Quick Breakfasts for Busy Mornings

Get up and go!

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
and
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
Lizz Schumer
A journalist, writer, and author, Lizz Schumer has 10+ years of experience covering food and drink for a wide variety of well-known print and online publications.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/3/21
Lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

There is a land beyond store-bought cereal, boring toast, and calorie-dense pastries from the coffee shop. This world includes tasty breakfast foods that can give you a great start to your day (or end it, we aren't judging). These easy recipes—most of which are ready in 30 minutes or less—will get your day started deliciously, without spending all morning in the kitchen.

  • 01 of 28

    Spinach and Feta Breakfast Wrap

    Spinach and feta wreakfast Wrap

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Cook up a portable breakfast in minutes with this easy Greek-inspired recipe. Soft-scrambled eggs are tucked into rolled tortillas, along with lightly sauteed spinach, salty feta cheese, and tangy black olives.

  • 02 of 28

    Eggs in a Basket

    Eggs in a Basket in a pan

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Whether you call it eggs in a basket or toad in a hole, this fun recipe with an egg nestled inside a pan-grilled slice of toast is so easy to make, even kids can do it. If a cookie-cutter isn't handy, use the top of a glass to make the hole in the bread.

  • 03 of 28

    Strawberry Smoothie

    Strawberry smoothie

    The Spruce

    Whip up a filling strawberry smoothie in minutes. Use frozen or fresh strawberries to make the blended breakfast beverage, which also includes yogurt and fruit juices.

  • 04 of 28

    Perfect Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

    Perfect scrambled eggs recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    In only 10 minutes, fluffy scrambled eggs can be yours for enjoying alone, over toast, or stuffed into a croissant. Simply follow the cooking instructions in this foolproof recipe and you'll get them to the perfect texture every time.

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  • 05 of 28

    Banana Bread Bars

    Banana Bread Bars

    The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer

    These banana bread bars replicate the flavor of banana bread, but in a convenient snack bar form. Dates, walnuts, and cinnamon complement the banana while toasted wheat bran provides a bread-like flavor. They keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, so you'll have a healthy breakfast ready to warm up or grab on your way out the door.

  • 06 of 28

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

    Photo from Grilled Cheese Social

    In about the same time it takes to make buttered toast, you can put together an open-faced breakfast bagel sandwich. With smoked salmon, cream cheese, pickled onions, dill, and capers, the combination of ingredients packs a lot of flavor into every bite.

  • 07 of 28

    Scrambled Eggs With Cream Cheese

    Scrambled Eggs with Cream Cheese
    Photo: Pete Scherer.

    For fans of soft, creamy scrambled eggs, this recipe will become the standard. A bit of cream cheese combined with the beaten eggs adds a subtle tanginess while contributing a luscious texture. This is a quick preparation, so make sure you have your toast and other accompaniments ready.

  • 08 of 28

    Avocado and Poached Egg Toast

    Avocado and poached egg toast

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Breakfast in a hurry doesn't have to mean skipping out on flavor. You can make this popular avocado toast for one topped with a perfectly poached egg and a drizzle of hot sauce on busy mornings and still have time for a second cup of coffee.

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  • 09 of 28

    Savory Oatmeal

    savory-oatmeal-4779928-09

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    For an alternative to creamy grits, try this easy-to-make hearty bowl of savory oatmeal with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Quick in the kitchen and light on the wallet, the comforting flavor calls to mind your favorite weekend diner while the fiber keeps you full until lunch.

  • 10 of 28

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

     Kristina Vanni 

    Fill the cookie jar with these breakfast treats and you will have something nutritious to grab when you're on the go. Kids will love eating these banana oatmeal cookies with walnuts for breakfast.

  • 11 of 28

    Huevos Rancheros

    Huevos rancheros recipe

    The Spruce / Alexandra Shytsman

    Enjoy a Mexican style breakfast at home with this recipe for huevos rancheros ("rancher's eggs"). It comes together quickly on your stovetop with fried eggs and a flavorful tomato-based salsa on top of warm corn tortillas.

  • 12 of 28

    Overnight Chia Seed Oatmeal

    Overnight chia seed oatmeal

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    With just a little prep work the night before, you can wake up to a wholesome oatmeal breakfast. Creamy rolled oats are dressed up with dried fruit and nuts, fresh banana slices cinnamon, vanilla, and chia seeds.

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  • 13 of 28

    The Perfect 5-Minute Omelet

    Perfect quick omelet

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    If you've always wanted to know the secret to making a two-egg breakfast omelet, look no further than this essential recipe, which walks you through every step in making a beautiful omelet with tips for variations.

  • 14 of 28

    Air Fryer Bacon

    air fryer bacon

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Bacon cooks until perfectly crispy with minimal clean-up in the air fryer. You can set the timer on the appliance and prepare any other breakfast dishes while it cooks, making air fryer bacon good for a busy morning.

  • 15 of 28

    Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

    Blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    Cook up a quick, elegant breakfast for Mother's Day (or just your everyday breakfast) with this recipe for blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes. Ricotta in the batter gives the flapjacks a light and fluffy texture, with a tangy, cheesy flavor that complements the fruit beautifully.

  • 16 of 28

    Chocolate Banana Smoothie

    Chocolate banana smoothie

    John E Kelly / Getty Images

    Trick your tastebuds with this easy chocolate banana smoothie recipe that tastes just like a rich milkshake, but is full of soy milk, bananas, yogurt, and Nutella.

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  • 17 of 28

    Homemade Blueberry Scones

    Low-Fat, Low-Calorie Blueberry Scones

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

    Buttery, warm scones are a wonderful breakfast treat for special days. Bake up a batch of homemade blueberry scones in under 30 minutes with a simply delicious recipe that uses pantry ingredients and fresh or frozen fruit.

  • 18 of 28

    French Toast

    French toast

    The Spruce

    Every home cook needs to know how to make French toast and this essential recipe walks you through the basic steps. Feel free to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or replace some of the milk with cream, for a richer eggy batter.

  • 19 of 28

    Blueberry and Spinach Green Smoothie

    Blueberry and Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie

    The Spruce

    With spinach, blueberries, and a banana, this simple smoothie will hit the spot. Make it with any kind of milk or just water, and feel free to swap in your favorite fruits and veggies, add a scoop of protein powder, or even peanut butter.

  • 20 of 28

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Strawberry and banana make a classic combination, and this berry smoothie looks as good as it tastes. Use frozen instead of fresh strawberries for a thick, creamy drink that doesn't need as much ice. This recipe calls for vanilla almond milk, but any milk will do.

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  • 21 of 28

    Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

    Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

    The Spruce

    For a shake that tastes like dessert but will keep you full through lunch, this vegan chocolate peanut butter smoothie checks all the boxes. Use your favorite non-dairy milk to keep it vegan, or reach for cow's milk if you do the moo.

  • 22 of 28

    Avocado Mango Smoothie

    Avocado Mango Smoothie

    The Spruce

    Avocado isn't just for toast in the mornings. Tossing one into a blender with frozen mango cubes and orange juice results in a creamy, vibrant, smoothie that balances sweetness with the earthiness from the avocado.

  • 23 of 28

    Chocolate Covered Banana Overnight Oats

    chocolate covered banana overnight oats
    Leah Maroney

    Overnight oats make great easy breakfasts because you can make a whole week's worth in one go. This simple version has chocolate, banana, and maple syrup for enough sweetness to please the kids' taste buds and keep everyone going.

  • 24 of 28

    Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

    overnight pumpkin oatmeal
    Leah Maroney

    For fall flavor that tastes great all year, try these super easy overnight oats that only need four main ingredients. Make the oats ahead of time and pack in mason jars or small containers so you can grab them and go. Sprinkle dried fruit, nuts, granola, or flaked coconut on top for more texture.

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  • 25 of 28

    Protein Balls

    Protein Balls

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

    In a pinch, these peanut butter, oats, flax and chia seed balls make a protein-packed breakfast that taste awfully similar to cookies. When you have a super busy morning, throw a few into a to-go baggie for the ride to school.

  • 26 of 28

    Homemade Oat Granola Bars

    Low-Calorie Oat Granola Bars

    The Spruce/Loren Runion

    Loaded with oats, dried fruit, nuts, and none of the processed stuff you'll find in many pre-made brands, these granola bars make an easy mobile meal. Use whatever dried fruits and nuts your family likes best, for a customizable snack or breakfast.

  • 27 of 28

    Instant Pot Egg Bites

    Instant Pot egg bites garnished.
    Diana Rattray

    Make a bunch of these simple, savory egg bites on the weekend and then toss them in the freezer, In the morning, just microwave a couple for 25-30 seconds and you have a hot breakfast that also travels well.

  • 28 of 28

    Yogurt Parfait

    Instant Pot Yogurt

    Diana Rattray

    For a no-cook breakfast, top yogurt with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, or even nuts and seeds. Make your own yogurt in the Instant pot and store it in individual-sized containers to grab quickly or buy a high-protein version and add your own toppings.