Logan Hayes
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but deciding what to eat can be a challenge, especially if your kitchen cupboards are looking sparse. The good news is that there are plenty of tasty breakfast options that require minimal ingredients and can be prepared in advance. From overnight oats to egg muffins, there's no need to skip the first meal of the day. So, whether you're a sweet or savoury breakfast person, read on for some inspiration on what to cook for breakfast when you have 'nothing' in the house.
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What You'll Learn
- No-cook breakfasts: nut butter and banana on toast, or a smoothie
- Make-ahead breakfasts: egg sandwiches, chia seed pudding, or French toast casserole
- Quick breakfasts: egg muffins, scrambled eggs, or a sheet pan of eggs
- Breakfast pastries: warm, flaky buns, or cinnamon sugar pastries
- Hearty breakfasts: hot cereal, oatmeal, or egg burritos
No-cook breakfasts: nut butter and banana on toast, or a smoothie
If you're looking for a no-cook breakfast, there are plenty of options that are both tasty and nutritious. Here are some ideas for breakfast when you have very few ingredients to work with:
Nut Butter and Banana on Toast
A classic breakfast option that requires no cooking is peanut butter and banana on toast. You can use whole wheat pita or toast as your base and spread on some peanut or seed butter. Top it off with banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra flavor boost. This breakfast is quick, easy, and will keep you full until your next meal.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. There are endless combinations of ingredients you can use to make a smoothie, so you can get creative and use whatever you have on hand. For example, you can make a healthy green smoothie with frozen banana, avocado, and your choice of leafy greens. If you're looking for something sweeter, try a smoothie with yogurt, fruit juice, and frozen fruit. You can also add riced cauliflower to your smoothie to make it creamier and give it a subtle sweetness. Make your smoothie the night before and store it in the fridge for a quick breakfast on the go.
Other No-Cook Options
In addition to the above, there are plenty of other no-cook breakfast options to consider:
- Avocado toast: Simply spread avocado or guacamole on toast and add your favorite toppings, such as sliced cheese, tomato, cucumber, or radish.
- Yogurt bowls: Start with plain yogurt and add honey, maple syrup, or jam. Top with fresh fruit and granola for a hearty and delicious breakfast.
- Breakfast cookies: These can be made with nutritious ingredients such as flax, oats, nuts, seeds, and even quinoa. They are perfect for on-the-go mornings.
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Make-ahead breakfasts: egg sandwiches, chia seed pudding, or French toast casserole
Make-ahead breakfasts
Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, but that doesn't mean you have to spend hours preparing it every morning. Making meals ahead of time can be a great time-saver, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are three make-ahead breakfast ideas to get you started: egg sandwiches, chia seed pudding, and French toast casserole.
Egg Sandwiches
Egg sandwiches are a classic breakfast option that can be easily made ahead of time. Simply whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, and pour the mixture into a greased pan. Bake the eggs and then top them with cheese, sausage, bacon, or ham on an English muffin. These sandwiches can be frozen and reheated, so you can make a big batch ahead of time and enjoy a delicious and easy breakfast whenever you need it.
Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding is a healthy and tasty breakfast option that can be made in just a few simple steps. Combine chia seeds, almond milk (or any milk of your choice), maple syrup, and cinnamon in a lidded jar or airtight container. Shake or whisk the ingredients together, then chill for a few hours. You can top it with fresh fruit, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, homemade granola, or an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey. This pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to five days.
French Toast Casserole
French toast casserole is a great option for a make-ahead breakfast, especially if you're feeding a crowd. Grease a baking dish and stir brown sugar and butter together in the dish until melted and combined. Scatter pieces of French bread (or sourdough, brioche, or any bread of your choice) over the butter-sugar mixture. Whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl, then pour the mixture over the bread, pressing the bread down to absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. When ready to bake, pop it in the oven and enjoy a delicious French toast casserole for breakfast without all the hassle of flipping individual pieces of French toast.
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Quick breakfasts: egg muffins, scrambled eggs, or a sheet pan of eggs
If you're short on time and ingredients, egg muffins, scrambled eggs, or a sheet pan of eggs are some quick breakfast options. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:
Egg Muffins
Egg muffins are a great on-the-go breakfast option and can be easily customized to your taste preferences. You can use a variety of vegetables, meats, and cheeses to make them. Here's a simple recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter/oil.
- Chop and mix your desired vegetables and meats (e.g., bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, sausage, bacon).
- Beat eggs in a separate bowl and add spices like salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Mix in your desired shredded cheese with the beaten eggs.
- Combine the egg mixture with the vegetables and meats in the muffin tin cups.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick/knife inserted comes out clean.
- Let them cool before serving or wrapping individually and freezing for later.
Scrambled Eggs
Scrambled eggs are a classic breakfast option that can be made even quicker and easier in a sheet pan in the oven. Here's a basic recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a rimmed sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and sprinkle with toppings like cheese, if desired.
- Bake for 17-25 minutes or until the eggs are set.
- Let the eggs cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving.
Sheet Pan Eggs
Sheet pan eggs are perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping breakfast for the week. They can be used in a variety of breakfast dishes, such as sandwiches, wraps, tacos, or roll-ups. Here's a simple recipe:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a rimmed sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and add toppings or fillings of your choice (cheese, vegetables, meats).
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of your pan.
- Use the sheet pan eggs to make sandwiches, wraps, or freeze them for later use.
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Breakfast pastries: warm, flaky buns, or cinnamon sugar pastries
Breakfast pastries are a great option when you want a warm, indulgent breakfast without having to put in too much effort. Sugar buns, morning buns, sticky buns, and cinnamon buns are all variations of the same basic recipe, which can be made with hardly any planning. You can make these warm, flaky, sugary buns with nothing but a thawed sheet of frozen puff pastry, butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
To make cinnamon rolls, first mix your dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, and salt, in a big bowl. Then, warm some milk and butter together and whisk in yeast until dissolved. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients, add an egg, and mix everything together. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead by hand for about 3-5 minutes until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour. Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes while you prepare the filling.
For the filling, spread softened butter on top of the rolled-out dough. Mix together cinnamon and brown sugar, and sprinkle this mixture over the butter. You can also swap out the cinnamon for other spices like pumpkin spice or chai spice, or add vanilla bean seeds, citrus zest, or dried herbs.
Once the filling is ready, roll up the dough and cut it into individual buns. Place the buns in a muffin tin and bake until puffed and golden brown. Brush the finished buns with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar before serving.
If you're looking for a quicker option, you can use store-bought puff pastry to make sugar buns. Cut the puff pastry into six pieces and place them in a muffin tin. Bake until puffed and golden brown, then brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. These buns are best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
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Hearty breakfasts: hot cereal, oatmeal, or egg burritos
Hot cereal is a great option for a hearty breakfast. It can be prepared in a slow cooker overnight, so it's ready to eat in the morning. Toppings such as yogurt, cream, brown sugar, and fresh fruit can be added for extra flavour.
Oatmeal is another filling breakfast option. It can be prepared the night before by mixing oats with milk. For extra flavour, a drizzle of tahini and honey can be added on top, along with apricots and pistachios. Alternatively, oatmeal can be baked with apples or with zucchini, bran, and chocolate for a more dessert-like breakfast.
Eggs are a classic breakfast option and can be made in a variety of ways. They can be fried, scrambled, or baked, and paired with a variety of ingredients such as smoked trout and crème fraîche, spinach, pico de gallo, or feta. For a more substantial meal, eggs can be wrapped in a tortilla with other ingredients such as hash browns, bacon, and cheddar cheese to make a breakfast burrito. These can be made ahead of time and frozen, then reheated in a skillet or microwave when needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some breakfast ideas that require minimal ingredients and preparation time:
- Avocado toast
- Yogurt with honey, maple syrup, or jam, topped with fresh fruit
- Peanut (or seed) butter and banana on toast or in a pita
- Breakfast burritos
- Frittatas
- Chia seed pudding
- Smoothies
If you're looking for breakfast options that can be prepared ahead of time, try these:
- Overnight French toast casserole
- Hot cereal
- Make-ahead egg sandwiches
- Vegetarian burritos
- Baked oatmeal
For a no-cook breakfast, consider the following options:
- Bagel topped with nut butter and banana slices
- Fruit smoothie
- Peanut butter-banana toast with cinnamon
- Yogurt with fruit and granola
