I know that breakfast, for some people, isn’t the easiest or most exciting meal. Mornings can be an uninspired time, breakfasts can be difficult to prepare when you’ve got a busy schedule, and when it comes down to it some people just like to pass this meal over in favor of lunch and dinner.

I, on the other hand, love breakfast. I love making breakfast, going out to breakfast, looking at new recipes for breakfast, etc. etc. etc. Breakfast may be my favorite meal of the day.

So I thought I would share some of my go-to breakfast ideas. Whether you are looking for a quick meal to throw together on a work morning (or better yet, to prepare the night before), or want to make something tasty for a special weekend family breakfast, this list has got you covered.

1. Oatmeal

I am not going to lie, I eat oatmeal almost every day of the work week. I usually give myself the weekends off for something different, but I just keep coming back to oatmeal day after day because it suits what my body is looking for in a breakfast so well. I consistently feel great after eating my oatmeal breakfasts. It keeps me feeling full, leaves my energy levels stable, and tastes good. I always add some sort of protein along with other toppings to make it a little more interesting and a little more well-rounded.

 Favorite toppings include:

-Chopped nuts

-Berries, or other fresh fruit

-Nut butters

-Flaked coconut

-Dark chocolate chips, because, well, chocolate

-Chopped dates

-Apples, cooked into the oats near the end to get them a little soft

2. Quinoa Pancakes (vegan and gluten Free)

In my family, these are something everyone agrees upon, making it a great go-to option for Sunday morning breakfasts when we all gather around a table together. They are hearty, delicious pancakes that are so good topped with everything from maple syrup to jam or fresh fruit. They are even good with nothing on them at all. I seriously love these pancakes and would make them every week if I could.

The recipe we use is adapted from the recipe on the back of the quinoa flour box from Ancient Harvest:

1/3 C quinoa flour
1/3 C cornmeal
1/3 C oats
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
3 T oil
2/3 C rice milk
1 egg (using Ener-G-Egg Replacer)

Directions: Combine dry ingredients, then add wet. Add more rice milk if needed to thin batter to desired consistency. Cook, until browned on both sides and cooked through.

3. Yogurt

If I am in the mood for something lighter, I love yogurt with a variety of toppings. I am dairy free, so I opt for unsweetened coconut milk yogurt, and I’m thankful there are so many great vegan and alternative options out there. I especially enjoy a yogurt breakfast when berries are in season, or else I’ve got some other fresh seasonal fruit on hand. It’s refreshing, you can mix up the options, and you can add whatever ingredients you’d like to suit your needs.

Favorite toppings include:

-Berries or fruit

-Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc).

-Granola (especially if it’s my mom’s homemade recipe)

-Hemp seeds

-Dried fruit

4. Overnight oats

Overnight oats are such a great thing if you want to make something ahead and know you won’t have any time to prepare in the morning. They are so easy, and you’ve only got to set aside about 3 minutes in order to get the ingredients together and throw them in the fridge to wait overnight. Then in the morning, you’ve just got to grab your container and head out.

Click here for my recipe.

5. Kale scramble

When we don’t make quinoa pancakes for family breakfasts, we make kale scrambles. In fact, this is something we love so much we make every Christmas morning. It is really nice to have a tasty savory option where you can load up the veggie content and make a really satisfying, healthy, hearty meal. We usually opt for potatoes, sausage, peppers, onions, tons of greens (kale, spinach, chard, etc), and any other veggies we have around. I like adding sliced carrots and beets for lots of color.

What are you favorite breakfast options? I’d love to hear!