26 Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day

Egg Pizza

Katie Workman

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it's worth the effort to eat a balanced one! Get inspired to eat a good breakfast every day with this list of some of the best healthy breakfast recipes that pack in plenty of great flavors. From marvelous muffins, tarted up toast, and excellent eggy breakfasts to simple smoothies and overnight oats, try some (or all) of these breakfast recipes.

  • 01 of 26

    Avocado and Poached Egg Toast

    Avocado and Poached Egg Toast

    Leah Maroney 

    Avocado toast is in the house! If there were a pageant for the most popular healthy breakfast, avocado toast might take the crown.

    The once-niche food trend has now become a mainstream American favorite for breakfast and brunch. With just a few ingredients needed, this easy, healthy breakfast recipe includes oh-so-simple tips for poaching the perfect egg that is pleasing to look at and eat.

  • 02 of 26

    Peanut Banana Cinnamon Smoothie

    Peanut Banana Cinnamon Smoothie

    Tara Donne / Photolibrary / Getty Images 

    Smoothies are an easy way to start the day and this peanut banana breakfast smoothie is no different. Kids and adults alike will cheer for the magical flavor combination of peanut butter and bananas. Just a little bit of cinnamon adds an unexpected burst of spice that brightens the whole drink.

  • 03 of 26

    Overnight Chia Seed Oatmeal

    Overnight Chia Seed Oatmeal
    Laurel Randolph 

    Overnight oats are the perfect breakfast if you want a wholesome, homemade morning meal, but you don't want to add anything extra to your morning routine.

    Rolled oats, milk, and a few other tasty ingredients are combined in a container and left to chill overnight in the refrigerator. The oats become soft and creamy by morning, just like slow-cooked oatmeal. Chia seeds, popular for their omega-3s and other health benefits, add a light nutty flavor. Pair that with a little maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla to add some sweetness and you are good to go!

  • 04 of 26

    Savory Quinoa Egg Muffins With Spinach

    Savory Quinoa Egg Muffins With Spinach

    The Spruce / Abbey Littlejohn

    Quinoa adds special texture and flavor, plus lots of great protein and fiber, to these delicious little egg muffins that are suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free diets. Packed with spinach, onion, and melted cheese, these healthy breakfast egg muffins are perfect for a meatless brunch or a hand-held breakfast on the go.

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  • 05 of 26

    Tropical Acai Breakfast Bowl

    Tropical Acai Breakfast Bowl
    Leah Maroney 

    Acai bowls are a delicious, cool, and nutritious breakfast that are quick and easy to make. This complete breakfast in a bowl has an indulgent texture and flavor that's like having healthy ice cream for breakfast. It's perfect for those days when you need an extra boost of energy to get up and out the door.

  • 06 of 26

    Spinach and Feta Breakfast Wrap

    Spinach and Feta Breakfast Wrap
    Leah Maroney  

    This hearty, healthy breakfast recipe is like a Greek omelette in a wrap. Fresh spinach, salty feta cheese, and black olives combine with scrambled eggs in a tortilla for an easy, hand-held breakfast you can eat on-the-go. Use whole wheat tortillas to boost the fiber in this protein and iron-rich breakfast.

  • 07 of 26

    Applesauce Bread

    Applesauce Bread

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    Whole wheat flour and oats make applesauce bread a healthy breakfast option. Applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts give it a wonderful seasonal flavor. This recipe also freezes well, so you can make a few loaves at once.

  • 08 of 26

    Banana Bread Bars

    Banana Bread Bars

    The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer

    An easy make-ahead recipe, banana bread bars can provide a healthy, quick breakfast for up to a week. Toasted wheat bran and egg whites form the base, while bananas, dates, walnuts, and cinnamon provide lots of flavor. Take one with you or warm one up to enjoy with your morning coffee.

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  • 09 of 26

    Cinnamon Pancakes

    Cinnamon Pancakes

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    A portion of the flour in this cinnamon pancake recipe is comprised of buckwheat. Not only does that make the breakfast staple heartier than normal, but it also ramps up the nutrition. Adding cinnamon gives the pancakes a wonderful flavor that's an ideal pairing with maple syrup, so they're delicious, too.

  • 10 of 26

    Instant Pot Yogurt

    Instant Pot yogurt with berries and granola.
    Diana Rattray

    Yogurt is a great way to get protein and healthy fat in your diet first thing in the morning, not to mention the active cultures. It's also easy to make with the help of an Instant Pot. While the process is almost entirely hands-off, you'll want to get started the day before to let the yogurt incubate and chill.

  • 11 of 26

    Banana Oatmeal Muffins

    Banana Oatmeal Muffins

     Kristina Vanni

    These muffins are full of nutrition to help start your day with a boost of energy. Bananas are high in fiber and potassium while oats are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber as well, making these muffins beneficial to the digestive system as well as promoting heart health.

  • 12 of 26

    Vegan Banana Muffins

    Vegan Banana Muffins

    The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

    For a quick, ready-to-eat breakfast, try this banana muffin recipe. They bake up in about 30 minutes, require just a handful of ingredients, and are both healthy and vegan. The refreshing taste is perfect for spring and summer, and you can take one along with you for an afternoon snack.

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  • 13 of 26

    Chicken Omelet

    Chicken Omelette

    Leah Maroney

    Chicken adds a meaty component to an omelet without the high fat of pork products such as bacon, sausage, and ham. This chicken omelet, with nutty Gruyere cheese and spinach, lets you head into your day with a light step.

  • 14 of 26

    Easy Tofu Scramble Recipe

    Easy Tofu Scramble

    The Spruce 

    Tofu scramble is a popular vegan breakfast dish that has a similar texture to scrambled eggs. This healthy breakfast recipe calls for onions and green bell peppers, but you can add even more nutrients by tossing in extra vegetables, such as spinach, mushrooms, and green onions. Just wrap the cooked tofu scramble in a warmed, vegan whole wheat tortilla for a fulfilling vegan breakfast burrito.

  • 15 of 26

    Cream Cheese Pancakes

    cream cheese pancakes

    Leah Maroney

    If anyone in the family is gluten-free or on a low-carb diet, these pancakes are a delicious choice for breakfast. They are nice and delicate and come out more like crepes. Cream cheese, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract are blended to create a batter. Dust with powdered sugar and top with berries.

  • 16 of 26

    Savory Oatmeal

    savory-oatmeal-4779928-09

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    For an alternative to creamy grits, try this easy-to-make hearty bowl of savory oatmeal with bacon, eggs, and cheese. Quick in the kitchen and light on the wallet, the comforting flavor calls to mind your favorite weekend diner while the fiber keeps you full until lunch.

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  • 17 of 26

    Green Shakshuka

    Green Shakshuka

    Anita Schecter

    Green shakshuka replaces the typical tomato sauce with a healthy combination of broccoli rabe and spinach. Eggs cook on top until perfectly tender for a low-carb, high-protein breakfast dish.

  • 18 of 26

    Keto Waffles

    Keto waffles

    The Spruce / Laurel Randolph

    Keto waffles swap traditional wheat flour for almond flour and almond butter for a nutty and delicious breakfast. Top with berry compote for flavors similar to a PB&J or simply drizzle with syrup. The waffles reheat well in the oven or toaster for an easy weekday meal.

  • 19 of 26

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel
    Grilled Cheese Social 

    When you're craving something truly satisfying for breakfast, this ultimate smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon has all the indulgent tastes and textures that make this dish a weekend favorite.

    Low-calorie pickled red onions and capers add an unexpected pop of color and salty, zingy flavors that go wonderfully well with the salmon. Use whole-grain bagels to add extra fiber to this open-face breakfast sandwich.

  • 20 of 26

    Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

    Maple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

     Emily Hawkes

    You'll love this super tasty and healthy breakfast bowl that includes plenty of good-for-you, plant-based protein. Maple, cinnamon and raisins are made for each other, and they come together beautifully in this breakfast bowl. This nutritious morning treat also has a wonderfully nutty flavor, thanks to the quinoa. It's a great healthy vegetarian breakfast.

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  • 21 of 26

    Healthy Banana Bread

    Healthy Banana Bread

     Kristina Vanni

    Some banana bread recipes have more sugar and fat than nutrition, but this version of the favorite quick bread cuts back on the bad stuff and pumps up the healthy ingredients. Oil and yogurt are swapped in for the butter and flaxseed and whole wheat flour increase the fiber. Walnuts bring a good dose of omega-3 fats, making this a good choice for breakfast on-the-go.

  • 22 of 26

    Easy Fruit Salad Recipe

    bowl of fresh fruit salad
    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Juicy, sweet, and tart chunks of pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries become suddenly special when you add a dressing of honey and citrus. You'll be wowed by how the sweet, floral flavor of honey brings out the best in the fruit and gives an extra little pop of flavor to a simple fruit salad. It's easy to whip together and perfect for house guests or brunch goers.

  • 23 of 26

    Whole Wheat Pancakes

    Whole Wheat Pancakes

     Kristina Vanni

    Made with oats, yogurt, oat bran, honey, and apple, these hearty whole wheat pancakes are healthy and full of flavor. Toss in some raisins or other dried fruit and walnuts for extra flavor and nutrition. Bonus: the batter is prepped the night before, making this a quick and easy breakfast, too.

  • 24 of 26

    Make-Ahead Frozen Breakfast Quesadillas

    Make-Ahead Frozen Breakfast Quesadillas
    The Spruce 

    Kids will run down the stairs to get their hands on these awesome vegetarian breakfast quesadillas that are packed with flavor and protein. With fluffy scrambled eggs, hearty black beans, sweet corn niblets, red onion, cilantro, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning, these wholesome tortilla wraps are anything but the usual boring breakfast. Choose whole wheat tortillas to make them even more healthy.

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  • 25 of 26

    Swiss Muesli Recipe

    Bircher muesli

    The Spruce 

    Swiss muesli is a healthy breakfast treat that's been popular for more than a century. This recipe lets you enjoy the original Swiss recipe that made muesli a household name worldwide.

    Rolled oats, apples, hazelnuts, sweetened condensed milk, and a couple of other ingredients are all it takes to put together a delightful bowl to start your day.

  • 26 of 26

    Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes and Peppers

    Scrambled Eggs With Tomatoes and Peppers
    Diana Rattray 

    Heart-healthy tomatoes, fresh bell peppers, and your favorite cheese make these protein-packed scrambled eggs taste extra special. You can add extra vegetables for even more nutrition, making this a versatile breakfast option.

Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Nieman DC, Gillitt ND, Henson DA, et al. Bananas as an energy source during exercise: a metabolomics approach. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(5):e37479. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037479

  2. USDA FoodData Central. Walnuts, excluding honey roasted. Updated Oct. 30, 2020.