Breakfast is touted as the most important meal of the day. While that may not be entirely true, there’s no downside to starting your day with a nutritious breakfast. That said, it can be tough to prioritize the kitchen over sleep, and sometimes reaching for the cereal box or opting for a bagel is just so easy. While tasty, those meals are often the ones that make you crash and leave you craving an early lunch.
So put down the box, skip the on-the-go eats, and try one of these 21 easy, energy-boosting breakfast recipes instead. Simple, satisfying, and full of the good stuff, these dishes will fill you up and lift you up. You may even start skipping your morning coffee entirely.
1. Creamy Coconut Matcha Oatmeal
Matcha lattes may be all the rage, but you don’t have to drink it to reap the benefits. Plus, making it at home means you can avoid added sugars and other sneaky coffee shop add-ins. Made with coconut water (hello, hydration), matcha powder, oats, shredded coconut, and a dash of maple syrup, this warming bowl provides an instant boost and hearty base for a kick-ass day.
2. Dirty Chai Chia Pudding Parfaits
Few things say “good morning” like a shot of espresso. Add some chai protein powder (it’s as delicious as it sounds), protein-rich chia seeds, coconut whip, and granola, and you’ve upgraded your morning from good to great. The chia seeds soak overnight, so you can totally hit the snooze button—though you’ll probably want to get up and eat this ASAP.
3. Superfood Avocado Toast With Kale Tapenade
The rise in low-carb and gluten-free diets means many are ditching the bread. But it’s all about what type of bread you eat and what you pair it with—unless you’re gluten intolerant, of course. The fiber in healthy bread options, such as sprouted grain and rye, help kick-start the digestive system. Topped with heart-healthy avocado, tahini, pumpkin seeds, and nutrient-rich eggs, you’ll be skipping out the door instead of dragging.
4. Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl With Berries
For those who do want to skip the bread but still want a hearty carb base to power through busy days, try this sweet potato bowl. This breakfast tastes like dessert and is ready to eat in five minutes or less. No, you’re not dreaming, it’s that easy and that good. For an extra protein boost, mix the yogurt with protein powder or top with almond butter.
5. Superfood Energy Bars With Cacao
Even the healthiest granola bar options often have excess sugar. Not to mention, they simply aren’t filling. But that doesn’t change the fact that they are super convenient. These homemade bars are packed with superfoods and bound with coconut oil. Eat a bar with a light protein shake, hard-boiled eggs, or a homemade latte, and enjoy a crash- and hanger-free afternoon.
6. Coffee Banana Smoothie With Oats and Chia
Why enjoy a smoothie and coffee separately when you can have them together? Coffee smoothies are not only crazy delicious, but they’re also perfect for those who love multitasking. Made with seven ingredients, this smoothie is ready in snap and tastes way better than a plain ol’ cup of joe. The oats and chia seeds add a boost of fiber, meaning you won’t be reaching for that late-morning snack—or second cup of coffee.
7. Açai, Blueberry, and Maca Smoothie Bowl
Antioxidants, fiber, omega fatty acids… and that’s just the açai. This nutrient-packed smoothie bowl is the perfect way to wake your body—and your taste buds—and get them ready for the day. Instead of cramming the bowl with fruit (read: sugar) like many smoothie bowl recipes, this dish uses wild blueberries and a touch of stevia to sweeten without overloading. Top with seeds, fresh berries, and coconut, and you’ll have yourself a fine morning.
8. Hummus and Veggie Breakfast Bowls
Leafy greens may not be the first thing to come to mind when envisioning a mouthwatering breakfast, but this recipe will change that. The mustardy dressing adds a little sweet to the bitter greens while the soft-boiled eggs and hummus make it both creamy and just the right amount of spicy. Even though it’s super filling, it won’t weigh you down. For a Paleo version, opt for a zucchini hummus and omit the grains—though we’re big fans of the added protein and fiber.
9. Mint and Green Tea Smoothie
This smoothie has just the right amount of green: green tea, spinach, and mint. The pear, pineapple, and ginger make it bright and fresh and give it a flavor even green smoothie naysayers will love. With just a touch of caffeine, natural sugars, and immunity-boosting ginger and lemon, this smoothie is the perfect way to kick-start your system and get your (creative) juices flowing.
10. Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
Turmeric is another spice currently shaking up the latte scene. Known for its anti-inflammatory “superpowers,” it’s also a common staple in curries and, more currently, juices and wellness shots. This recipe uses it to flavor immune-boosting energy balls made with oats, chia seeds, almonds, and lemon—a superstar lineup. Double up by pairing with golden milk or eat with fresh fruit.
11. Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bowl With 6-Minute Egg
Healthy fats, leafy greens, whole grains, lean protein… this recipe has it all. Oh, and it’s insanely delicious. For a lighter dressing, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, or skip the sauce altogether and stick to fresh lemon and a dash of paprika. We also love subbing avocado for the potatoes.
12. Espresso Overnight Oats With Almond Butter
This recipe takes five minutes to prepare and it has caffeine—the makings of a perfect morning. Simply add oats, espresso (or coffee), chia seeds, milk, yogurt, slivered almonds, and almond butter; shake it up; refrigerate overnight; and voilà, a breakfast of champions awaits you. Top with fresh berries, more nut butter (always), and a sprinkle of espresso for an extra jolt.
13. Avocado and Egg-Stuffed Sweet Potato
Popeye would be proud of this breakfast. Packed with nutrient-rich spinach, immunity-boosting garlic, heart-healthy eggs, and served on antioxidant-rich sweet potato, this dish is all kinds of wonderful—and delicious.Quantitative evaluation of the antioxidant properties of garlic and shallot preparations. Leelarungrayub N, Rattanapanone V, Chanarat N. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2006, Jul.;22(3):0899-9007.Antioxidant capacity and antioxidant content in roots of 4 sweetpotato varieties. Rautenbach F, Faber M, Laurie S. Journal of food science, 2010, Oct.;75(5):1750-3841. To save some time, microwave the sweet potato instead of roasting (or roast the night before), and if poaching eggs feels intimidating, stick to soft-boiled (or try our simple how-to).
14. Rise and Shine Smoothie
If you haven’t experimented with dates in smoothies, we urge you to get to the kitchen. It’s the perfect natural sweetener, and using just two dates goes a long way. Almond milk and coconut water act as the base, and frozen banana, almond butter, and hemp seeds as thickeners and protein pumpers. Easy to make, even easier to drink, and super filling, this smoothie will likely become a weekly (or daily) go-to.
15. Chia Matcha Overnight Breakfast Smoothie
We’re huge fans of anything you can make the night before. Plus, soaking oats overnight enriches the flavor and creates an incredibly creamy texture that tastes almost too good to be true. This recipe uses matcha, the tea powerhouse rich in antioxidants and vitamins; coconut yogurt; banana; cinnamon; and chia seeds for a hearty but not-too-filling breakfast that’s ready to eat the second you get out of bed.
16. Savory Spinach Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Oatmeal and raisins are an awesome combo, but sometimes it’s nice to take just a little extra time to shake things up. This recipe goes the extra mile with spinach (yep), tomatoes, and a fried egg. We love using chicken or veggie broth to cook the oats and topping with a dash of hot sauce. Some shaved Parmesan would taste pretty great too.
17. Oatmeal Quinoa Power Bowl
This recipe has got the power. The base is a mix of oatmeal, quinoa, and almond milk, which then gets topped with pomegranate, pumpkin seeds, toasted walnuts, coconut flakes, and a whole lot of love. Or go wild—any nut, dried or fresh fruit, or seed will do.
18. Mango Ginger Turmeric Smoothie
Don’t worry: This isn’t one of those smoothies that’ll leave you hangry in a matter of hours. This recipe boasts 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber thanks to Greek yogurt and oats. Fresh ginger and turmeric give the drink a light punch, and the mango and honey provide just the right amount of sweet. It’s basically smoothie jet fuel.
19. Mocha Latte Breakfast Quinoa
Yes, you can have a mocha latte for breakfast. And yes, it’s healthy! At least this recipe is. Quinoa is a fun way to enjoy a warming breakfast that isn’t oats, and it’s just as easy to make. Cooked in coffee and coconut water (coconut milk works too) and mixed with coconut cream and vegan chocolate chips (dark chocolate chunks also taste great), this breakfast is decadent but also super healthy and energizing.
20. Savory Pesto Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
It’s hard to believe that a recipe this beautiful takes only 10 minutes to prepare, but it’s true. It goes even quicker if you use store-bought pesto and make the quinoa the night before. Though the recipe looks its best with the ingredients delicately placed on top of the grains, it tastes best mixed and mashed together. Sorry, Instagram, but sometimes flavor is more important.
21. Almond Butter Toast With Bananas and Toasted Coconut
Simple, slightly salty, satisfying… this recipe is so easy, we often forget it’s the ultimate breakfast. Use a hearty, whole-grain bread; unsweetened nut butter; sliced banana (or another fruit like pear); and toasted coconut—then top with a drizzle of honey and sprinkle of sea salt. Easy as one, two, three, and healthy as can be.
Want More? Coffee Smoothie Recipes: 7 Ways to Get a Boost at Breakfast
