40 Easy Breakfast Ideas with 5 Ingredients or Less (2024)

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40 Easy Breakfast Ideas with 5 Ingredients or Less (1)Lauren Jarvis-GibsonUpdated: Mar. 25, 2024

    Who says breakfast has to be complicated? With just five ingredients or fewer, these quick and easy breakfast recipes are super simple to make.

    In the morning, we don’t often have extra time to make the best breakfast. This is where easy breakfast recipes come in handy. Lucky for you, our easy and no-fuss breakfast ideas are as quick as they are delicious. Want something sweet like a yogurt parfait? We’ve got that. In the mood for something savory and rich? There are classic recipes here, like omelets, breakfast sausage and even grab-and-go options. Trust us—there’s something for everybody.

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Pork sausage, crescent rolls, mozzarella, eggs
    Level:
    Beginner

    This easy breakfast recipe is the perfect savory way to start your day. To simplify your morning even more, put this casserole together the night before.

    I made this tasty sausage and crescent roll breakfast casserole for a baby shower. It saved the day: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Recipe contributor Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas

    Ham and Swiss Omelet

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    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, ham, Swiss cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    This omelet will put pep in your step all morning long. The addition of cheese makes it even more decadent.

    This easy omelet will be a snap to fix for breakfast or dinner. —Recipe contributor Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

    Rise and Shine Parfait

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Vanilla yogurt, peaches, blackberries
    Level:
    Beginner

    Not a savory breakfast person? Try something sweet! This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. You can always add even more fresh fruit, like blackberries or cherries.

    Start your day with a smile. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Recipe contributor Diana Laskaris, Chicago, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, ham, French bread, cheddar cheese
    Level:
    Intermediate

    This comforting stuffed bread is full of cheesy goodness. The French loaf pairs well with ham and eggs. Feel free to sub in other meats like turkey bacon or sausage.

    My son, Gus, loves all things ham and eggs, so I created this comforting stuffed bread with him in mind. I later added tomatoes to the recipe, and he still gave it a big thumbs-up. —Recipe contributor Karen Kuebler, Dallas, TX

    Italian Cloud Eggs

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, Italian seasoning, basil
    Level:
    Beginner

    These cloud-like eggs offer you the breakfast of your dreams. Pinch yourself—it’s real.

    Drop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy! —Recipe contributor Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

    Breakfast Sweet Potatoes

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    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Sweet potatoes, coconut Greek yogurt, apple
    Level:
    Beginner

    Who says you can’t enjoy sweet potatoes for breakfast? Top them with breakfast favorites like cheese and protein to power up your morning.

    Baked sweet potatoes aren’t just for dinner anymore. This easy breakfast recipe is a delicious and fun way to incorporate it into your breakfast. —Recipe contributor Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Fruity Waffle Parfaits

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    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Multigrain waffles, strawberry yogurt, strawberries
    Level:
    Beginner

    Waffles are a breakfast staple, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint. This take on a classic offers you even more textures and flavors with yogurt and fresh strawberries.

    This recipe satisfied all of my cravings for breakfast when I was pregnant. I knew I was getting plenty of nutrition in each serving and it tasted great. —Recipe contributor Penelope Wylie, San Francisco, California

    Waffle Sandwich

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Bacon, egg, multigrain waffles, cheddar cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    Breakfast for lunch or dinner? It’s a definite yes when the recipe’s this easy! For an extra crunch and protein, add pistachios or almonds.

    I like to serve this easy breakfast recipe with some crisp, juicy sweet apples. Sometimes, I add raisins and nuts to the filling of the waffle sandwich for sweetness and crunch. —Recipe contributor Michele McHenry, Bellingham, Washington

    Cornflake-Coated Crispy Bacon

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    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Bacon, cornflakes, evaporated milk
    Level:
    Beginner

    If you think regular bacon is the best thing to have for breakfast, think again. Cornflake-coated bacon strips are perfectly crispy and are easy to whip up in a matter of minutes.

    I’ve loved my aunt’s crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now, I’ve shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a big panful every Christmas morning and many other days throughout the year! —Recipe contributor Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Chives, cream cheese, eggs
    Level:
    Beginner

    Make no mistake, this is no ordinary omelet. With cream cheese and chives, every bite bursts with savory, creamy goodness.

    The first bite of creamy filling lets you know this isn’t any old omelet. Make it once, and we suspect you’ll be fixing it often. —Recipe contributor Anne Troise, Manalapan, New Jersey

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Rhubarb, plain Greek yogurt, sliced almonds
    Level:
    Beginner

    This tart yet sweet dish is a great way to use leftover yogurt and any fruit you need to use up. Feel free to add more toppings like chopped pecans or shredded coconut.

    My Grandma Dot used to make rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I visited. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two rhubarb stalks are exactly alike, so make sure to taste the compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Recipe contributor Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York

    Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

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    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Pancake mix, banana, old-fashioned oats
    Level:
    Beginner

    These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Stretch the mix further with banana, oats and walnuts.

    In our house, we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners’ sugar because the fruit is so sweet you don’t need syrup. —Recipe contributor Patricia Swart, Galloway, New Jersey

    Breakfast Bread Bowls

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    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Hard rolls, pancetta, eggs, Gruyere or fontina cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    You can mix and match the fillings of these breakfast bread bowls to satisfy everyone at the breakfast table. The carnivores and vegetable-lovers will all be satisfied!

    The best part about these creative and convenient bread bowls is that you can fill them with whatever you want. This is one of our favorite breakfasts. —Recipe contributor Patrick Lavin, Jr., Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

    Almond-Vanilla Yogurt Parfaits

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Plain Greek yogurt, almond butter, granola with fruit and nuts
    Level:
    Beginner

    This crunchy, creamy parfait makes a perfect option when you want dessert for breakfast. You can also make this overnight to grab and go in the morning.

    I’m a night-shift nurse. When I get home, I make a crunchy parfait with yogurt for a protein boost before heading off to a good day’s sleep. —Recipe contributor Meredith Brazinski, Neptune, New Jersey

    Marmalade French Toast Sandwiches

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Whipped cream cheese, sourdough, orange marmalade, eggs
    Level:
    Intermediate

    These comforting sandwiches are a great way to mix up your breakfast meals. Plus, they are surprisingly easy to make with no fuss.

    I change up these warm, filling sandwiches to be sweet or savory but always a treat. All it takes is a different jelly or jam. Try hot pepper jelly when you want a little sizzle. —Recipe contributor Danielle Loring, Lewiston, Maine

    Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, mushrooms, baby spinach, provolone cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    You’re in for a morning treat with a mix of spinach and mushrooms. Plus, these eggs will perk you up in no time.

    My husband and I had breakfast at a hotel and enjoyed an amazing mushroom and egg dish. As soon as I got home, I made my own rendition. —Recipe contributor Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Chorizo, eggs, flour tortillas
    Level:
    Beginner

    Spicy sausage, eggs and cheese come together beautifully in this wrap. This recipe is perfect for early mornings when you have no time to spare.

    My husband grew up in Southern California and loves chorizo. We use the spicy sausage in these chorizo and egg wraps that our children call Daddy’s Eggs. —Recipe contributor April Nissen, Yankton, South Dakota

    Toad in a Hole

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    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, maple breakfast sausage links, 2% milk, flour
    Level:
    Beginner

    This unique breakfast is a fun and filling meal. Top with butter and maple syrup and serve with fresh fruit.

    I have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called The Boat. Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Recipe contributor Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

    No-Bake Cereal Bars

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Cheerios, Chex, peanut butter
    Level:
    Beginner

    These bars could be dessert! Kids will especially love these easy bars for school.

    With two kinds of cereal and peanut butter, these bars taste almost like candy. —Recipe contributorPauline Christiansen, Columbus, Kansas

    Maple-Bacon Grits Puff

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    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Bacon, grits, maple syrup
    Level:
    Beginner

    This dish has everything you could want for breakfast. The maple syrup also adds a touch of sweetness—be sure to buy the real stuff.

    Bacon and maple add salty sweetness to a grits dish that puffs, tastes yummy and is beautiful to look at. —Recipe contributor Lotte Washburn, Sebring, Florida

    Southwest Tortilla Scramble

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, corn tortillas, salsa
    Level:
    Beginner

    If you want a burrito without the added carbs, try this scramble. It’s even better topped with a dollop of sour cream, hot sauce, bacon bits and, of course, all the cheese you want. Explore more of our favorite breakfast burrito recipes.

    Here’s my version of a deconstructed breakfast burrito that’s actually good for you. Go for hefty corn tortillas in this recipe. Flour ones can get lost in the scramble. —Recipe contributor Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

    Feta Scrambled Egg Wraps

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Southwest-style egg substitute, feta cheese, whole wheat tortillas
    Level:
    Beginner

    This dish is super easy to make and won’t take you too long. It’s healthy and packed with protein.

    My daughter jokes that I am so predictable when dining out. I always order chicken souvlaki. So I thought, why not incorporate my favorite Greek dish into a breakfast wrap? It’s healthy, tasty and easy to make. —Recipe contributor Mary Jo Kempf, West Seneca, New York

    Blueberry Muffin French Toast

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    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Blueberry muffins, French vanilla nondairy creamer, cinnamon
    Level:
    Beginner

    We all love French toast for mornings when you want to stay in bed. Try this elevated blueberry French toast for an easy twist on a classic.

    My 13-year-old daughter and her friends asked for French toast at a sleepover, but we were out of bread. I used muffins instead, and they loved it. Double or triple this recipe for a holiday brunch. —Recipe contributor Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Scottsdale, Arizona

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Fresh fruit, yogurt, honey
    Level:
    Beginner

    This easy breakfast recipe is so quick and extremely versatile. Use your favorite fresh fruit—or whatever’s in season—and opt for your go-to yogurt flavors like strawberry, lemon or vanilla.

    A tasty combo of fresh fruit and creamy orange-kissed yogurt, this is guaranteed to disappear fast from your breakfast table. —Recipe contributor Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Overnight Cherry-Almond Oatmeal

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    Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Vanilla almond milk, steel-cut oats, dried cherries
    Level:
    Beginner

    This recipe is so easy to make the night before. Just make hot cereal and add your toppings. In the morning, you’ll be happy you won’t have to do anything but eat breakfast!

    Would you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It’s so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Recipe contributor Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    Chorizo Salsa Omelet

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Chorizo or sausage, chunky salsa, eggs
    Level:
    Beginner

    Have a Mexican-styled breakfast with this chorizo goodness. The salsa adds a spicy kick to the omelet, too.

    Just a few ingredients jazz up a basic omelet and make it delish! —Recipe contributor Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Berries in Yogurt Cream

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Plain yogurt, heavy whipping cream, assorted berries
    Level:
    Beginner

    With simple ingredients like fresh yogurt and fruit, your tastebuds will thank you whenever you make this delicious parfait.

    Yogurt, cream, brown sugar and fresh fruit are all you need to wake up your taste buds on mornings you’d rather sleep in. Save time by having guests assemble their own parfaits. —Recipe contributor Michelle Stillman, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

    Andouille Sausage Hash

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Andouille sausage or smoked kielbasa, frozen O’Brien potatoes, double-cheddar cheese sauce
    Level:
    Beginner

    You can throw this meal together in a snap! No one will know it took you less than 30 minutes because it tastes so great.

    I threw this hash together last minute for a church brunch. Folks liked it so much that they asked me for the recipe, so I scrambled to write it down. —Recipe contributor Paulette Heisler, Tampa, Florida

    Star-Spangled Parfaits

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Strawberries, blueberries, vanilla or strawberry Greek yogurt
    Level:
    Beginner

    Even when it’s not the Fourth of July, you can still enjoy a red, white and blue treat. The strawberries and blueberries are bursting with sweetness.

    The best time for this dessert is midsummer when blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Recipe contributor Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Stuffing, eggs, salt, pepper
    Level:
    Beginner

    Use leftover stuffing for cute-as-can-be baked egg cups for a quick breakfast. They’re great for a cozy, sit-down brunch with family.

    Save your leftover stuffing to make shells to hold baked eggs. This is a hearty breakfast that keeps us going for the marathon shopping trips. —Recipe contributor Karen Deaver, Babylon, New York

    Fresh Corn Omelet

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, corn, cheddar cheese, salsa
    Level:
    Beginner

    This is a summer-inspired omelet is made with fresh corn for unexpected sweetness.

    I throw in homegrown corn and from-scratch salsa when I make this super summertime omelet. Sprinkle on onions, mushrooms, peppers and breakfast meat to customize it. —Recipe contributor William Stone, Robson, West Virginia

    Pecan Bacon

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Bacon, brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped pecans
    Level:
    Beginner

    This recipe offers a sweet take on bacon. With crunchy pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon, this will be a welcome surprise for anyone who gets a taste.

    Crispy, sweet bacon dresses up any breakfast. When my girls see this, they call it “special breakfast.” The big flavor punch just may surprise you. —Recipe contributor Catherine Ann Goza, Charlotte, North Carolina

    Go to Recipe

    Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Grits, eggs, bacon, Gouda cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    This is an easy Sunday breakfast to whip up for your family or a fun brunch.

    A Mississippi home cook gave me her recipe for grits casserole. It baked like traditional custard. I garnish it with parsley, crumbled bacon and cheese. —Recipe contributor Theresa Liguori, Elkridge, Maryland

    Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits

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    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Vanilla yogurt, bananas, peanut butter multi-grain Cheerios
    Level:
    Beginner

    We can’t think of a better combination than vanilla yogurt, bananas and peanut butter. This parfait will taste like dessert in a cup!

    For a lightning-fast breakfast, I layer vanilla yogurt with bananas, peanuts and multigrain cereal. It’s crunchy, easy and perfect for kids. —Recipe contributor Teresa Miller, Hamilton, Indiana

    Easy Gingerbread Pancakes

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Pancake mix, molasses, cinnamon, ginger
    Level:
    Beginner

    Make pancakes even more fun with the addition of spices and molasses. Every bite will taste like the holidays!

    Molasses and spices turn an ordinary pancake mix into a special breakfast. These are so easy to make that you can have them any day of the week. —Recipe contributor Trina Stewart, Yacolt, Washington

    Brunch-Style Portobello Mushrooms

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    Taste of Home

    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Portobello mushrooms, frozen creamed spinach, eggs
    Level:
    Beginner

    With simple ingredients like mushrooms and bacon, this easy breakfast idea will be a new staple in your rotation.

    I’ve always loved portobellos for their “stuffability.” I combined my favorite ingredients for this rich, savory main dish that’s wonderful for breakfast, brunch or even dinner! —Recipe contributor Sylvia Waldsmith, Rockton, Illinois

    Spanish Omelet

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    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Eggs, refried beans, salsa
    Level:
    Beginner

    With warm refried beans, salsa and shredded cheese, this dish is full of flavor. Plus, it’s ready in 15 minutes flat.

    Wake up your taste buds with the yummy flavors of warm refried beans, salsa and shredded cheese. Spice it up with a hot salsa, or add sizzling cooked bacon for a smoky twist. —Recipe contributor Teresa Gunnell, Lovettsville, Virginia

    Cuban Breakfast Sandwiches

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    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Hard salami, deli ham, Swiss cheese
    Level:
    Beginner

    Yup, that’s a Cuban sandwich for breakfast—and it’s so easy to make. For extra zip, add sliced pickles!

    Grab a hold of breakfast time by serving these warm, energy-boosting sandwiches. The hearty helping of protein will help keep hunger at bay, and they travel well on hectic mornings. —Recipe contributor Lacie Griffin, Austin, Texas

    Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

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    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Lemonade, lemon yogurt, frozen strawberries
    Level:
    Beginner

    When you want breakfast done in a jiffy, the blender saves the day. Simply toss in the ingredients, blend for a few seconds, and you’ll have a sweet and tangy beverage to take on the go.

    We love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It’s so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack. —Recipe contributor Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota

    Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes

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    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Main Ingredients:
    Buttermilk pancake mix, cinnamon, applesauce
    Level:
    Beginner

    These cinnamon applesauce pancakes are sweet and satisfying. The recipe calls for chunky cinnamon applesauce, but you can sub in apple butter if you have it.

    These applesauce pancakes are so good that you just might skip the syrup. They were created for Christmas morning but have since wowed folks at church breakfasts and— family and friends. The cinnamon is a delightful touch. —Recipe contributor Richard DeVore, Gibsonburg, Ohio

    Originally Published: December 31, 1969

    40 Easy Breakfast Ideas with 5 Ingredients or Less (42)

    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson

    Lauren has spent more than eight years writing lifestyle, health and wellness content for publishers like Allure, Teen Vogue and Thought Catalog. As Taste of Home's assistant editor, she ran the Holiday, Healthy and Desserts newsletters, and wrote and edited everything from recipe tutorials to healthy eating tips.After work hours, you can find Lauren trying out new pasta recipes, obsessing over her dog, Andre, and working on her third book of poetry.

    40 Easy Breakfast Ideas with 5 Ingredients or Less (2024)

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