A nourishing breakfast for kids can make all the difference in mood, performance, and food choices for the rest of the day. It’s a crucial part of clean eating for kids. But, coming up with healthy breakfast ideas kids will eat, that are also practical, can feel impossible.
This article is here to give you a variety of simple solutions for:
- Fueling your kids with healthy nutrients
- Avoiding the mistake of skipping this important meal
- Easy breakfast ideas that everyone will love!
You can even pick up some kitchen tools for kids and get them involved in preparing breakfast, teaching them about nutrition in the process.
Easy breakfast parfaits
Breakfast parfaits are a perfect grab and go option that you can put together the night before. For a little extra protein, pair any of these real food recipes with a hard-boiled egg, chicken sausage, or an extra sprinkle of nuts.
1. Raspberry Almond Chia Pudding
Creamy, filling, and easy to make ahead, Raspberry Almond Chia Pudding is a great egg-free, dairy-free, grab-n-go breakfast.
2. Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt is always a great grab-n-go breakfast option. Choose full fat, all-natural dairy or coconut yogurt, and look for live cultures (for a healthy gut).
There are more and more grain-free granolas out there, or make a batch of your own to sprinkle alongside fresh berries in this Blueberry Yogurt Parfait. (Egg-free, can be dairy-free)
3. Fruity Cocoa Yogurt Parfait
This fruity-cocoa yogurt parfait includes chia seeds for extra nutrition and a touch of texture. You can make this as you would overnight oats and have it ready to go for the next day.
Grain-Free Pancake Recipes
A version of grain-free pancakes pops up on our family menu every Monday morning. They are easy to make, and full of healthy fats for the brain boost your kids need to power through the day.
4. Pumpkin Banana Pancakes
Pumpkin puree adds moisture, flavor, and nutrition to this grain-free base of banana, nut butter, and egg. Top these Pumpkin Banana hotcakes with butter and sliced fruit in place of overly sweet syrup.
5. Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
These Apple Cinnamon Pancakes offer healthy fats, real fruit, and protein — especially if you pair them with some nitrate/nitrite-free all-natural breakfast ham. (Can be made dairy-free and nut-free)
6. Bacon Scallion Pancakes
Not all pancakes need to be sweet! These savory Bacon Scallion Pancakes are just as tasty and fun to make!
7. Cinnamon Raisin Pancakes
I loved cinnamon raisin toast as a kid. These Cinnamon Raisin Pancakes bring back fond memories (especially topped with a pat of butter), while using healthier ingredients for your family to enjoy.
Egg-based breakfast ideas
Have you heard? Eggs are considered by many nutritionists to be a nearly “perfect” food — they offer complete protein, good fats, and are a great source of choline, which is important for mood, muscle movement, and memory!
8. Egg Muffins
Egg Muffins are perfect for primal kids. Whether you’re cooking with toddlers or teens, your kids can help and choose the veggies they want to add
You can make them ahead of time for busy weekday mornings.
9. Ham and Egg Buttercups
Ham and Egg Buttercups are a great way to start the day! They have oodles of staying power with a high dose of healthy fats and protein. By adding diced veggies to the bottom on the ham cup, you boost the vitamins and minerals in your little one’s diet as well.
10. Vegetable Frittata
Frittatas are perfect for making during your weekend food prep, and heating up, or eating cold, during the week.
This Clean Out the Fridge Frittata is also a great way to add a serving of veggies to your family’s breakfast. (Nut-free, can be dairy-free)
11. Turnip Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Egg
Turnips are an underutilized root veggie, but this version of Sweet Potato Hash will help introduce this nutritious carbohydrate to your child’s plate. Top it with a fried egg or two for delicious flavor and a complete meal.
12. Potato Crusted Mini Quiches
Like mini baked frittatas, these Potato Crusted Quiches are full of healthy ingredients for a make-ahead breakfast. Kids are drawn to smaller versions of just about anything, and using a muffin tin to create individual portions of this tasty recipe is no exception.
13. Avocado Egg Bake
Super easy — super yummy!
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Halve an avocado and remove the pit.
- Scoop out a touch more avocado to increase the hole size. Place cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Crack one egg into each hole and add a dash of salt and pepper.
- Top with diced peppers and green onions and bake for 15 minutes or until yolk reaches desired consistency.
Get more great kid-friendly breakfast ideas with 4 Weeks of Real Food
Need more healthy breakfast recipes that your kids will actually eat?
My 4 Weeks of Real Food meal plan gives you everything you need for a full month of delicious, healthy real food meals.
Healthy Breakfast Smoothies
Moms and kids alike love smoothies — and what’s not to love? Making smoothies together can be a fun nutrition activity for kids of all ages.
Throw everything in a blender, and viola! A delicious, refreshing, and nutrient-dense meal to satisfy all.
Pair with a side of eggs, or organic breakfast meat for added protein.
14. Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl
Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense source of starchy carbohydrate for busy kids, and this Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl is a great way to incorporate it into a delicious and refreshing breakfast — the toppings make it a winner. (Egg-free, dairy-free)
15. Fresh Acai Kiwi Smoothie
Recipes like this Acai Kiwi Smoothie with Chia Seeds that emphasize naturally low sugar and high antioxidant fruits (açaí and kiwi), paired with fibrous greens and seeds (spinach and chia), and healthy fats (avocado and nut butter) offer long-lasting and nutrient-rich sustenance for your whole family.
16. Coco-cado Smoothie
My kids have loved to make this Coco-cado Smoothie by themselves since third grade. They are always surprised by the creamy texture the avocado provides, while the cacao keeps the flavor full of chocolatey goodness.
17. Pineapple Cilantro Smoothie
This Pineapple Cilantro Smoothie recipe is creamy and tropical with a bite of ginger – yum! The health benefits are icing on the cake — did you know that cilantro provides great detoxifying properties?
18. Berry Smoothie
It doesn’t get much simpler than frozen fruit and coconut milk! The purple color, creamy texture, and sweet taste will keep your kids sipping.
- Add 1 cup of canned coconut milk, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 4 frozen strawberries, 1 banana, and a splash of pure vanilla extract to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pair with hard-boiled eggs.
Gluten-Free Whole Grain Breakfast Recipes
An occasional oat dish makes the Primal Peak primal diet approved list if this gluten-free grain is well sourced and well prepared — sprouted, non-GMO, glyphosate free, and soaked or cooked. Here are a few of our favorite oat recipes that make the cut.
19. Oatmeal with Chia Seeds
As an athlete, I ate my share of oats. But this Chia Seed Oatmeal recipe adds extra plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats to balance out the rich carbohydrate levels and keep your kids’ blood sugar under control. Serve with scrambled eggs on the side.
20. Fall Harvest Baked Oatmeal
Adding shredded carrots and beets to these Fall Harvest Baked Oatmeal may sound too sophisticated for young palates, but you’d be surprised. Baking brings out the natural sugars in these root vegetables and the color is intriguing enough to encourage the first bite.
21. Nutty Banana Overnight Oats
As a mom, my favorite part of this Nutty Banana Overnight Oats recipe is that my kids like to make it themselves! Measure and mix a handful of ingredients in a jar… let it soak in the fridge overnight…and top with fresh sliced bananas in the morning.
Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas for Kids
Here are a few more make-ahead, and snack-like options to make any busy morning breakfast a breeze!
22. Banana Boats
Spread some nut butter, add some tasty toppings, and watch these Healthy Banana Boats sail right into your child’s mouth! Assemble in a flash and feel good about the balance of real food ingredients to fuel the day.
23. Apple Butter Sandwiches
The combination of fruit and nuts equals nutrient-dense carbohydrates and healthy fats for a kid-friendly win. Apple Butter Sandwiches can also be made with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative.
24. Hard-Boiled Eggs and Fruit
As simple as can be. With a batch of hard-boiled eggs made in advance, you can create a healthy breakfast for kids in a flash — just add some diced fruit or fresh berries!
25. Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Muffins are a treat in our house, but I always feel good putting these Gluten-free Blueberry Muffins on the table. The combination of fresh lemon, chia seeds, and blueberries will satisfy your family’s taste buds. Pair them with a couple of pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs, and your kids are off to a nutritious start.
26. Avocado with Salsa
The flavor combination of avocado and salsa can be slightly addicting. Creamy butteriness alongside tomatoes with a kick is both tasty and satisfying. Try it with crumbled bacon on top!
Healthy breakfast family favorites
These last five breakfast recipes have stood the test of time in our house. These healthy favorites end up on our family menu more often than not.
27. Blueberry Rosemary Sausage
Fresh blueberries and fresh rosemary add a fun surprise to your everyday sausage. This recipe is a great way to expose your kids to the power of herbs. Try Blueberry Rosemary Sausage patties paired with a side of eggs cooked to order.
28. Breakfast Tacos
When Breakfast Tacos are served, my boys come running! I like to use organic deli ham as my taco shell, but grain-free or non-GMO corn tortillas can be added to the outside as well.
29. Fruity Nut Cereal
The nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes topped with milk of your choice and fresh berries in this Fruity Nut Cereal will satisfy any cravings for “breakfast in a box.” (Egg-free and can be made dairy-free)
30. Leftover Scramble
Breakfast is a great time to use up leftover veggies, meats, and even fruits in a scramble style saute. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil (or avocado oil) to a pan and toss in your chopped goodies with a dash of seasoning. To-egg or not-to-egg? Your choice.
31. Breakfast Toasts
Who doesn’t love a good fancy toast? Substituting the bread for thinly sliced sweet potato keeps it real and full of good nutrition. Top your toast with a fried egg to upgrade the protein
There you have it — 31 healthy breakfast ideas for your kids and the whole family!
Which will you try this week?
For more healthy breakfast ideas, for kids and adults, check out my Weekly Paleo Diet Meal Plan.
