Mornings before school can get pretty hectic. In between getting dressed, making sure school items and lunches are packed and ready to go, and managing inevitable meltdowns, you’re supposed to find the time to prepare a healthy breakfast, too?
Add a couple of picky eaters to the mix and it’s no wonder why you’re stressed before 8 a.m. To streamline your morning routine, turn to these eight easy, kid-pleasing breakfasts that will save you time and ensure a great start to the day.
- Healthy Breakfast Quesadilla
These protein-packed ‘dillas from Well Plated are not only full of energy-boosting nutrients, but they’re fun to eat. Seriously, what kid ever turns down triangle-shaped food? Not only will this Tex-Mex breakfast selection spice things up, but you can make a big batch in advance to reheat in the toaster oven on busy mornings. The recipe features power foods like spinach, white beans and eggs, but feel free to swap in your kids’ favorite ingredients. Pass the salsa!
- Make-Ahead Breakfast Bakes
Photo by SugarDishMe.com
If your little scholars enjoy omelettes, that could really send you scrambling for time. This muffin-tin recipe from SugarDishMe is an easy alternative that you can bake up in the evening or over the weekend. Start by grating one baking potato to line the bottom of the muffin cups, pour in some lightly beaten eggs, and — here’s the best part — your kids get to sprinkle in whichever mix-ins they prefer. Broccoli and cheddar, ham and swiss, mushrooms and mozzarella — the options are limitless.
A few seconds in the microwave the next day is all it takes to warm up your customized creations.
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Photo by TheGraciousWife.com
Have a big brood to feed? The good news is your crockpot doesn’t mind working the night shift so you can wake up to a hearty breakfast. How nice that you can hit the snooze button while the cheesy goodness of this casserole recipe from The Gracious Wife bubbles and bakes.
- Banana Nut Baked Oatmeal Cups
Photo by GarnishWithLemon.com
Remember when “going bananas” was an accurate description of your morning breakfast routine? Well, this simple recipe from GarnishWithLemon gives the phrase a whole new and delicious meaning. Get out those muffin tins again to prepare a breakfast the night before that will give everyone a sweet start to their morning.
Apple Pie Overnight Oats
Photo by Anniesnoms.com
For another option that doesn’t come out of a packet, Annie’s Noms offers up an overnight oats concoction that starts in a saucepan, but “cooks up” in the fridge overnight. Just warm up in the a.m. for a comfort-food breakfast that feels like dessert.
- Bake-Ahead Eggs
Photo by FrugalityGal.com
Kids love fast-food style egg sandwiches. Give your family the drive-through experience in your own kitchen by following
FrugalityGal’s baked eggs recipe
. Once they’re cooked, you can pre-assemble your own English muffin sandwiches to heat through in the morning — just pile on a cooked egg, a slice of cheese, and then toast to perfection.
- Make-Ahead Freezer Waffles
Photo by ThriftyDIYDiva.com
Waffles are a breakfast staple, but if you don’t want to fire up the waffle iron everyday or pay for pricey boxed versions, you can whip up a batch in advance.
ThriftyDIYDiva
describes how to use the “flash freezing” method for perfect waffles you can warm up whenever the mood strikes. Try this with your favorite pancake recipe, too!
- Pre-Packed Smoothies
Photo by MsRachelHollis/TheChicSite
If you have a child who’s not a big morning eater, here’s a smooth move: Prep smoothie ingredients the night before, so you can blend a quick-sip breakfast in seconds.
TheChicSite
offers some yummy yogurt and fruit combinations to try.
Whether you choose a crockpot breakfast or decide to try some make-ahead easy breakfasts you can heat and eat, your mornings will get a little easier. You could even enlist your nanny to help before she leaves for the day! You may even have a moment to savor a sip of coffee — that is, as long as no shoes go missing.
Do you have a go-to easy breakfast recipe that has eased your school morning stress? If so, please share it in the comments or on our Facebook or Twitter page.
