Vegetarian Recipes
Healthy Breakfast Ideas
https://www.loveandlemons.com/healthy-breakfast-ideas/
And just like that, it’s back-to-school time! I’m lining up the fall recipe calendar, getting ready to test, shoot, and share a slew of new ideas. For us, this season will be busy, and I know that it will be for many of you too. Today, I’m sharing my favorite healthy breakfast ideas to get these jam-packed days off to a great start. You’ll find ones that are perfect for making ahead and taking on the go, ones that are quick & easy to whip up in the morning, and even a few for days when you have a bit more time to linger over breakfast.
Below, I share over 60 healthy breakfast recipes, divided into 11 (yes, 11!) categories: oats, eggs, smoothies, bowls, quick breads, pancakes & waffles, breakfast tacos, breakfast cookies, toast, muffins & scones, and bars & balls. Whether you’re someone who craves something savory or sweet first thing in the morning, or whether you like to enjoy breakfast at home or grab it & go, you’re sure to find some healthy breakfast ideas you love.
Healthy Breakfast Oats
Oats are loaded with fiber, so they’re a great healthy breakfast! If you’re like me, though, you might run the risk of getting stuck in an oat rut. In college, I ate plain oatmeal every day. After four years, I couldn’t stand the stuff. To avoid oat burnout, make sure to vary your toppings! Any nut butter, fruit, dried fruit, yogurt, nut, seed, or jam is fair game. Change up how you prepare your oats too. Make baked oatmeal or homemade granola, or prep a big batch of overnight oats for quick breakfasts throughout the week.
Egg Breakfast Recipes
If you’re someone who wants to prioritize protein in your breakfast, egg recipes are a great choice. Breakfast scrambles, omelets, and plain fried eggs can get repetitive, so try one of the recipes below to change things up. Make individual frittatas in muffins tins for a portable breakfast option. On days when you have more time, sit down to a big breakfast casserole or shakshuka with your partner or family.
Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
Smoothies are some of the best breakfast recipes, as they pack a big serving of fruits and veggies into your first meal of the day. Through years of making smoothies, I’ve found that a handful of spinach is almost undetectable, so toss some in to boost the nutrients in a fruit smoothie! Alternatively, blend in a superfood like hemp seeds, nut butter, matcha, or maca powder for an extra healthy kick.
Make your smoothie the night before and store it in the fridge for a grab & go breakfast, or prep individual smoothie packs. Portion out the fruit, veggie, and superfood ingredients for a single smoothie into a container, prepping for as many days as you like at once. Store containers in the freezer, and in the morning, blend a frozen pack with almond milk or juice. Enjoy!
Healthy Breakfast Bowls
If you’re looking for some new, out-of-the-box breakfast ideas, a breakfast bowl might be the thing for you. In this category, almost anything goes. When I’m making a savory bowl, I top a grain or veggie “rice” with a soft-boiled egg, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. My sweet bowls vary widely. Sometimes I’m in the mood for chia pudding or a smoothie bowl. On other days, I’ll top quinoa with almond milk, cinnamon, and fresh fruit and call it a meal.
Quick Bread Breakfast Recipes
Moist, comforting, and lightly sweet, quick bread is a delectable breakfast option. In the summer, I almost always have individual slices of zucchini bread in my freezer. In the fall and winter, pumpkin and banana bread take its place. Enjoy a thick slice of your favorite quick bread on its own, or top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt and seasonal fruit for extra staying power.
Pancake & Waffle Breakfast Ideas
Pancakes and waffles may not be something you can whip up every morning of the week, but unlike their cousin French toast, these breakfast recipes keep well if you make them ahead and freeze them. So double your weekend batch of pancakes or waffles, and freeze the leftovers for busy mornings! When you’re ready to eat, pop them in the toaster or microwave to thaw.
Healthy Breakfast Tacos
After years of living in Austin, breakfast tacos are my favorite healthy breakfast. Most often, I scramble eggs with spinach and top them with avocado, tomatillo salsa, and pico de gallo, if I have it on hand. Otherwise, I add roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, shiitakes, or cherry tomatoes to my egg filling. I like to prep these ahead of time, so all I have to do in the morning is scramble up a couple of eggs and load everything into tortillas.
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Breakfast cookies are the perfect on-the-go morning treat. Ingredients like flax, oats, nuts, seeds, and even quinoa fill them with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. In addition to the fruit and veggie variations listed below, I love the Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies on page 35 of Love and Lemons Every Day. These breakfast recipes are great ones to make ahead of time and freeze for busy mornings. To thaw, pop them in the microwave for 8-10 seconds, and head out the door!
Toast Breakfast Ideas
If you’re looking for tried & true easy breakfast ideas, toast is the thing for you! Pop a slice of whole grain bread in the toaster, and load it up with your favorite seasonal toppings. I like to start with a creamy spread and then add a layer of roasted or raw veggies, fruit, and/or fresh herbs. I’m a diehard fan of avocado toast, but hummus, ricotta, and nut butter are good starting points for making delicious toast too.
Healthy Breakfast Muffins and Scones
When I was growing up, chocolate chip muffins were a breakfast staple in our house. Muffins are still one of my favorite ways to start the day, but now, I make my morning muffins a bit healthier, using whole grain flour, fruit mix-ins, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup whenever possible. Like other healthy breakfast baked goods, muffins and scones freeze well. I like to keep a frozen stash on hand at all times!
Bars & Balls Breakfast Ideas
If you’re someone who loves to start your day with a granola bar, try swapping out the packaged kind for ones you make at home. All of these recipes are simple, made with good-for-you ingredients that combine to make delicious, nutritious morning treats. Like baked goods, these bars & balls keep well in the freezer, so prep a batch to have on hand for easy healthy breakfasts and snacks!
Looking for more healthy breakfast ideas?
Check out this list of my favorite brunch recipes, or head to the breakfast section of our recipe index. Then, try my favorite strategies for prepping dinner and packing lunch, and check out this post for some great healthy lunch recipes!
Healthy Breakfast Ideas: Veggie Breakfast Tacos
Author: Jeanine Donofrio
Recipe type: breakfast
- 1 large yellow tomato, diced
- 3 tablespoons diced red onion
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ½ to 1 serrano pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- juice from ½ lime
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 green pepper, cored, stem removed, and diced
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups arugula or spinach, chopped
- extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 tortillas (corn, flour, wheat – whatever you like)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro, more for garnish
- 1 avocado, sliced
- lime wedges
- Make the Salsa: In a small bowl, combine the tomato, onion, cilantro, serrano, garlic, lime juice and salt. Chill until ready to use.
- In a small nonstick skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the green pepper, scallions and a pinch of salt and pepper and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Scoop a large spoonful of the salsa into the pepper mixture and stir. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Brush a large nonstick stick skillet lightly with olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add the eggs, let them cook for a few seconds and then stir. Add the green pepper mixture to the eggs. Continue to stir and scramble the eggs until just set. Remove from the pan from the heat while the eggs are slightly runny and stir in the arugula and half of the extra cilantro.
- Assemble the tacos with the egg mixture, a scoop of salsa, the remaining cilantro and a few slices of avocado. Finish with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Vegetarian Recipes
Ricotta Toast 4 Ways
I love a slice of avocado toast as much as the next person, but have you ever tried Ricotta Toast? Now, that’s what I call a breakfast upgrade! I whip creamy ricotta cheese with lemon zest, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt to create a luxurious (but budget-friendly!) tangy spread that stores well in the fridge and tastes AMAZING on a slice of crispy sourdough toast. But my favorite part? There are endless ways to dress up ricotta toast, and I’ve shared four delicious variations below!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this whipped ricotta toast recipe:
- Whole Milk Ricotta: This is a creamy, slightly sweet, soft cheese made from the whey leftovers from making other types of cheese, like mozzarella. I recommend using whole milk ricotta to get the creamiest texture and best flavor for your toast.
- Sourdough: You can use any type of bread you’d usually use to make toast. But, in my opinion, the best bread for ricotta toast is one that’s sturdy with a chewy crumb and crisp crust—like sourdough! I buy a whole loaf and slice it myself to get nice, thick slices. Other good options include whole grain, ciabatta, French bread, or bagels!
- Lemon Zest: I zest a whole lemon and mix it with the creamy cheese. This adds the most delicious citrusy zing to the spread. Budget-friendly tip: Store the zested lemon in your fridge to make lemon water, lemonade, or to use in other recipes (like our homemade lemon curd!)
- Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy.
- Salt: It doesn’t matter if I’m making sweet or savory ricotta on toast; I always add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.
Tips & Suggestions!
- I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta. The higher fat content helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy with a cloud-like texture. Plus, the flavor is unbeatable! Lower fat options can be too watery and won’t whip to the same consistency. BUT if that’s all you have on hand, please don’t waste it! The texture won’t be the same as what’s shown in my process photos below, but it’ll still work as a topping for toast.
- Don’t have a hand mixer? Try your food processor! You could also whip it by hand, but it’ll take a lot longer and require some serious arm strength.
- It’s pretty common for ricotta to have a small amount of liquid (whey) on top when you open the container. Whenever that happens, I just stir it in before measuring my cheese.
- This creamy spread isn’t just for toast! I love it as a dip for fresh vegetables, mixed with pasta for a quick sauce, smothered on a sliced baguette as an appetizer, or as a spread on sandwiches. It’s really versatile and stores well in the fridge for a few days.
Make it Ahead
I love a breakfast I can prep ahead, so you already know this ricotta toast recipe is in my meal prep rotation! Make the whipped ricotta as directed in the recipe card, and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually give it a quick mix to reincorporate any liquid that may have separated before using. Then, all I do is toast my sourdough and add any toppings I fancy that day. It’s almost as easy as my overnight oats for breakfast meal prep. 😉
Ricotta Toast Variations
I think this whipped ricotta toast base recipe is delicious as-is, but it’s even better with toppings! I’ve tested many different topping combinations, but here are four stand-out favorites:
Roasted Grapes, Thyme, and Bacon
This topping is perfect for when you can’t decide between savory or sweet. Toss your grapes in a light coating of olive oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until they become wrinkled and soft. You can cook the bacon however you’d like, but I recommend cooking it in the oven, as it’s already on and hot! Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces, layer your roasted grapes on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Reduction
Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic are ALWAYS a winning combination. Any kind of tomatoes work for this topping! Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top and fresh basil leaves, and you’re basically eating bruschetta for breakfast! YUM.
Strawberry, Mint, and Honey
This whipped ricotta toast topping makes me dream of summer mornings. Bonus points if you grow your own mint and strawberries (season-dependent, of course!). Simply slice fresh strawberries, layer them on top of the toast, and sprinkle with torn mint leaves and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are so light and refreshing, and it really couldn’t be easier to make. You could also use other types of berries, like raspberries or blueberries.
Mushrooms, Garlic, Wilted Spinach, and Red Pepper Flakes
For this one-pan topping, sauté sliced mushrooms (any type) in olive oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute or so, then mix in fresh spinach until wilted. Season to taste before adding to your whipped ricotta with a pinch of red pepper flakes. The juicy mushrooms are irresistible, and the wilted spinach is a great way to sneak in some green veggies for breakfast, too.
More Topping Ideas!
I honestly can’t think of a single savory or sweet ingredient that wouldn’t work well with this creamy, tangy lemon ricotta toast base recipe. Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Any fruit (fresh or frozen and thawed!)
- Smashed avocado
- Caramelized onions
- Fruit jam (fig, apricot, raspberry would all be amazing)
- Balsamic roasted mushrooms
- Sliced prosciutto or other cured meats
- Chopped nuts
- Pesto
- Tomato relish
- Anything pickled (pickles, pickled jalapenos, pickled red onions, etc.)
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Poached eggs
Ricotta Toast Recipe
Equipment
-
Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 15 oz tub of whole milk ricotta (just shy of 2 cups) $2.67
- 2 tsp lemon zest* $0.50
- 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.19
- ¼ tsp salt $0.01
- 1 lb loaf of sourdough** $3.99
Instructions
-
Combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, olive oil and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
-
Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
-
Slice sourdough into thick slices and toast.
-
Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
-
Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
**The bake-at-home sourdough loaves from Kroger are a nice option, but they don’t yield as many slices as a pre-sliced loaf, so use whatever you like best!
Nutrition
how to make Ricotta Toast – step by step photos
Combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and ¼ tsp salt in a medium mixing bowl.
Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
Slice a 1 lb loaf of sourdough into thick slices and toast.
Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
More Easy Toast Recipes
The post Ricotta Toast 4 Ways appeared first on Budget Bytes.
-
Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago22 Best Soup Recipes
-
Indian Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago
avocado salad
-
Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago
Easy Vegetarian Chili
-
Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
-
Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago
Butternut Squash Soup
-
Vegetarian Recipes5 years ago
Pickled Red Onions
-
Vegetarian Recipes6 years ago
Peanut Butter Jelly Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free)
-
Vegetarian Research5 years ago
SERIOUSLY FUDGY VEGAN & GRAIN-FREE BROWNIES WITH PEANUT BUTTER
