5 Quick and Nutritious Breakfast Ideas for Busy Mornings

Our mornings are often busy, and the need for a quick breakfast is common. I have five speedy and nutritious breakfast choices to kickstart your day, and the best part is that some of them can be prepared in advance. Let's make your busy mornings easier while keeping your nutrition in check.

Blueberry and Almond Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup rolled oats

-1/2 cup almond milk

-1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

-1/2 tablespoons almond slices

-1-2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

-A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a mason jar or airtight container, add the rolled oats.

2. Pour in the almond milk, making sure it covers the oats completely.

3. Add the fresh or frozen blueberries on top of the oats.

4. Sprinkle the almond slices over the blueberries.

5. Drizzle the honey or maple syrup over the top for sweetness, and add a pinch of salt.

6. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.

7. Seal the jar or container and refrigerate it overnight.

8. In the morning, give the oats a good stir before eating. You can also add more almond slices or blueberries on top for extra flavor.
   

Berry Breakfast Parfait

Ingredients:

-1 cup of Greek yogurt

-1 cup of mixed berries (Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

-1/2 cup of granola

-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup

-Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Wash and rinse the berries. You can slice the strawberries if they are large.

2. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with honey or maple syrup.

3. Layer the parfait: -Start by adding a spoonful of yogurt to the bottom of a glass or parfait dish. -Add a layer of mixed berries on top of the yogurt. -Sprinkle a layer of granola over the berries. -Repeat the layers until you fill the glass or dish, ending with a few berries and a small sprinkle of granola on top.

4. Garnish your parfait with a few fresh mint leaves.

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

-2 ripe bananas

-2 eggs

-1/2 cup rolled oats

-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional)

-A pinch of salt

-A small amount of butter for the pan

Instructions:

1. Place the ripe bananas, eggs, rolled oats, baking powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a blender. Blend until you have a smooth batter.

2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. You can add a small amount of butter.

3. Pour the amount you'd like of the pancake batter into the pan.

4. Cook the pancakes until you see bubbles forming on the surface, about 2-3 minutes.

5. Carefully flip each pancake using a spatula and cook the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

-1 ripe banana

-2 tablespoons of peanut butter

-1 cup of milk (or almond milk)

-1 tablespoon of chai seeds

-1/2 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup (Optional)

-Ice cubes (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel the ripe banana and break it into smaller chunks.

2. In a blender, combine the banana chunks, peanut butter, milk, chai seeds, and honey or maple syrup. If you'd like ice cubes, add them as well.

3. Blend until you have a smooth and creamy consistency. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.

4. Pour and enjoy! You can sprinkle a few extra chai seeds on top.

Plan Ahead 5-ingredient Breakfast Granola Bars

Ingredients:

-2 cups rolled oats

-1 cup almond butter or peanut butter

-1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

-1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots)

-1/2 cup nuts or seeds (Chopped almonds, sunflower seeds)

Instructions:

1. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to remove the bars later.

2. On the stovetop, warm the nut butter and honey or maple syrup together until they are easily mixable. Stir well to combine.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, dried fruit, and nuts or seeds. Pour the warm nut butter and sweetener mixture over the dry ingredients.

4. Stir everything together until the dry ingredients are fully coated with the nut butter and sweetener mixture. Make sure it's well mixed.

5. Transfer the mixture into the lined baking pan. Use a spatula to press it down firmly and evenly.

6. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 2 hours, or until the mixture has set and is firm.

7. Once set, remove the granola mixture from the pan using the parchment overhang. Place it on a cutting board and cut it into bars.

8. You can store the granola bars in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge.