21 Light Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Off Right

These delicious breakfasts will satisfy you without weighing you down.

By
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
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Updated on 03/14/24
Hash brown and egg cup on a marble cutting board

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes you don't want to be weighed down by a hefty breakfast burrito or French toast. For those days on the go, a light breakfast will do. From bowls to muffins to smoothies to toasts, we've got plenty of quick and easy recipes that don't sacrifice flavor and won't weigh you down.

  • 01 of 21

    Avocado Toast

    Two slices of Avocado Toast

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    Avocado toast is a super quick and easy savory breakfast. Use a toasted, hearty multigrain bread and top with ripe, mashed avocado, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and salt and pepper. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a kick. For a more filling, protein-packed breakfast, add a poached or soft-boiled egg.

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  • 02 of 21

    Tropical Acai Bowl

    A Tropical Acai Bowl on a wooden surface

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Refreshing, sweet, crunchy, tart—these acai bowls have it all. Plus, they're packed with antioxidants. The recipe includes pineapple, coconut, and candied ginger, but feel free to use blueberries, bananas, raspberries, or strawberries. Switch up the fruit depending on your mood and blend it up for a quick meal.

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  • 03 of 21

    Apple Pie Breakfast Cookies

    Apple Pie Breakfast Cookies

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    When you need a little hit of sweet while still getting a dose of whole grains and fruit, grab an apple pie breakfast cookie. They travel well and they keep for up to a week in an airtight container, so they're a great make-ahead breakfast. Add walnuts or pecans for extra protein.

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  • 04 of 21

    Cloud Eggs

    Four Cloud Eggs resting on a baking sheet with parchment paper

    The Spruce Eats

    Cloud eggs are more than just a picture-perfect way to cook eggs—they also make a nice light, savory breakfast. The egg whites are whipped until fluffy and folded together with cheese. Baked and topped with an egg yolk, they're a fun way to start the day.

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    Continue to 5 of 21 below.
  • 05 of 21

    Vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

    A Vegan Lemon and Poppyseed Muffin on a plate

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

    These delicious lemon poppy seed muffins are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast. The flavor is bright and refreshing, and it's an easy recipe that's also healthy and vegan. Bake them over the weekend, and they'll be ready to satisfy your morning hunger for the entire week.

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  • 06 of 21

    Blueberry and Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie

    Blueberry and Spinach Superfood Green Smoothie in a mason jar

    The Spruce Eats

    For a simply delicious and nutritious light breakfast, you can't go wrong with a smoothie. This green smoothie combines banana, blueberries, and spinach for a naturally sweet drink packed with fiber and vitamins. Fruit juice or nondairy milk can be used for the liquid.

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  • 07 of 21

    Blueberry Biscuits

    Blueberry Biscuits resting on a cooling rack

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter

    Fresh-baked blueberry biscuits are a wonderful way to start the day, and you can make them the night before. This biscuit recipe pairs fresh blueberries with lemon zest and adds a little sugar for the perfect balance of sweetness. Topped with a lemon glaze, they offer a quick, delicious breakfast.

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  • 08 of 21

    Banana Bread Bars

    Three Banana Bread Bars on a white plate

    The Spruce Eats / Pete Scherer 

    Replicate the flavor of banana bread in a convenient snack bar with this banana bread bar recipe. The toasted wheat bran gives is a bread-like flavor while dates, walnuts, and cinnamon add flavor to the ripe bananas. Warm one up to enjoy with your coffee or just grab one on your way out the door.

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    Continue to 9 of 21 below.
  • 09 of 21

    Banana Tahini Baked Oatmeal Cups

    Banana Tahini Baked Oatmeal Cups in a cupcake tin

    The Spruce Eats / Anita Schecter 

    Naturally gluten-free, banana tahini oatmeal cups are individually-sized for a grab-and-go breakfast. Whole oats deliver heart-healthy fiber and make the inside of these "muffins" soft and the outside crisp. Use really ripe bananas for this recipe for the best flavor.

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  • 10 of 21

    5-Minute Omelet

    An omelet filled with mushrooms on a plate

    The Spruce Eats

    A simple two-egg omelet with a light filling like sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of cheese can't be beat. The protein-rich egg will give you a burst of energy while keeping you focused. Change up the fillings with options like spinach, tomato, and peppers and onions to keep things interesting.

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  • 11 of 21

    Breakfast Stuffed Apples

    Breakfast Stuffed Apples in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Laurel Randolph 

    Instead of just grabbing an apple on the way out the door, take some extra time to stuff a few apples and bake them until tender. The autumnal treat is basically a healthy version of apple pie and a much prettier version of apple-cinnamon oatmeal. Use vegan margarine to make it vegan.

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  • 12 of 21

    Muffin Cup Ham and Cheddar Quiches

    Muffin Cup Ham and Cheddar Quiches on a plate

     The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    A ham and cheese mini quiche is a flavor-packed portable breakfast. One muffin-sized egg dish is a nice light meal, and leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days or the freezer for a few months and reheated. Switch up the mix-ins if you like—you can also make these vegetarian.

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    Continue to 13 of 21 below.
  • 13 of 21

    Homemade Granola

    A baking sheet covered in Homemade Granola

     Claudia Totir / Getty Images

    A cup of healthy granola and yogurt or milk is a light breakfast that's quick and easy. Make up a batch and store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Use gluten-free oats to make a gluten-free version and whatever nuts and dried fruit you like.

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  • 14 of 21

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    Two Banana Oatmeal Cookies on a napkin

     The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni 

    Perfect for when you need a breakfast on the go, these cookies are chock full of healthy ingredients, offering a great start to your day. Ripe bananas, oatmeal, and walnuts are added to typical cookie ingredients, making for what may seem like a decadent treat.

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  • 15 of 21

    Acai Berry Parfait

    An Acai Berry Parfait in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    Acai berries are a superfood and can be found in the frozen food section. Blend them up with a frozen banana and layer with granola for a healthy and light breakfast parfait. Pumpkin seeds and pomegranate add lots of flavor and texture, but use your choice of nuts and fruit.

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  • 16 of 21

    Egg White Omelet

    An Egg White Omelet garnished with cut cherry tomatoes

     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Using just the egg whites makes a low-fat, low-cholesterol, high protein way to start the day. This egg white omelet is filled with spinach, tomatoes, feta, and olives for a flavorful and healthy dish.

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    Continue to 17 of 21 below.
  • 17 of 21

    Sweet Potato Toasts

    Sweet Potato Toasts with a variety of toppings

     The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Perillo

    For a gluten-free alternative to toast, use slices of cooked sweet potato. They can be baked in advance and toasted in the toaster oven until crisp, just like bread. And just like bread, you can top them however you like. For a savory sweet potato toast, try avocado and salsa or hummus. Peanut butter and banana or ricotta and strawberry are good sweet options.

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  • 18 of 21

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

     The Spruce Eats

    These high-protein, low sugar breakfast cookies only take a few minutes to mix and form before baking. They have lots of flavor from cocoa powder and peanut butter, and lots of nutrition thanks to oats and quinoa. One cookie is a light breakfast and is easy to take on the go.

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  • 19 of 21

    Easy and Crispy Hash Brown Breakfast Bites

    Easy and Crispy Hash Brown Breakfast Bites

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    For a savory breakfast bite, these tater tot and egg bites are just the ticket. Swap out the cheese for your favorite and add in a veggie or meat if you like, such as cooked, crumbled bacon or finely diced peppers and onions. Make a batch and reheat them one or two at a time for breakfast.

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  • 20 of 21

    Cinnamon and Date Chia Pudding

    Cinnamon and Date Chia Pudding in a glass

    Matilda Delves / Getty Images

    Chia seed pudding is a healthy dish that takes minimal effort and can be whipped up the night before. Soaked in almond milk and chilled in the fridge, the seeds plump and form a pudding. Flavor however you like, similarly to oatmeal but less filling. This version uses dates as a natural sweetener.

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    Continue to 21 of 21 below.
  • 21 of 21

    Sweet and Tropical Pineapple Smoothie

    Two glasses of a Sweet and Tropical Pineapple Smoothie

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

    Smoothies are a delicious way to start the day. Plus, they're quick and easy to make in a blender and perfectly portable. Sweet banana and tart pineapple are the main ingredients of this tropical smoothie. Add coconut milk as the liquid to mimic the flavors of a piña colada.

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