Back-to-school time always creates excitement and a bit of anxiety through many households. Kids are eager to get back to school to see friends, meet new teachers and learn new subjects. Parents, on the other hand, are stressing over new school wardrobes, school supplies, lunches and even breakfasts. Here is a simple list of 10 easy andfrugal make-ahead breakfasts that will help with your back-to-school headache. Bonus: the kids can grab these all on their own each morning.
Muffins
Yes, the standby muffin is at the top of the list. Muffins are truly easy to make, and they can be catered to the tastes of you or your kids. We love to make oat muffins with chopped dried fruits. The dried fruits do better when baked than fresh, and the muffins are able to last longer without the early risk of mold. Make a double batch and put some in the freezer for later busy weeks.
Baked Turkey Bacon
If you plan on making those muffins, why not bake a few cookie sheets of turkey bacon? Now, regular bacon is a definite contender for this, but I’ve found that turkey bacon just bakes so nicely in the oven. Also, turkey bacon does very well in a ziptop bag in the fridge. The kids can grab 2 pieces in the morning and have them with their homemade muffins. For 1.50 a pack, you get a great source of protein that will last for quite a few mornings.
Quinoa and Honey
This is a new favorite in our home.Quinoa
is a great super food, and works well to jump start little minds before they head off to school. It can be made ahead of time, placed in small mason jars, and drizzled with honey in the morning. If the kids would like it warm, they can place the jars in the microwave for 45 seconds, add a splash of milk, and then drizzle with honey.
{Try this:chocolate chip blueberry breakfast quinoa}
Greek Yogurt and Fresh Fruit
Utilize even more of those small mason jars and fill them with your favorite Greek yogurt. Use diced seasonal fruit to top each serving, and you have a quick breakfast for kids and parents alike. These can also be drizzled with honey, agave syrup, or our family favorite, a crumble of brown sugar.
Overnight Oatmeal
Last winter, this make-ahead meal saved us on those cold days. As a mom that has an “issue” with getting out of bed when it’s cold, my son was able to pop these in the microwave in the morning and eat while I was still dragging myself out of bed. I love that these can be made the night before, with the help of your kids, and placed in convenient small mason jars
. They can decide the fruits and flavors they would like to try.
{Try this: Overnight, No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal}
Hard Boiled Eggs
If you’re looking for a protein-packed breakfast that is super quick, hard boiled eggs should be your go-to meal. These can be eaten right on their own, or jazzed up by placing in an egg slicer and putting on a piece of toast, or even an english muffin. Boil a whole dozen, cool and place in a tupperware container covered with water. Your kids can grab one or two eggs in the morning for their meal.
Pancakes
How simple can you get than to make a big batch of pancakes? Pancakes are easy to put together, easy to freeze, and easy to warm up on busy school days. Make large batches of pancakes, then flash freeze. Wrap them in wax paper, then place in a ziptop bag. Kids can grab 2 pancakes, place in the microwave to heat, and eat with fresh fruit, whipped cream or pancake syrup. We actually warm our pancakes in the toaster! Pancakes are great for those with dietary restrictions, as well. There are plenty of recipes for gluten free, dairy free pancakes.
{Trythis: Gluten and Dairy Free Pancakes}
Breakfast Sandwiches
Take it to the next level and make breakfast sandwiches. English muffin or biscuit sandwiches are easy to assemble, and warm up quickly in the microwave. Scrambled or eggs over easy work well in a breakfast sandwich. You can also add vegetables, like sautéed onions or peppers and your kids’ favorite cheese. Wrap these individually in wax paper and freeze. These can be warmed up in the microwave, with the wrapper on, and eaten on the way to the bus stop.
Breakfast Burritos
If your kids love burritos more than sandwiches, then a breakfast burrito might be a great morning option. These are really simple: you fill them with whatever your children love to have for breakfast. We’re done the usual savory burritos with eggs, potatoes and vegetables. We’ve also made sweet breakfast burritos with chopped fruits, chopped nuts, and cream cheese. The possibilities are pretty endless, and these can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
{Try this: Breakfast burritos to go}
Hot Brown Rice and Milk
If you’re looking for an alternative to oatmeal, hot brown rice is great for make-ahead breakfasts. It may sound a bit out of bounds, but brown rice can be used as a delicious start to your day. Since brown rice, and other short grain rices, have a lower starch factor than white rice, it works well in sweet dishes. Brown rice is made in our rice cooker the night before the start of the school week. We place the cooked brown rice in a small mason jar (they are just so handy for breakfast), and warm it up in the morning. The kids add their milk, or sometimes they will stir in greek yogurt. Top with fruit, brown sugar, chopped nuts or honey. It’s a great twist on the usual breakfast food, and it’s cheap!
