nary an oat in sight, and crispy clusters are forgotten. Instead, nuts and seeds take center stage in a soft and chewy granola that’s sweetened with honey, flecked with dry fruit, and guaranteed to be your new morning obsession.

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Wholesome Halloween Granola

Whole oats, nuts, and seeds are mixed with a double dose of pumpkin and baked until crunchy for a wholesome breakfast you can really feel good about.

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Stovetop Maple Macadamia Granola

Stovetop granola comes together in about 10 minutes and is infinitely customizable.

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Cardamom-Spiced Granola with Tahini

This delicious spiced granola is proof that tahini has a place at the breakfast table.

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Savory Bacon-Rosemary Granola

If you're the kind of person who loves a little maple syrup on their bacon, this savory granola is for you.

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"Second Chakra" Granola

Unlike most granolas, this nut and seed-heavy version starts by soaking some of the ingredients in hot water.

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Granola with Pecans, Cherries & Coconut Flakes

Inspired by Early Bird Granola, this just-sweet-enough granola is crunchy and caramelized, and full of good things like pecans, pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, and dried cherries.

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Slow Cooker Granola

We have a simple trick that will help you cook up a big batch of crunchy granola in the slow cooker.

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Easy Toasted Muesli

This healthy muesli recipe is packed with whole grains, nuts, and seeds for an easy, satisfying breakfast.

Smoothies

If you’re looking for a quick, wholesome breakfast to start the morning, smoothies are always a good idea. It can also be an easy way to get a dose of veggies first thing in the morning.

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Raspberry Ginger Power Smoothies

Pungent ginger and a squeeze of lime juice will awaken your tastebuds, while a scoop of Greek yogurt gives this not-too-sweet raspberry smoothie substance.

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Banana-Date Smoothie

Don't skip the lime juice here! It's just the right contrast to sweet dates and bananas and keeps the smoothie from being too heavy.

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Dairy-Free Raspberry Mango Mint Smoothie

One sip of this cool, fruity drink and you'll wonder why you haven't been adding fresh mint to your smoothies all along.

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Strawberry Smoothie

Fresh strawberries, banana, and Greek yogurt are all you need to pull off this cool, classic drink.

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Peanut Butter & Chocolate Green Smoothie

This chocolate-banana smoothie gets a handful of greens mixed in to start the morning off with a serving of vegetables.

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Coco Loco Smoothie

The Coco Loco smoothie features a coconut base, a handful of cauliflower, and some frozen mango for a kid-friendly treat.

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Banana Bread Smoothie

Mixed with a pinch of cinnamon, cashews, and dates, this kid-friendly smoothie will quickly remind you of banana bread. It's also great with a handful of spinach.

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Mango Yogurt Smoothie

This tangy, just-sweet-enough smoothie is icy cold and oh so refreshing.

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Avocado-Berry Smoothie

This creamy berry smoothie features a surprise ingredient — an avocado!

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Easy Banana Kiwi Smoothie

This kid-friendly smoothie balances the spinach with bananas, avocado, and kiwi for a sweet, creamy flavor.

Eggs

Eggs are packed with protein so they make a filling breakfast, and there are so many ways to cook them up. When you’re pressed for time, a quick scrambled or a microwave omelet are good options, while egg bakes, frittatas, and egg muffins are great when you want to make breakfast ahead of time.

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Australian Folded Eggs

Soft and custardy folded eggs are basically a mash up of an omelet and scrambled eggs. Eat them as is or over a slice of avocado toast.

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Scrambled Eggs With Green Peppers & Mushrooms

Consider this your template for working whatever veggies you have handy into your morning scramble.

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Make-Ahead Spinach and Feta Egg Casserole

Filled with leafy spinach and chunks of crumbled feta, and laced with fresh dill, this egg casserole just might remind you of spanakopita.

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Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Quesadilla

This is your classic ham, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich reimagined into a freezer-friendly folded quesadilla.

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Moonstruck Eggs

Inspired by the movie "Moonstruck", this Italian-style egg in a hole starts with roasted red pepper and garlic.

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Basic Breakfast Tacos

Loaded with fluffy scrambled eggs, a smoky mix of potatoes, onions, and peppers, crispy bits of bacon, a sprinkle of cheese, and some zippy salsa, these breakfast tacos are simple and straightforward.

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Fresh Herb, Potato, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Anything goes when it comes to frittatas, so use whatever herbs you have handy. And if you don't have goat cheese, feta makes a nice substitute.

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Spinach and Feta Frittata

This classic spinach and feta frittata is made with fresh greens, cheese, and dill, and is just as delicious straight from the oven as it is chilled.

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Sheet Pan Veggie Frittata

This cheesy, veggie-packed big-batch frittata is the best way to meal prep breakfast.

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3-Cheese Frittata Cups

These cups are just the thing for protein-packed lunches, satisfying after-school snacks, or wholesome suppers served with a simple green salad.

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These make-ahead egg muffins are packed with cottage cheese and veggies for a portable, high-protein breakfast.

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Spinach and Feta Mug Omelet

Two minutes in the microwave is all that stands between you and plunging a fork into fluffy eggs studded with fresh spinach and salty pieces of feta.

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Western Omelet in a Mug

Just as you’d expect if it were cooked on the stovetop, this omelet boasts light and fluffy eggs studded with diced onion, bell peppers, pieces of ham, and a sprinkling of shredded cheese on top.

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Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

The breakfast of New Yorkers features crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and creamy eggs smushed between a kaiser roll.

Pancakes

Some pancake recipes require a good deal of time, use a lot of bowls, and are best reserved for the weekend. But most of the pancakes in this lineup are fast and easy enough to pull off on a weekday, and call for just two or three ingredients.

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The Easiest Pancakes Ever

This one-bowl recipe requires just six pantry ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes or less.

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2-Ingredient Banana Pancakes

These pancakes are gluten-free and dairy-free — they really are made with just bananas and eggs, no tricks.

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3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes

These family-friendly high-protein, low-fat 3-ingredient cottage cheese pancakes have a fluffy texture with a wholesome, subtly sweet flavor.

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Dutch Baby Pancake

Dutch baby pancakes are like a hybrid (or a love child, if you will) of a pancake, a crepe, and a popover — all in one giant skillet. They look totally impressive, yet are surprisingly simple to pull off.

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2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes

Sweet potato and eggs are all you need to pull off this protein-packed breakfast option.

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Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes

Muffin tin Dutch babies are the sweetest, easiest way to make Dutch babies for a crowd.

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5-Ingredient Cream Cheese Pancakes

These low-carb, Keto-friendly pancakes are made in a blender with cream cheese, eggs, and the flour of your choice.

Baked Goods

It’s hard not to love waking up and knowing that there’s a loaf of banana bread or a batch of tender pumpkin muffins or lemon scones waiting for you in the kitchen.

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Ultra-Moist Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

A scoop of sour cream gives this one-bowl banana bread that ultra-moist, slightly under-baked texture we all know and love.

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The Most Lemony of Lemon Muffins

A bright, sunny syrup poured over the batter leaves these muffin tops glazed and shiny, and the muffins are oozing with lemon all the way down. And there's no mixer required.

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Loaded Savory Breakfast Muffins

This savory muffin's got it all: eggs, sausage, cheese, spinach, and even a bit of apple to help you power through your day.

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Marbled Coffee Cake with Nutty Crumb Streusel

A double layer of streusel makes this one-bowl coffee cake recipe swirl with delight.

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Freeze-and-Bake Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

A warm breakfast baked good is only moments away when you fill the freezer with these make-ahead scones.

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Olive Oil Carrot Muffins

These muffins are so fluffy and moist, you wouldn’t even guess that they’re made with whole-wheat flour and are completely vegan, too.

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Cheddar Biscuits

The flaky buttermilk layers are studded with sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and fragrant green onion for a biscuit that's anything but basic.

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Blueberry Muffins

These one-bowl muffins are perfect in nearly every way: they’re not too sweet, boast a tender crumb, and are bursting with blueberries in each and every bite.

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Apple-Oat Breakfast Squares

This wholesome recipe for gluten-free oatmeal bars is sweetened with maple syrup and perfect for breakfast on the go.

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Bakery-Style Muffins

This is a crumb-cake-meets-muffin combo that's directly inspired by the classic bakery breakfast cake.

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Buttermilk Blueberry Lemon Scones

These tender buttermilk scones are loaded with plump blueberries and drizzled with a tangy lemon glaze.

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Since they’re made just with cream and no butter, these cream biscuits have a super soft and almost airy texture.

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Farmers Market Breakfast Bread

Made with any combination of beets, carrots, zucchini, or summer squash, this tender quick bread is the perfect way to highlight the earthy sweetness of summer vegetables at their peak.

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