Swipe through all 13 ideas
See every idea at a glance, then jump to the one you like.
Mornings go better when breakfast is already half done. Around here the day starts early with chores and chickens, so I lean on recipes I can make ahead, freeze or throw together in ten minutes.
Here are 12 easy breakfast ideas, from overnight oats and egg cups to freezer sandwiches and a French toast casserole. Each one says what it is and how to make it. If you want something for later in the day, our easy lunch ideas pick up where this list leaves off.
1. Easy overnight oats
SaveCredit: Two Peas and Their Pod
Overnight oats are the easiest breakfast I know, because the work happens while you sleep. Mix a few jars on Sunday and the whole week is covered.
Stir rolled oats with milk, a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a little chia, then cover and chill overnight. In the morning add fruit, nuts or a drizzle of maple syrup. Rolled oats hold their shape best, so skip the instant kind.
2. Make ahead breakfast burritos
SaveCredit: The Cookie Rookie
A freezer full of burritos feels like money in the bank on a busy morning.
Scramble eggs with sausage or ham, hashbrowns and cheese, then roll the filling tightly in tortillas and wrap each one in foil. Freeze them flat on a pan before bagging them so they do not stick together. Reheat from frozen in the microwave or oven.
3. Egg muffin cups
SaveCredit: Eating on a Dime
These little egg cups are a great way to use up the eggs from the coop and any bits of vegetable in the fridge.
Whisk eggs with a splash of milk, stir in chopped peppers, spinach and cheese, and pour into a greased muffin tin. Bake until the centers are set, then cool and store them in the fridge for the week. They reheat in under a minute.
4. Sheet pan pancakes
SaveCredit: Sweet Phi
When you are feeding a crowd, one pan beats standing at the stove flipping pancakes for an hour.
Mix a regular pancake batter, spread it on a greased rimmed baking sheet and scatter on blueberries or chocolate chips. Bake until golden and cut into squares. Leftover squares freeze well and pop in the toaster.
5. Baked oatmeal
SaveCredit: The Forked Spoon
Baked oatmeal tastes like a warm oatmeal cookie, and it feeds a family from one dish.
Combine rolled oats, milk, an egg, cinnamon and vanilla, fold in fresh berries and bake for about 30 minutes. Cut it into squares and reheat through the week. Skip the instant oats, which can turn mushy.
6. Sausage and hashbrown breakfast casserole
SaveCredit: Le Creme de la Crumb
This is the dish I bring when a crowd is coming for a holiday morning, since you can build it the night before.
Layer cooked sausage, frozen hashbrowns and cheese in a 9 by 13 dish, then pour over beaten eggs and milk. Chill it overnight and bake it in the morning until the center is set. Thaw the hashbrowns first so the casserole does not turn watery.
7. Yogurt parfaits
SaveCredit: Lil Luna
Parfaits look fancy but take about five minutes, which makes them a favorite for company and for kids.
Layer Greek yogurt, granola and fresh berries in a glass and repeat. Add the granola right before eating so it stays crunchy. A drizzle of honey on top is plenty of sweetness.
8. Banana oatmeal pancakes
SaveCredit: A Couple Cooks
These pancakes use ripe bananas and oats, so they are a nice answer to the browning fruit on the counter.
Blend rolled oats, ripe bananas, an egg, milk and a little baking powder until smooth, then let the batter rest for a few minutes. Cook on a lightly oiled pan over medium heat and flip when bubbles form. Cooked pancakes keep in the fridge for a few days.
9. Avocado toast with egg
SaveCredit: I Heart Naptime
When I need breakfast in ten minutes, this is the one I make. It is filling and it looks lovely on the plate.
Toast a thick slice of bread, mash avocado with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and spread it on. Top with a fried or poached egg. The lemon keeps the avocado green if you want to prep the spread ahead.
10. Freezer breakfast sandwiches
SaveCredit: Natasha’s Kitchen
A batch of these takes the place of the drive thru on school and work mornings.
Bake the eggs in a pan and cut them into squares, then stack them with cheese and ham on toasted English muffins. Wrap each sandwich on its own, bag them and freeze. Unwrap part way, wrap in a paper towel and microwave until hot.
11. Overnight French toast casserole
SaveCredit: A Spicy Perspective
This is my pick for Christmas morning or any weekend when you want something sweet without the stove.
Cube day old bread into a baking dish, pour over a custard of eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla, and chill overnight. Bake it in the morning until puffed and golden, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.
12. Easy homemade granola
SaveCredit: Mom On Timeout
A jar of homemade granola on the counter makes breakfast easy all week, and it costs far less than the boxed kind.
Toss oats and nuts with honey or maple syrup and a little oil, spread on a sheet pan and bake low and slow, stirring now and then. Let it cool completely in the pan before you break it up so you get big clusters. Add dried fruit after it cools.
Tips for easy breakfasts on busy mornings
Pick one or two make ahead recipes and cook them on the weekend. Egg cups, burritos and sandwiches all reheat in a minute, and oats and parfaits need no cooking at all. Let freezer foods cool completely before you wrap them so they do not turn soggy.
Keep a few staples on hand, such as eggs, oats, bread, frozen fruit and yogurt. With those you can put together most of these ideas without a trip to the store.
Easy breakfast ideas FAQ
What can I make for breakfast ahead of time? Overnight oats, egg muffin cups, baked oatmeal, breakfast burritos and the casseroles are all good choices. Most keep in the fridge for a few days.
Which breakfasts freeze well? Burritos, breakfast sandwiches, baked oatmeal squares and sheet pan pancakes freeze nicely. Wrap them one by one and reheat in the microwave or toaster.
What is a quick breakfast with no cooking? Overnight oats and yogurt parfaits need only a few minutes of stirring and layering. Avocado toast is a close second.
