45 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Even the Busiest Mornings
Delicious ways to jump-start your day, comin’ right up. By Samantha MacAvoy. Updated: Jan 6, 2025.
Breakfast Can Help You Feel Your Absolute Best
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
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).
Classic Ideas and Light, Healthy Breakfasts
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.
Discover Delicious and Easy Recipes
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
Very Berry Quinoa Muffins
With more almond flour than white flour and lots of fresh raspberries, these are the delicious, healthy muffins your morning needs.
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
More Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Here are more delicious breakfast ideas to try:
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
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
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 them, 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
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
More Breakfast Ideas to Try
There are many more breakfast ideas to try, including:
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
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
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
Quick and Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Here are some quick and delicious breakfast ideas to try:
Blueberry-Banana-Nut Smoothie
With frozen berries and almond butter, this is like PB&J in smoothie form. Yum!
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 brunch? Everyone can grab a slice and enjoy it with a side salad or serve it with a variety of breads and let everyone choose their favorite for a delicious sandwich! — Food Producer Tina Martinez
More Quick and Delicious Breakfast Ideas
Here are more quick and delicious breakfast ideas to try:
Breakfast Tacos
When it comes to easy meals, the sheet pan is your friend — especially for these cheesy, egg-topped tacos. If I’m hosting 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
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
Parmesan Waffles with Lemon Ricotta
Give waffles a savory makeover with a dollop of creamy ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan stirred into the batter.
More Savory Breakfast Ideas
Here are more savory breakfast ideas to try:
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.
Sweet Breakfast Treats
Here are some sweet breakfast treats to try:
Waffle Nachos
Use waffles instead of chips as the base for this fun breakfast. Consider it the perfect vehicle for any leftovers.
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.
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.
Conclusion
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it can also be the most delicious. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast on-the-go or a more leisurely weekend brunch, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. From classic eggs and pancakes to more savory options like frittatas and breakfast burritos, there’s something for everyone. So why not start your day off right with a delicious breakfast?
What are some quick breakfast ideas from the article?
Quick breakfast ideas include waffle nachos, sheet pan asparagus frittata, and blueberry-banana-nut smoothie.
What are some healthy breakfast options mentioned?
Healthy breakfast options include tomato and feta baked eggs, very berry quinoa muffins, and oatmeal with apricots and pistachios.
Are there any ideas for meal prep breakfasts?
Yes, meal prep ideas include customizable egg muffins, sweet potato breakfast burritos, and almond-buckwheat granola with yogurt and berries.
What are some kid-friendly breakfasts?
Kid-friendly breakfasts include grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches, crowd-friendly egg tacos, and make-ahead breakfast muffins.
What are some morning mood boosters?
Morning mood boosters include waffle nachos, fluffy pancakes, and focaccia French toast.
What are some quick breakfast recipes?
Quick breakfast recipes include chocolate-zucchini bran muffins, scrambled eggs with smoked trout and crème fraîche, and sweet potato breakfast burritos.
Are there any on-the-go breakfast options?
Yes, on-the-go options include meal-prepped double apple baked oatmeal and customizable egg muffins.
What are some delicious brunch ideas?
Delicious brunch ideas include Double Apple Baked Oatmeal, Loaded Pancake Tacos, and Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos.
Can you suggest some savory breakfast recipes?
Savory breakfast recipes include B.E.C. Breakfast Bites, Parmesan Waffles with Lemon Ricotta, and Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt, Almond Butter and Pepita Granola.
What are some sweet breakfast treats?
Sweet breakfast treats include Waffle Nachos, Fluffy Pancakes, and Focaccia French Toast.
