59 Healthy Breakfast Ideas That’ll Keep You From Hitting Snooze
We take our sweet and savory healthy breakfast ideas very seriously. Why? Well, you know how, when you work out first thing in the morning, you tend to eat healthier throughout the day and drink more water and overall just feel better? We apply that idea to the first meal of the day, like setting an intention: Make it a healthy and delicious breakfast—maybe a smoothie bowl or steel-cut oats or Mexican-style scrambled eggs with tortillas—and it will be a healthy and delicious day. (And breakfast tends to be the easiest time to get in the good stuff too. Sugary snacks may show up in the office kitchen and decadent dinner invitations may come your way, but breakfast is fully under your control.) You with us? Let’s go!
Photograph by Carl Ostberg, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Andrea Bonin1/59Curried Chickpeas and Baked Eggs
We’re dubbing this low-carbohydrate dish a healthy breakfast idea, but, bursting with tingly heat and herbaceous flavor, these one-pot curried chickpeas and eggs would work for dinner too.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams2/59
Get Up & Go Blueberry Date Cocoa Smoothie
Sweetened with dates and boosted with coffee, this fruity smoothie gets its creamy texture from a simple trick: puréeing the dates before adding the frozen fruit. It gets bonus points for taking a total time of less than five minutes to make.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams3/59
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal
You might not immediately think of peanut butter and jelly when searching for healthy breakfast options, but in this case they add protein and a little sweetness to an otherwise simple bowl of nourishing oats.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer4/59
Mango and Greens Smoothie
This green smoothie gets a kick of nutrients from a cup of spinach or kale—keep those stems and thrown ’em in that blender along with everything else—and tropical vibes from mango and coconut water.
- Ted Cavanaugh5/59
Perfect Poached Eggs
Poached eggs: yummy on their own, yummy on top of avocado toast or savory oatmeal. Cook them before you head to bed and you’ll make things easy—and yes, yummy—for yourself in the morning.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano. Prop Styling by Maeve Sheridan and Molly Longwell6/59
Fully Loaded Carrot Muffins
The whole wheat flour and unsweetened applesauce keep this carrot muffin recipe squarely in breakfast territory. Sorry, cream cheese frosting, you belong elsewhere (i.e., with the desserts).
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kendra Vaculin7/59
Baked Eggs and Greens in Harissa Tomato Sauce
Get your kale in the morning with this tasty, healthy breakfast idea—but also, consider serving these baked eggs for a speedy weeknight dinner.
- Photo by Emma Fishman8/59
Whole Wheat–Oat Waffles
These waffles are sugar-free and whole grain, and to mix the batter, you just need one bowl and a whisk (read no corded equipment required).
- Photograph by Allie Holloway, food styling by Taneka Mooris.9/59
Herby Dutch Baby With Smoked Salmon
This verdant Dutch baby gets its striking color and flavor from baby spinach and tender herbs (a mix of dill and cilantro is especially nice) and healthy fat from smoked salmon.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer10/59
Banana-Blueberry Smoothie With Tahini
This blueberry smoothie is basically a grown-up, drinkable take on the classic combo of PB&J, with frozen blueberries and tahini for nutty richness.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani11/59
Cashew Yogurt
Try your hand at making this four-ingredient (well, five if you count water) cashew yogurt. It’s a dairy-free but deliciously creamy alternative base for your morning fruit and granola bowl.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman12/59
Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal
Think of this healthy breakfast recipe as a deconstructed morning glory muffin. The warm and cozy baked oatmeal studded with carrots, apples, and raisins is the make-ahead breakfast your busy mornings need.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou13/59
Gluten-Free Apple and Oat Muffins
Inspired by bircher muesli, these high-protein gluten-free muffins get extra texture from almonds, grated raw apples, and oats, and nutty maple syrup stands in for sugar.
- Alex Lau14/59
Salad for Breakfast
If “salad for breakfast” sounds weird to you, hear us out: This healthy breakfast option is basically eggs on toast with quick-pickled veggies and feta. And who doesn’t want an excuse to eat more feta?
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones15/59
Dashi Oats With Crunchy Veg
Instant dashi powder gives so much umami to the oats that this savory porridge can easily be served for dinner. And yes, you can throw a poached egg on top if you want to.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton16/59
Breakfast Blondies
Forget breakfast muffins or bars: Our new favorite grab-and-go breakfast is a blondie, and this one’s got chopped nuts, almond butter, and caramelly maple syrup.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou17/59
Kimchi Toast
We’d describe this healthy breakfast option as a rule-breaking hothead with a softer side. Spicy, pungent kimchi, plus smooth cream cheese, topped with a scallion salad—on toast. It works.
- Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Sue Li18/59
Nut Butter Granola Bars
What’s healthy and ideal for a weekday breakfast and crunchy all over? This just-sweet-enough, chewy but sturdy granola bar, which is bound together by peanut butter and honey.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker19/59
Masala Skillet Scramble
Meet your new favorite healthy breakfast idea for a crowd: a cumin-and-jalapeño-spiked take on scrambled eggs. Enjoy them straight out of the skillet or stuff them into tacos.
- Alex Lau20/59
No-Nut Granola
Speaking of granola, this is our go-to. Be sure to choose a mild, not-too-grassy, not-too-peppery olive oil for this recipe so that it doesn’t overwhelm the other ingredients.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova21/59
Almond Butter and Jam Quick Bread
With hearty rye flour, pockets of fig jam, and plenty of protein-rich almond butter, this not-too-sweet quick bread is like your favorite piece of toast in cake form.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou22/59
Coconut Curry Greens with Runny Eggs
It is easy being green, actually. This shakshuka-inspired dish gets its color from forgoing the traditional tomatoes and red bell peppers for spinach and kale.
- Alex Lau23/59
Acai Power House Bowl
This low-carb breakfast makes us happy just looking at it. What you can’t see, though, is that there’s vitamin-, calcium-, and potassium-packed kale in the mix.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich24/59
Power Butter
If you thought it was impossible to make nut butter more delicious, try this added-value version, which combines store-bought almond butter with a bulk aisle’s worth of nutritive seeds.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food styling by Sue Li25/59
Healthyish Breakfast Sandwiches
These slow-cooked onions tossed in soy sauce and garlic powder are exceptional as a stand-in for bacon—and they’re somehow jammy and crispy at the same time.
- Photo by Alex Lau26/59
Smoked Fish and Rice Breakfast Bowl
We love savory breakfast or brunch (or lunch or dinner). If you can’t find Japanese pickles, just shave some radishes, carrots, or cucumbers, and toss them with sugar, salt, and rice vinegar.
- Peden + Munk27/59
Sweet and Salty Fig Toast
This quick breakfast calls for Neufchâtel cheese, which is a French product that’s similar to cream cheese—and is usually packaged in a heart shape. How cute is that?
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer28/59
Creamy Strawberry-Ginger Smoothie
Sweet strawberry, zingy ginger, and creamy whole-milk yogurt join forces in this punchy pink refresher. Added dates ensure the final smoothie isn’t overly tart. No ginger? Try this strawberry smoothie with bananas and Greek yogurt instead.
- Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski29/59
Hazelnut Granola and Chia Pudding Bowls
This honey-sweetened granola and rooibos-tea chia pudding are both worth making and enjoying on their own, but together with yogurt and a swirl of jam, they become a breakfast you’ll want to eat on repeat.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li30/59
Quinoa-Banana Muffins
If you don’t like quinoa, it may be because the cooking instructions on most packages call for too much water. That’s just our opinion, of course (but we feel confident in it). Try our method, which is featured in this recipe, instead.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li31/59
Chocolate-Cashew Butter
Okay, so patience is required here: Cashews take some time to break down. Once that happens, though, use this creamy Nutella-like spread on fruit or toast or add a scoop to a smoothie. It’s a game-changing healthy breakfast idea.
- Photo by Alex Lau, prop styling by Kendra Smoot32/59
Roasted Red Pepper Frittata
This simple frittata is packed with sweet red bell peppers, potatoes, and onions—and it’s as good room temperature (or even cold) as it is warm.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski34/59
CBD Mango Smoothie
CBD in your breakfast smoothie? Sure! Plus, mangoes and turmeric contain vitamins and antioxidants that are said to help brighten dull skin. Be chill; be beautiful.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Chris Morocco35/59
Simple Quiche With Sweet Potato Crust
A quiche with no crust? Oui. The health-forward Topanga Living Cafe in Topanga, California, inspired this gluten-free version that features caramelized sweet potato instead of dough.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen36/59
Grain-Free Tahini Granola
If you’re missing the oats in this make-ahead gluten-free granola, simply swap out one cup of the nuts for some rolled oats. This recipe, she’s flexible.
- Alex Lau37/59
Overnight Oats With Soft-Cooked Egg and Miso-Braised Kale
The braised kale, prepped oats, and cooked egg combo in this breakfast recipe may sound a little complicated, but trust us. All of them can be made in advance and just need to be warmed before eating.
- Gentl & Hyers38/59
Coconut-Date Power Breakfast Bars
Five different forms of coconut go into our quintuple-threat breakfast (or snack) bars, which are nutrient-dense and sweet enough to satisfy even the youngest members of your household.
- Alex Lau39/59
Gluten-Free Oat and Buckwheat Pancakes
These gluten-free pancakes make an exceptional pick-me-up: Freeze any extras and toast gently to reheat. We like to top ours with maple syrup and raspberries. Greek yogurt and applesauce is another good combo.
- Peden + Munk40/59
Muesli Toast with Labneh, Hazelnuts, and Honey
You need seven ingredients and a toaster to make this healthy breakfast (which also works well when divided into fourths and served as a dinner party appetizer).
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li41/59
Overnight Oats With Banana, Maple Syrup, and Tahini
Use whatever nondairy milk—cashew milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk—you want in the base for this healthy breakfast option. Just don’t forget the superfoods: The ground flaxseeds make a difference.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich42/59
Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies
Is it a muffin? A cookie? A breakfast? A healthy breakfast? It’s all of those things. We like to think of this as a recipe for chewy good-for-you muffin tops.
- Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sue Li43/59
Egg White Chalupa
The black beans stewed with bell peppers, onions, jalapeño, and garlic would work in a breakfast burrito or a Mexican-style breakfast casserole just as well as they do spread on fried tortillas in this chalupa recipe.
- Alex Lau44/59
Mango Toast With Hazelnut-Pepita Butter
It’s time for a change: Savory fruit toast is the new avocado toast. Other combinations we’ve been crushing on? Lemony yogurt with cucumbers and creamy almond butter with pears.
- Alex Lau45/59
Turmeric Fried Eggs With Kale, Yogurt, and Bacon
Healthy breakfast bowls shouldn’t take two hours to make; this one is ready in about 20 minutes. Add roasted sweet potato or cooked grains to make it heartier.
- Alex Lau46/59
Breakfast Rice Bowls With Smoked Fish
Whether it’s part of a Japanese breakfast or a classic bagel spread, smoked fish in the morning is never a bad idea—and we bet you’re going to start putting this scallion jam on everything. (We do.)
- Alex Lau47/59
Gluten-Free Chocolate Buckwheat Waffles
Healthy waffles? They do exist. If you want to make them dairy-free, just substitute two cups of alt-milk plus 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar for the buttermilk.
- Peden + Munk48/59
Chile-and-Olive-Oil-Fried Egg With Avocado and Sprouts
If you’ve never fried an egg in olive oil before, you might be surprised by how much sizzling and bubbling there is. But know that you’re doing it right when you see all of that action; you want that skillet really hot.
- Alex Lau49/59
Hemp Milk Chai
Hemp milk makes the fastest, creamiest alt-milk with very little waste, but any nondairy milk works for this frothy chai. Pair it with yogurt, oatmeal, or any of your favorite healthy breakfast recipes.
- Alex Lau50/59
Mixed Grain and Coconut Porridge
We’re big fans of prepping for the week’s meals on Sunday. If you make this porridge on the weekend, you can reheat it in the same amount time it takes to make instant oatmeal.
- Alex Lau51/59
Fried Brown Rice With Kale and Turmeric
This fried rice has lots of eggs and lots of greens, making it a hearty and filling breakfast. For maximum crispiness, make this dish with leftover rice that has chilled overnight in the fridge.
- Peden + Munk52/59
Tropical Carrot, Ginger, and Turmeric Smoothie
A vibrant, fiery way to start the day, this smoothie gets it color and flavor from oranges, carrots, mango, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Don’t forget a pinch of salt.
- Alex Lau53/59
Fried Egg Tacos With Chile Jam
These breakfast tacos are topped with a sauce made from honey and sambal oelek, a versatile hot chili paste. Look for the latter right next to the sriracha at your local grocery store.
- Alex Lau54/59
Oat and Apple Pancakes
Pancake recipes can be healthy, yes. This one features a serving of whole grains and fruit, and you get to pour maple syrup over all of it. (French toast, on the other hand? Sorry. We can’t health-ify that one.)
- Danny Kim55/59
Chia Pudding With Dried Apricots and Pineapple
Try to get this in the fridge the night before for the best texture. And hey, layer in the fresh fruit instead of using it as a topping and you could be fancy and call it a breakfast parfait.
- Alex Lau56/59
Green Shakshuka
Watch the pan closely toward the end of the cooking time. You want to remove it from oven when the eggs have plenty of wobble left in them.
- Photo by Alex Lau57/59
Tropical Energy Bars
If you can’t find no-sugar-added dried pineapple, this healthy breakfast recipe works with pretty much any dried fruit of your choice. And the best thing is, it’s portable.
- Linda Pugliese58/59
Seeded Whole-Wheat Banana Bread
Too often, banana bread is oily and sweet as a cake. That’s good for special occasions, but for weekday mornings, we want a slice that feels (mostly) wholesome.
- Alex Lau59/59
Overnight Oats With Coconut, Dates, Almonds, and Honey
Overnight oats are one of our go-to healthy breakfast ideas because the work is done ahead of time. Assemble the base up to four days in advance, and all you have to do in the morning is dollop some Greek yogurt, dates, and almonds on top.