The first day of school is just around the corner, and some have already started (sorry!). Back in my school days, that meant every weekday morning was spent trying to linger in bed for as long as I could get away with, milking it for every last minute of sleep possible. Which, in turn, often meant rushing out the door without so much as a hint of breakfast. Not a crumb or drop of milk in sight. It’s a wonder I made it through third grade.
So let’s talk about breakfast! We need quick, easy, or make-ahead ideas for all the sleepyheads like me. Tell us:
Do you have any kid-friendly breakfast ideas to share?
My son was an even worse sleepyhead than I was, and I didn’t think that was possible. He loved toasted pita bread triangles spread with peanut butter and drizzled with honey. Easy to eat even as he was running down the driveway to catch the bus.
How about you? Have any ideas to help a busy parent trying to get the kids to school on time? Share the wealth below!
24 Comments
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Hannah | The CanonRebel on 9.3.2014
As a teen myself, I make kid-friendly meals a lot. One of my favorites is yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. I also make Ree Drummond’s brown sugar yogurt for parfaits.
kay43026 on 8.31.2014
When my kiddos were in school, they LOVED having eggs of any sort for breakfast, so that’s what they usually got. Dippy, scrambled, French toast, hard cooked. Occasionally they would want bagels with either cream cheese or peanut butter.
Yes. I was one of those ‘morning short order cooks’!
Yes. I was just as busy as everyone else during those early mornings before school/work.
Yes. I chose my battles…but…sending my kids off with a good, protein filled belly was high on my priority list.
Yes…I just MADE the time to cook breakfast. It was just what I did.
The kids’ morning routine was to get completely ready for school, hop up on one of the kitchen island stools and watch the (local) morning news, then the first 15 minutes of The Today Show before we all piled out the door for school drop offs.
Besides others (kids and moms alike) thinking I was CRAZY to ‘cook’ breakfast on busy school mornings…they were also shocked that I would NOT allow cartoon watching. It still amazes me how much current events my children learned in those early mornings before school…and all 3 of them (as adults) keep up with current events.
1001tealcranes on 8.28.2014
Frittata. Super easy and you can use up all the leftovers from the night (or several nights) before. Or fried rice. Same concept .. use up all the leftovers in the fridge and throw it all in a wok.
Emily on 8.28.2014
These are husband friendly (in my case, kid friendly, as he has very basic tastes.
not that all kids do, but…), easy, quick-in-the-morning ideas! I make a double batch of whole wheat pumpkin-applesauce muffins (delicious!), then freeze them in bags of 5. I pull out a bag on Sunday and they’re thawed by Monday morning. He gets one of those every morning, in addition to a “granola bar” that’s just a cup of PB, somewhat less than a half cup of honey, and then enough quick oats to make a good consistency. Let it set overnight and bam. More easy breakfast. I also add raisins to those to add a little something extra!
Heather on 8.27.2014
I like to fry up a pound each of bacon and sausage, scramble a dozen eggs, and mix it in a bag of frozen hashbrowns with some of the grease from the meat, then toss it in the freezer. Then when it’s time to rush through breakfast I shake out exactly how much my kids will eat and heat it in a frying pan over the stove. Quick, easy and very little mess. They can add hot sauce or salsa, or eat it plain. It’s delicious! (I often take this Breakfast Hash camping, too!) My kids also love muffins and scones, which I make ahead and toss in the freezer.
Rosann @ 2BellaHealth on 8.27.2014
Granola Banana Sundaes : This is a nutritious breakfast any kid, including most adults, will love. Plate a banana and top with about 1/2 cup of your favorite Greek yogurt, sliced fresh fruit (like some strawberries) and some of my homemade Energizing Granola (see recipe on my website). This is a fun and delicious way to get some protein and fresh fruit into the morning meal. Enjoy!
Kathryn on 8.27.2014
My teen loves a breakfast burrito. Just glad he’s gettin a little protein to start the day!
JoyK on 8.27.2014
I have a fruit smoothie most every morning before I start breakfast for my hubby. (Banana, pineapple, coconut milk, and orange juice – we live in South America where fresh fruit is cheap) the grandkids have to be at school by 6:50 a.m. so breakfast starts early. My daughter rotates crustless quiche, baked oatmeal, scrambled eggs, waffles and pancakes. On rush days the kids get a roll with a slice of cheese and fruit. Their school has parents pack a snack for each day.
KerrieAnneM on 8.27.2014
We are not great “breakfast eaters” and I mean that breakfast foods are not top on our list. My daughter loves dinner leftovers for breakfast. Specifically rice and pasta – so I always make extra and make it into breakfast with some turkey sausages the next morning. She’s in middle school so I am glad just to get something in her before she goes for a long day. I find it a little disconcerting that they don’t offer a “snack time” at any age. I work at a full time job and know that I need my 10:30 snack to keep doing. Why don’t kids, who probably need it more, get that!?
carol on 8.27.2014
None of us were ever morning eaters in this house. so I found when they were in school the greek yogurt with a little baggie of granola was good for on the go. (greek yogurt only because the opening is wide enough to not spill granola all over the place) on cold mornings if we were pressed for time we’d nuke oatmeal. but if they got up early enough we did toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas, bagels with cream cheese or jelly, or my sons favorite, egg sandwiches.
KrissyC EsMommy on 8.27.2014
Many schools offer breakfast now days, which is really a nice thing on days you are too busy to get anything. My daughter’s school it was things like cereal, muffins, or rolls with milk.
My favorite is using the freezer. lol I love to cheat that way. I make up a huge batch of pancakes and french toast (using just regular sliced bread thats a tad stale) and I put them into sandwich baggies, then into a gallon freezer baggie and pop in the freezer. Its easy to grab a piece of french toast or a pancake and nuke for 30 seconds. If we’re in a hurry that french toast or pancake makes a great roll up with fruit (banana or strawberry is my daughter’s fav) and either peanut butter or nutella. I make up scones with raisins and cinnamon chips in them, and pop most of them into the freezer and keep a portion out in baggies so that its easy to grab a scone to munch. I also keep refillable bottles around for water, juice or milk in the am.
I will wholeheartedly admit that I am not a morning person so quick, easy, freezer friendly things are easiest for me.
AngAK on 8.27.2014
can’t imagine those pita chips with peanut butter and honey as easy to eat on the run! I would have that sticky stuff all over my hands. gotta love granola bars and breakfast sandwiches that everyone else is posting. grab and go and no mess. a banana is good and portable too.
Cathey M on 8.27.2014
My problem with our youngest sleeping LATE was last year, when he returned home and had to commute by train for his last year of college. I always had a stock of protein bars, frozen made ahead Breakfast English muffins sandwiches or burritos in the freezer, frozen waffles – pop in toaster and spread with peanut butter or Nutella. I would leave it on the counter all wrapped along with a 12 oz container of Orange Juice. He gets low blood sugar in the AM and this was the perfect to keep him well.
As for me I don’t eat anything till at least 12 or 1.
Bonnie on 8.27.2014
Hollow out that bagel – fill with a scrambled egg and favorite add ins – bake. So easy to eat on the run!
Sara K. on 8.27.2014
This is something we struggle with in my house. At best, my daughter (8) might get 5 to 10 minutes to eat once she is finally downstairs. She also tends to have little appetite first thing in the morning. I am the opposite. Breakfast is usually the biggest meal of the day for me! She loves to eat sausage in the morning. I try to limit how often she does, but I’ll be honest, it is probably more often than is good for her. She will sometimes eat peanut butter toast. Eggs are really hit or miss. And some days, all she gets are cheerios in a bag!
lena on 8.27.2014
My daughter likes a variety of things. She eats string (or stink, as she says) cheese, fruit cups, toast and jam, peanut butter and crackers, little boxes of fruit juices & milk, and fruit.
I also make and freeze breakfast burritos and pancakes to heat and eat. We love anything fast and yummy.
Patricia @ ButterYum on 8.27.2014
Eggs are a favorite in our house – it takes no time to cook up a couple eggs. When I’m pressed for time, I but keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge because they can be eaten on the go. For times when I’m too busy to make hard boiled eggs, I can buy them already hard boiled and peeled right in deli section at the grocery store. Frozen breakfast muffins are an easy grab and go meal. Overnight steel cut oats is another do ahead meal (they’re also known as pinhead oats or groats) – there are tons of versions online, but basically you bring water to a boil, add the oats, cook for a minute, then turn off the heat and cover the pan. In the morning the oats are cooked perfectly.
Sue W. on 8.27.2014
I rely on whole grain toast with peanut butter. Quick and yummy.
Shawna C on 8.27.2014
My kids eat heartily in general, but they are not morning eaters. I can barely get a full slice of toast into them before 9:00 am, and we have to leave the house by 7:50, so fuel before school is a huge challenge for us. This is complicated by the fact my son has a severe egg allergy, so we’re an egg-free household.
Our solution this summer has been fruit-and-veggie smoothies with yogurt and a touch of either a nut butter or vegan protein powder, but I’m looking forward to good suggestions from others as no one wants an icy drink before heading out into the Canadian winter, and the days are growing shorter. I do make muffins and sneak in some Wow butter (soy butter since they can’t have peanuts or nuts even for breakfast before going to our school) for protein, but we need more ideas for things the kids can grab and eat themselves as they are responsible for their own breakfast at this age (6 and 8).
Allyn on 8.27.2014
We love homemade granola (http://girlnamedallyn.wordpress.com/2014/05/27/the-best-nut-free-granola/) or avocado toast, with or without a 6 minute egg (http://girlnamedallyn.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/egg-and-avocado-toast/)
C. L. ( Cheryl ) "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on 8.27.2014
Breakfast in my household is a big deal-the first meal of the day! I change up the breakfast items daily so no one gets bored with eating the same old thing! Fruit is always used in one form or another. Fresh Juices (Orange, Grapefruit, Apple, etc.) . Waffles, Pancakes, Over-night Oats, Burritos, egg bakes, bacon, sausage, french toast, breakfast muffins sweet/savory. I hope everyone eats a good breakfast to start their day??? Cheryl “Cheffie Cooks” Wiser.
Killing Thyme on 8.27.2014
Right now I’m hooked on a simple toast with butter and sun butter (sunflower seed butter, no sugar). Delicious and nutritious!
Sheila on 8.27.2014
I love to keep yogurt on hand, bananas, english muffins with peanut butter. Homemade granola bars. These are all things my four kiddos run out the door with every morning because yes like you they want to get in every wink they can!
Sandi W. on 8.27.2014
A quick breakfast burrito: a scrambled egg with some grated cheese and a little salsa wrapped in the small size tortilla; it was always a great portable breakfast for the commute to school.
Sometimes I added leftover meat or different bottled sauces like barbecue or ranch.