For most families, school days mean fast-paced (some of us might even say “hectic”) efforts to get everyone out the door on time. But limited time doesn’t have to mean limited nutrition!
From medium-prep to low-prep to no-prep, we’ve got 15 balanced breakfast ideas for kids—quick enough for school days and nutritious enough to power a full morning of class, friends and play.
The following meals require some advance preparation, but once they’re made, they’re easy to heat up and serve on a tight schedule.
Made from fruit, oats, eggs and milk, these strawberry-banana muffins are a nutritious alternative to donuts or other artificially sweetened baked goods. Requiring just a few minutes of mixing and about 25 minutes in the oven, these muffins can be thrown together on a weekend afternoon.
By using dates to cut down on added sweeteners and nut butter to bind ingredients together, these simple homemade granola bars offer a healthier take on many store-bought options with the convenience of no baking necessary. Just mix the ingredients together, refrigerate and cut into bars. Serve with Greek yogurt and fruit for a well-balanced breakfast.
These adorable egg cups are filled with antioxidants from spinach and red bell pepper, along with a helping of potassium, calcium and protein from eggs and potatoes. After a quick saute and a 25-minute bake session, you’ll have plenty of egg cups for the coming week.
Make your own house special burrito by scrambling eggs with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers or any other veggies your kids like. Top with cheese and salsa, wrap in a whole wheat tortilla and serve!
Beyond the yum factor, breakfast burritos are one of our favorite make-ahead breakfast ideas for kids because they’re so easy to portion. Prepare an extra-large batch and then freeze individual burritos in aluminum foil for your kids to unwrap, microwave and eat on the go.
Hard boiled eggs are great for quick breakfasts because they keep well in the fridge and can be served with almost anything. We like to pair them with whole wheat English muffins and fresh fruit on the side.
These school-day breakfast ideas can be ready in just a few minutes without compromising on balanced nutrition.
Slow-cooked oatmeal does require a bit of set-up the night before, but then it’ll be ready to serve with no extra work in the morning. Load up your crock pot with steel cut oats and your choice of fruit and spices (we love bananas and cinnamon!), and then cook on low for 7–8 hours overnight.
As long as you have the ingredients in the fridge, this back-to-school breakfast can be ready in minutes! Fill a bowl with plain Greek yogurt and sprinkle with your kids’ favorite toppings:
We also love swirling extra flavor into our yogurt with Nurture Life’s Stage 2 baby purees! This fun Nurture Life hack adds some color, flavor and nutrients without any added sugar. We especially love naturally sweeter flavors like Anjou Pear, Apricot & Deglet Date or Blackberry, Apple & Chia.
This quick stovetop recipe works for just about any leftovers you have, whether it’s meat, potatoes or veggies. Just toss them in a skillet, add some fresh bell peppers or onions, sauté and top with two eggs.
Smoothies are one of the most versatile of all school day breakfast ideas. In a blender, add any combination of frozen fruit or veggies, pour in milk or alternative dairy and blend until smooth. For a heartier meal, add some protein-rich Greek yogurt, heart-healthy chia seeds or whole grain raw oats.
Kick off your kid’s day right with this adorable egg-in-a-hole! Simply cut a hole in the center of whole wheat toast, crack an egg and grill or bake until the egg is set. Serve alongside fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for a balanced meal.
This overnight oats recipe is as simple as combine, refrigerate and go. The night before serving, mix Greek yogurt, milk, chia seeds and oats in a covered container. Stir well, let sit overnight in the fridge and serve cold the next morning. For extra simplicity, use a jar that lets your kid easily take it on-the-go!
There’s nothing better than no prep, especially on busy school day mornings! These grab-and-go breakfasts are perfect for days with early sports practice or other extracurriculars.
Pre-packaged breakfast bars are one of the fastest school breakfast ideas, but it definitely helps to be choosy. We’re fans of Simple Squares, but you can opt for any brand that has minimally processed ingredients and little to no added salt or sugar. For a helping of probiotics, serve your kid’s breakfast bar with a kefir drink.
For a fresh-outta-the oven feel to your little one’s breakfast, try Nurture Life’s Frittata with Cinnamon French Toast. Just pop this ready-to-eat kids meal in the microwave for 3 minutes, and you’ll have a sweet and savory delight that’s perfectly portioned and deliciously wholesome.
For this fruit-based breakfast burrito, smear peanut butter (or an alternative nut butter) onto a whole wheat tortilla, add a peeled whole banana and roll it up.
While this recipe does require a tiny bit of prep, it can be no-prep for the parents! Since it requires no cooking, it’s one of our favorite easy breakfast ideas for kids to make on their own. Just be sure to leave the ingredients on your kids’ dedicated pantry shelves and keep a kid-safe kitchen knife accessible for smearing the nut butter.
Instant oatmeal cups, like these ones from Bob’s Red Mill, can be ready to eat in just a few minutes. Simply add milk, heat in the microwave and top with fresh berries or any other quick toppings from the fridge or pantry.
We’ve tried these breakfast ideas ourselves and can happily say that back-to-school breakfast has never been easier! To help your family adjust to the school year, check out a few more of our simple back-to-school routine tips or reach out to our child nutrition team at support@nurturelife.com.
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