6 Make-Ahead Breakfasts To Upgrade Your Morning

A Thrive Market member asks: “I have a long commute to work and have to leave my house by 6:30 a.m. every morning. I know I need to eat breakfast and that it would be much healthier if I made it at home, but I don’t even have 5 minutes in the morning. Help!”

You’re right, making breakfast at home means you’ll probably have a healthier meal with more nutrients, more healthful fats, and less sugar. Since breakfast fuels your morning and helps you stay focused and energized at work, it’s worth prioritizing starting your day with good fuel. You also have control over your portion size when you make your own breakfast, so it’s easier to keep your calories in line with your needs. Making breakfast at home also ensures that you eat breakfast, since leaving the house without eating leaves you open for commuting issues, last minute meetings, and other unexpected bumps in your morning schedule that can throw picking up breakfast right off the morning’s to-do list.

Since you’re short on breakfast prep time in the morning, breakfasts that you can make ahead of time are a great option. That way, all you have to do is grab and go in the morning. You can eat en route if you take public transportation, you can wake up five minutes earlier to nosh at home, or you can take your pre-made brekky into the office and eat it there.

Here are some of our favorite make-ahead breakfast ideas.

Overnight oats:

Overnight oats can be made the night before and then eaten on-the-go the next morning. You can even make multiple servings in individual jars with tight fitting lids and have breakfast for a few days.

Chia pudding:

Similar to overnight oats, chia pudding is made ahead of time and can be kept in the fridge for a few days. This chia pudding recipe makes four servings, so you’ll have breakfast for days.

Omelet cups:

A portable omelet? It can be done! Take your favorite frittata recipe, and instead of cooking it in a skillet, pour the mixture into a muffin tin and bake until the eggs are firm. These omelet cups are ready to go in the morning after just a minute in the microwave. You can make a large batch on the weekend and freeze them so you have breakfasts for the entire week.

Smoothies:

A smoothie is easy to sip while you get ready in the morning or during a commute. Many people don’t realize that smoothies can be made the night before. Whip up any of these smoothies the night before and enjoy a super nutritious no-fuss breakfast in the a.m.

Fruit and PB burrito:

Fill a burrito wrap with peanut butter and fruit, in foil and store in your fridge the night before. It’s easy to eat on-the-run and you can make several ahead of time.

Fruit and veggie muffins:

These flourless chocolate zucchini muffins can be made ahead of time on the weekend and kept in the fridge for the work week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Photo credit: Stocksy