Janice here with three quick, tasty and healthy breakfast ideas for Back to School. Even with our rushed routine and my picky eaters, these morning meals are a hit.
I am not a morning person.
In fact, if it were up to me, school would start at 11am. I would get my kids up at 10am, have a leisurely breakfast and then walk to school.
But school does not start at 11am. It starts at 8:30am. And I do not get to do anything leisurely in the morning. I have to get two kids up, fed, lunches made, dog walked, and all of us out of the house by 7:50am so I can drive my son to his school fifteen minutes away before dropping my daughter at her school, which is actually only one block away from our house.
So, breakfast has to be fast. Everything has to be fast. But I also want my kids to have a good breakfast before they start their long school day.
This year, as I get ready for back to school, I thought I would share a few FAST back to school breakfast recipes in case you need your mornings to move quickly, but want some breakfast for kids ideas that are healthy and delicious.
Breakfast Parfait
We eat a ton of yogurt in our house. But guess what? We eat PLAIN yogurt! I only eat plain yogurt, and as often as possible, I serve my kids plain yogurt versus the sugar-filled flavored varieties.
If you are wondering how I am able to convince my sugar-loving children to reach for plain yogurt instead of flavored, I have a few tricks. First, I started them on plain yogurt early, so they got used to the taste. Second, if they want more flavor, I add fruit and/or granola. And third, if they are in a mood for “sweet” yogurt, and I don’t have any fruit handy, I put a little jam in their yogurt and stir it up.
To make breakfast a bit more special, try a Breakfast Parfait. It doesn’t take much more time to layer yogurt, granola, and fruit in a parfait glass, but it sure makes breakfast more exciting.
And for First Day Back to School fun, you could top it off with a dollop of whip cream too!
For this parfait, I used plain Greek yogurt – but just a warning that I find that plain Greek yogurt needs the extra flavor of fruit and granola. When we eat plain yogurt by itself, it is usually not Greek-style, but rather a 2% or low fat plain yogurt. Also, I am picky on which brands I like. If the first plain yogurt you choose isn’t your favorite, try again. Different brands and different amounts of fat can change the taste considerably.
Skip-the-Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal
Another staple in our kitchen is Instant Oatmeal. Only, I rarely buy the individual, flavored packages. I save money and unnecessary sugar by buying the big bags of Quaker Instant Oats.
When it comes to making oatmeal, I no longer measure. I go by “feel” and habit. (Remember — I am moving FAST in my kitchen in the morning. But no worries – Quaker lists measurements on the bags.)
I add a bit more than a cup of water to a bowl, about a 1/3 cup of oats, a heavy pinch or two of salt, and a few pinches of cinnamon.
The KEY to making oatmeal that your kids will eat without a ton of added sugar is SALT! Yes, if you add in a bit of salt when you cook the oatmeal, it brings out the flavor of the oats. To me, oatmeal cooked without salt is unpalatable and I am tempted to dump in brown sugar to compensate.
I stir together the oatmeal, water, salt, and cinnamon in the bowl and then pop it in the microwave for one minute.
Please note that oatmeal can have a tendency to “blow up” in your microwave. Now, it doesn’t really blow up, but it gets super hot and bubbles up “with intensity” all over your microwave.
To keep my microwave clean, I put a small plate over top of the bowl while I am cooking it. By using a small plate, I avoid using plastic wrap.
After cooking, I stir and let it set for a minute while I add sliced fruit or blueberries. I top with milk and sometimes a dash more cinnamon.
Breakfast Sandwich
When it comes to eggs, I usually make mine on the stove. The great thing about eggs is they cook so fast, that even the stove-top methods are quick enough for me.
But, if you are in a hurry and your microwave is your friend, you can cook your eggs in one minute in the microwave.
I added two eggs to a small, glass bowl, gently broke the eggs with a fork, covered the bowl with a plate, and microwaved for one minute.
Then I simply served the cooked egg on a toasted English Muffin with a slice of cheese and some ham. If you want to melt the cheese, just pop it all back in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Here is a quick video I made about these back to school breakfast ideas for those of you out there watching YouTube for your recipe ideas…
More Back To School Video Posts
Check out the following videos from our blogging friends to find more favorite tips, tricks and trends for back to school.
{5 MUST HAVE APPS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL}
by Corine Ingrassia
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{TWEEN BACK TO SCHOOL STYLE}
by Jo-Lynne Shane
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{AFTER SCHOOL SNACK IDEA}
by Kristin Swenson
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{FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BREAKFAST IDEAS}
by Susan Carraretto & Janice Croze
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{ORGANIZING 5 BACK TO SCHOOL SPACES}
by Molly Gold- Organization
____________________________________
{BOYS BACK TO SCHOOL FASHION}
by Audrey McClelland
____________________________________
{BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY FAVORITES}
by Melissa Chapman
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Written by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/
Thanks for these healthy breakfast suggestions!
That Breakfast Parfait looks really good!
These ideas for breakfast are great. I like that they are healthy.
Breakfast is the hardest thing to make around here, what with all the morning grumps. These look like great things to shove in front of their faces and not get more grumps!
that parfait looks so good !!! I love stuff like that !!!
I have been looking for healthy ideas for breakfast…thank you!
Breakfast is such an important meal to get the day started. The parfait would get me off to a great start!
I love eating breakfast; I try to have some egg whites with a little cheese, or something besides carbs. Loved your suggestions!
My daughter would love the yogurt parfaits.
Fruit and yogurt and yogurt and granola are both favorites for breakfast in our home. My kids also love homemade blueberry oatmeal for breakfast as well.
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the breakfast parfait looks yummy!
I love all of these ideas! so healthy and yummy
I am loving the Breakfast Parfait idea! Who would not love to have that for breakfast 🙂
Great ideas! The parfait looks delicious!
I do the cinnamon in oatmeal but I had no idea about adding a bit of salt to it. I will have to try that next time. Thank you!
We homemake oatmeal sometimes with coconut milk and mango here
Or poach eggs with a good cooking herb blend
these are awesome ideas for my daughters. I am not home in the morning to make them breakfast. I am at my classroom desk at 6 am. However, I could teach them during the weekend for them to eat during the week with their dad.
I usually make breakfast sandwiches if I cook in the morning. Otherwise we have fruit and donuts/muffins.
The parfait looks amazing! I could definitely have that for breakfast everyday!
I’ve done the fruit and yogurt thing but yours sure looks prettier than mine…lol
I did not know about salt and oatmeal…I will definitely give that a try…thanks!
I love breakfast sandwich for mornings. I use the cinnamon raisin bagels with whipped cream for quick breakfast
I am planning on making some egg muffin sandwiches and freezing them for quick morning meals.
I love these, because these recipes are items that any age would be happy to eat. I myself love fruit parfaits and egg sandwiches.
I can’t wait to try these!! The Skip the Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal looks yummy!!!
That parfait looks like something both of my boys would love to eat!
I think the breakfast Egg and Ham sandwich would be a huge hit for my kids
great ideas love the the first one not sure my kids will eat but the oatmeal one my child loves already
Will be trying this for breakfast!
These are beautiful, healthy breakfast idea. I’d like to add some shakes and recommend a bit of honey.
Thank you! These look delicious and easy! Breakfast is a struggle for us!
this looks so good
I’m all about skipping the sugar!
I may have to try some on these on a weekend morning…we stick with cereal for school days
These are great ideas. I am a breakfast person so I am always looking for new breakfast recipes.
I bet my kids would love that parfait!
love the parfait idea
Thanks for the great ideas!
Oh wow fantastic ideas!
I especially like the Breakfast Parfait.
Thanks for the post.
I want to try these! Looks good
Cooking the egg in microwave is awesome idea! Will try it!
The breakfast parfait would be great for breakfast.
Not as creative with breakfast, I would like to prepare something in a parfait glass!
The breakfast parfait looks really good! Those are some great ideas as I’m always looking for new, quick breakfasts for the kids & myself!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Oh man, the parfait looks and sounds like a fantastic idea. My picky son would love that too. Thank you
the parfait looks so good, i need some of those fancy glasses to make mine in
These all look great! My go to breakfast is a Breakfast Parfait. I love the fresh nut and granola with yogurt.
I make paleo pancakes on Sundays and we warm them up each morning for breakfast on the go. Egg muffins (made in a muffin tin) is also a great option for on the go. Thanks for sharing!
That breakfast parfait looks absolutely amazing! Never thought of one for breakfast before but I will definitely add it to my breakfast menu!
My girls would love to try these recipes!
love parfaits and happy to make my own instead of buying mcdonalds
great ideas and the parfait looks so delicious !
the parfait looks so good, not sure i could eat that in the morning
Nom nom nom
They all sound delicious and I will be trying these recipes.
Our grandson would love any of these for breakfast, especially the parfait!
These all sound so good. I love the parfaits, my son would love this more than just cereal.
I am always looking for new ideas thank you!
those look so yummy,what kid wouldn’t want to eat this
I love these ideas! I am always looking for something different to make for breakfast for the kids. The parfait looks delicious!
I love making the kids breakfast sandwiches on whole wheat English muffins. They love them!
The parfait looks so yummy and healthy I have to try one of these soon.
Our breakfasts are usually yogurt or a bagel w/ cream cheese.
We eat oatmeal bars (homemade or store bought), too.
these are good ideas, i bet my daughter would really enjoy that sandwich. actually i’m sure she would love any of these.
I would love that parfait too. It looks so tasty. My daughter is a big fan of these when we are traveling in the airport. But we don’t make them at home. We need to. Thanks for sharing!
I think the breakfast parfait looks so good. I love quick and simple ideas.
love all these ideas, my fav is the yogurt parfait! i always make it.
Wonderful ideas and so appealing and healthy.
The breakfast parfait looks scrumptious!
I love all your breakfast ideas! Especially the Breakfast Sandwich and cooking the egg in the microwave! My boys would love the Breakfast Sandwich! We eat a lot of yogurt too and drink lots of smoothies!
I’ve done the breakfast parfait and cinnamon in oatmeal. Sometimes I make, steel cut oats oatmeal by cooking it for 45 minutes on the stove the night before, then warming it up the following morning in the microwave. And speaking of cooking, when my kids were little, I felt like my day was OK, if I made a part of dinner in the morning (dessert, salad, side dish or entree).