Whether the kids are headed to sports camp or gearing up for the school year, there’s one crucial ingredient they shouldn’t skip in the mornings: breakfast.
Eating a balanced morning meal offers many benefits, from improved health to better test scores and memory.
But what makes delicious and nutritious morning meals possible even on the busiest of days? Grab-and-go breakfast ideas.
The next time you need to whip up something in a flash, try these seven fast and simple recipes for your kids and teens (or even yourself!).
1. Breakfast burritos
Breakfast burritos are one of the best make-ahead meals. Not only are they filling, but they can also be customized to suit your eater’s preferences. Whether you want to stick with the classic egg-and-cheese or kick it up a notch, the choice is yours!
Popular burrito fillings to buy on your next grocery run or Instacart purchase might include:
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Bacon
- Ham
- Sausage
- Bell peppers
- Avocados
Prep your burritos early in the week and pop them in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve them, simply warm them in the microwave or air fryer.
2. Baked oatmeal with mixed berries
Think of baked oatmeal like a casserole—only you’ll use oats for the base instead of pasta. Here are the basics of this healthy, on-the-go breakfast recipe:
- Mix all the ingredients: 2 cups of rolled oats, ½ cup of milk, ½ cup of yogurt, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, ⅓ cup of honey, and 3 eggs, beaten.
- Choose your favorite mix-ins—such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries—and fold them into the mixture.
- Transfer to a casserole dish and bake for about 45 minutes at 375 degrees.
Source: Lori Rice / SimplyRecipes.com
Once the baked oatmeal is firm to the touch, you’re done! After it cools, cut it into slices and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
3. Muffins
Whether your kids have a sweet tooth or enjoy classics like banana nut, there are many quick and easy muffin options to choose from. Popular flavors include:
- Chocolate chip
- Crumb cake
- Strawberry
- Lemon blueberry
- Apple cinnamon
- Pumpkin cream cheese
Feeling creative? Experiment with whatever flavors your child loves! Peanut butter chips, sprinkles, and fruits are other kid-friendly options that can make your breakfast muffins a must-have morning meal.
4. No-bake energy balls
No-bake energy balls are simple to make (no ovens necessary) and should keep the kiddos full until lunch. Base ingredients you’ll need include:
- Oats
- Honey
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
Like several of the recipes above, you can also add other foods to your liking. Other healthy mix-ins include flax or chia seeds, coconut flakes, or dried fruits.
The rest is simple. Mix everything and chill, covered, for a few hours. Then, remove the mixture and form balls. Store them in the fridge for a quick breakfast your kids can grab on their way to the bus.
5. Parfaits
You can quickly whip up a yogurt parfait before sending the kids to school, camp, or practice. To start, add a serving of yogurt to a bowl or a handy to-go dish. Non-fat Greek yogurt is a healthy option, but you can also choose regular or flavored yogurts for younger children.
Then, start layering. Granola and berries are usually top picks, though you can also try bananas, peaches, or apples. If your kids aren’t granola fans, swap it out for crushed graham crackers or biscuits.
Mix and match as you see fit. For an extra boost of deliciousness, drizzle on a little chocolate sauce or peanut butter.
6. Egg cups
Let your teens take their protein on the go with egg cups. This customizable dish comes with a straightforward recipe:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Crack your eggs in a bowl and mix them up with your desired fillings.
- Grease a muffin tin and pour the mixture into each cup.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until done.
Need some mix-in suggestions? Try cheese and spinach, ham bits, or onion and peppers. Store in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
7. Breakfast banana split
Dessert for breakfast? Not quite, but your kids will get a kick out of these breakfast banana splits. They’re easy to prepare on busy mornings before school, taking only about five minutes to prep. Plus, you may have most of the ingredients ready from your last grocery run, such as:
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Cereal or granola
- Honey
- Pineapple (or any preferred fruits)
Assembly is simple: cut the banana lengthwise and pile the toppings on. That’s all there is to it! Choose strawberry yogurt or sprinkle on some nuts for that classic “banana split” flavor.
Budget for breakfast with RaiseRight
With these grab-and-go breakfast ideas for schools, practices, and camps, your children will be ready for the day ahead—leaving you with more time to focus on everything else.
To make life even easier and more stress-free, be sure to do all your grocery shopping through RaiseRight. Budget for breakfast while fundraising for your favorite organization or earning money back for your child's school or activities.
Not yet using RaiseRight? You'll want to get started—here’s how it works:
- Enroll your organization in a free RaiseRight program, or connect with the appropriate person in your group who can start this fundraiser.
- Buy gift cards for places you shop at regularly, such as the grocery store, gas stations, Amazon, Target, or CVS, or shop online at your favorite retailers.
- Earn funds with every purchase—6% average, up to 20%!
If your preferred organization is already earning with RaiseRight, you just need your enrollment code to create an account and begin fundraising right away.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out our other parenting topics for more family-friendly tips, advice, and activities.
