There is a time for extravagant breakfasts that take an hour-plus to prepare—and it is not busy weekday mornings. That means quick and easy breakfast ideas are essential for all those mornings when you need to feed yourself something tasty and filling—but also have a million other things to get to. (Monday, anyone?)
While we all have a different definition of “easy,” generally speaking you can count on a breakfast being relatively low-effort if it involves fewer than 10 ingredients, 10 to 15 minutes of prep max, and not much actual cook time (if any). Think fruit-packed yogurt parfaits, super-simple egg-and-veggie scrambles, homemade pancakes, and fast smoothies.
These 45 time-saving breakfast recipes are all relatively simple to make. Many you can throw together at the last minute, while some of these recipes are ideal for prepping a big batch that you can enjoy all week. Still others are great for getting started on the night before, so that there’s just a step or two left in the morning. (Stirring together oats and milk for overnight oats doesn’t take much time to do before bed, for instance.)
And don’t think that quick and low effort means you’re going to be stuck eating the most basic breakfasts. These easy breakfast ideas include a variety of delectable brunch-worthy eats, like pancakes and French toast, without all the work.
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Andrew Purcell; Carrie Purcell1 Savory Parmesan Oatmeal from SELF
Let this cheesy recipe be a friendly reminder that oatmeal can and should be savory sometimes too. Filled with broccoli and kale, it also happens to be a great way to sneak in some extra veggies early in the day.
Get the recipe here.
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Monique Volz via Ambitious Kitchen2 Apple Blender Pancakes from Ambitious Kitchen
Making pancakes on a weekday might seem like a big ask, but this recipe proves it can be done! You make the batter entirely in a blender, and you can even prep it the night before—so all you have to do in the a.m. is heat up the skillet.
Get the recipe here.
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Krista Rollins via Joyful Healthy Eats3 Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Grain Bowl from Joyful Healthy Eats
A hearty breakfast bowl is a great way to use up whatever leftover grains you might have in the fridge from meal prep. It’s also great whether hot or cold. If you want to warm it up, just pop the grains in the microwave with a tablespoon of water until fluffy.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell; Carrie Purcell4 5-Ingredient Green Smoothie from SELF
With kale, mango, Greek yogurt, almond milk, peanut butter, and a blender, this bright green smoothie can be yours in just minutes. Prep a double serving and freeze what you don’t eat in popsicle molds for later.
Get the recipe here.
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Elizabeth Stark via Brooklyn Supper5 Mozzarella Baked Eggs With Zucchini and Green Sauce from Brooklyn Supper
For this one, have your green sauce and zucchini ready to go the night before—even better if you already have cooked zucchini from meal prep. Then just drop everything into a small pan, bake it while wash your face, and enjoy with a side of toasted bread.
Get the recipe here.
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Beth Moncel via Budget Bytes6 Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal from Budget Bytes
Can’t decide between oatmeal and banana bread? This baked oatmeal eliminates the need to choose. Not to mention, the whole thing costs less than four dollars and makes enough servings to last several days.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell; Carrie Purcell7 Basil, Feta, and Egg Sandwich from SELF
Eggy breakfast sandwiches have a reputation for being too greasy sometimes, but this refreshing number bucks the trend. Tomatoes, basil, and feta keep the whole thing light and fresh.
Get the recipe here.
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Marisa Moore via Marisa Moore8 Black Bean Breakfast Tacos from Marisa Moore
Filled with plenty of fiber and protein, these egg and black bean tacos are a great way to ensure you don’t wind up hungry before lunchtime. Sauté the beans with garlic and onion the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is scramble the eggs.
Get the recipe here.
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Sue Pressey via My Korean Kitchen9 Breakfast Egg Fried Rice from My Korean Kitchen
This quick and delicious breakfast is a perfect argument for having leftover rice on hand at all times. Having a rice cooker or Instant Pot makes it easy to guarantee you always do.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Ostrom via Pinch of Yum10 5-Minute Honey and Yogurt Parfait from Pinch of Yum
Just like the recipe name promises, these parfaits take only five minutes to make. With yogurt and pomegranate seeds, they’re ideal for cereal lovers who wish that there were a more sophisticated way to eat their childhood favorite.
Get the recipe here.
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Jeanine Donofrio via Love and Lemons11 Breakfast Panzanella from Love and Lemons
Panzanella, or Italian bread salad, is extremely easy to modify for the morning hours. Just add a fried or soft-boiled egg and pair with coffee or tea.
Get the recipe here.
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Kristin Smith via Krisp x Kristin12 Apple Crisp from Krisp x Kristin
This sweet breakfast is a lot like a traditional apple crisp, but it doesn’t take too long to put together. Simply mix the filling, spoon it over the apples, and bake while you get ready. One recipe makes four or five baked apples.
Get the recipe here.
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Jenny Park and Teri Lyn Fisher via Spoon Fork Bacon13 Cheesy Flaky Breakfast Cups from Spoon Fork Bacon
No need to make homemade dough for these easy egg cups—frozen, pre-made puff pastry will work just fine. Prep these cups ahead of time, cover tightly, and refrigerate so you can munch on them all week.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell; Carrie Purcell14 Apple and Goat Cheese Sandwich from SELF
This sandwich is basically a breakfast grilled cheese that doesn’t involve any actual grilling. Simply toast the bread in a toaster or oven until brown and crispy, then top with as much goat cheese and sliced apple as desired.
Get the recipe here.
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Marwin Brown via Food Fidelity15 Curry Oatmeal from Food Fidelity
Filled with spices like turmeric and paprika, this bowl of oats is an especially great way to wake your senses up for the day. Top with pickled onions and chilis to kick the savoriness up another notch.
Get the recipe here.
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Kathryne Taylor via Cookie and Kate16 Breakfast Quesadillas from Cookie and Kate
Quesadillas are the choice of every college student with a microwave for a reason: They are the quickest thing to make when you’re extremely hungry. Add eggs and beans and call it breakfast!
Get the recipe here.
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Ali Ebright via Gimme Some Oven17 Cheesy Breakfast Casserole from Gimme Some Oven
This tray of breakfast goodness—sausage, potatoes, cheese, eggs, the works—can feed you for about a week (longer if you pack it up and freeze it properly).
Get the recipe here.
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Andrew Purcell; Carrie Purcell18 Chocolate Peanut Butter French Toast from SELF
This speedy French toast is great for hectic mornings because there are a lot of easy substitutions you can make in a pinch. Don’t have whole grain bread? Whatever you do have will work just fine. Ditto the raspberries—blueberries taste just as good in this dish.
Get the recipe here.
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Lisa Lin via Healthy Nibbles and Bits19 Grown-Up PB and J Toast from Healthy Nibbles and Bits
This tasty toast is sophisticated play on regular PB&J sandwiches. No need to use fresh berries and peaches if they aren’t available at the moment—you can swap in whatever fruit is in season.
Get the recipe here.
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Erin Alderson via Naturally Ella20 Kale Egg in a Hole from Naturally Ella
Adding a bit of kale to your usual egg in a hole (or toad-in-the-hole, however you prefer to call it) is a clever way to pack some veggies into your breakfast.
Get the recipe here.
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Lee Hersh via Fit Foodie Finds21 Naan Breakfast Pizza from Fit Foodie Finds
Leftover naan is an opportunity to whip up a breakfast pizza without making your own dough from scratch. Feel free to switch up the toppings with your usual morning favorites.
Get the recipe here.
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Stephanie Le via I Am a Food Blog22 Jammy Eggs and Yogurt Breakfast Bowl from I Am a Food Blog
This protein-packed breakfast is a meal prepper’s dream, since you can easily chop the veggies and boil the eggs ahead of time.
Get the recipe here.
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Jessica Merchant via How Sweet Eats23 Peanut Butter Crumble Yogurt Parfaits from How Sweet Eats
The secret to the extra creamy texture of these parfaits is thoroughly combining the yogurt and peanut butter. Pack them up in jars so you can grab them to go.
Get the recipe here.
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Shanika via Orchids and Sweet Tea24 Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats from Orchids and Sweet Tea
No need to cook and purée a whole pumpkin for these light and airy overnight oats, as a can of pumpkin purée will do the job beautifully.
Get the recipe here.
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Lori Yates via Foxes Love Lemons25 Savory Yogurt Three Ways from Foxes Love Lemons
This recipe provides a blueprint for quickly throwing together a savory yogurt breakfast, based on your flavor preference. One option is adding lox and a sprinkle of Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning.
Get the recipe here.
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Brittany Mullins via Eating Bird Food26 Chia Raspberry Pudding from Eating Bird Food
This recipe is another one that you should start the night before, which ensures that the chia seeds will be perfectly tender in the morning. While the pudding calls for Greek yogurt, you can substitute your favorite plant-based yogurt to keep it vegan.
Get the recipe here.
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Krysten and Marrekus via Cooks With Soul27 5-Minute Wild Lox Omelet from Cooks With Soul
Lox, spinach, eggs, a splash of milk, and five minutes of your time are all it takes to make this protein-rich and veggie-packed omelet.
Get the recipe here.
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Becca Pusey via Easy Cheesy Vegetarian28 Full English Breakfast Burritos from Easy Cheesy Vegetarian
This recipe takes the contents of the famous full English breakfast and condenses them into a flavor-packed burrito. Breakfast sausage, mushrooms, and beans do taste pretty great wrapped in a tortilla.
Get the recipe here.
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Jessica Beacom and Stacie Hassing29 Slow-Cooker French Toast Casserole from The Real Food Dietitians
Instead of making French toast for yourself in the morning, set your slow cooker up at night and have it do the work for you while you sleep—so you can wake up to a warm and cozy breakfast.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Landis via Love and Olive Oil30 Shakshouka from Love and Olive Oil
This brunch favorite is also a perfect candidate for weekday breakfast, especially if you’ve already prepped a big batch in advance and only have to heat it up. Speaking from experience, the eggs hold up surprisingly well in the following days.
Get the recipe here.
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Aaron Hutcherson via The Hungry Hutch31 Sweet Potato Chorizo Hash from The Hungry Hutch
This recipe is another great way to use up any meal prep leftovers that are on the brink of death. No chorizo? Substitute breakfast sausage instead.
Get the recipe here.
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Erin Clarke via Well Plated32 Ham and Sweet Potato Frittata from Well Plated
With plenty of sweet potato, smoky ham, and fresh herbs, this frittata is packing some serious fall vibes. Make it for weekend brunch and enjoy the leftovers all week.
Get the recipe here.
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Jazzmine Woodard via Dash of Jazz33 2-Step Breakfast Cookies from Dash of Jazz
This super-simple breakfast cookie invites experimentation using whatever you have in your pantry. Dried fruit, chocolate chips, and spices could all make great additions.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Cotter via Cotter Crunch34 Vegan Mushroom Bacon Breakfast Toast from Cotter Crunch
For this dish, you can save time in the morning by making the mushroom bacon in advance. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container at room temperature to ensure it retains its crunchy texture.
Get the recipe here.
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Ashley Melillo via Blissful Basil35 One-Bowl Vegan Zucchini Bread from Blissful Basil
If you love pancakes but hate having to stand over a hot griddle, consider making actual cake for breakfast instead. A one-bowl zucchini bread like this one will make enough for multiple breakfasts, and it tastes just as good as your usual flapjacks.
Get the recipe here.
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Alex Overhiser via A Couple Cooks36 Breakfast Vegetable Scramble from A Couple Cooks
It doesn’t take a lot of work to make this colorful veggie-and-egg scramble. Simply throw everything in a pan, cook for a few minutes, and enjoy.
Get the recipe here.
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Dana Schultz via Minimalist Baker37 Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Minimalist Baker
This bread is so chocolatey you might forget it’s packed with shredded zucchini. Though the mild squash doesn’t really affect the flavor of baked goods, its high moisture content produces a delightfully moist loaf and tender crumb.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrea Bemis via Dishing up the Dirt38 Winter Squash Morning Bowls from Dishing Up the Dirt
Just as you would bake pumpkin pies and breads, you should feel totally free to use varieties like butternut squash in sweet ways. Prep what you can ahead of time to make this an easy breakfast option for the week.
Get the recipe here.
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Meiko Drew via Meiko and the Dish39 Avocado Parmesan Grits from Meiko and the Dish
With buttery avocado and cheesy grits, this has got to be one of the warmest, creamiest, and coziest ways to wake up. Bonus: The whole thing will take just 20 minutes to make.
Get the recipe here.
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Sarah Bond via Live Eat Learn40 Almond Butter Baked Bananas from Live Eat Learn
This sweet three-ingredient recipe is another great one to pop in the oven while you’re getting ready for your day. By the time you’re ready to go, breakfast will be too.
Get the recipe here.
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Tanya Harris via My Forking Life41 Sheet-Pan Pancakes from My Forking Life
Why ladle out one pancake at a time when you could make a whole bunch at once with a sheet pan? Pour your batter, bake in the oven until a cake tester comes out clean, and slice into squares.
Get the recipe here.
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Layla Atik via Gimme Delicious42 10-Minute Frozen Waffle Nachos from Gimme Delicious
Waffle nachos are a brilliant invention that can spice up breakfast time without a lot of effort. Just top with your favorite store-bought salsa and guac, and maybe a fried egg or two.
Get the recipe here.
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Denise Bustard via Sweet Peas and Saffron43 Tofu Scramble from Sweet Peas and Saffron
Crumbled-up tofu makes a great substitute for eggs in this protein-rich vegan breakfast. You can also use this scramble recipe anywhere you would eggs, whether that’s in a breakfast burrito or at dinnertime.
Get the recipe here.
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Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious44 Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets from Damn Delicious
This cheesy breakfast relies on a nifty foil packet method for fuss-free hash browns. Just be sure to seal the foil packets tightly so steam can’t escape while they’re cooking.
Get the recipe here.
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Gina Matsoukas via Running to the Kitchen45 Whipped Ricotta With Roasted Pears from Running to the Kitchen
Whipped ricotta tastes like a fluffy, fancy yogurt. And pairing it with caramelized roasted pears gives the whole thing fruity cheesecake vibes.
Get the recipe here.
