5 Not-to-Be Missed Costco Breakfast Finds — They’re All Ready in 5 Minutes or Less
I’m not one of those people who rolls out of bed feeling hungry on a regular basis. But I do make it a point to have, at least, a little something for breakfast every morning. Yogurt, oatmeal, and smoothies are some of my favorites. Of course, I like to mix things up. I’ve even scoured unexpected aisles in the grocery store to find ways to add fresh flavors to my morning staples.
Recently, I visited my local Costco to scope out the best new and returning breakfast options this spring. I also tasked myself with choosing items that required minimal or no prep (read: they all needed to be ready to eat in five minutes or less). Let me tell you — the bulk warehouse did not disappoint. Among the rows of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and fruit flavored finds, these are the five I’ll be buying all season long.
1. MUSH Vanilla Almond Ready-to-Eat Oats, $12 for 8 (5-ounce) cups
You might have noticed these cups popping up on shelves in refrigerated sections of your local grocery store. The dairy-free, ready-to-eat oats have a similar texture and consistency to homemade overnight oats and come in a wide array of flavors. My favorite, the vanilla almond, is the one you’ll find in bulk at right now at Costco (look next to the yogurts). You get eight perfectly portioned 5-ounce cups, made with nothing but oats, almonds, vanilla, a few dates for natural sweetness, and cinnamon. I enjoy mine with a few fresh berries sprinkled on top!
2. Orgain Organic Protein and Superfoods Café Latte Protein Powder, , $28 for 2.2 pounds
I don’t always have much of an appetite when I wake up, so lighter meals, like shakes, have become a breakfast staple of mine. This new mix by Orgain, the widely popular brand sold at Costco, is a must for coffee-lovers! Made with organic veggies, plant-based protein, and just a hint of organic coffee, it’s super easy to digest, which makes it great for the mornings. It’s also soy-, gluten-, and dairy-free and has zero added sugar. I give one scoop of this powder, along with a frozen banana, one cup of frozen wild blueberries, a handful of frozen spinach, and some unsweetened almond milk, a quick blend in my NutriBullet. It takes just three minutes total prep!
3. Stonyfield Organic Probiotic Strawberry Smoothie, $10 for 12 (6-ounce) smoothies
Stonyfield is one of my favorite organic brands of yogurt, and I love that their products are becoming more widely available at Costco. These smoothies are also great if you want something light and easy on the stomach first thing in the morning — and if you prefer fruit flavors over coffee. Packed with probiotics, they’re are a good source of protein, coming in at six grams (the same as one egg) in a six-ounce container. I like to pair them with a banana on my way out the door. I’ll also have them for a mid-afternoon snack on occasion.
4. Tattooed Chef Organic Açai Bowls, $12 for 6 (5.5-ounce) bowls
These açai bowls have been a popular Costco item for sometime now, and they usually pop up at my local warehouse when the warm weather comes into full swing. They’re vegan, organic, gluten-free, and packed with antioxidants, courtesy of the organic açai and other berries, which are also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You just have to wait three to five minutes: That’s how long they take to thaw on the counter before they are ready to eat. I also like that the granola is packaged separately, so you don’t have to use any (or all) of it if you don’t want to; I actually prefer them without it.
5. Veggies Made Great Double Chocolate Muffins, $12 for 20 muffins
I constantly see new flavors of this brand on Costco shelves. These frozen muffins list zucchini and carrots as the first two ingredients, which means I can start my day with a veggie-forward, warm and chocolatey baked good that takes 35 seconds in the microwave. If you like your muffins at room temperature, you can also let them thaw on the counter. Sometimes, I’ll put them in the fridge the night before, so they’re ready to eat as is the next morning.
What’s your favorite breakfast find at Costco right now? Tell us in the comments below.