45 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Even the Busiest Mornings
Delicious ways to jump-start your day, comin’ right up.
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Breakfast can help you feel your absolute best in the morning, whether you’re looking for a healthy a.m. meal that’ll keep you energized or a delicious dish that instantly puts you in a good mood (we’ll take Waffle Nachos, please). The best breakfast ideas from the pros in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen are here to help you achieve that epic — and easy — first bite. Our rigorously tested recipes cover everything from quick, on-the-go breakfasts to blissful weekend brunches so you’re never without a solution to the most important meal of the day.
Looking for some kid-friendly options to feed the whole family? Everyone will love grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches, crowd-friendly egg tacos or make-ahead breakfast muffins (paired with a big mug of coffee for the adults, of course). We included plenty of classic ideas, like egg recipes, oatmeal, pancakes and more, plus light, healthy breakfasts like homemade granola with yogurt and berries. Power up with veggie- and protein-packed breakfasts such as egg bites or reach for recipes that take less than 15 minutes to make, like a refreshing smoothie. If a sweet breakfast is your speed, dive into a fluffy stack of homemade pancakes drizzled with maple syrup or a delicious chocolate bran muffin that secretly contains a dose of veggies (psst... it's zucchini!).
No matter what you crave in the morning, you'll find a recipe here that’ll start you off on the most delicious note possible.
Tomato and Feta Baked Eggs
Cook breakfast for the whole family at once with this cheesy bake. Serve with lots of crusty bread for scooping up every last bite.
The viral trend of frying an egg in feta was already genius and I think this sheet pan version does it one better: You cook eight eggs at a time right in the oven, where the cheese gets all melty and mingles with the smoky roasted tomatoes. — Recipe Editor Susan Choung
Get the Tomato and Feta Baked Eggs recipe.
Chocolate-Zucchini Bran Muffins
Get a dose of veggies first thing in the a.m. with these deliciously chocolatey, make-ahead muffins.
At first glance, these muffins might look like the run-of-the-mill chocolate variety, but wheat bran and grated zucchini add heft, texture and just the right amount of feel-good breakfast vibes. — Assistant Food Editor Joy Cho
Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Trout and Crème Fraîche
Instantly class-up scrambled eggs with a few pieces of tinned smoked trout stirred in. Easy!
Easy breakfasts don’t have to be boring. With some simple techniques (low and slow makes for the fluffiest eggs!) and a little smoked trout, this scramble makes my a.m. extra elegant! — Associate Food Editor Becca Miller
Get the Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Trout and Crème Fraîche recipe.
Double Apple Baked Oatmeal
Freeze leftover portions for a hearty, ready-made breakfast that will fuel you for the day ahead.
This is my favorite feel-good breakfast to meal prep. I’ll throw it in the oven on a Sunday, then reheat extras in the toaster oven throughout the week. It’s so cozy! — Deputy Food Editor Trish Clasen Marsanico
Get the Double Apple Baked Oatmeal recipe.
Customizable Egg Muffins
Stash these protein-packed cups in the freezer until you're ready to eat; then pop them in the microwave for 2 minutes, grab and go.
Eggs make a great breakfast, but I rarely have time to take out (or clean!) a skillet in the morning. These pre-made bites are the perfect solution. — Assistant Food Editor Samantha MacAvoy
Get the Customizable Egg Muffins recipe.
Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos
Fill your freezer with these vegetarian burritos so a healthy, satisfying breakfast is never far away. Pro tip: After microwaving, crisp them up in a skillet.
These are the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Cook up all your components, set up an assembly line, fill, roll and freeze! — Food Producer Tina Martinez
B.E.C. Breakfast Bites
Upgrade this A.M. classic by folding your favorite egg sandwich fillings into a homemade tortilla. Top it all off with a drizzle of hot sauce!
What really makes these hash brown–stuffed breakfast wraps is using homemade or good-quality tortillas — something you don't get in the fast food original that inspired this recipe. — Recipe Editor Susan Choung
Get the B.E.C. Breakfast Bites recipe.
Almond-Buckwheat Granola with Yogurt and Berries
Meal prep a batch of 30-minute granola to top off yogurt and fruit all week.
Toasting buckwheat groats in a skillet before baking them deepens the earthy notes and ups the irresistible crunch factor of this maple-sweetened granola. You won’t even miss the oats! — Assistant Food Editor Joy Cho
Get the Almond-Buckwheat Granola with Yogurt and Berries recipe.
Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt, Almond Butter and Pepita Granola
Try roasted sweet potato for breakfast (meal prep 'em on weekends!) — it's tasty topped with a.m. favorites like yogurt and granola.
I love incorporating crops typically enjoyed for dinner, like sweet potatoes, into my a.m. eats. It makes breakfast feel more exciting — and filling! — Assistant Food Editor Samantha MacAvoy
Get the Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt, Almond Butter and Pepita Granola recipe.
RELATED: 56 Best Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Perfect for Any Occasion
Blueberry-Banana-Nut Smoothie
With frozen berries and almond butter, this is like PB&J in smoothie form. Yum!
Get the Blueberry-Banana-Nut Smoothie recipe.
Sheet Pan Asparagus Frittata
This crowd-friendly feast is as easy as whisking eggs, pouring them onto a sheet pan and topping with veggies and cheese.
I love this recipe because it feeds a crowd. Are you hosting friends for a brunch? Everyone can grab a slice and enjoy with a side salad or serve with a variety of breads and let everyone choose their favorite for a delicious sandwich! — Food Producer Tina Martinez
Get the Sheet Pan Asparagus Frittata recipe.
Breakfast Tacos
When it comes to easy meals, the sheet pan is your friend — especially when it comes to these cheesy, egg-topped tacos.
If I’m hosting a breakfast, I don’t want to be standing at my stove flipping fried eggs. These tacos are the best solution; everything comes together in the oven, and I can spend time chatting with friends! — Associate Food Editor Becca Miller
Get the Breakfast Tacos recipe.
Make-Ahead Egg Sandwiches
You don't need to spend half an hour cooking in the morning to eat perfect egg sandwiches for breakfast. Instead, make this egg, spinach and English muffin recipe the night before.
I have a couple of friends who are pregnant, so I’m making a few batches of these to drop off. That way, their freezers will be stocked with microwaveable breakfasts for when they’re in the newborn stage. — Deputy Food Editor Trish Clasen Marsanico
Get the Make-Ahead Egg Sandwiches recipe.
Parmesan Waffles with Lemon Ricotta
Give waffles a savory makeover with a dollop of creamy ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan stirred into the batter.
Get the Parmesan Waffles with Lemon Ricotta recipe.
RELATED: Make Fluffy, Stuffed Waffles With Our New Waffle Maker
Oatmeal with Apricots and Pistachios
Here's how to make a quick, tahini-honey drizzle for your next bowl of oats.
Loaded Pancake Tacos
Add more milk to classic pancake batter to make “taco” shells perfect for stuffing with crispy bacon, fried eggs and sharp Cheddar.
Get the Loaded Pancake Tacos recipe.
Waffle Nachos
Use waffles instead of chips as the base for this fun breakfast. Consider it the perfect vehicle for any leftovers.
Get the Waffle Nachos recipe.
Fluffy Pancakes
With our Homemade Mix, you’re already halfway to a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes — just add milk, oil, an egg and a touch of sugar for a super simple batter.
Get the Fluffy Pancakes recipe.
Focaccia French Toast
Don’t forget the yogurt, berries and a generous drizzle of warm syrup to top off this creative twist on the diner classic.
Get the Focaccia French Toast recipe.
Instant Oatmeal with Cranberries and Pecans
Make this store-bought staple at home rather than using packets: You get fresher flavors, plus add-ins you can customize!
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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