The kids are back in the classroom and fall activities are in full swing. Starting the day off right is important when it comes to learning. But it’s easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut. If you’re looking for quick, easy, and of course simple breakfast ideas, I understand! No one has time to whip up a farmer’s breakfast every morning. These affordable breakfast hacks can help you make sure your little learners are well fed without exhausting prep.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is my youngest daughter’s number one go-to. I love it because it’s so cheap and easy to prepare. We once priced out how much her special morning concoction and it came in at less than $0.25 per serving. You can add your own nuts or fruit or even chocolate chips on special days. We typically prepare ours with a spoonful of peanut butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar on top. Quick oats make the process fast and easy. I also LOVE to make overnight oats for myself on Sundays and have an easy accessible breakfast each day of the week in the fridge ready to be eaten.
Avocado Toast
While incredibly pricey in most restaurants, this breakfast provides a powerful protein punch and comes in at less than $1 (especially if you’re making it for multiple people). Add some salt, pepper, and a few other veggies to start the morning off right. If your kids have never tried this morning treat before, give it a whirl on the weekend before rolling it out on a school morning.
Fruit Smoothies
Perfect for those kids who literally eat on the go, you can quickly whip up a fruit smoothie without much hassle. Frozen fruit works best. Add juice, tea, or water to help blend. Sneak in a veggie or two if you can get away with it. My favorite smoothie for me is a combo of blueberry, pineapple, and mango tea. My kids are happy with a berry blend and water, though. Pre-portion fruits and veggies into bags in the freezer at the beginning of the week. Pop them quickly into a blender to have breakfast in a matter of minutes.
Muffins
Another easy on the go meal comes in the shape of a muffin. Baking up a batch on the weekend, freezing them, and then sitting them out the night before to thaw works great. Whether you bake from scratch or use a mix is up to you. I actually use this method with gluten free cupcakes for my youngest, too. When there’s a need for a treat at school, I grab one from the freezer and frost.
Cereal
Some mornings are just cereal mornings. Be ok with giving the kids a classic, simple meal. You can always add special items like fruit (or marshmallows if you’re a much more fun mom than me). There’s no shame in a bowl of Cheerios for breakfast or lunch or dinner.
From freezing pancakes to reheat in the air fryer to a quick piece of toast or a piece of fruit or eggs, you can’t really go wrong. Eating at home begins the day well and saves plenty of cash for moms and dads, too.
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