We know a healthy breakfast is important, but how do you actually make it happen? In my own life, I tend to simply make sure I have all of the right components on hand: fresh spinach, bananas, and frozen berries for smoothies, eggs and millet toast for breakfast sandwiches, and maybe some avocados or a quality gluten-free granola to grab as I’m running out the door.
Many of our clients prefer a hot breakfast, but just don’t have the time to take out a frying pan or deal with dirty dishes at 6:00am. We prepare ready-to-heat frittatas, baked oatmeal, and breakfast burritos for our hungry clients.
"Prepared oatmeal with apples and blueberries is the BEST start to my day. By the time the coffee is brewed, my oatmeal is in a bowl with a dollop of whipped cream, and I can wake up slowly, eating a nutritious breakfast." - Linda - Malvern, PA
Want to try your own hand at preparing these? I’ve provided recipes for you below! These are all free-form recipes, meaning they don’t require exact measurements, and you can feel free to substitute your favorite ingredients for any of the ones I listed here.
Our No-Brainer Baked Oatmeal Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
¾ cup old fashioned oats
¾ cup water or milk
½ cup Blueberries
½ apple, peeled and sliced (pear works too!)
1 tbsp organic sugar (or honey, maple, etc.)
Nuts, seeds, or other add-ins (see below)
DIRECTIONS:
Grease a small single-serving ramekin or baking dish. Add oats, then drizzle water overtop. (Feel free to sub milk or nut-milk for a richer treat.) Top with blueberries. In a separate bowl, toss sugar with apple. Finally, top oatmeal with apple. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
This recipe is so versatile - feel free to add things like vanilla, nuts, seeds, nut butter, coconut, dried fruit, or chocolate chips. For extra staying power, try adding protein powder. We’ve even experimented with different fruits, such as raspberries and peaches. (word of caution - blueberries release extra liquid, so if you’re using a drier fruit, simply add a touch more liquid to this recipe)
Frittata
INGREDIENTS:
Vegetables: peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach, or any leftover veg you have on hand (sliced small, and sauteed to soften, if not pre-cooked)
2 eggs per person
Hashbrowns, optional (pre-cut, or cut at home - sweet potato would be great, too!)
Breakfast meats such as sausage, bacon, or ham, if desired - diced small and pre-cooked
Fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, or basil, if desired
Cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Oven Method: Whip eggs (2 per person) + splash of milk or water (no more than ¼ cup per egg) + herbs, if using. Grease a baking dish, then layer hash browns, if using, then your cooked veg and/or meat, then whisked eggs. Top with cheese, if using. Bake at 350F until cooked through and no longer liquid.
Stovetop + Oven Method: Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add oil, then any veg, meat, or potatoes. Add eggs. Stir a bit until partially cooked, then top with cheese and place skillet in the oven until eggs are fully cooked through. (be sure your pan is oven-safe!!) This method works really well if you are cooking the veg for the first time, as it becomes a very simple, one-dish meal.
Allow it to rest for 3-4 minutes before slicing and serving, particularly if you are using cheese.
Breakfast Burritos
Use your favorite wrap, fill with things like scrambled eggs, leftover veg, cooked rice, quinoa, chicken, turkey, and/or cheese. Fresh ingredients like salsa, lettuce, or sour cream should not be frozen inside your burrito or they will get soggy - simply serve these fresh on the side when you reheat your burrito.
Extra tips:
- Add ingredients when they are room temperature, otherwise they may cause the tortilla to get soggy.
- Wrap tightly! The more air that gets in, the more chance for freezer-burn. Pack tightly and roll carefully. Wrap in foil, then place in a plastic zip-top bag. (label!!)
- Flour tortillas work best (look for a gluten-free variety, if necessary - Udi makes one)
Reheat in the oven or microwave, from frozen, when ready to serve. (note: oven will take 45-50 minutes, so although these will not require any prep at the time you want to eat them, they will require the forethought to stick them in the oven before you’re running out the door!)
You can also try baking your favorite (healthy) muffin recipe, freeze, and simply toast in the morning, spread with a nut butter or cream cheese, and go!
What do you eat for breakfast on-the-go?