Breakfast is by far my favorite meal. The diversity of dishes I can choose from to start my day is something I really appreciate.
Here are some of my go-to recipes, which I consider outstanding contenders for the first meal of the day. They cover a range of prep times and cooking techniques, from the straightforward but rewarding avocado toast (which I’d never thought to make for myself until it appeared on the menu of a local cafe, where I savored it for the first time) to a fun and fairly easy recipe for smoothie bowls—which are, of course, just thick smoothies in very pretty bowls.
The 14 Best food for breakfast recipes
1. Avocado Toast
Creamy mashed avocados combine with a splash of lemon juice, just the right amount of salt, and black pepper to brighten the moment. They make just the right topping for crispy whole-grain bread.
A drizzle of olive oil makes this a classic. It’s simple, yet satisfying.
Here is a concise and accurate recipe for Avocado Toast:
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 4 slices of whole grain bread
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: red pepper flakes or microgreens for garnish
Instructions
1. Brown the slices of whole grain bread until they are toasted and golden.
2. In a bowl, take a ripe avocado and mash it with a fork. Stir in the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste, and mix until smooth.
3. Evenly distribute the mashed avocado mixture over every slice of toasted bread.
4. Drizzle olive oil on top and, if you like, garnish with bright red pepper flakes or microgreens. Serve hot.
2. Smoothie Bowl
Wholesome mixed berries, a banana, Greek yogurt, and almond milk meet in a frozen and blended state. The smoothie bowl then gets topped with layers of granola and freshly sliced fruits.
This is a smoothie bowl, one of the most nourishing and aesthetic breakfast options I can think of.
Ingredients
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
2 tablespoons granola (for topping)
Fresh fruit slices (such as banana or kiwi, for topping)
Instructions
1. In a blender, blend together the mixed berries, frozen banana, Greek yogurt, almond milk, and honey.
2. Mix at top velocity till smooth and creamy, adding more milk if needed to achieve your desired thickness.
3. The smoothie should be poured into a bowl, and as desired, granola and fresh fruit slices should be used to top it off. It should be served right away.
3. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a delicious Middle Eastern dish that has poached eggs simmering in a savory tomato sauce that has been enriched with onions, red bell peppers, and spices such as cumin and paprika. This dish is best enjoyed with some crusty bread.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
5-6 ripe tomatoes, chopped (or one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
4-6 large eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Place a large skillet over medium heat and pour in the olive oil. Toss in the sliced onions and the diced red bell pepper. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes or until it seems to be well on its way to reaching a state of almost complete softness.
2. In a minute, add the garlic, the ground cumin, and the paprika, and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the chopped tomatoes, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until it thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Create tiny openings in the tomato sauce and break an egg into each opening. Put a lid on the skillet and allow the eggs to cook in the sauce for 5-8 minutes, or until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Serve with a side of hot, crusty bread.
4. Overnight Oats
Oats that have been soaked overnight are a simple, unfussy breakfast. I use not only the usual rolled oats, but also some blended steel-cut oats, for a bit of chew.
I soak the oats, of course, but I also soak the chia seeds in the mix, too, so that they can expand fully and meld with the oats. I use not only milk and Greek yogurt, but also almond butter, for a bit of protein, and for my sweetener, I use honey or maple syrup.
Ingredients
Rolled oats
Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Greek yogurt
Chia seeds
Honey or maple syrup
Vanilla extract
Fresh berries or fruit
Instructions
1. In a jar or container, mix ½ cup of rolled oats with ½ cup of milk and ¼ cup of Greek yogurt.
2. Mix in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
3. Thoroughly combine the ingredients, then garnish with freshly picked berries or any fruit you choose.
4. Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours, before serving. Cover.
5. Chia Seed Pudding
Chia Seed Pudding is a straightforward, healthful dessert made using chia seeds, almond milk, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract, which thickens into something like a pudding. Chia Seed Pudding is amazing with fresh fruit, if you want to mix things up a little and add more texture.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Fresh fruit or berries, for topping
- Nuts or granola, for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir well to ensure the chia seeds are evenly distributed and not clumping.
2. Put the bowl in the fridge so the mixture can do its thing. You need to let it sit for 2 hours at the very least (or overnight, if you want). Chia seeds are the magic ingredients here. They absorb liquid like you wouldn’t believe.And when they do, they swell into little gelatinous balls, completely devoid of their former crunch. They are also packed with nutrients and are very good for you. (Pudding-like, part two: Whisk in a little sweetener, vanilla, or cocoa powder to make it your own. After refrigerating, the chia seed pudding is ready to serve as is or topped with fruit or nut butter.)
3. Prior to serving, the pudding should be stirred to break up any clumps. Then it can be divided into individual servings and topped with whatever you like best: fresh fruit, berries, nuts, or granola.
4. Savor right away or keep in the fridge for as long as 3 days.
6. Breakfast Burrito
A breakfast burrito features the following:
-Scrambled eggs
-Crumbled sausage or bacon
-Diced potatoes
All of this is wrapped in a large flour tortilla and topped with:
-Shredded cheese
-Salsa
When I make them, I serve breakfast burritos with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and some amount of hot salsa. It’s how I was taught to do it.
Ingredients
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1 cup cooked breakfast sausage or bacon, crumbled
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Salt and pepper, to taste
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Instructions
1. Sauté the diced potatoes in a skillet over medium heat until they are golden and tender. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, prepare the breakfast sausage or bacon until thoroughly browned and cooked. Remove and wait in reserve until called back into action.
3. Beat the eggs together with salt and pepper and pour them into the skillet. Stir gently until they begin to set. Make sure to stir well if you want them to finish cooking without browning.
4. Lay the tortillas out flat. Split the egg mixture amongst the tortillas. Sprinkle them with cheese. Ladle on some salsa. Now roll the tortillas up as tight as you can. Make sure to fold in the sides. Serve them to your family and friends while they are still warm.
7. Açai Bowl
I present the breakfast dish, the açai bowl, a stunningly beautiful and lip-smackingly delicious way to start the day. Frozen açai pulp, banana, mixed berries, and almond milk are masterfully blended into a creamy base that is topped with freshly sliced fruits and crunchy granola.
Ingredients:
1 pack frozen açai pulp (or 2 tablespoons açai powder)
1 banana
1/2 cup mixed berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
1/2 cup almond milk (or other preferred milk)
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
Granola (for topping)
Fresh sliced fruits and berries (for topping)
Instructions
1. Mix together in a blender the frozen açai pulp (or powder), banana, berries, almond milk, and honey or agave syrup.
2. Mix the components until they are uniformly smooth and creamy, using an extra splash of milk to achieve the desired consistency if necessary.
3. Place the açai blend in a bowl and add granola and your choice of fruits—kiwi, banana, or anything else you like—to make it even prettier and tastier. Serve right away.
8. Egg Muffins
Muffins made with eggs are a speedily assembled, protein-rich breakfast food. Diced bacon, cheddar cheese, and bell pepper mingle with the egg in a standard muffin-sized portion of these baked delights.
They don’t need reheating to make them morning-friendly, but a quick trip through the microwave won’t hurt. Also, they can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed for up to a week.
Ingredients
8 large eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/4 cup diced onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly grease a muffin pan.
2. In a big bowl, combine the eggs, salt, and pepper; whisk until the mixture is homogenous.
3. Add to the egg mixture the following ingredients: cheese, bell pepper, bacon, and onion.
4. Evenly distribute the egg mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Each cup in the muffin tin should be filled about three-quarters full. Place in the oven and set the timer for 20-25 minutes. After the time is up, peek inside to check if the egg muffins have set and have a light golden color. If you like, you can also check with a toothpick to see if the insides are completely set.
9. Pancakes
Pancakes are a time-honored dish for morning meals. They are prepared with simple, staple ingredients: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, an egg, and butter.
Pancakes are cooked on a griddle until they are a golden brown and are served warm, with or without syrup and butter.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl of medium size, combine by whisking the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, mix the milk, egg, and melted butter until they are just shy of too well combined.
3. Add the wet and dry ingredients, and stir until just combined (the batter may be lumpy).
4. Preheat a skillet over medium heat and pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter into it for each pancake. Cook until the surface is covered in bubbles, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown.
10. French Toast
A delicious morning meal, French Toast consists of slices of bread bathed in a mixture of beaten eggs and milk, flavored with vanilla extract and ground cinnamon, then fried to a golden-brown crust. Serve with maple syrup, and you’ve got a classic American breakfast.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Butter or oil for cooking
- Maple syrup or powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
1. In a bowl that isn’t very deep, beat together thoroughly the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
2. Preheat a skillet to medium heat. Add butter or oil to the pan and swirl to coat.
3. Insert each slice of bread into the egg concoction, making sure both sides are covered, and set them onto the skillet that is becoming hot.
4. Each side should be cooked for approximately 2-3 minutes or until it is a golden brown color. They should be served warm, and you can top them with either maple syrup or powdered sugar.
11. Egg Benedict
Eggs Benedict, a traditional brunch meal, stars toasted English muffins; Canadian bacon; and perfectly poached eggs, all slathered in rich, creamy Hollandaise sauce. Its delightful combination of textures and flavors has made it, if not a classic, at least a well-established and popular part of the egg repertoire.
Ingredients
English muffins
Eggs
Canadian bacon or ham
Unsalted butter
White vinegar
Hollandaise sauce (made from egg yolks, lemon juice, and clarified butter)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Start with the English muffins — toast them until they’re golden brown and set them aside.
2. In a frying pan, prepare the Canadian bacon or ham over medium heat until it achieves a light browning.
3. Fill a saucepan with water, then add a splash of white vinegar and bring it to a simmer. Crack each egg into a small bowl, and gently slide the egg into the simmering water. Poach the eggs for about 3 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny.
4. Prepare the Eggs Benedict by taking each half of the toasted English muffin and placing a slice of Canadian bacon on top. Follow that with a perfectly poached egg (or two) and cap it all with a warm drizzle of Hollandaise sauce. Finish to your liking with salt and pepper, and serve. Egg-cellent in the Morning!
12. Breakfast Tacos
Morning meal doesn’t get any better than Breakfast Tacos. These portable packages of goodness feature that most essential of breakfast components, the scrambled egg, nestled in a warm tortilla, along with a melting layer of cheddar.
Of course, it’s not just about the egg. Breakfast Tacos also come stuffed with sausage or bacon, diced onions, and bell peppers.
They’re pretty much the platonic ideal of a breakfast you can hold in your hand.
Ingredients
6 large eggs
4 small flour or corn tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon
1/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup diced bell peppers
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. On medium heat in a frying pan, cook the chopped onion and bell pepper until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the pre-cooked breakfast sausage or bacon to the frying pan to heat through, then remove from the heat.
2. In a bowl, mix the eggs with a small amount of salt and pepper, and pour them into the same skillet. Scramble the eggs gently until they reach a fully cooked and fluffy form.
3. Heat the tortillas in another pan or the oven. When they’re warm, distribute the scrambled eggs among the tortillas. Divide the toppings—cheese, cooked onions, and peppers, plus whatever kind of sausage or bacon you may prefer—among the tortillas.
4. Immediately serve, letting the cheese melt a bit from the warm eggs. You can garnish with salsa or fresh cilantro if you want.
13. Quiche
A savory pie that’s delicious. A creamy, eggy filling.
These are the first impressions when I think of what makes a quiche. Throw in a ready-made pie crust, a few kinds of cheese, some heavy cream, maybe some onions or mushrooms, and you’ve got a fantastic French dish that’s really more of an enigma: Is it breakfast?
Lunch? Dinner?
D’Amato thinks it’s an all-day kind of meal that’s easily hackable, or, as he puts it, “substitutable.”
Ingredients
1 ready-made pie crust
4 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheese (such as Gruyère or cheddar)
1 cup cooked and chopped spinach
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to preheat, and put the pie crust in a dish for a 9-inch pie.
1. Oven: 375°F (190°C)
2. Pie crust in dish: 9-inch pie
2. In a big bowl, blend together the eggs, whipping cream, salt, and pepper until thoroughly mixed.
3. Spread the spinach and cheese evenly across the bottom of the pie crust, then pour over the top the egg mixture.
4. Preheat the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or longer. You want the filling to be set and the very top to be golden brown. Let it cool a bit before diving in and serving yourself a slice.
14. Granola Yogurt Parfait
The layered treat known as Granola Yogurt Parfait features the following elements: creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, fresh berries, and a smidgen of sweetness (either honey or maple syrup). A handful of nuts (chopped, of course) and a splash of vanilla completes this easy-to-assemble parfait.
Ingredients
Granola
Yogurt (Greek or regular)
Fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
Honey or maple syrup
Chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
Vanilla extract#
Instructions
1. In a cup or a bowl, add a layer of yogurt (about 1/3 cup).
2. Place 1/4 cup of granola on top of the yogurt and add a handful of fresh berries.
3. Drench the honey or maple syrup over the top, and then finish with a sprinkle of nuts.
4. If you wish, you can repeat the layers and top it off with a drizzle of vanilla extract. Serve it as soon as it’s made.
