25 Savory Breakfasts Ideas to Power Up Your Mornings

Say goodbye to sugar in the AM.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel began testing recipes for Simply Recipes in 2018. She started her food blog in 2017 and taught children's baking classes around Seattle.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated July 27, 2023
Muffin hash brown and egg bites are viewed from the side and on a white platter.
Kalisa Marie Martin

Breakfast can be surprisingly overwhelming. As tempting as it is to skip the meal entirely, I find that I have so much more energy when I take the extra couple minutes to eat. But what should I choose? My favorite breakfasts are savory dishes packed with filling ingredients, such as eggs and cheese. Whenever possible, I try to add vegetables to make it even more satisfying and flavorful. 

The recipes below are all on the savory side. You’ll find make-ahead options, that just require warming up, as well as recipes that are so quick and easy, you can make them before having your morning coffee.

  • Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

    Bacon and Gruyère Egg Bites on a Wooden Board Surrounded by a a Small Bowl of Cheese and Another Small Bowl with Bacon Bits

    Simply Recipes / Ross Yoder

    Skip the line at Starbucks and make these bacon Gruyère egg bites instead (plus, you get to eat more than two)! Start with room-temperature eggs for the best results.

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  • Buckwheat Crepes with Egg, Ham, Cheese, and Asparagus

    Buckwheat Crepes with Egg, Ham, Cheese, and Asparagus and a Side Salad on a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    Start your day with a classic Breton-style crepe. Savory ham and cheese contrast with the robust buckwheat crepe. Make the batter the night before and you'll be eating crepes in no time.

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  • Sheet Pan Fried Eggs

    Wooden Spatula Lifting a Sheet Pan Fried Egg From a Baking Pan, and Next to the Sheet Pan, a Stack of Plate With Utensils and a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Standing over the stove making everyone fried eggs isn't feasible on busy weekdays. Instead, make 10 eggs on a sheet pan. Heating the sheet pan in a hot oven for 15 minutes is the key to sheet pan egg success.

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  • Spinach Tofu Scramble

    Vegan spinach and tofu scramble in skillet.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    Start the day with a quick, protein-packed tofu scramble. Look for firm or extra firm tofu for this vegan breakfast.

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    Continue to 5 of 25 below.

  • Easy Whipped Ricotta Toast

    Two Pieces of Whipped Ricotta Toast Topped with Honey

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    Elevate your toast with light and airy whipped whole milk ricotta and a lemon thyme flavored honey. The whipped ricotta and the flavored honey can be refrigerated for up to a week, which means all you need to do in the morning is put a crusty piece of bread in the toaster.

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  • Farro, Mushroom, and Egg Grain Bowls

    Farro, Mushroom, and Egg Grain Bowl

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    Grain bowls aren’t just for lunch. This farro version has everything you need for a savory breakfast. Store the farro, mushrooms, flavored yogurt, and fried eggs in separate containers. In the morning, assemble the farro, mushrooms, and eggs and rewarm. Spoon yogurt on top and enjoy.

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  • Chicken Congee (Jook)

    Two Bowls of Chicken Congee Topped with Sliced Ginger and Sliced Green Onion, and Next to the Bowls, Two Soup Spoons on Table Napkins, All on a Mustard Colored Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    Congee is a classic Chinese comfort food often eaten for breakfast. Recipe developer Frank Tiu writes "Congee is one of the easiest and most delicious meals that you can make at home with a few simple, affordable ingredients. Whether you are looking to make it meaty or vegan, congee will highlight all the natural flavors of your ingredients and make them sing. Plus, you can customize each bowl by adding your choice of toppings."

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  • Make-Ahead Frittata Squares with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta

    Frittata Squares with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta

    These frittata squares are packed with fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Make it ahead of time and then microwave individual squares all week long.

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    Continue to 9 of 25 below.

  • Baked Eggs in Avocado with Salmon

    Baked eggs in an avocado on a plate with a lemon. Sliced grapefruit and coffee are behind it.

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    This stunning breakfast can be dressed up for brunch with friends or simplified for a quick, savory breakfast at home. Make sure to buy large Haas avocados and to scoop out a wide area for the eggs to fit into.

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  • Freezer Breakfast Burritos With Sausage, Eggs and Salsa Verde

    Frozen Breakfast Burrito Recipe
    Nick Evans

    Grab a hearty breakfast burrito before you head out the door for a protein-packed start to your day. This recipe makes eight freezer burritos that only need to be warmed in the microwave before enjoying.

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  • Omelette in a Mug

    Person holding a mug with an omelette inside.
    Elise Bauer and Guy Michelier

    Microwave eggs are my go-to on busy mornings. Prep the red bell pepper and green onion the night before so that all you have to do is mix it together in the morning.

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  • Cheesy Hash Brown Egg Bites

    Top view of easy hash brown egg bites on a white plate.
    Kalisa Marie Martin

    A "crust" of crispy potato shreds makes these make-ahead brekkies heartier than regular egg bites. They're baked in regular muffin tins, not minis, for an egg bite that's mega-size.

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    Continue to 13 of 25 below.

  • Bloody Mary Smoothie

    Bloody Mary Smoothie
    Elise Bauer

    If you’d rather drink your breakfast, then this spin on a Bloody Mary cocktail is just the thing to get your morning started. This frothy smoothie is full of bold flavors and makes enough for two people.

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  • Instant Pot Egg Bites

    Finished pressure cooker egg bites on a plate with the instant pot in the background
    Simply Recipes

    These come together in a blender in a snap. Personalize them with mix-ins like bacon, herbs, or a light scattering of veggies.

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  • Barley Lunch Jars

    Three jars of grab and go barley meals
    Nick Evans

    Yes, it says lunch jars, but have you thought of trying grain salads for breakfast? Make a vinaigrette in a jar. Cook plump barley, then divvy up between more jars and top with sliced veggies for make ahead breakfasts that'll get your whole grains and green in first thing.

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  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

    Plate of Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with a Fork, Surrounded by a Bowl with More Salad, Glasses, a Small Bowl with Salt, a Cutting Board with a Lime Half, and a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    You can refrigerate this colorful and nutrient-packed salad for up to 5 days. Contributor Sheela Prakash actually prefers it the next day. Black beans add protein. Omit the feta to make it dairy-free.

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    Continue to 17 of 25 below.

  • Quesadilla Pie

    A slice of quesadilla pie on a plate
    Elise Bauer

    This is like making multiple quesadillas all at once. That means sharing or leftovers, plus no standing over a pan griddling (it's baked in a pie pan, of course).

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  • Huevos a la Mexicana

    Huevos a la Mexicana

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    This breakfast fixture is essentially eggs scrambled with the same things that go into salsa. It's quick and wholesome. For a boost with the nutritional profile, swap the flour tortillas on the side with corn tortillas.

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  • Plantain Frittata

    Plantain Frittata with a Serving Cut Out in Cast Iron Skillet Surrounded by Rosemary and Kitchen Towel

    Nancy Odogwu / Simply Recipes

    Looking for a new spin on frittatas? This African-inspired plantain frittata is filling and packed with spinach, tomatoes, and peppers.

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  • Soy Sauce Eggs

    Soy Sauce Eggs in Bowl with an Egg Cut in Half

    Alison Bickel / Simply Recipes

    You'll find soy sauce eggs in a number of Asian cusines. Enjoy as-is or use them as a building block for a furikake-topped bowl of brown rice. Or make them into clever deviled eggs. These need to marinate, so make a batch on the weekend and they'll be ready when you are.

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    Continue to 21 of 25 below.

  • Easy Breakfast Casserole

    Overhead shot of the finished breakfast casserole in a 9x13 baking dish
    Elise Bauer

    This as-you-like-it breakfast casserole has been a favorite on the site for years. It's a great template for cleaning out the fridge or using up stale bread. Leftovers are practically gold!

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  • Homemade Cup Noodles

    From Scratch Ramen Noodle Cups fill the cups with hot water
    Sally Vargas

    Assemble these savory noodle-bowls-in-jars and have them ready to go in the fridge. You'll be rewarded in a power-up breakfast that's much lower in sodium than any instant noodle soup from a packet.

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  • Cottage Cheese Plate

    Plate With Cooked Red Cherry Tomatoes, Prosciutto, Bread, and a Bowl of Cottage Cheese Topped With Olive Olive, Basil Leaves, and Cracked Pepper

    Simply Recipes / Laura Manzano

    Don't limit cottage cheese toppings to fruit. If you have assorted jars of marinated or pickled things, serve them alongside a bowl of cottage cheese topped with good olive oil and cracked black pepper.

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  • Quick and Easy Egg Salad Sandwich

    Egg Salad Sandwich

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    If you've never had egg salad for breakfast, you haven't lived. It's especially satisfying in the summer.

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    Continue to 25 of 25 below.

  • Spiced Turkey and Zucchini Burgers

    Spicy Turkey and Zucchini Burger
    Elise Bauer

    These give you lean protein and veggies off the bat. Grated zucchini adds moisture. Think of them as supersized, lightened-up sausage patties. Make a batch and eat on it all week long.

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