Start the day in a high-energy way with these healthy breakfast ideas

Looking for healthy breakfast ideas? Although we’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, that doesn’t stop morning from being a challenging part our day!  A quick check of your email and the news or weather, getting yourself and / or your family ready for the day, preparing lunches or taking something out for supper – suddenly it’s time to head out the door and you still haven’t eaten anything!  

We put together this list of 20 healthy breakfast ideas to inspire you and help you plan for breakfast whether it’s a busy morning or a lazy Sunday. Each recipe has a healthy balance of fats, carbohydrates and proteins to fuel your body and keep you feeling full until lunch.  

20 Healthy Breakfast Ideas  

1. All In One Crunch Mix  

This is a great “on the go” breakfast you can keep in a gym bag or in your car so that you always have a healthy breakfast within reach. Combine some dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or apricots are great), nuts or seeds (almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds), shredded coconut and a handful of your favouite crunchy breakfast cereal in a mason jar or to-go container.  

2. Baked Oatmeal  

Make oatmeal for the whole week by baking it in a tray or in muffin tins. Try this recipe for Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal cups or this variation: Blueberry pecan baked oatmeal cups.   Serve this oatmeal with yogurt or a latte or tea latte for added protein and calcium.

3. Apricot Almond Granola Bars 

These granola bars are a sweet and salty treat featuring chopped apricots, almond butter and a sweet chocolate drizzle.  Pair them with a fresh piece of fruit and a handful of nuts or Greek yogurt and you are set!

4. Whole wheat cinnamon pancakes  

Make fresh in the morning or freeze extra to toast and serve with fresh or thawed frozen fruit, maple syrup and yogurt, cottage cheese or breakfast sausages. 

5. Mexican Black Bean Breakfast Bake 

Delicious vegetarian overnight breakfast bake with hashbrowns, beans and roasted peppers – oh, and cheese!   Serve this with  fresh fruit salad.

6. Cheesy Baked Eggs  

You can cut these cheesy baked eggs into squares and use them to make breakfast sandwiches using english muffins or biscuits. Add a piece of fruit and you have a complete breakfast.   

7. French Toast Casserole  

This is a delicious and indulgent make-ahead breakfast that is a real treat! Change up the berries if you prefer blueberries over raspberries.  

8. Chocolate monkey overnight oats 

Chocolate, bananas and peanut butter are for EVERYONE in the morning!  

9. Dairy-Free Overnight Oats  

This recipe uses soy milk along with oats, berries and nuts for a complete yet simple breakfast.   

10. Scrambled Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito 

Did you know you can replace the taste and texture of eggs with tofu? With a bit of spice, and colorful veggies, this tofu-based dish can turn into a healthy and delicious vegan breakfast burrito (or lunch or supper entree)! 

11. Hash Brown Egg Nest 

These are fun to make and portable too! Use your own or frozen shredded hashbrowns to make a crunchy nest filled with baked eggs and ham.  Enjoy this recipe with sliced fresh tomatoes or a fresh fruit salad.

12. Ham and Egg Quesadilla  

You can serve the whole family in a hurry when you make a large quesadilla for breakfast. Fill it with eggs, ham and veggies for a complete breakfast.   Serve this with fresh fruit to create a balanced meal.

13. Sausage & Red Pepper Frittata 

You can have this delicious frittata for breakfast, lunch OR dinner.  Serve with whole grain sourdough toast and fresh fruit to make it a balanced meal.

14. Spinach & Feta Quiche  

This tasty, simple 6 ingredient crustless quiche recipe is very easy to toss together in a hurry for brunch or a weekday supper meal.   Enjoy with pan-fried potatoes, muffins or whole grain toast.

15. Brunch Casserole  

This is a much lighter breakfast than a traditional quiche. Prepare this recipe the night before for a delicious weekend brunch. Re-heat leftovers for your lunch.  Serve with fresh fruit for a balanced meal.

16. Oatmeal Chia Pancakes  

This vegan breakfast makes a great filling and nutritious alternative to normal flour pancakes that will leave you full of energy way past lunchtime.  Serve with a banana smeared with peanut butter or almond butter to make it a balanced breakfast.
 

17. Blueberry Protein Smoothie Bowl  

Unique and refreshing, this vegetarian blueberry protein smoothie bowl with no-bake granola makes a great plant-based breakfast.  

18. Fruit & Vegetable Rich Smoothie  

Many Canadians fall short in their fruit and veggie consumption and smoothies are a great way to get more of the key vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytonutrients into your diet that prevent chronic disease and increase health.  Enjoy with a bran muffin or whole grain crackers on the side for an extra source of fibre.

19. Blender Pumpkin Muffins  

Enjoy these healthy pumpkin muffins as a breakfast, snack or workout recovery snack option on the go!   Serve with a wedge of cheese or handful of nuts and fresh fruit and you are set!

20. Protein Packed Granola  

This protein packed granola recipe is so much tastier and nutritious than purchasing commercial brands. Enjoy granola on top of yogurt with fruit or as a morning breakfast cereal with milk and fresh/dried fruit. 

If you find yourself struggling to eat first thing in the morning, make a deal with yourself – have something to eat BEFORE you can have that first cup of coffee. Try doing this every morning for a week and before long you’ll have created a healthy new breakfast habit.  

Looking for more simple meal planning tips and healthy recipes for a healthier lifestyle? Sign up for our weekly newsletter for a healthy recipe of the week (and nutrition articles and videos with a balanced living philosophy to help encourage healthy habits but still save room for your favorites). Our nutrition newsletter is written by the Online / Calgary Nutritionists on our team who each hold a professional Registered Dietitian license to ensure you are getting credible advice.