Sitting down to a delicious breakfast in the morning may seem like an unattainable dream, and believe me, I understand. With a husband, two kids and various plants that need to be tended, the idea of adding cooking—not to mention dishes—to the mix before we run out the door sounds excruciating. But it doesn't have to be! With a little preparation and some great recipes, you can enjoy hearty make-ahead breakfasts and minimize the mess. Let's break it down!
Savory Make-Ahead Breakfasts
Quiche is a classic savory make-ahead breakfast, and these Ham and Asparagus Quiche Cups from Maebells makes serving them even easier! A buttery crust made with our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour holds a delectable mixture of eggs, ham, asparagus, and ricotta and cheddar cheeses. Make ahead in muffin pans and refrigerate or freeze, then reheat in the microwave and serve with a piece of fruit.
Another fantastic option are these Gluten Free Chorizo, Egg and Cheese Biscuits from from Lydi Out Loud. Instead of creating a separate crust, this recipe mixes Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour with spicy chorizo, eggs and sharp cheddar cheese. These can be eaten at room temperature or warmed in the microwave or oven.
Not a meat eater? Try these Gluten Free Savory Breakfast Muffins, made with our Gluten Free Pizza Mix, flaxseed meal, fresh herbs, olives and sundried tomatoes. Serve with cream cheese for a special treat!
For a veggie-packed breakfast, explore our Savory Fall Tart, featuring a savory crust made with Unbleached White Fine Pastry Flour and bursting with mushrooms, chard and apples for a little sweetness. Eggs, half & half and gruyere makes this a rich meal, and fresh thyme and sage make it incredibly flavorful.
If you have the time to make something more elaborate, give these Whole Wheat Baked Egg Tarts a spin. Here, individual composed tarts feature a buttery Whole Wheat Flour crust and are filled with mushrooms, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes and eggs.
On the other hand, if you'd like something super-simple for breakfast, check out our updated Basic Recipe for Quick Grits, especially our Creamy Grits and Cheesy Grits variations. Make a batch in advance, rewarm in the morning and top with sauteed veggies and/or crumbled sausage if desired for a deliciously simple breakfast.
Sweet Make-Ahead Breakfasts
One incredibly popular make-ahead breakfast is overnight oats! The ease of preparation, endless possibilities for customization, and easy nutrition makes them a wonderful choice. You can make Overnight Oats in a Thermos, prep Overnight Steel Cut Oats, add protein powder and sliced bananas for Easy Overnight Oats, or use our Gluten Free or Organic Oatmeal Cups and take them on the road with you!
Another effortless make-ahead breakfast is this Chia Seed Protein Pudding courtesy of Jessica Gavin from Jessica Gavin Culinary Scientist. Just mix our Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, milk (any kind) and Organic Chia Seeds, let sit overnight, and top with fresh fruit and nuts. Delicious!
Sheet pan recipes are another fantastic make-ahead breakfast option, especially for pancakes! No drips or flipping—just pour the all-purpose and buckwheat flour-based batter for these Sheet Pan Banana Pancakes in a parchment-lined baking sheet, top with sliced bananas and chocolate chips, and bake. In the morning, rewarm in the oven or microwave and add your favorite toppings.
For something a little different, try these Gluten and Dairy Free Carrot Cake Muffins. Made with Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, shredded carrots, raisins and shredded coconut, these dairy free delights are rich in flavor and so easy to make. There's also a low sugar variation!
These Almond Poppy Seed Cassava Muffins are another comforting, fall-flavored option, made with gluten free, grain free Cassava Flour, Organic Coconut Sugar, applesauce and maple syrup. Sliced almonds and poppy seeds add crunch, while the applesauce makes them extra moist and delicious.
Pie for breakfast? It's definitely on the menu with these adorable Apple Cheddar Hand Pies pair the traditional apples, brown sugar and spices with a flaky crust made with Organic Unbleached All-Purpose White Flour and sharp cheddar cheese. They are absolutely fantastic, and if you make them ahead of time, they're perfectly portable as well.
But What About the Dishes?
Ah yes, the dark side of breakfast: what to do about the dirty dishes? You can get up a little early and do them before leaving (or draft family members to help), or you can wait and take care of them in the evening (not an option I prefer, as then I have to clean the kitchen before making dinner and then . . . clean the kitchen again). My best advice is to try to start the day with an empty dishwasher (if you have one) or at least one full of clean dishes that you can quickly shelve. Then everyone can bus their dishes straight into the dishwasher, making cleanup a lot smoother. If you've done all the cooking ahead of time, hopefully you'll only have plates and silverware to clean up, in any case.
Are you bound and determined to eat breakfast this year? Do you have a favorite make-ahead breakfast recipe to share? Post below!
Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.
