If your weekdays are not only early but rushed, consider these easy healthy breakfast ideas for busy school mornings.
Whether you have one kid or four (like me!), school mornings always seem to be a bit crazy. There’s the hustle and bustle of making sure backpacks are properly packed, homework or forms are signed and everyone gets out the door to the mom minivan or school bus stop on time. It seems like one of my boys always forgets to brush his teeth so we are scrambling at the last minute. Please tell me it gets easier once they hit middle school?!?
Gone are the slow-paced summer mornings when I could make pancakes from scratch and actually take my time cooking them (aka after I drank my coffee.) So I’ve had to change up my kids’ breakfast options to make them quick and easy since Mama is the main shepherd getting everyone out the door. Having a list of quick and healthy breakfast options not only makes mom’s life easier but my kids’ lives smoother since it helps ensure we get out the door on time.
If you’re a busy mom who is short on time in the mornings, try one of these easy breakfast ideas that you can whip up in minutes or make ahead of time.
Last-Minute Breakfast Ideas
Homemade oatmeal with fixings
Skip the steel-cut oats and opt for quick oats, which cook in just a few minutes. To make it tasty and hearty for your kids, stir in fun toppings such as nut butter, coconut butter, dried fruit, fresh fruit, honey, yogurt, toasted coconut flakes, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, and more.
Breakfast banana splits
Well-known as an easy breakfast-friendly food, the banana is an easy canvas for a quick healthy breakfast for kids. Cut a banana lengthwise, spread each side with peanut butter or nut butter, and then add fun toppings such as sprinkles, raisins, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or granola crumbles.
Scrambled eggs
Though making scrambled eggs for your kids does require a bit of cooking, it is perhaps the quickest cooked meal ever. Scrambled eggs only take a couple of minutes to whip up and are a great source of protein. Top with shredded cheese or salsa to add some flavor for your kids. Take it up a notch by stuffing everything in a soft taco to make a scrambled egg burrito.
Yogurt bowl
Yogurt and granola are a favorite breakfast for my kids, even my allergy kids. Look for plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened non-dairy yogurt alternatives (my kids love coconut yogurt) to avoid sugary products. Add a dollop of honey if needed, then sprinkle with hearty granola, chia seeds, and even fresh fruit.
Healthier cereal
Though I am not a huge fan of cereal, oftentimes, it is the easiest option. Look for a more natural cereal with less unrecognizable or artificial ingredients and low sugar content. Dress it up by adding fresh fruit and even toasted nuts before pouring in the milk.
Breakfast smoothie
For a quick on-the-go meal, make a blender full of smoothies to dish out to your kids as they head out the door. Consider using a mixture of milk or milk alternatives, bananas, spinach, collagen, peanut butter or nut butter, berries, avocado, and yogurt.
Breakfast toast
To give toast staying power for your kids, top with more nutrient-dense foods such as avocado, cream cheese, coconut butter, peanut butter, nut butter, or sliced banana.
Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas
If your mornings before school drop-offs are rushed, consider whipping up one of these healthy make-ahead breakfasts on the weekend before the busyness of a new week begins.
Breakfast casserole:
Overnight oats:
Chia seed pudding:
- Banana Cream Pie Chia Seed Pudding using almond milk
- Creamy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding using coconut milk
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding using any dairy-free milk
Egg Cups:
- Spinach, Feta, and Sun-Dried Tomato Egg Muffin Cups
- Bacon and Spinach Egg Muffins
- Sweet Potato Florentine Egg Cups
Homemade Waffles and Pancakes:
Muffins:
- Cranberry, Orange, and Pecan Muffins using almond flour
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins using coconut flour
- Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Breakfast cookies:
- Grab and Go Breakfast Cookies
- Cranberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Baked oatmeal:
Check out our post on how to make packing school lunches easier!
