5 Easy Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings

According to the old adage, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s not exactly true—because all meals are important, and because getting enough energy and nutrients throughout the day matters more than what time you’re getting them—but breakfast is definitely important.

A more accurate, up-to-date saying might be that breakfast is the most difficult meal of the day, at least for most of us. No matter what stage of life you’re in, mornings are busy. Finding time to eat a meal can be tricky, and finding time to cook one can feel nearly impossible.

But that doesn’t mean that breakfast needs to fall by the wayside, or that you need to rely entirely on Starbucks pastries and egg bites in the morning. Sure, convenient to-go options are great in a pinch, but it’s possible to set yourself up for breakfast success at home.

Everyone’s breakfast preferences are different—hot or cold, sweet or salty, on-the-go or sit-down. That’s why the list below includes several options, from a cold smoothie bowl to a make-ahead egg casserole to a microwave muffin that’s ready in less than five minutes. No matter what your morning routine looks like, you’ll probably find at least one recipe below that fits your needs or sparks your interest.

Blueberry-Oatmeal Muffin Mug Cake 

Microwave mug cakes were an internet phenomenon a few years ago, and they’re still a great option if you don’t have access to a full kitchen (say, if you’re living in a college dorm) or if you’re looking to make a single-serving treat rather than a whole batch of baked goods. This blueberry-oatmeal muffin takes just three minutes to make from start to finish, and while it doesn’t taste exactly like the fresh-baked kind, it’s a pretty great substitute in a pinch. Get the recipe here.