20 Quick Breakfast Ideas for Busy Weekday Mornings
Don’t skip the most important meal of the day.
Ree Drummond has spent a lot of mornings feeding people who needed to be somewhere. Kids had school, cowboys had cattle to work, Ladd had places to be—and breakfast still had to happen somewhere in the middle of it all! So while Ree will happily make a glorious stack of pancakes when time allows, she also appreciates a breakfast that knows how to hustle.
That’s where these quick breakfast ideas come in. Some are truly quick quick: five-minute smoothies, eggs that are ready before the coffee has brewed, and chaffles that somehow turn two ingredients into breakfast. Others take the very smart approach of getting the work done before morning arrives. Make a batch of egg bites for the fridge, stash biscuit breakfast sandwiches or muffins in the freezer, or stir together overnight oats before bed and congratulate yourself tomorrow.
There’s plenty of variety, too! You’ll find hearty egg recipes, cozy bowls of oatmeal, fruity smoothies, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and even sausage gravy for mornings that call for something substantial. A few are ready in five or 10 minutes; others can be tucked away ahead of time so breakfast is basically waiting for you. (Which, at 7 a.m., feels like a tremendous act of kindness!)
Make-Ahead Apple-Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Ree says this one will “make your life worlds easier,” and busy mornings are a pretty good time to take her up on that. Mix everything together the night before, then bake the cozy apple-cinnamon oatmeal when you’re ready—or reheat individual portions throughout the week.
Bacon and Cheese Egg Bites
Ree makes a batch of these at the beginning of the week so Ladd can “grab one on his way out the door.” 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave is all they need!
Get Ree’s Bacon and Cheese Egg Bites recipe.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
Who would say no to a freezer full of muffin?! Ree’s version sneaks in zucchini, adds plenty of cinnamon and chocolate chips, and freezes for up to three months—so one can go from freezer to microwave quickly.
Get Ree’s Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
Cinnamon-roll flavor without actually making cinnamon rolls before work? Sold! Stir these oats together in about 10 minutes before bed, then wake up to a creamy, cinnamon-y breakfast that requires absolutely no cooking.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats recipe.
Sheet Pan Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches
Make a dozen of these sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches when you have the time, and your future self gets breakfast in one to two minutes. They freeze individually for up to two months, so you can pull out exactly one on the way out the door—or two. No judgment.
Sausage Gravy
A homestyle breakfast is a cozy start the day. And with this 25-minute sausage gravy recipe, comfort food isn't just a luxury reserved for weekend mornings! Serve a scoop atop a plate of biscuits for the dreamiest dish.
Get the Sausage Gravy recipe.
Chaffles
If you're torn between eggs and waffles, try chaffles! Instead of scrambling or frying eggs, you mix them with cheese and pour them into a waffle iron. And since the base recipes has just two ingredients, you'll have a tasty meal ready to go in less than 10 minutes!
Get the Chaffles recipe.
Peach Smoothie
If you’re looking for a quick breakfast idea that doesn't involve meal prepping, this peach smoothie comes together in five minutes. Just blend up peaches and bananas with milk and yogurt, plus honey and cinnamon for taste, and you'll have a nutritious, filling meal.
Get the Peach Smoothie recipe.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This warm, comforting breakfast brimming with apple-cinnamon flavor takes only 15 minutes to make. Topped with cooked apples, crunchy walnuts, and a sprinkle of brown sugar, this breakfast becomes even more divine. And if you're feeding a family, just double the recipe!
Get the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe.
Eggs Benedict
Poached eggs on an English muffin stacked with ham and slathered with hollandaise sauce is the classic American breakfast. Not to mention, it's quick and easy! All you need is 25 minutes.
Get Ree's Eggs Benedict recipe.
Rainbow Fruit Skewers
A colorful fruit salad is a beautiful breakfast idea that's packed with nutrients and comes together in mere minutes. But to switch things up, why not serve your slices on grab-and-go skewers? You'll even find a sprinkled dougnut hole at the end for a fun surprise!
Get the Rainbow Fruit Skewers recipe.
Western Omelette
Making an omelette might seem intimidating, but this Western-style version proves that the task couldn't be any easier! In 20 minutes, you'll have a hearty breakfast filled with peppers, ham, and cheese that'll fuel you for whatever the day has in store.
Get the Western Omelette recipe.
Avocado Toast
Smashed avocado on crusty bread with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes is the ultimate quick breakfast idea. To dress up your toast even more, try toppings like scrambled eggs and bacon bits, diced tomatoes and onions, or even cubed mango and coconut shavings!
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
While store-bought granola is the optimal time-saving hack, if you opt for the homemade version, this dish still comes together quickly! To make your mornings even easier, you can prep the granola seven days in advance to use throughout the week!
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Pumpkin Smoothie
Five ingredients and five minutes are all it takes to whip up this comforting pumpkin smoothie. This quick breakfast idea is especially ideal for back-to-school mornings!
Get the Pumpkin Smoothie recipe.
Huevos Rancheros
These ranch-style eggs might look time-consuming, but they're surprisingly easy, thanks to canned black beans and sunny-side-up eggs. But subbing in scrambled or fried eggs will be just as efficient!
Get the Huevos Rancheros recipe.
Breakfast Salad
A salad might not be the first breakfast idea that comes to mind, but it's a healthy way to start the day. This Mediterranean-inspired version has hardboiled eggs, juicy grape tomatoes, crunchy pita chips, creamy hummus, sliced avocado, and a dollop of yogurt on a bed of leafy greens.
Get the Breakfast Salad recipe.
Strawberry Muffins
A batch of these warm, sugar-topped strawberry muffins are done and dusted in 30 minutes tops! Using plain yogurt in the batter not only adds a healthy spin, but it also helps keep the berries from sinking to the bottom.
Get the Strawberry Muffins recipe.
Sour Cream Pancakes
This pancake recipe comes straight from the kitchen of Ladd's grandmother, Edna Mae. The secret ingredient for that irresistibly fluffy texture? Sour cream! It'll also give your stack a tangy twist.
Get the Sour Cream Pancakes recipe.
Watermelon Smoothie
Kick off your morning with something light and bright like this watermelon smoothie made with fresh melon, strawberries, and Greek yogurt. Best of all, it's ready in five minutes or less!
Get the Watermelon Smoothie recipe.
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