Genius Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Stress-Free Mornings
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Between packing a bag for work or school, getting the dog or the kids (or just yourself!) ready and rushing out of the door on time, mornings can be... busy. But cooking breakfast and washing dishes doesn't have to be on your a.m. to-do list — instead turn to these filling and fast make ahead breakfast ideas that can be ready to eat whenever you are.
Whether you're looking for healthy breakfasts to fuel up before work or a brunch-worthy breakfast casserole that can feed a crowd, we rounded up our favorite make ahead recipes for the most important meal of the day. Think: easily portable poppy seed muffins, freeze-ahead waffles and burritos, crowd-friendly sheet pan breakfasts, make-ahead oatmeal and more. Craving sweet? Try crumb-topped coffee cake, baked donuts, or rich banana bread. Savory fans will find egg recipes in every form: frittata, quiche, scramble, baked, you name it.
Many of these recipes rely on meal prep, either by cooking an entire meal that just needs to be reheated (looking at you, egg muffins) or preparing elements of a meal that can be assembled quickly in the morning (frozen waffles + fresh bacon = best morning ever). No matter which recipe you choose, a pre-made breakfast will make your morning easier, more efficient and definitely more delicious.
Spinach and Cheese Breakfast Pockets
It may be the tastiest grab-and-go breakfast you have yet to make! The ricotta filling tastes just as amazing on Thursday as it will on Sunday morning.
Get the recipe for Spinach and Cheese Breakfast Pockets »
Breakfast Burritos
Go wild making as many of these super tasty burritos as you like; they can be wrapped and stored in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Get the recipe for Breakfast Burritos »
Best-Ever Granola
Our Food Director's go-to granola recipe holds up in your pantry super well. Since there are five different ways to style this granola mix (from sweet to spicy!), you'll never get bored.
Get the recipe for Best-Ever Granola »
Sausage and Egg Casserole
This egg-forward casserole can be made on the weekend and served throughout the week. Or you can store a covered casserole until you're ready to bake!
Get the recipe for Sausage and Egg Casserole »
Instant Oatmeal With Cranberries and Pecans
Skip the store-bought stuff and create a big batch of oatmeal before the week begins! You'll top with your favorite nuts and berries (your choice!) and simply add boiling water when it's time.
Get the recipe for Instant Oatmeal With Cranberries and Pecans »
RELATED: 4 Oatmeal Health Benefits You Should Know About
Spinach and Prosciutto Frittata Muffins
A one-pan breakfast you'll love all week long! Thirty seconds in the microwave is all you'll need to zap this breakfast to perfection.
Get the recipe for Spinach and Prosciutto Frittata Muffins »
Mushroom and Zucchini Make-Ahead Quiche
You can save an extra 10 minutes by swapping in a store-bought crust, but total prep time is already below 25 minutes! If you're hoping to save prep time before brunch, the quiche will be warm again in just 15 minutes.
Get the recipe for Mushroom and Zucchini Make-Ahead Quiche »
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Pastries are a wonderful make-ahead breakfast option, and when the cool weather sets in, all you'll want to do is spend time getting to know this loaf. You can prep the dough a night prior to your baking session if you want to serve it hot; but certainly enjoy it all week long.
Get the recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread »
Very Berry Quinoa Muffins
Cut the carb-heavy base of a muffin with fresh quinoa and you get these naturally sweet breakfast treats. Each contain a kick of protein and fiber, and at 170 calories, you can most definitely have 2 if you so desire.
Get the recipe for Very Berry Quinoa Muffins »
RELATED: 21 Healthy Muffins That Taste Good as Cupcakes
Make-Ahead Egg and Cheese Sandwich
Why reach for a highly-processed frozen sandwich at the convenience store when you can DIY instead? The trick is wrapping your sammie in a damp paper towel before you freeze it (up to a whole month!).
Get the recipe for Make-Ahead Egg and Cheese Sandwich »
Easy Meal Prep: The Ultimate Playbook for Make-Ahead Meals
Inspired by our tips for a make-ahead breakfast? Start prepping even more of your meals in advance with our Good Housekeeping Easy Meal Prep guide. It's an essential playbook that maps out all of the steps, cooking tips, techniques, and recipes you need to start meal prepping like a pro. Each recipe has been vetted and approved by the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, so you can be sure you're getting reliable, tasty meals every time.
Easy Meal Prep: The Ultimate Playbook for Make-Ahead Meals
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Courtesy of AmazonRaspberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Never did we think that overnight oats could taste like this! Jamie Vespa, MS, RD, managed to somehow stuff in nearly 10g of protein into this vegan breakfast that straight up could be served for dessert.
Get the recipe from Dishing Out Health »
Sous Vide Egg Bites
This is a gourmet copycat solution for those who can't stay out of the Starbucks drive-thru. You'll only need 3 ingredients for Lee Funke's ingenious hack of a breakfast!
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
Low Carb Quiche Biscuits
Taking some time to whip up a batch of these egg-forward biscuits can make breakfast a breeze; they're loaded with cheese and bacon, so just add some green or a piece of fruit to your plate!
Get the recipe from Woman's Day »
Egg McMuffins
It's the copycat McDonald's recipe of your dreams! Anyone on the keto diet should save this gem for later.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
RELATED: Start Your Diet With This 14-Day Keto Diet Plan
Breakfast Coffee Cookies
Don't drink your coffee — eat it! Unsweetened cocoa and cinnamon add reprieve from the pleasingly bitter dark chocolate breakfast cookie (each one clocks in at 60 calories).
Get the recipe from Woman's Day »
Fajita Breakfast Burritos
See that tortilla char? Letting your make-ahead burritos cool completely before wrapping them in plastic and tinfoil is the key to keeping them crisp as possible.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
Whole Oat Porridge
Porridge is anything but boring when toppings like fresh avocado and scrambled eggs are in the picture. And making a big batch at the beginning of the week is a new way to enjoy a generous serving of whole oats each morning.
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons »
Cashew Granola
Cashews and pumpkin seeds (or spiced pepitas!) make for a buttery smooth combination you never knew existed. This granola mix is loaded with essential nutrients, namely zinc, iron, and vitamin E, among others.
Get the recipe from Woman's Day »
RELATED: 16 Healthiest Granola Brands to Buy in Store
Sweet Potato Kale Frittata
Believe it or not, this crustless frittata tastes just as rich as a quiche, minus all the fuss. Plus, it's ready in 30 minutes flat — and leftovers hold up super well in the fridge.
Get the recipe for Sweet Potato Kale Frittata »
Instant Pot Yogurt
Did you know your Instant Pot has a YOGURT setting? Actually making it isn't as fast as other staples in your Instant Pot, but you can start a batch on Sunday to enjoy on Monday and beyond.
RELATED: The Best Instant Pot Models of 2021
Instant Pot Egg Bites
Don't have a sous vide machine? It's okay! You can make egg bites using your Instant Pot and a few mason jars laying around your pantry thanks to Meredith Lawrence's brilliance.
Get the recipe from Blue Jean Chef »
Bacon and Leek Deep-Dish Quiche
This is a brunch masterpiece perfect for any special occasion or holiday — and you can assemble your custard in a spring pan in advance. Plus, it reheats well if you prefer to bake beforehand.
Get the recipe from Country Living »
Vegan Carrot Waffles
Even the kids will be obsessed with carrots... when they're spun into these savory-turned-sweet waffles, of course. You'll love how Jeanine Donofrio whips up a waffle that is freezer friendly and will totally make you forget about any store-bought variety.
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons »
Breakfast Bombs
Eggs, bacon and cheese find their new home inside these store-bought dough balls that can be air fried(!) into submission. They're perfectly indulgent on a lazy Sunday morning that turn into a real treat on Monday.
RELATED: 20 Best Air Fryer Recipes for Easy Weeknight Meals
Chocolate Chia Pudding
This breakfast is more assembled than it is cooked, per se, but you'll love how Jessica Hylton makes the most of four simple ingredients. Make a batch in less than 10 minutes flat!
Get the recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen »
Ham and Spinach Make Ahead Quiche
The hard part of making this quiche involves the homemade crust, which you can make up to 2 days in advance. The custard filling is easy peasy on the morning of!
Get the recipe for Ham and Spinach Make-Ahead Quiche »
Crustless Quiche Lorraine
But sometimes, we like to take shortcuts, right? This take on quiche is just as tasty as the slide's prior, but is ready in 20 minutes (and can be reheated in a flash!).
Get the recipe for Crustless Quiche Lorraine »
Two-Ingredient Bagels
Which two ingredients come together to make airy, fluffy bagels for the entire week? We'll never tell! (Okay, fine, it's yogurt and flour).
PB&J Overnight Oats
Goodbye peanut butter toast, hello PB&J oats! We can't get over Gracie Gordon's ingenious use of soft jam alongside the crunch of hemp seeds.
Get the recipe from Hungry Blonde »
RELATED: 7 Ideas for Customizing Your Overnight Oats
Hummingbird Cinnamon Rolls
You won't be able to pick a favorite flavor here; sweet notes from pineapple or the crunch of coconut flakes and pecans. These pantry-friendly treats are the best of cinnamon rolls and classic Hummingbird cake, and we can't get enough.
Get the recipe from Dishing Out Health »
Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal
It's a project you can definitely "set and forget" in your slow cooker! Whipping up a batch of the caramel date drizzle is essential for overcoming your midweek slump.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
PB Goji Berry Granola Bars
While we all love a good store-bought breakfast bar, they can feel monotonous after a while. Your roasted base of goji berries, chia seeds, pistachios, and pepitas will hold up great throughout the week.
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons »
Vegetarian Black Bean Burritos
Sweet potato, black beans, and corn make a wonderful bed for an additional layer of fluffy eggs, all tied together with fiery harissa that kicks everything up a notch. Stick a batch of these in the freezer for emergency breakfasts on the go!
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
Croissant Bread Pudding
The best thing about this bread pudding, besides the insanely amazing bourbon sauce? It can be zapped in just a few seconds in the microwave (30 to be exact!).
Get the recipe from Salt Pepper Skillet »
Blueberry Scones
A bakery classic — but making them at home means you can control just how much sugar goes into this flaky treat. Plus, they'll last well into the weekend!
Get the recipe from Love & Lemons »
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Eat one today, save five for the week! English muffins are a surprisingly great option for a DIY frozen breakfast sammie; they reheat beautifully moist in a microwave.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds »
Pumpkin Danishes
A seasonal treat that you'll be making all October long. With a fresh cup of coffee, this recipe will help you avoid making too many trips to your nearest Starbs drive-thru.
Get the recipe from Wood and Spoon »
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