15 Light Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Off Well

avocado toasts on a plate — The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes you don't want to be weighed down by a hefty breakfast burrito or French toast. For those days on the go, a light breakfast will do. From bowls to muffins to smoothies to toasts, we've got plenty of quick and easy recipes that don't sacrifice flavor and won't weigh you down.

01 of 15

Avocado Toast

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Avocado toast is a super quick and easy savory breakfast. Use a toasted, hearty multigrain bread and top with ripe, mashed avocado, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and salt and pepper. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a kick. For a more filling, protein-packed breakfast, add a poached or soft-boiled egg.
02 of 15

Apple Pie Breakfast Cookies

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

When you need a little hit of sweet while still getting a dose of whole grains and fruit, grab an apple pie breakfast cookie. They travel well and they keep for up to a week in an airtight container, so they're a great make-ahead breakfast. Add walnuts or pecans for extra protein.
03 of 15

Cloud Eggs

The Spruce Eats

Cloud eggs are more than just a picture-perfect way to cook eggs—they also make a nice light, savory breakfast. The egg whites are whipped until fluffy and folded together with cheese. Baked and topped with an egg yolk, they're a fun way to start the day.
04 of 15

Blueberry and Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie

The Spruce Eats

For a simply delicious and nutritious light breakfast, you can't go wrong with a smoothie. This green smoothie combines banana, blueberries, and spinach for a naturally sweet drink packed with fiber and vitamins. Fruit juice or non-dairy milk can be used for the liquid.

The Best High-Protein Meal Delivery Services to Support Your Lifestyle

Continue to 5 of 15 below
05 of 15

Blueberry Biscuits

The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

Fresh-baked blueberry biscuits are a wonderful way to start the day, and you can make them the night before. This biscuit recipe pairs fresh blueberries with lemon zest and adds a little sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness. Topped with a lemon glaze, they offer a quick, delicious breakfast.
06 of 15

5-Minute Omelet

The Spruce Eats

A simple two-egg omelet with a light filling like sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of cheese can't be beaten. The protein-rich egg will give you a burst of energy while keeping you focused. Change up the fillings with options like spinach, tomato, peppers, and onions to keep things interesting.
07 of 15

Breakfast Stuffed Apples

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Instead of just grabbing an apple on the way out the door, take some extra time to stuff a few apples and bake them until tender. The autumnal treat is basically a healthy version of apple pie and a much prettier version of apple-cinnamon oatmeal. Use vegan margarine to make it vegan.
08 of 15

Muffin Cup Ham and Cheddar Quiches

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

A ham and cheese mini quiche is a flavor-packed portable breakfast. One muffin-sized egg dish is a nice light meal, and leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days or the freezer for a few months and reheated. Switch up the mix-ins if you like—you can also make these vegetarian.

Continue to 9 of 15 below
09 of 15

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

Perfect for when you need breakfast on the go, these cookies are chock full of healthy ingredients, offering a great start to your day. Ripe bananas, oatmeal, and walnuts are added to typical cookie ingredients, making for what may seem like a decadent treat.
10 of 15

Acai Berry Parfait

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Acai berries are a superfood and can be found in the frozen food section. Blend them with a frozen banana and layer with granola for a healthy and light breakfast parfait. Pumpkin seeds and pomegranate add lots of flavor and texture but use your choice of nuts and fruit.
11 of 15

Egg White Omelet

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Using just the egg whites makes a low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-protein way to start the day. This egg white omelet is filled with spinach, tomatoes, feta, and olives for a flavorful and healthy dish.
12 of 15

Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

The Spruce Eats

These high-protein, low-sugar breakfast cookies only take a few minutes to mix and form before baking. They have lots of flavor from cocoa powder and peanut butter, and lots of nutrition thanks to oats and quinoa. One cookie is a light breakfast and is easy to take on the go.

Continue to 13 of 15 below
13 of 15

Easy and Crispy Hash Brown Breakfast Bites

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

For a savory breakfast bite, these tater totes and egg bites are just the ticket. Swap out the cheese for your favorite and add veggies or meat if you like, such as cooked, crumbled bacon or finely diced peppers and onions. Make a batch and reheat them one or two at a time for breakfast.
14 of 15

Cinnamon and Date Chia Pudding

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Chia seed pudding is a healthy dish that takes minimal effort and can be whipped up the night before. Soaked in almond milk and chilled in the fridge, the seeds plump and form a pudding. Flavor however you like, similarly to oatmeal but less filling. This version uses dates as a natural sweetener.
15 of 15

Sweet and Tropical Pineapple Smoothie

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Smoothies are a delicious way to start the day. Plus, they're quick and easy to make in a blender and perfectly portable. Sweet banana and tart pineapple are the main ingredients of this tropical smoothie. Add coconut milk as the liquid to mimic the flavors of a piña colada.

20 Healthy Breakfast Ideas

15 Light Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right