Busy mornings call for easy shortcuts. If you're in a hurry but don't want to skimp on flavor, then these five breakfast tips will be a lifesaver. So skip the prepping, baking, and measuring, and make today's meal a little extra special with these simple shortcuts.
These are five of my favorite breakfast hacks for making mornings a little easier, a little fancier, and way more delicious. No fancy equipment required, and most of them use ingredients you probably already have on hand.
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1. Use crushed cereal as a quick granola topping
You don't always need a bag of granola to add a little crunch to breakfast (although I won't be mad if you make a big batch of my berry or coconut granola)!
Crush up your favorite cereal and use it anywhere you'd normally reach for granola. It's really good over yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, smoothie bowls, or even a bowl of fruit.
I love using cereal with nuts, whole grains, or clusters, but almost any one will work. Even plain cornflakes can add a nice crispy texture. I've been obsessed with Kellogg's Special K with Red Berries lately as a topping!
For a little extra flavor, mix the crushed cereal with chopped nuts, coconut, cinnamon, or a sprinkle of flaky salt.
See, I told you it was simple!
2. Turn any jam into an easy breakfast syrup
Did you know that the jam jar in your fridge is a flavor bomb in disguise? If you've got jam, you're already halfway to a delicious (looks like homemade) syrup!
Just add a spoonful or two of your favorite jam to a small saucepan with a splash of water. Warm it gently, stirring until the jam loosens into a pourable sauce. Save even more time by gently heating the jam in the microwave.
Try fruit jams (think strawberry or raspberry) over pancakes and waffles, or better yet, spoon them on top of French toast, biscuits, or scones. Oh, and did I mention they also make the easiest ice cream topping? If you want to really impress, toss some fresh fruit along with the melty jam for a quick compote, as I do with these crepes.
And I know we're talking breakfast here, but I use my shortcut jam hack for savory dishes too. My go-to is pork chops with melted fig or apricot jam. I mean, nobody has to know it's not homemade!
3. Freeze fruit for anytime smoothies
One of my favorite ways to make smoothies easier is to freeze the fruit before you need it.
Bananas are especially good for this. Once they're getting a little too ripe for snacking, peel, slice, and freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen bananas make smoothies thick and creamy without needing as much ice (if at all).
You can do the same with berries, mango, peaches, pineapple, or just about any fruit you enjoy in smoothies.
Step 1. Slice ripe bananas and place them on a parchment-lined tray.
Step 2. Freeze the bananas on the tray for at least 4 hours, up to overnight.
Step 3. Portion the slices and store them in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. I like to wrap each portion in plastic wrap, then place them in a larger freezer bag.
When freezing fruit, freeze it in slices or chunks on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Once fully frozen, you can transfer the frozen fruit to a freezer-safe bag. Don't forget to label the bags with the date (after about 3 months, fruit tends to get that nasty freezer burn).
I like to portion my fruit into individual bags so I can grab one from the freezer whenever I'm craving a smoothie. All that's left to do is add my milk or yogurt and any additional flavorings.
It's basically a homemade smoothie kit waiting in your freezer.
4. Give scrambled eggs more flavor
Scrambled eggs are one of the easiest ways to get some protein in the morning. Of all the ways to make eggs, scrambled eggs are the least fussy. No watching the clock, no ice baths, and no oil splatters. So why not turn a boring ol' plate of scramblies into something amazing?
To make eggs creamier, turn to dairy (if your diet allows). I love adding buttermilk, but you can add a splash of milk, heavy cream, half-and-half, or even yogurt.
If melty is your thing, adding cheese to eggs is another great option. Soft cheeses like goat cheese, ricotta, or cream cheese will make your eggs velvety smooth, while firmer cheeses such as mozzarella, feta, Swiss, cheddar, and Gruyère will give them a melty texture.
And then there's the toppings! Almost any flavorful condiment, sauce, or veggie can elevate a plate of scrambled eggs. Try pesto, hot sauce, chili crisp, salsa, chopped fresh herbs, flavored salt, avocado, or a spoonful of leftover roasted vegetables.
You can also use things you might not immediately think of as egg toppings. A little leftover bacon jam, caramelized onions, olive tapenade, or even a drizzle of soy sauce.
This is especially useful for those mornings when you have a couple of eggs but not enough ingredients or energy to make a full breakfast.
Open the refrigerator. See what looks good. Scramble the eggs. Breakfast solved!
5. Toast your leftovers
Don't assume yesterday's banana bread or muffins are past their prime. Give them a quick toast instead.
Toasting baked goods brings back some of that crispness around the edges while warming the center, making them taste much closer to freshly baked. Try it with banana bread, muffins, coffee cake, scones, or even leftover biscuits.
Slice banana bread or larger muffins in half before toasting so you get plenty of golden, crisp edges. A toaster oven works well, but you can also warm them in a skillet with a little butter.
Wait, have you ever tried toasting pound cake? I'll pause for a moment while you imagine the deliciousness. I don't even have a pound cake recipe on my site, but I highly recommend you buy one just to toast it.
So if you're on day 3 of eating your favorite breakfast treat, revive it with a good old toasting for added texture and flavor.
Add butter, cream cheese, peanut butter, or jam, and bam, brand-new breakfast.
A few small tricks can make breakfast much easier
I love a good breakfast recipe, but not every morning calls for a complicated one. Sometimes it's about having a few ingredients or shortcuts on hand that give you more options.
Keep some fruit in the freezer. Save that half-used jar of jam. Don't underestimate your cereal aisle. And when in doubt, put something delicious on scrambled eggs.
A few simple tricks can turn the ingredients you already have into a breakfast that feels a little more special, without making your morning any more complicated.
Have a breakfast tip to share? Let me know in the comments👇
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