I love breakfast. The lure of a good breakfast is the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning. I eat breakfast daily, without fail. I’ll be late to work before I skip breakfast. Bottom line: I’m serious about breakfast.
As much as I love spending a leisurely weekend morning making pancakes in my pajamas, I enjoy simpler breakfasts on groggy weekday mornings. I gave up my favorite Kashi cereal about six months ago because I decided even that was too processed. I’ve adapted by developing a few favorite breakfasts that are easy enough to make even when I’m bumping around the kitchen like a sleepwalking zombie.
Today, I thought I’d share some of my favorites. If you’re not a breakfast eater, please, try one of these. You might change your mind. By now, we’ve all heard that regularly eating breakfast is associated with maintaining a healthy weight, right?
If you do regularly eat breakfast, try making one of these instead of your standard cereal. Each is a healthy, whole grain, minimally processed breakfast that is easy to make. They’re worth getting out of bed for.
First up: toast. Avocado toast. Honestly, we could just stop here. I could eat avocado on toast every morning and be satisfied. Just mash some avocado onto a piece of whole wheat toast and add a sprinkle of sea salt. Pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a drizzle of olive oil are optional.
Strawberries and goat cheese on toast is an idea I got from Power Foods, one of my favorite cookbooks. Throw some whole wheat bread in the toaster, then mash strawberries or raspberries in a small bowl. Top your toast with goat cheese, mashed fruit, and a drizzle of honey. Yum.
Muesli. Let’s talk about muesli for a minute. Muesli was a foreign concept to me until this summer. It seems serendipitous that I would come across the idea during the hottest season, since muesli is basically cold oatmeal. Muesli consists of oats, either steel cut or old fashioned rolled oats, mixed with milk or yogurt, and topped with fruit, nuts and whatever else sounds good.
Steel cut oats are delicious and chewy, but you do have to prepare ahead of time by soaking them overnight in milk or yogurt. I like to mix about 1/3 cup steel cut oats with about 2/3 cup or more of milk (cow’s milk, almond milk, or any other kind of milk). Alternately, you can mix Greek yogurt with steel cut oats, but you’ll want to thin the yogurt with water. It sounds a little strange, but the muesli will soak up moisture, so you need to add some extra liquid to the mix. I learned that little trick in Heidi’s Super Natural Every Day.
Old fashioned rolled oats are great because they add texture and substance to yogurt or milk, and you can throw the oats in and eat right away. I like about 1/3 cup oats to 2/3 cup liquid.
However you make your muesli, add some extra flavor with a dash of cinnamon or cardamom, orange zest, and a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup. Toss in some fresh fruit. It’s about as delicious, healthy and filling as can be (not to mention cheap!).
Greek yogurt mixed with a splash of filtered water, old fashioned oats and honey, topped with blackberries and peaches.
You can’t go wrong with cherries and almond! Steel cut oats soaked overnight in almond milk with a dash of cardamom, topped with dark cherries and a drizzle of honey.
I have more ideas, but I’m running out of photos. I often eat plain Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and nuts. Sometimes I make this banana almond smoothie, which is great for when I’m out of fresh fruit because I can make it with ingredients in my pantry and freezer. I also have a freezer stocked with my favorite banana bread and blueberry scones, which are easy to defrost. And hey, sometimes I eat dessert for breakfast. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
What’s your favorite breakfast this summer?
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Michelle
i love when people post the simple things that they eat during every day life but don’t often share… new ideas for breakfast for me!
janet @ taste space
What wonderful ideas for breakfast. I agree, it is a great place to experiment with flavours. I have been on a savoury oatmeal kick for the past few months. I top my steel cut oats with ponzu sauce and flaxseeds. I crave it every morning now!
Jewel
I love avocado toast especially with red pepper flakes and cheese on top!
Loretta
I LOVE AVOCADO! I will be having this for breakfast tomorrow! I can’t wait!
The Fauxmartha
We make swiss oatmeal in the summer—so similar to muesli. Going to have to mix it up more with all your yummy ideas!
kate
I want to know more about swiss oatmeal! Do tell.
The Fauxmartha
Overnight, oats sit in water. Add yogurt, apple, banana, craisins, currants, and brown sugar in the morning. Here’s the link: http://thefauxmartha.com/2010/08/15/swiss-oatmeal/
Lucent Imagery
I love avocado on toast too! When I want a treat, i add slices of camembert cheese to it. Yum. I make a huge bowl of bircher muesli often so that we can stumble out of bed and dish up straight away! I get grumpy if I don’t eat breakfast!
Lauren
I’m with you… breakfast is an absolute must every morning. I typically go the sweet rather than savory route for breakfast, and overnight oats have become a summertime staple. I combine 1/3 cup each old fashioned rolled oats, vanilla almond milk, and greek yogurt + banana slices and chill the mixture overnight. In the morning I drizzle on some peanut butter, and it is the best warm-weather breakfast!
Aly
Oh my goodness, my reply after yours was completely coincidental! :O Then I looked up and read yours and realized we both said the exact same thing :)
kate
Your overnight oats sound so good! I’ll have to try your recipe next week.
Aly
I LOVE breakfast! My summer fav is overnight oats (which I have variations in my blog), where you soak the oats overnight in a mixture of yogurt & almond milk & fruit (I like mashed bananas and strawberries!). Opening the fridge in the morning is literally like Christmas–I can hardly wait! :) Plus, it gives me some variety–usually I’m pretty routine (perhaps mundane) with my oats. Anyway…did I mention I love breakfast? :)
kate
I’m so glad my readers love breakfast as much as I do! Sometimes I fall asleep thinking about breakfast. :) I’m definitely going to check out your overnight oats on your blog. Sounds delish.
Follow Your Own Way
so yummy. breakfast is my favorite meal of the day…and i love both of your toast ideas. avocado is the most perfect fruit. i’ve never tried strawberries & goat cheese but i may have to now.
chinmayie
They looks great! I am not a big breakfast person but i do make sure i eat something everyday with my morning tea! I love your toast ideas!!
Melissa
I LOVE avocado on toast for breakfast! I also drink a lot peanut butter banana smoothies. Going to try muesli. haven’t had that before. Sounds good!
Vivienne
you’re making me fall in love with breakfast all over again :P this morning, i made pancakes using oats and oat flour! love a long lazy breakfast!
i often have avocado toast too…def keen to try out the strawbs+cheese combo!
kate
I want to hear more about those pancakes! I hope you post the recipe soon!
Kelsey (Happyolks)
I love this post! I’m a big breakfast girl myself, more so in the fall and winter when it cools down a bit. Oatmeal, avocado toasts, and egg whites with tomatoes are my some of my favorite meals ever. Beautiful display, Kathryne! P.S, Cookie looks happy as a clam in this shot. Love it. :)
kate
Oh, I love oatmeal on cold mornings. I could make a whole post on oatmeal this winter… yes, I think I will.
Everyone who meets Cookie comments on how happy she is! She’s my happy, jaunty little dog.
Elle Bomb
I love breakfast. It’s the only thing that gets me out of bed! Thanks for sharing! :)
Alina
So inspiring! I especially liked the strawberry+goat cheese and the cherries+almond milk+oats options. I love breakfast, although these days I usually end up making something for my 11-month old and then just cereal or sandwiches for myself :-/ I just don’t have the energy to cook anything for myself or for our Dad! I might use some of your ideas however, because they are really time-saving. Thank you!
Marla Meridith
Love this post! I am with you. I never miss a breakfast & it has me dashing out of bed in the morning too :) Great ideas here.
la domestique
I love the concept of this post and all your ideas! Over the years of grown to love breakfast so much, it might be my favorite meal of the day. Working from home, I’m able to make a proper breakfast for the husband and I- set the table, brew a pot of tea, etc. We enjoy this time together so much, it’s hard for the husband to leave for work. :)
Nat
These breakfast ideas look so delicious! I have to try the avocado toast this weekend!
Tres Delicious
Great! So simple yet so nutritious. I will certainly prepare this one.
Monisia
I love porridge with fruits and musli yoghurt;)
Hayley @ Oat Couture
Ooh strawberries and goats cheese on toast! YUM! Thanks for the idea! I’m definitely a breakfast person too! :)
Katrina Crosby
My sister, Kirsten, just told me about your blog. I love it! Today for lunch I tried out the avocado on pumpernickel toast and then for “dessert” I had strawberry and goat cheese on pumpernickel toast. WOW – so simple, and really delish! I love how fresh and good for you it is. Thanks for the idea!
kate
Thanks for visiting, Katrina! You’re lucky to have a sister like Kirsten. She’s the best! :) I’m glad you enjoyed the toast. The other day I toasted a slice of whole wheat bread with goat cheese and tomatoes—that was crazy good. I’ll post it soon for you!
Kate
Kate-
I absolutely LOVE goat cheese…it might be borderline obsession! I tried the toast with goat cheese and strawberries..two thumbs up! Simply delectable :)
If you have any more goat cheese recipes, please share the wealth!
-Kate
kate
I’m a goat cheese fanatic, too! Check out my arugula and goat cheese pasta salad, strawberry and spinach salad, cherry, arugula and quinoa salad, and tomato and goat cheese toast! I’m sure there will be more soon!
Dani Raykova
Try sliced ripe pears on a toast with goat cheese. It is a classic French snack.
Dani Raykova
Hi Kate,
Thank you for sharing your ideas. In April my son will have a birthday party for his 2nd birthday. I don’t want to serve junk food. Toddlers are hard to please. I am thinking of making mini sandwiches with strawberry, strawberry preserves, and whipped cream cheese for the kids.
Vishal
I stay in a hostel so I cant prepare these breakfast as you suggested. Could please suggest something that I can prepare myself.
Kate
Hi Vishal, could you make toast and top it with avocado and sea salt? When I lived in a refrigerator-less dorm in France, I found little bottles of milk that didn’t have to be refrigerated until opened and ate a lot of cereal.
Babs
I totally agree with you on the subject of breakfast! I can never understand how someone could skip it. My favorite summertime breakfast is an English muffin with a sliced hard boiled egg, some scallions and a big fat slice of summer tomato. So good! I’m definitely going to try your avocado toast. Thanks!
Laurie
Giving your steel cot oats muesli a go in the morning. They are ‘cooking’ as I type :)
A favourite breakfast idea (that sometimes masquerades as lunch) in our house is one I borrowed from a good friend living in New Zealand. Avocado mashed on whole wheat toast with diced tomatoes on top and a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. Twist of fresh ground black pepper. Perfection!
Thanks for sharing your good ideas :)
Kate
Thanks, Laurie! I’m a huge fan of avocado on toast and your balsamic tomato version sounds fantastic!
Chaela
I have 4 children ages 4 and under with twins on the way. Breakfast at our house is not only an absolute necessity if we are going to make it through the day, but it is also an absolutely crazy mess of tears if it is not ready immediately upon the kids waking up. I love the idea of breakfast getting itself ready while we “sleep” (not something you really do much of with so many little ones) so I can stay in bed for those precious few minutes and still have something ready to hand them as soon as they emerge. Oatmeal has always been a favorite of everyone’s but even I lack the patience to wait for it to cook in the morning. There are so many endless possibilies for flavorings and additives. Thank you for your recipes!
Kate
My goodness, Chaela, you are a busy mama! Not sure if you are familiar with the overnight steel-cut oat cooking technique, but I thought you might like the idea: http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2013/06/easy-overnight-steel-cut-oats/.