Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Shannon Quinn - November 13, 2020
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Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Photo: Credit: Shutterstock

People are eating at home now more than ever. The only issue is that when you first wake up, you may be feeling too sleepy to function very well. In the early morning, you just want to grab something to eat quickly before getting your day started. Eating cereal every single day gets really old, so it’s understandable if you’re looking for new ways to mix things up. Here at Home Addict, we’ve gathered together some of the best healthy breakfast ideas that you can make easily from home.

Toast can be so much more than butter and jelly. Credit: Shutterstock

30. Get Creative With Toast

Nearly everyone makes toast for breakfast, so this suggestion is nothing new. But there are so many different things you can put on toast to make it taste better. Try experimenting with new spreads, fruit toppings, cream cheese and meat for open-faced sandwiches. A lot of times, you can dig through your fridge to see what ingredients you already have available, and try it out. Since bread is usually very cheap, it won’t be a huge tragedy or waste of food if you realize that you don’t like something. Have fun, and try it out!

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Cut out the bread by making your eggs in a pepper slice. Credit: Shutterstock

29. Bell Pepper Egg-in-Hole

Egg in a hole with toast has been a popular breakfast food for a very long time. But what if you’re thinking about eating fewer carbs? This idea takes rings from bell peppers, and drops an egg into the center. Depending on how you prefer to eat your eggs, you could use a spatula to remove this from the pan so that you can break into the gooey egg right away. Or, you can flip it over to make sure that everything gets cooked. If you prefer scrambled eggs, you could even drop the egg in the center, and scramble it on the pan. The whole point of this is to get what is essentially a veggie omelette into an individual sized portion.

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Decorating your rice cakes is both pretty and tasty. Credit: Shutterstock

28. Decorate a Rice Cake With Fruit

Anyone who’s trying to go gluten free already knows the struggle of giving up toast in the morning. Rice cakes are great for fending off those cravings, and can be eaten at any time of day. One of the big cute food trends I’ve seen online is putting fruit on top of your rice cake. Some people like to keep the pieces of fruit and herbs whole, like you see above. Or, you can use a fork to press down strawberries or raspberries on top of the rice cake. This tastes like having toast with jam, minus the extra sugar and calories you’d get from something out of the jar.

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Energy balls don’t require baking. Credit: Shutterstock

27. Energy Balls

This next idea is called “energy balls”, and they’re basically like making your own granola bars quickly without baking. The ingredients of energy balls change depending on your food preferences, but they usually include something like peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and more. Some people will base a recipe on a candy bar and add extra ingredients like coconut, peanuts, almonds, and raisins. This is a great way to get some protein and chocolate into your diet in a small, portion-controlled size. They are great to eat at breakfast, but also make perfect after-school snacks. Check out the Well Plated blog for recipes on various recipe balls.

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Chocolate smoothie bowls taste like ice cream. Credit: Shutterstock

26. Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl

If you’re already a health conscious person, you might already have some vegan chocolate protein powder at home. Instead of making the same shake every day, you can turn it into a smoothie bowl, instead. Cut two bananas down into small pieces, and freeze them inside of a ziplock bag overnight. The next morning, you can remove the bananas, and put them into your Nutribullet or blender along with almond milk and the protein powder. Don’t over-blend it until it’s liquidy. You want this to be a thick texture. Feel free to add coconut, fruit, or any other healthy toppings. This tastes like you’re having ice cream for breakfast, but it’s actually incredibly healthy, and getting a lot of your daily macronutrients.

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Kids can make their own healthy little bear for breakfast. Credit: Shutterstock

25. Nut Butter Bears

Toast is so easy to make, even your kids can do it. Why not make breakfast more fun by creating these adorable butter bears? Simply make some toast, and bring out your favorite nut butter. Add toppings like dried fruit and nuts to make a little bear face. Your kids could also make any animal they want. It doubles as breakfast, but also keeping them occupied while they play with their food. Just remember that white bread is basically devoid of nutrients. If you’re interested in making healthier choices, consider switching to wheat. And if you have extra money to spare, try out Ezekiel Bread, which is literally the healthiest bread on the market. The recipe comes straight from the Bible verse Ezekiel 4:9, which is apparently a recipe from God on how to make the most nutritious bread ever. It’s nutty, delicious, and filling.

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Prepping overnight oats helps you eat quickly the next day. Credit: Shutterstock

24. Overnight Oats

Not all oats are created equal. Most people make instant oatmeal, where they can pour out a packet of quick oats with flavoring, add milk, and pop it into the microwave. Unfortunately, this isn’t a healthy breakfast. It’s full of sugar, and the process of making instant oats takes away some of its natural nutrients. The healthiest oat option is steel cut oats, because they have the most fiber and it has a lower glycemic index. This means that it releases blood sugar very slowly, and helps prevent diabetes. Normally, steel-cut oats need to soak or cook on your stove top for at least 15 to 30 minutes before they’re ready to eat. So one of the easiest ways to eat healthy oatmeal is to prepare them the night before. Simply add your oats, almond milk, cinnamon, and fruit to a mason jar and let it soak overnight.

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Potato burritos are absolutely delicious. Credit: Shutterstock

23. Potato Burritos

Potatoes have a bad rap for being a starch, but they actually give you an incredible amount of micronutrients, and they’re very filling. One of my all-time favorite breakfasts is potato burritos. You can do this with basically any potato, so go with your favorite. Personally, I love to get just your average russet potato, and cut it up into very small squares. Then, I chop up fresh bell peppers and onions. Fry all of that with olive oil, and put it inside of a tortilla. If you want an extra added kick, add a sprinkling of crushed tortilla chips and hot sauce. Obviously, you can eat this for lunch, too. But I consider this a breakfast burrito, because it’s very similar to having hash browns. Potatoes are very filling, but they’re low in calories. So this recipe is perfect for satiating your appetite, or helping to lose weight.

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Protein pancakes are a healthy alternative. Credit: Shutterstock

22. Protein Pancakes

Everyone knows how to make pancakes, but they’re usually a lot of empty calories. If you think about it, you’re essentially eating cake for breakfast. It’s flour, sugar, and butter, topped with more sugar, which is really terrible for you. But sometimes, pancakes or waffles are just the easiest option to cook a hot breakfast. That’s why I’m recommending protein pancakes instead. There are a lot of protein pancake brands out there, but one of the most popular is Kodiak Cakes. Every serving has 14 grams of protein, which is perfect for anyone who’s trying to get more protein in their diet for bodybuilding. Instead of dairy butter, try vegan butter or sunflower flora. And instead of syrup, try some fresh fruit. If you really can’t stomach pancakes without syrup, go for genuine organic maple syrup instead of the fake stuff.

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Smoothies are one of the healthiest things you can have for breakfast. Credit: Shutterstock

21. Green Smoothies

Making green juice and smoothies is one of the best things you can do for your health. Eating a lot of fruit and vegetables can be difficult, but consuming them becomes much easier if you blend it up in a smoothie form. Making smoothies is actually very easy. You just need a blender, frozen fruit, and a liquid base. You can choose almond milk, water, or orange juice as your liquid. Just don’t use real milk, because it will curdle when mixed with fruit. Add your favorite frozen fruit and greens before blending. Voila, you have a green smoothie. If you want to know more about the benefits of green juice, I recommend watching a documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. They go over a lot of the health benefits, and the website has tons of recipes.

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You may be able to save money by making granola at home. Credit: Shutterstock

20. Homemade Granola

Eating granola is so healthy, it’s basically a cliche at this point. Granola tastes delicious when you sprinkle it on top of a yogurt parfait, or a smoothie bowl. Buying granola from the store is easy and affordable, but in a pinch, it’s actually very easy to make granola from home with ingredients you may already have in your pantry. You just need oats, nuts, honey, and a conventional oven. For the full recipe and step-by-step tutorial, check out this blog called Cookie and Katie, where they reveal all of the steps. According to people who try it, they say that the homemade version tastes a lot better, and it’s a more affordable and sustainable habit to get into. Once they get started making granola from home, they never go back.

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try this delicious yogurt and chia seed parfait. Credit: Shutterstock

19. Yogurt and Chia Seed Parfait

Eating chia seeds is great for your health, because they give you so much nutritional value for next-to-no calories. Two tablespoons of chia seeds are 100 calories, but they give you tons of fiber, protein, magnesium, calcium, and omega-3’s. Soaking the seeds in liquid makes them less crunchy, but it still gives some chew and interest to an otherwise plain yogurt. To make this parfait, Blend together yogurt, fresh fruit, and chia seeds. Depending on the portion size, you can easily make this into a 300 calorie breakfast that provides you with tons of macronutrients. And if you’re trying to go vegan, this is easy to make with coconut yogurt. (If you keep scrolling, I’ll mention the vegan version later in the list.)

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Veggie omelettes are a perfect healthy breakfast. Credit: Shutterstock

18. Veggie Omelette

One of the top go-to healthy breakfasts we make in my house are veggie omelettes. Having vegetables in your eggs actually enhances the flavor, and it’s a sneaky way to get in extra nutrients. If you’re trying to cut down on cholesterol, I recommend using egg whites, instead. Or, mix in one regular egg with egg whites out of a carton. My favorite combination is the “southwest” style omelette. Fry up some bell peppers, onions, and even shredded carrots. Mix the scrambled eggs in a separate bowl, and pour them into the skillet along with the eggs. The only downside is that this can get messy. So, you might want to do what is shown in the photo above, where veggies and eggs are cooked separately.

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Cut back on calories by making a breakfast burrito. Credit: Shutterstock

17. Traditional Breakfast Burrito

When most Americans think about breakfast served on Sunday morning from your local diner, they might imagine a huge plate of eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns, and a cup of coffee. I’m not going to lie. This is incredibly delicious. It’s actually one of my biggest vices when I’m trying to go on a diet. But it’s actually terrible for your cholesterol levels, saturated fat, and calories. If you ever feel like you must have this type of breakfast, a burrito is a slightly healthier option. Simply take a flour tortilla, and fill it with scrambled eggs and meat of your choice. It’s also possible to use vegan meat as a substitute to cut back on the cholesterol. This might only save you 100 to 300 calories compared to the traditional breakfast, but when you’re on a diet, every bit counts.

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Millennials popularized avocado toast. Credit: Shutterstock

16. Avocado Toast

Yes, eating avocado toast is a huge stereotype for Millennials. But this is for good reason. Avocado toast is delicious, and it’s a great way to get some healthy fat into your diet. Avocados also contain magnesium, potassium, vitamin c, niacin, and a whole host of B vitamins. This breakfast is especially great for anyone who is trying to cut back on eating me to lower their cholesterol, or if they’re trying to go vegan. Lastly, it’s a simple way to make a healthy, filling breakfast. All you need to do is slice up some avocado, and put it on toasted bread. Some people like to add “everything bagel seasoning” on top for that extra crunch. Avocado is also delicious on a toasted bagel. However, this is obviously healthier if you choose wheat bread.

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Acai bowls taste like dessert, but you can eat it for breakfast. Credit: Shutterstock

15. Acai Bowl

If you’ve never tried an acai bowl before, get ready to have your mind blown. Eating one of these is like having ice cream, except everything is made out of fruit. Acai bowls are very popular in Hawaii and Asian countries, but they have become trendy here in the mainland United States. You might even find an acai bowl restaurant in your local area to try this out beforehand. Once you know that you like the taste, you should be able to find frozen acai berries at Walmart. Blend it together with almond milk and other fruits until it’s the consistency of a parfait. This is great with fresh strawberries, coconut flakes, and granola.

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Make a loaf of banana bread, and eat it the next day. Credit: Shutterstock

14. Banana Bread

Baking banana bread is easy, and there are lots of options to make it either vegan or gluten free. Nearly everyone has a family recipe for banana bread that was passed down through the generations. But if you need a recipe online, we recommend checking out this recipe from The Minimalist Baker. Once you find a recipe you enjoy, make a loaf the night before, and keep it in the fridge until the next day. Slice it up, add butter to taste, and have it beside your cup of coffee. This is much healthier than having a piece of white toast, or dare I say it- left over birthday cake.

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This breakfast sandwich is packed with protein. Credit: Shutterstock

13. Avocado and Poached Egg Sandwich

Out of all the ways you can cook eggs, poached are considered to be one of the healthiest ways to do it. During the frying process, you’re adding extra calories and fat from the butter or oil on the bottom of the pan. So that’s why a lot of people choose to combine a poached egg on top of avocado toast and turn it into a healthy breakfast sandwich. This is going to give you a lot of protein, healthy fat, and nutrients first thing in the morning. The texture might not be everyone’s cup of tea, though.

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Fruit salad is delicious, and packed with nutrients. Credit: Shutterstock

12. Fruit Salad

Eating fruit and vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health. So, obviously, eating a fruit salad is an amazing breakfast option. I once babysat for a family where the mother had a rule that her kids must eat at least one piece of fruit with their breakfast. It was okay to eat waffles, toast, cereal, or anything else they wanted, so long as they had that fruit. In the future, I want to do the same thing. Fruit salad gives a lot of delicious variety to breakfast fruit, and it’s already cut ahead of time. it’s an easy thing to say “yes” to first thing in the morning.

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It’s not too hard to make granola bars from scratch. Credit: Shutterstock

11. Homemade Granola Bars

Busy moms use granola bars as their go-to snack for kids who want breakfast on the run. However, not all granola bars are created equal. In fact, a lot of them have so many preservatives and sugar that you might as well be eating a cookie. There are a lot of granola bar recipes out there. Most of them involve using figs, granola, nuts, and oats blended up in a food processor. Depending on the flavor you’re looking for, you might add peanut butter, chocolate, raisins, or honey. Then, you spread it out onto a baking sheet that has been covered in parchment paper. Bake, and cut them up into bars. For more in-depth granola bar recipes, check out The Minimalist Baker.

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Banana pancakes are heavenly. Credit: Shutterstock

10. Vegan Banana Pancakes

Earlier on this list, we already mentioned making healthy protein pancakes. But a lot of pre-made pancakes mixes require you to use milk and eggs to make them, or the mix contains traces of dairy. If you’re trying to go vegan, banana pancakes can be a great alternative. Honestly, I love banana pancakes, because they have so much more flavor than the ones you make out of the box. And, obviously, if you’re a parent, this is a great way to sneak fruit into breakfast without your kids even noticing. Check out this post by Loving it Vegan for the step-by-step recipe on how to make vegan pancakes.

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Matcha green tea latte. Credit: Shutterstock

9. Matcha Latte

Green tea powder, also known as “matcha” is delicious either iced or cold. Matcha is known for having powerful antioxidants, improves brain function, prevents cancer, as well as giving you a healthy dose of caffeine. While this isn’t a replacement for breakfast, a matcha latte can be a great healthy addition to your morning. Making a matcha latte is easy. All you need to do is get some matcha powder, and whisk it with a small amount of water. Then add the almond milk and ice. Obviously, if you want it hot, leave out the ice. This can be far more filling and nutritional than a cup of coffee.

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Make fruit fun by turning it into a little creature. Credit: Shutterstock

8. Turn Fruit Into Cute Animal Creatures

Earlier on this list, I mentioned how important it is to get your kids to eat fruit in the morning with their breakfast, even if they eat something else, too. As silly as it sounds, there is a huge difference between getting kids to eat a whole apple versus cutting it up into cute shaped animal creatures. Food is always more appealing if it looks incredibly tasty. If you’ve already created a fruit salad, encourage your kids to play with their food. Once it’s all done, they’ll gladly eat it up. (Plus it will look cute on your Instagram stories.)

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Crepes are delicious, especially with fruit. Credit: Shutterstock

7. Crepes With Strawberries and Ricotta Cheese

French crepes are basically very thin pancakes that are filled with other foods, and then rolled up. They can be either sweet or savory. One of the most popular ways to serve crepes is with nutella and bananas. Or, you can use strawberries and sprinkle it with powdered sugar. A much healthier alternative for breakfast would be stuffing it with strawberries and ricotta cheese. If you’ve never made crepes before, be sure to watch a full YouTube video on how to make them properly. Once you know the tricks to it, they’re a quick and easy breakfast or brunch.

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Do you want to build a snowman? Credit: Shutterstock

6. Build a Cottage Cheese Snowman

If you’re eating dairy, one of the best types you can consume is cottage cheese. It’s got a ton of nutrients like protein, B vitamins, and calcium. Cottage cheese is especially popular among people who are trying to lose weight. However, it’s not the most appetizing thing in the world. So if you’re trying to encourage your kids to eat cottage cheese, consider turning it into something fun, like this adorable snowman. In the photo above, they used cranberries and corn flakes to help make it a more well-rounded breakfast.

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This is a vegan alternative to your traditional yogurt parfait. Credit: Shutterstock

5. Vegan Quinoa Coconut Yogurt Parfait

We have already mentioned yogurt parfaits on this list. A lot of people already to consider the traditional parfait to be healthy, but it’s not as good as it could be, because of the sugar, cholesterol, and fat. What if you want to quit dairy, or go totally vegan? The good news is that coconut yogurt is a thing that exists in the world, and it’s delicious. This parfait takes health to the next level. Instead of granola, add quinoa for that bit of added protein and crunch. And, of course, adding as much fruit as humanly possible will pack in the nutrients. (Just remember to take the stems off first.)

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Veggie sandwiches taste amazing. Credit: Shutterstock

4. Vegan Veggie Breakfast Sandwich

When you go vegan for the first time, it’s really difficult to figure out what to eat. Unfortunately, a lot of the hot meals take more time and preparation than simply making something with meat and dairy. Whenever I need something that’s a lazy vegan meal, I just go for a veggie breakfast sandwich. Sure, this can be eaten for lunch, too. But when most of your diet consists of vegetables, does it really make a difference? My favorite combination is avocado, cucumber, sweet peppers, lettuce, and tomato. The tangy kick of the peppers helps balance out the flavor, and the various textures make it a juicy, delicious sandwich.

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Let your kids decorate owl pancakes. Credit: Shutterstock

3. Owl Pancakes

Earlier on this list, we mentioned making protein pancakes with fruit instead of sugary syrup. If you have kids, they might resist cutting out their sugary topping. Once you introduce something unhealthy to a kid’s life, it’s almost impossible to go back. So a great way to get them excited about fruit is to build little faces and animals on the pancakes. These owls are made with strawberries, almonds, blueberries, and bananas. Even if you’re still allowing them to put syrup on top, this is a great way to sort of trick them into eating fruit. The more they enjoy it, the more likely they will to want to eat it again.

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Going vegan? Try a tofu scramble. Credit: Shutterstock

2. Tofu Veggie Scramble

If you’re trying to go vegan, you might miss the taste of having eggs for breakfast. Personally, this is one of the most challenging things I face whenever I go vegan. Tofu veggie scramble might not taste the same, but it sure does look like scrambled eggs with vegetables mixed in. It tastes delicious in its own right, and you can rest easy knowing that you’re eating a meal that is far more nutritious, and contains zero cholesterol. Add a piece of toast with vegan butter, and you’re good to go. If you want to try this out, check out the recipe by The Minimalist Baker.

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Chia seeds expand after sitting in liquid for some time. Credit: Shutterstock

1. Chia Seed Pudding

If you like rice pudding, you should consider making chia seed pudding, instead. White rice is a starch, and it doesn’t hold a lot of nutritional value. Chia seeds, on the other hand, are amazing, because they’re a plant based source of protein. They also have a lot of fiber, omega 3’s, and antioxidants. The cool thing about chia seeds is that they expand when they get wet, just like dry rice. These end up having a chewy texture, whereas the dry seeds are nice and crunchy, and can be used as a topping. Would you eat pudding for breakfast? Maybe. Breakfast, dessert, whenever. It’s always good.

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