Tried And True Easy Breakfast Ideas
Summer is over, even though the temps say otherwise. Now it is time for the hustle and bustle of the school year. Evenings are undoubtedly tough with homework and after-school activities. What’s for dinner is the age-old question. Social media is full of ideas of what to pack the kiddos for lunch. But what about breakfast? You know, the most important meal of the day. Breakfast often gets neglected. I am here to share a few of my go to breakfast ideas, and they can be prepared ahead of time.
Breakfast Sandwich
Affectionately called ‘Mama King’ in my house, as it mimics the iconic Burger King breakfast sandwich.
4 Croissants
4 Eggs
4 slices of cheese (your choice)
4 slices of breakfast meat (your choice)
Split croissants and place in the oven at 350 degrees to lightly toast. While the croissants are toasting, fry eggs to a somewhat firm consistency and prepare the breakfast meat. Once croissants are toasted add egg, breakfast meat, and cheese. Place in oven until cheese melts. Serve warm.
Pancake Bites
This super easy recipe requires an instant pot, but can be tweaked to be made in the oven.
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
dash of salt
3 tablespoons of unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
1 egg
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Mix together the dry ingredients aka flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Add in egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Whisk the ingredients together until just combined (don’t worry if there are a few lumps in the pancake batter mix). Spray or lightly oil two silicone molds and divide the mixture equally into the molds until they are about two-thirds of the way full. Cover the egg mold with the silicone cover and then cover it with aluminum foil around the edges so no condensation can seep into the pancake bites. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the Instant Pot and stack the silicone tray on the trivet and add to the Instant Pot. Cover Instant Pot with lid, seal, and set on Pressure Cook or Manual on High pressure for 8 minutes and cook until done. Allow the Pressure naturally release for 2-3 minutes then quick release the rest of the pressure. Carefully remove the silicone mold trays, discard foil and open. Tip the trays over and gently tap the bottom of the mold to remove the bites.
Sometimes I add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or blueberries to the batter. If you are doing them in the oven, you can bake them like a muffin. Either way, these are a hit!
Breakfast Casserole
This meal is perfect for any meal. It is filling, flavorful, and can be made ahead.
8 eggs
1 pound pork sausage (jimmy dean)
1 1/2 cups whole milk or heavy cream
1 package frozen tater tots (approximately 24 oz)
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Brown the meat over medium heat in a skillet, breaking meat into small pieces. Drain any excess grease and set cooked meat aside. Whisk together 8 eggs, 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and all spices together. Now its time to assemble the tater tot casserole Start with adding your frozen tater tots in the bottom of the dish. Its fine if some overlap. Now add cooked sausage, two cups of cheese and finally pour egg mixture on top. Cover casserole dish with foil. Bake for approximately 40 minutes to start, remove foil from dish, and then bake for another 15-20 until center egg is fully cooked.
Pro tip: this is a great dish to sneak veggies into. I sometimes add chopped spinach, diced carrots, tomatoes, chopped or shredded broccoli and sauteed mushrooms, peppers, and onions.
If all else fails….
Cereal is always an option. My kids, however, are not big on cereal. So, I make sure I keep frozen biscuits, french toast sticks, and Pop Tarts on hand. I also keep yogurt and fresh fruit in the fridge for those mornings that are a mad dash out the door.
I hope these recipes gave you some inspiration and take the stress out of preparing breakfast.
