If you’re not getting excited for breakfast each morning you’re doing something wrong. We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but not many of us can find the time in the morning to make it. Mornings can be rough, especially if you have kids, because you’ll obviously make sure they’re fed and ready for the day.
Whatever your situation might be I have 5 easy breakfast ideas for you to help you start your morning right. I’m a parent myself so these 5 recipes are my staple breakfasts each week. I like to switch things up and that’s why I have to have so many varieties throughout the week.
5 Easy Breakfast Ideas
APPLE & CINNAMON OATMEAL
First of all, how mouth-watering does this oatmeal look? I wish you could just put a spoon through the screen and taste it! Maybe one day though, technology is advancing haha. Anyhow, let’s get back to our easy breakfast ideas. First on the list is a delicious apple-cinnamon oatmeal for those mornings when you crave something sweet.
I saw Ellie from Elsa’s Wholesome Life make her apple and cinnamon oatmeal and it gave me inspiration for my own. The base for the oatmeal is pretty similar to her’s, however I added 2-3 more things and the toppings are to my taste. Here’s the recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
- 40 g oats
- 150 ml milk of choice
- 200 ml water
- half an apple (grated)
- 1/4 mashed banana
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 8-10 dried cranberries
- cinnamon to taste
FOR TOPPINGS:
- handful chopped almonds and walnuts
- handful blackcurrant
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter
- 1 square dark chocolate (chopped)
- cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
Begin by mashing a 1/4 banana in a bowl then add dried cranberries and move onto cooking the oatmeal. Place 40 g of oats into a sauce pan. Pour in the milk and water and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, add the grated apple, chia seeds and cinnamon. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 4-5 minutes.
Stir the oatmeal every 20 seconds to avoid clumps. When the oatmeal is done pour it over the banana and cranberries you previously placed in a bowl. Mix everything together so the banana and the cranberries can be evenly distributed. Add your toppings and more milk if the consistency of the oatmeal is too thick for your liking. Enjoy!
Oatmeal in general is one of my favourite breakfast options because it’s so versatile. It can be sweet or savoury and it doesn’t require much time. This apple and cinnamon oatmeal will satisfy your sweet tooth, energize you, nourish and keep you feeling full for a couple of hours. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and carbs, oatmeal can also be a perfect pre-workout meal.
BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE
Whenever I’m short on time I make a smoothie. It takes me 3 minutes tops and I always make sure it’s packed with enough protein, fiber and healthy fats. These nutrients give me the energy I need in the morning and keep me feeling full for a few hours. Usually, I would put quite a few ingredients in my smoothie and experience with different tastes each time. However, ever since my daughter started asking me to share my smoothie with her I make it simple yet highly nutritious. In addition, for the last couple of weeks it’s always the same smoothie and here is the recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 medium sized banana
- handful of oats
- 3 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter
- 100 ml coconut milk (or any milk of choice)
- water (up to you how much)
- 1-2 ice cubes
DIRECTIONS:
Place all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
I would call this my signature smoothie because of how often I make it. The taste of it is always so yummy and as you can tell it’s packed with nutrients. Oats provide you with vitamins (thiamin, pantothenic acid), minerals (manganese, phosphorus, magnesium) and antioxidants. Cacao powder is full of iron, magnesium and calcium as well as antioxidants.
Then there’s peanut butter which is a great source of healthy fats and protein. Chia seeds are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and last but not least – bananas or as I like to call them, the queens of fruit. Bananas are not only the greatest sweetener but they carry a good amount of potassium and vitamin B6 to help reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
If your mornings are usually super busy and you end up skipping breakfast check out these quick and easy breakfast recipes for busy mornings.
CHIA FRENCH TOAST STICKS
This is for the days I’m craving something savory for breakfast and I must admit I had it quite a few times in the last two weeks. I’ll get to the recipe in a minute but first I want to talk about nutritional side of this meal. As you can see from the picture there’s more than French toast sticks on the plate.
I usually eat my French toast with 100 g of cottage cheese, veggies (pickles, cucumber, bell peppers, whatever I’m craving) and some chicken breast salami. Then I know I’m eating a wholesome meal. Cottage cheese, chicken breast salami and eggs provide the body with protein, whole-grain toast carries the well-needed carbs, the veggies give micronutrients and chia seeds a good amount of fiber.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley
- whole grain toast (2 slices)
- butter or oil of choice
DIRECTIONS:
Begin by mixing the eggs, chia seeds and spices together in a deep plate or a bowl. Cut your toast slices in 3 parts (each slice) so you have 6 toast ‘sticks’. Place a small amount of butter in a pan and heat it until it melts. In the meantime, dip your toast sticks in the egg mixture, making sure they’re all covered in it.
Once the butter has melted place the toast sticks in the pan and bake until they’re golden on both sides. Remove from the pan and serve with whatever else you like.
SCRAMBLED EGGS
Another savory and easy breakfast idea. Eggs are always a good option in my opinion and a quick way to supply your body with protein. Furthermore, eggs are a great source of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. Luckily, there are many ways in which you can prepare eggs but my favourite is this recipe I’m sharing with you today.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 chopped onion
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
- chicken breast salami
- 2 eggs
- salt
- pepper
- parsley
DIRECTIONS:
Place a small amount of oil in a frying pan. Once it’s hot add the onion and bell pepper. Season the veggies with salt and sauté until they soften, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. In the meantime, beat the eggs in a bowl, add salt, pepper and parsley. Feel free to add a splash of milk if you like. By this point, the veggies should be nice and soft so quickly toss a few pieces of the chicken breast salami in the pan. After about 30 seconds pour in the eggs.
As eggs begin to set, gently pull the eggs across the pan with a wooden spoon, forming large soft curds. Keep pulling, lifting and folding eggs until they thicken and no visible liquid egg remains. Do not stir constantly as you’ll end up with such small pieces of eggs you won’t be able to pick them with a fork. Remove from heat and serve with your favourite veggies, a slice of whole-grain toast or anything else you might fancy.
HEALTHY BREAKFAST PANCAKES
I can say I nailed this recipe down to a T so you have to try it out. It’s perfect for weekend mornings, it doesn’t require much of your time and it’s absolutely delicious, wholesome and healthy breakfast. I wrote a detailed blog post for these breakfast pancakes where you can find out all the info about the ingredients and how to make it like a pro.
What are your breakfast habits like? Do you tend to eat the same thing for breakfast every day or are you more like me and have to switch things up on regular basis? Also, I’m curious to hear which of these easy breakfast ideas is your favourite? Tell me in the comments!
Chat soon,
M, xo
