25 High-Protein Breakfast Recipes to Make Forever

a recipe photo of the Green Breakfast Sandwich with Pesto
Photo:

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

You might wake up with a smile on your face thinking of these yummy breakfast ideas. Rated with 4 and 5 stars, our readers have been loving these recipes, and we think you will too. Each serving contains at least 15 grams of protein, which helps support healthy digestion, muscle growth and energy production. You’ll want to start your day with tasty options like our Peanut-Ginger Tofu Scramble or High-Protein Peach Muffins for a delicious and nourishing morning meal!



01 of 25

Peanut-Ginger Tofu Scramble

Tofu Scramble with Peanut Ginger Sauce and Avocado with a slice of whole grain toast

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This vegan breakfast scramble is wonderfully versatile, doubling as a satisfying dinner when served with noodles or rice and a side of roasted broccoli. The crispy tofu is perfectly coated in a peanut ginger sauce, which should be added off the heat for the creamiest texture.

02 of 25

Pesto Breakfast Sandwich

a recipe photo of the Green Breakfast Sandwich with Pesto

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

This vibrant green veggie pesto sandwich is the perfect way to get your day started. This 10-minute breakfast features microgreens, which are young vegetable sprouts harvested just after the first true leaves develop.

03 of 25

High-Protein Peach Muffins

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Peach Muffins

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

These peach muffins feature one of summer's finest fruits. A sprinkle of sugar adds a delightful crunch on top, while strained yogurt keeps the muffins moist inside. Combined with almond butter, the yogurt also adds protein, making these muffins the perfect choice for a satisfying breakfast.

04 of 25

Carrot Cake-Inspired Loaf Bread

a recipe photo of the Carrot Cake-Inspired Loaf Bread

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Protein in this carrot cake–inspired loaf comes from cashew butter and Greek-style yogurt, which also helps keep it moist and tender. Carrots, nuts and raisins provide texture and flavor, while applesauce adds a subtle sweetness.

05 of 25

High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the High Protein Overnight Oats

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell

These overnight oats get a protein boost thanks to Greek-style yogurt, peanut butter and soy milk, which leads to 17 grams of protein per serving. We mix it up with chopped strawberries, but any berry or chopped fruit will pair nicely with this easy grab-and-go breakfast.

06 of 25

High-Protein Peanut Butter Baked Oats

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Peanut Butter-Brownie Baked Oats

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This brownie-baked oatmeal is a protein powerhouse, made with a blend of peanut butter, strained yogurt and chocolate pudding mix. Pudding mix adds moisture to the oats, making them less dense and chewy, and brings a sweeter, richer chocolate flavor.

07 of 25

Mixed Berry Cheesecake-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Mixed Berry Cheesecake-Inspired Overnight Oats

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

These cheesecake-inspired overnight oats feature layers of sweet berries and creamy oats with a graham cracker topping, just like the classic dessert. Any combination of berries works well here. If your favorite berries aren’t at their peak, swap them out for frozen, keeping in mind that they may add more liquid to the mixture as they sit.

08 of 25

Ham & Spinach Quiche

a recipe photo of the Ham & Spinach Quiche

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

This ham and spinach quiche is ideal for any meal, from brunch to dinner and all the moments in between. This quiche skips the crust, making it incredibly easy to pull together even on short notice. Swap out the Cheddar cheese for Gruyère or use Swiss chard in place of the spinach for a slightly different spin.

09 of 25

Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

a recipe photo of the Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Poppy seeds add crunch to these fluffy pancakes paired with a sweet-tart blueberry sauce. What’s the secret to tender pancakes? Don’t overmix your batter! Mixing builds structure, but overmixing will yield a tough pancake. 

10 of 25

High-Protein Black Bean Breakfast Bowl (No Eggs!)

a recipe photo of the High-Protein Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

Ali Redmond

While eggs offer plenty of protein, you can make a satisfying, high-protein breakfast without them. This breakfast bowl includes black beans, yogurt and Monterey Jack cheese, providing 15 grams of protein to keep you feeling full and energized throughout the morning.

11 of 25

Peanut Butter-Banana French Toast Casserole

a recipe photo of the Peanut Butter & Banana French Toast Casserole

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This French toast casserole is sweetened with banana and a touch of maple syrup. The drizzle on top adds nutty peanut butter flavor to every bite. If your peanut butter is lumpy, blend the custard filling in a blender to smooth it out. You can add chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra flavor if you prefer.

12 of 25

Spinach, Feta & Artichoke Tater Tot Casserole

a recipe photo of the Spinach, Feta & Artichoke Tater Tot Casserole

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

This egg-based dinner casserole is assembled and baked in a single baking dish, making prep (and cleanup!) a breeze. Potato tots nestled on top add a crispy, golden crust.

13 of 25

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

These overnight oats re-create the flavors of a popular candy. The chocolate is used in two ways—stirred into the oats, and melted on top to mimic the shell of the peanut butter cup. Flaky sea salt on top balances the sweetness. We use crunchy peanut butter, but creamy peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter would work just as well.

14 of 25

Crustless Caprese Quiche

a recipe photo of the Crustless Caprese Quiche

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

This light and fluffy crustless quiche is dotted with tomatoes, little bites of melty mozzarella and savory pesto. And the best part—it’s mixed, assembled and baked in a pie plate for easy cleanup. 

15 of 25

Chocolate-Banana Protein Smoothie

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Red lentils give this smoothie a plant-based protein boost. To make this smoothie vegan, try using unsweetened coconut beverage or almond milk in place of the dairy milk.

16 of 25

Hearty Breakfast Salad with Roasted Cabbage & Baked Feta

Hearty Breakfast Salad with Roasted Cabbage & Baked Feta

A breakfast salad is a fresh, delicious way to start your day with ample veggies. This recipe gets a hearty twist with additions like cabbage and feta. For brunch guests, put the components out buffet-style so they can build their own bowls.

17 of 25

Mixed-Berry Breakfast Smoothie

Mixed-berry breakfast smoothie recipe in a tall glass, topped with fresh raspberries, blueberries and one blackberry

Robby Lozano

Smoothies are popular for breakfast, but many don't have enough calories or nutrients to be considered a complete meal. This creamy berry smoothie has the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat, and will keep you satisfied until your next meal.

18 of 25

Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Smoothie

two tall pint glasses filled with green smoothie next to hot pink napkin

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This mango green smoothie gets bright tart flavor from frozen passion fruit, and inflammation-fighting benefits from fresh kale. Dates add natural sweetness without added sugar. While cilantro may not be a typical smoothie ingredient, we love the herbal notes it adds to this smoothie. Feel free to leave it out if that's not your thing—it's just as delicious without.

19 of 25

Spinach & Fried Egg Grain Bowls

a recipe photo of the Wilted Spinach and Fried Egg Wheat Berry Bowl
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Wheat berries, a nutty-tasting whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture, are the base of this hearty breakfast bowl recipe. The fiber-rich grain freezes very well, so cook up a batch to stash away for salads, bowls and more. Topped with spinach, peanuts and an egg, these bowls make for a satisfying breakfast. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra heat.

20 of 25

High-Protein Lemon-Blueberry Muffins

cooked blueberry muffins on a serving board and a muffin tin in the background

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Julia Levy

These lemon-blueberry muffins are so good, you'll think they came straight from a bakery. A sprinkle of sugar creates a nice crunch on the outside, while strained yogurt provides moisture and a boost of satisfying protein.

21 of 25

Apple Pie-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of Apple Pie Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

There's no better way to usher in fall than apple pie-inspired overnight oats in the morning. Prep and store this easy breakfast ahead of time to have on hand for busy work and school mornings. You can substitute any nondairy milk for the reduced-fat milk, or try kefir if you want your oats extra tangy.

22 of 25

Avocado Toast with Burrata

avocado toast

Burrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a weekday-friendly breakfast.

23 of 25

Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Quiche

Overhead photo of Bacon & Brussels Sprouts Quiche

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This crustless quiche is perfect for brunch or dinner served with a green salad on the side. You can shred Brussels sprouts yourself with a sharp knife, or look for pre-shredded sprouts with other prepared vegetables in your local grocery store. We love the smoky flavor of bacon, but pancetta is an easy substitute.

24 of 25

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

three small jars of carrot cake overnight oats, two spoons, a cloth napkin and a cup of coffee

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Catherine Jessee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Carrot cake for breakfast? We say yes! These carrot cake overnight oats taste just like the classic dessert—complete with a frosting-like layer—but with far less added sugar. We like layering some of the frosting in between the layers of oats, but you can just dollop it all on top if you prefer.

25 of 25

Overnight Matcha Oats with Berries

Overnight Matcha Oats with Berries
Greg DuPree

Blueberries and raspberries top these matcha overnight oats for a quick, meal-prep-friendly breakfast.

Medically reviewed by
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Jessica Ball
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & WineReal SimpleParentsBetter Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes.
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