I know people can struggle with quick and easy breakfasts on hectic mornings – so I want to share 7 ingredients I always keep on hand that make it super easy to make breakfast. With these tips you will be able to eat a nutritious and quick breakfast every morning.
I would say generally speaking, most people aren’t morning people and don’t carve out time to cook and eat breakfast. Mornings to me are my most cherished time of the day. I love the ritual of waking up, drinking my coffee, and eating a light breakfast as I work on my blog. Before the craziness of my day starts and my mind is running in circles… that hour of peace with the combination of peanut butter with oatmeal or toast and my hot coffee, typing away on my laptop and minimal human contact is my favorite self-care ritual.
I will be clear I definitely don’t cook myself breakfast every morning, since some week day mornings I hit snooze too many times or I choose to get an extra 10 minutes in at the gym or under a hot shower. I also understand — not firsthand, but observationally from my sister — that when you have kids, breakfast and early mornings become a necessity, not a luxury.
All of this to say: I make sure I eat something for breakfast every morning, and I do cook it for myself at least a few days a week. This is why I came up with a few breakfast staples that make it possible to, even easy, to get breakfast on the table in under 10 minutes.
So here is my advice:
- Always have oats in the pantry – Oats are healthy and inexpensive, and you can dress up oats in so many ways. I always buy rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats. They cook in 5 minutes on the stove and are perfect for overnight oats. Simple oats topped with any combination of fruit, nuts, honey, peanut butter or whatever favorite toppings you can think of for a satisfying breakfast in 5 minutes. Make ahead of time my CRANBERRY, NUT, AND CHOCOLATE QUINOA ENERGY BARS for an on-the-go breakfast.
- Buy a few non-perishable oatmeal toppings – such as dried fruit which has a long shelf life, and it’s super handy when you run out of fresh fruit. I always keep raisins in my pantry because they are cheap and great for topping oatmeal or yogurt. I also love all nut butters and all types of nuts. Personally, chia seeds and flaxseed give me a stomach ache but they are also great options. All of these pantry staples will last several months so it’s worth buying them in bulk. They’re cheaper that way, and it means you will always have a delicious topping on hand.
- Keep eggs in your fridge – I have eggs on my grocery list every week. Eggs are a quick breakfast option. I often make my Easy Egg Muffins in the beginning of the week for an on-the-go breakfast that lasts all week-long. I also keep hardboiled eggs in my fridge to have a quick breakfast option. Fried and scrambled eggs take minutes to make. Throw in some spinach and serve with toast and fruit and you have a well-balanced breakfast.
- Have bread in the house – If you’re like me and you don’t eat bread that often, keep it in the freezer. If you go through bread quickly I recommend buying pre-sliced loaves and store on counter or in your fridge. If it takes you weeks to go through a single loaf like myself then buy a loaf and slice the bread and keep it in individual sealed bags in the freezer. It only take minutes to defrost and toast a slice in the toaster or under the broiler and then you don’t have to worry about the bread going stale.
- Yogurt is essential – Plain Greek yogurt is full of protein which is essential for good health. I workout in the morning before work and Greek yogurt can be a healthy and satisfying treat after a tough workout. Not only does it tide me over until my next meal, but it actually contains protein that can repair damage done by exercise. I top plain Greek yogurt with honey and almonds.
- Buy fresh fruit every week – Buy seasonal and fresh whenever possible. Depending on the season I keep fresh berries, apples, and bananas in my fridge. Raspberries or Blueberries are great for topping yogurt or oatmeal. Grab an apple or banana on the go and top with a little peanut butter…. YUM!!!
- COFFEE!! – Invest in a coffee maker you love. Coffee truly brings me happiness every morning. Making coffee at home tastes better than any $5 coffee I used to purchase every morning on my way to the office. It’s much easier to get out of bed in the morning when I know I get to enjoy a hot cup of coffee… or two and I use a big mug that is guaranteed to make me smile.
Here are some of my favorites breakfast recipes…
Did you find this post helpful? Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thewelldressedkitchen.
