Healthy and Quick Breakfast Ideas for School Mornings

It’s said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but with busy mornings, it’s one that’s often neglected. With a lack of time, lack of inspiration, and differing dietary preferences, cereal and toast might be your current go-to breakfast for mid-week mornings. But if you’re looking for new ways to fuel the family for the return to school, we’ve compiled some of our favourite healthy and quick breakfast ideas below.

Berry Smoothies

Super speedy and super tasty, berry smoothies can be a perfect on-the-go breakfast idea for the journey to work and school. For one smoothie, simply blend approximately 80g of berries with half a banana and 120ml of milk/a dairy-free alternative. For added sweetness, you can also add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. Additionally, you can also use a tablespoon of porridge oats and/or peanut butter for a more filling option. Top tip - using frozen fruit in your smoothies is not only more cost-effective but also makes for a thicker consistency.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats can be great if you’re short on time in the mornings. They’re also a good alternative to a hot bowl of porridge during the summertime and warmer autumnal days.

As a basic recipe to serve one person, mix 50g of rolled oats with two tablespoons of plain yoghurt, along with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup in a jar, before leaving in the fridge overnight. It’s best to leave adding in any fruit or additional toppings until the next day to account for any indecisive eaters! In the morning, loosen up your mixture with milk/a dairy-free alternative until you have your desired consistency. Here, you can also add peanut butter, banana, berries, and seeds.

Homemade Granola

Another one to make ahead of time, homemade granola can be a great alternative to shop-bought options. This recipe for homemade granola from BBC Good Food is packed with fruit, nuts, and seeds for a morning energy boost, and keeps for up to a month!

Yoghurt Bowls

Yoghurt bowls take hardly any time to make and are a delicious and nutritious school morning breakfast! Simply start off with a base of plain yoghurt and build your bowl from here, adding in your family’s favourite toppings. Some suggestions include mixed nuts, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, berries, pineapple chunks, dried apricots, muesli, sultanas, and fruit compote to name a few. But this option is highly versatile and can be made into something new every time!

Chia Jam on Toast

If jam on toast is a family favourite in your household, why not try making your own? A source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds are incredibly nutrient-dense. Unlike traditional jam recipes that can take hours of cooking and standing over a stove, chia jam can be made in just 15 minutes and only requires up to four ingredients.

First, add 300g of fresh or frozen berries to a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a fork to mash your berries before stirring in two tablespoons of chia seeds, along with one tablespoon of your sweetener of choice and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired. Reduce to a low heat and simmer for around five more minutes, stirring frequently and watch as your jam thickens. Remove from the heat and cool before transferring into a jar. Once refrigerated, your jam will last for up to a week.

Egg Bites

High in protein and great for those days when breakfast is a dash, egg bites can be ideal for back-to-school mornings. This BBC Food recipe for bacon and egg bites takes under 30 minutes to make and serves 6.

Looking for some more quick, easy, and nutritious cooking ideas for the family? Here are 8 Family Food Prep Hacks for Busy Parents.