35 Best Kids Breakfast Ideas to Start the Day Off Strong
Give them a tasty reason to wake up.
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As the most important meal of the day, a good breakfast sets a tone of energy and focus that's much needed to deal with all those tests, teachers, and classes. But between packing backpacks, making school lunches, and getting dressed, mornings with kids can be quite the whirlwind. That doesn't mean breakfast has to be a scramble, though (at least in a metaphorical sense—the egg variety is more than welcome)!
If you're tired of the same old cereal and toast routine, it's time to shake things up with some fun and nutritious options that your little ones will love. Here, you'll find the best kids breakfast ideas that will make mornings a breeze and keep your family fueled and happy. If your kiddos have a sweet tooth, you'll be happy to find plenty of indulgent options that go beyond pre-packaged pastries, like homemade pop-tarts, chocolate chip muffins, and even breakfast cookies. And that's not to mention the shortcut version of classic breakfast foods, like sheet pan pancakes and french toast sticks, that make cleanup even easier!
Of course, there are plenty of quick breakfast ideas for those who prefer a savory start to the day, like the Drummond family's favorite breakfast burritos and protein-packed chicken apple sausages. You can even make avocado toast in just a few minutes and have fun with the toppings. No matter what recipe you choose to add to your morning meal plan, you can't go wrong with any of the kid-friendly breakfast ideas on this list.
Sheet Pan Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches
Skip the fast food chains and make epic breakfast sandwiches at home. Best of all, you can make these in a big batch and freeze them individually. Just reheat in the microwave!
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Ree says: "My kids would've gone bonkers over these when they were younger and I guarantee you that they still would today." They're fluffy, tender, and filled with just the right amount of chocolate.
Get Ree's Chocolate Chip Pancakes recipe.
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Crunchy on the outside, salty and cheesy on the inside, these croissants are definitely kid-approved. (Adults love 'em, too!) And they're super easy to make thanks to store-bought puff pastry.
Get Ree's Ham and Cheese Croissants recipe.
Morning Glory Muffins
They see a sweet muffin, but you see all the good-for-you ingredients packed inside, like apples, raisins, carrots, coconut, pecans, and whole wheat flour. You can make and freeze them in advance, too!
Get the Morning Glory Muffins recipe.
Cinnamon-Pecan Yeasted Waffles
Good news: This batter should be assembled the night before to allow it time to rest. That means there's way less work to do in the morning and everyone gets fresh waffles.
Breakfast Pizza
Pizza for breakfast will make them giggle with delight! Pile the toppings like eggs, bacon, and hash browns high for a filling start to the day.
Get the Breakfast Pizza recipe.
Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal
It may taste like a warm, chocolatey brownie, but this baked oatmeal is actually filled with lots of good-for-you ingredients like hearty oats and naturally sweet applesauce.
Get the Walnut Brownie Baked Oatmeal recipe.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
What kid doesn't like tater tots? Layer on top lots of eggs, bacon, and cheese, which you can assemble the night before. Just bake it off when you're ready.
Get the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Green Eggs and Ham
They will like green eggs and ham, Sam-I-Am, when you make this skillet breakfast. Rather than dye the dish with food coloring, kale gives it a bright green color along with lots of nutrients.
Get the Green Eggs and Ham recipe.
Carrot Cake Muffins
Cake for breakfast? They'll love that idea! All your kids see is the cream cheese frosting, but you'll be happy to get some vitamin-rich carrots in their systems, too.
Get the Carrot Cake Muffins recipe.
Strawberry Butter
If you don't have a lot of time, you can still whip up something special. Strawberry butter takes only ten minutes to make and you can slather it on anything from toast to muffins.
Get Ree's Strawberry Butter recipe.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Pastry
The classic combo of bacon, egg, and cheese gets a hand-held update in this kid-friendly breakfast recipe! The hearty ingredients are nestled in flaky puff pastry and topped with a generous sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for good measure.
Get the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Pastry recipe.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
This foolproof recipe for apple and cinnamon-spiced oats will make it easier than ever to say goodbye to your typical instant oatmeal. Warm, tender oats lightly sweetened with brown sugar and apple are sure to be a hit with the kids!
Get the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe.
French Toast Sticks
This playful twist on the classic breakfast favorite is perfect for little hands and big appetites! Serve them with a generous side of syrup for the ultimate dipping experience.
Get the French Toast Sticks recipe.
Air Fryer Doughnuts
Skip the complicated dough and pop open a can of biscuits for a quick treat. The air fryer eliminates the need for oil so they're at least a little bit healthier, too.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Doughnuts recipe.
Individual Sausage Casseroles
Sure, you could make a big breakfast casserole, but these individually portioned egg bites are so much cuter and easier to make! They're full of breakfast sausage, bell pepper, and freshly grated cheddar cheese.
Get Ree's Individual Sausage Casseroles recipe.
Sheet Pan Pancakes
As far as kid-approved breakfasts go, pancakes take the cake! The fluffy breakfast food is made even easier in this recipe that utilizes a sheet pan to cook the whole stack at once. Plus, you can customize it with their favorite toppings like fruit and chocolate chips!
Get the Sheet Pan Pancakes recipe.
Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage
For a protein-forward breakfast, try these easy homemade sausage patties! They're made from lean ground chicken, fresh apples, and garlic.
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
If you're looking for a lighter bakery-style treat, these muffins are made with oats, whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, and honey. The best part is, they'll never know they're healthy!
Get Ree's Healthy Blueberry Muffins recipe.
Pumpkin Smoothie
The return of school also means the return of fall—and all things pumpkin spice! If the kiddos aren't old enough to enjoy a PSL, treat them to a sweet and creamy pumpkin smoothie topped with crunchy graham cracker crumbs.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Smoothie recipe.
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