25 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but breakfast ideas are hard to come by, and it's easy to fall into a rut. A good breakfast gives kids the fuel they need to take on school, play, and everything in between, so healthy breakfast ideas (that kids will actually eat!) are as valuable as gold.
We even have easy breakfast ideas you can make in just a few minutes on a busy weekday morning—your kids will take longer to find their missing shoe than it will take for you to make some of these recipes! From protein-packed pancakes to two-minute muffins, these breakfast ideas are sure to get your kids off to a great start. For more meal ideas (including 100 School Lunch Ideas for Kids), check out our Easy Recipes for Kids Guide.
No need to turn on the oven for these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. Photo courtesy of Taste of Home
Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas for Kids
1. No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
This recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars couldn’t be any easier. With just three ingredients, you can whip them up with items you already have in your pantry. For kids with allergies or sensitivities, you can substitute sunflower seed butter and/or gluten-free oats.
2. Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats are an easy recipe to rely on for hectic mornings. With a little prep the night before, you can dish out a healthy bowl of oats jam-packed with nutrition. These cold oats are a fun way to change things up from the traditional hot oatmeal. The best part is that your kids won’t even realize how healthy this delicious (and sweet) breakfast is.
3. Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Cookies
These Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Cookies are as easy as they are delicious. Using only four ingredients, these cookies are also vegan. You can also substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter for any nut allergies or sensitivities.
4. Homemade Applesauce
This recipe for Homemade Applesauce is a great option for kids of all ages. Small babies can eat this from a spoon or a refillable pouch and kids and adults can eat it plain or as a pancake topping. Preserving this delicious applesauce will make it easy to pull out of the pantry or fridge whenever you need it.
5. Baked Oatmeal
Baked Oatmeal takes oatmeal to an entirely new level. Kids will love the warm, gooey, texture of this oatmeal that eats more like a treat (but is secretly packed with nutrition). There are loads of protein, fiber, and antioxidants in the oats, blueberries, and maple syrup.
6. Baked Apples
A simple make-ahead breakfast such as Baked Apples is super versatile. Kids can eat baked apples plain, or as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes. Making these ahead will save time and give you an easy and delicious breakfast you can pull right out of the fridge. You can also serve these as finger foods or use them in a homemade baby food puree.
This Breakfast Casserole is a make-ahead recipe, to save time in the morning. Photo courtesy of Tastes Better From Scratch
Eggy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
7. Breakfast Casserole
An Egg Breakfast Casserole is a great way to serve eggs in the morning without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Making this ahead of time gets breakfast made for the whole week! This recipe can be easily adjusted for picky eaters—leave out the meat, switch out the vegetable, or customize it any way your kids like.
8. Breakfast Tacos
Anything in the form of a taco is often a hit with kids. These Easy Breakfast Tacos are delicious and completely customizable. After scrambling eggs, make a toppings bar with sliced avocado, cheese, salsa, and your children’s go-to veggie as toppings. Red pepper, tomato, and corn are my family's favorites. With egg, warm cheese, and fresh veggies, this breakfast will make any morning feel like Taco Tuesday.
9. Breakfast Burritos
These Kid-Friendly Breakfast Burritos can be frozen or served that day. When you make a few extra to store in the freezer, older kids can even heat these up themselves. These are great wrapped in tin-foil for a quick breakfast in a car, as well.
10. Breakfast Pizza
For a morning take on everyone’s favorite food, give this super easy Breakfast Pizza recipe a try. Served with spinach and tomatoes, kids get a nutrition-packed breakfast in the shape of a warm and gooey pizza. You can also substitute scrambled eggs if your little one prefers.
11. Egg in a Hole
There's no easier (or cuter) way to serve eggs than Egg in a Hole. This classic breakfast staple can be served using whole wheat or whole grain bread for the toast. Cut a hole in the center and fill it with an egg, fry it up, and in less than a minute you have a buttery and crunchy piece of toast with a perfectly cooked egg. Serve it with avocado or tomatoes for an extra nutrition boost.
Watch the video above to see how easy it is to make this Strawberry Mug Muffin. Photo courtesy of the author
Healthy Muffin Breakfast Idea for Kids
12. Strawberry Mug Muffin
This quick and easy Strawberry Mug Muffin is sure to be a kid-pleaser. With all the ingredients going into one mug, this is a great recipe to let the kids help. In less than five minutes, you’ll have a warm, strawberry muffin, without even turning on the oven. Use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter to make it vegan.
13. Spinach Muffins
These delicious mini Spinach Muffins are great for little ones and picky eaters. The best part is that they are packed full of nutritious spinach but they taste like vanilla cake—truly! Kids love the sweet taste and parents love knowing that these are a healthy alternative to sugary, store-bought muffins. Make ahead for a quick breakfast all week long.
14. Vegetable Egg Muffins
These Healthy Egg Muffins only contain 50 calories per muffin. Because they’re filled with eggs and fresh vegetables, such as spinach and peppers, you can feel good about having these on hand.
They'll never guess these Chocolate Protein Pancakes are good for them. Photo courtesy of Feel Good Foodie
Healthy Pancake Breakfast Ideas for Kids
15. Chocolate Protein Pancakes
These Chocolate Protein Pancakes are so good, your kids won’t even suspect they’re healthy. With bananas, oats, and protein powder, it's a chocolate short stack that’s jam-packed with protein, fiber, and potassium.
16. Banana Pancakes
Banana Pancakes are an easy way to sneak in a little extra nutrition at breakfast time. Using any pancake mix and mashed bananas, you can whip up a healthy breakfast in under ten minutes. For a homemade pancake recipe, check out this Organic Banana Pancake recipe and make your own pancake mix to keep in the cupboard to make mornings easier.
17. Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes
Using rolled oats, almond milk, and blueberries, this recipe for Blueberry Oatmeal Pancakes does not disappoint. With these fluffy, sweet pancakes, kids get a healthy dose of blueberries and oats. Make them silver dollar-sized for an easy breakfast on the go.
It couldn't be quicker or easier than this Avocado Toast. Photo courtesy of Gimmie Delicious
Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids
18. Avocado Toast
Using whole grain bread, whipping up a batch of Avocado Toast is a healthy breakfast that’s ready in five minutes. In addition to avocado, you can also add an egg or tomato to your kid’s toast to keep them full until lunchtime.
19. Yogurt Parfait
A Yogurt Parfait is a quick and easy breakfast the kids can prepare. Start with your kiddo's favorite yogurt or Greek yogurt. Pile on berries, more yogurt, and top it off with oats or granola. Add more berries to the top or a drizzle of honey. Kids love assembling this quick and healthy meal.
20. Breakfast Banana Split
This Breakfast Banana Split is a healthier take on the ice cream staple. Instead of ice cream, it features cottage cheese or yogurt. Add your kids’ favorite fruit and let them decorate it with berries, granola, or a favorite cereal.
21. Peanut Butter and Banana Toast
Peanut Butter and Banana Toast is an easy and healthy breakfast that’s ready to eat in minutes. Older kids can whip this up on a weekday morning by themselves. Use your favorite toast, a banana, and peanut or seed butter.
This Strawberry Banana Smoothie tastes like a morning milkshake. Photo courtesy of Downshiftology
Smoothie Breakfast Ideas for Kids
22. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
The classic and delicious Strawberry and Banana Smoothie is a great breakfast for kids. With fresh bananas and strawberries blended right in, it's a healthy breakfast that’s perfect for families on the go.
23. Rainbow Smoothie
This eye-catching smoothie is sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters. While it is a little more work, it's worth it for special occasions. Customize your Rainbow Smoothie using a few different blends of favorite fruits.
24. Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
With all the viruses that go around during the school year, we could all use a little more Vitamin C. Use oranges, orange juice, bananas, and Greek yogurt to create a creamy, orange smoothie that’s packed with immune boosters. Check out this simple Orange Creamsicle Smoothie recipe.
25. Green Hulk Smoothie
A Green Hulk Smoothie is a clever way to get some more greens into breakfast. This delicious, green smoothie is packed with superfoods that are great for little superheroes. This is a fun smoothie for a Hulk-themed birthday party, too.