During the morning rush, the last thing you want to be doing is spending a lot of time making breakfast. But you know that breakfast is important—and skipping it has been shown to have negative consequences on mood, focus and health, including heart health.
That’s why we’ve put together these heart-healthy breakfast recipes that are easy to make when you need a quick, healthy bite. Each breakfast is ready in 15 minutes or less. Plus, these recipes meet our requirements for a heart-healthy diet, meaning they’re low in saturated fat and sodium. Each recipe contains no more than 600 mg of sodium and no more than 6 grams of saturated fat.
You’ll see that many of the recipes include eggs. Yes, eggs can be a part of a heart-healthy diet! They offer a wealth of nutrients, help keep blood sugar stable and are a great way to start your day.
Recipes like Egg Tartine, Muesli with Raspberries and Breakfast Beans with Microwave-Poached Egg are filling, delicious and the perfect start to any morning.
Two-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
These delicious and unbelievably simple pancakes are best enjoyed right after cooking. With just eggs and a banana, you can have healthy grain-free pancakes with no added sugar. Serve with maple syrup and yogurt or ricotta cheese to add in some protein.
Everything Bagel Avocado Toast
Get all the flavor of an everything bagel married with the creaminess of avocado toast in one healthy breakfast. Just toast, top, sprinkle and go for this quick morning meal when you need to get out the door fast. Want to take it up a notch? Top with a poached or fried egg.
Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries
This quick egg scramble with hearty bread is one of the best breakfasts for weight loss. It combines weight-loss power foods, eggs and raspberries, with filling whole-grain toast and nutrient-packed spinach. The protein and fiber help fill you up and the whole meal clocks in at just under 300 calories.
Pineapple-Grapefruit Detox Smoothie
Pineapple, grapefruit and spinach are packed with water and minerals, which can help hydrate you and supply your body with a bounty of fiber too. Electrolyte-rich coconut water is a refreshing liquid base for your smoothie. If you have time, freeze the coconut water into cubes for an extra-frosty smoothie. It’s important to note that coconut water has virtually no protein, so if you want that lasting power, add a scoop or two of protein powder to the smoothie or have a side of eggs or a handful of nuts.
Breakfast Beans with Microwave-Poached Egg
In Costa Rica, this popular breakfast bean dish is called gallo pinto, which means spotted rooster, referring to the dark beans amid the pale rice. We call for cooked barley here, but you can use whatever leftover cooked grain you may have on hand.
Spinach, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
Peanut butter and banana is a classic combo that’s even more delicious with the addition of tangy probiotic-rich kefir. Plus, this peanut butter banana smoothie helps you up your veggie servings for the day with a bit of mild-flavored spinach mixed in.
Southwestern Waffle
This open-faced egg sandwich has a bit of Southwestern flair with avocado and fresh salsa. And while you’d normally expect it served on toast or an English muffin, we’ve switched things up by serving it on a whole-grain waffle.
Muesli with Raspberries
Unlike granola, muesli isn’t baked with sweeteners or oil. Make your own or find your favorite brand in most supermarkets—we like Bob’s Red Mill. Top your muesli with fiber-filled, antioxidant-rich berries. Milk brings more protein, which adds to this bowl’s staying power.
Mango Raspberry Smoothie
A squeeze of lemon juice adds a bright flavor to this frozen fruit smoothie. Mango provides plenty of sweetness without having to add juice, but if it’s too tart for you, a touch of agave, honey or maple syrup will do the trick. For more staying power, add a scoop or two of protein powder to the smoothie or have a side of eggs or a handful of nuts with it.
Pistachio & Peach Toast
This breakfast is great when you have leftover ricotta cheese—plus it comes together in just 5 minutes. The combination of the protein in the ricotta with the fiber in the whole-grain toast and peaches will help get you through the morning with plenty of energy.
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal
Sonia Bozzo
Unlike quick-cooking oats, old-fashioned oatmeal has time to turn extra-creamy and luscious with just a few minutes more of cooking time. With a bit of milk and the toppings of your choice—like nuts or nut butter and fruit—this oatmeal recipe can be your go-to morning staple for a filling, healthy breakfast.
Strawberry Peach Smoothie
Cauliflower in a smoothie might sound like a deal breaker, but trust us, it’s worth it. Not only does it boost your veggie servings for the day, but it also makes this peach smoothie even creamier. For greater lasting power, add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder or have your smoothie with a side of eggs or a handful of nuts.
Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Smoked Trout & Avocado
Kale for breakfast? Oh yeah! Start your day off right with a breakfast salad recipe full of good-for-you greens and you’ll knock out half of your daily veggie quota with the first meal of the day.
Berry-Banana Cauliflower Smoothie
Sneak in your veggies with a smoothie every morning. Riced cauliflower adds thickness and creaminess to a subtly sweet cauliflower smoothie that features the fruity flavors of bananas and berries at the forefront. To increase the protein content—and the smoothie’s staying power—swap the almond milk out with plain kefir, soy milk or cow’s milk.
Pineapple Green Smoothie
Use ripe bananas for this creamy Greek yogurt, spinach and pineapple smoothie. Chia seeds add healthy omega-3 fats, fiber and a little protein for an extra nutritional heart-healthy boost.
Peanut Butter-Banana Cinnamon Toast
This satisfying peanut butter-banana toast gets a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra flavor boost. The cinnamon, along with the peanut butter’s protein and whole-grain toast’s fiber, also helps keep blood sugar steady. This provides quality, lasting energy for your morning.
Mango-Almond Smoothie Bowl
For this healthy smoothie bowl recipe, be sure to use frozen fruit (not fresh) to keep the texture thick, creamy and frosty. With 22 grams of protein and 9 g of fiber in one bowl, you’ll be full and satisfied all morning.
Yogurt with Blueberries & Honey
A simple combination of Greek yogurt and blueberries gets an extra touch of sweetness from golden honey. It’s the perfect balance of protein and fiber to keep you energized.
Egg Tartine
Looking for an elegant, heart-healthy—but still quick—breakfast? Bruschetta meets avocado toast in this simple breakfast upgrade.
Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta Toast
Herbed ricotta toast gets topped with cannellini beans and roasted red peppers for a colorful, tasty open-faced sandwich that’s heart-healthy and filled with protein for lasting power.
Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Oatmeal
In this satisfying, on-the-go oatmeal recipe, protein-rich Greek yogurt, crunchy pecans and sweet berries make this the perfect healthy breakfast. Short on time in the morning? Try our overnight oatmeal variation (see recipe).
Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin
The addition of chia seeds in the quick “jam” topping not only thickens the jam but also adds heart-healthy omega-3s to this healthy breakfast recipe.
Pecan Butter & Pear Toast
For a quick breakfast or snack, try this three-ingredient toast. Pecan butter adds a nutty flavor, which gets balanced by the natural sweetness of the pear.
