December 21st is the first official day of winter, and if you live somewhere cold, you're already gearing up for the snowy months ahead. But whether you love this snowy season or not, powering through long, chilly winter days can be exhausting.
After all, winter activities – skiing, ice skating, sprinting to class in sub-zero winds – can take a lot of energy. To fuel yourself up on frigid mornings, try one of these 10 warm winter breakfasts.
1. Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Almond Butter
These sweet pancakes from Crazy for Crust are bursting with rich banana flavor, a hint of cinnamon and plenty of melty chocolate chips. Almond butter is an ideal topping that lends nutty flavor and extra protein.
Shortcut: top De Wafelbakkers frozen chocolate chip pancakes with sliced bananas and almond butter.
2. Cinnamon French Toast with Vanilla Yogurt Dip
This delectable French Toast is warm, buttery, and full of spiced, wintery flavor. Dip it in low-fat, vanilla Greek yogurt – a healthy, protein-packed option that balances the sweetness of the cinnamon-coated bread.
Shortcut: Use Trader Joe's frozen French Toast, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
3. Whole-Wheat Waffles with Honey and Peanut Butter
These golden-brown, Belgian-style waffles are full of protein and fiber but taste just as buttery and rich as the normal kind. A spoonful of natural creamy peanut butter and a drizzle of honey elevate this hearty dish to sweet and salty bliss.
Shortcut: Substitute frozen Kashi 7 Grain Waffles.
4. Cranberry-Pecan Bread with Cream Cheese
What could be better than warm, homemade bread on a cold morning? This loaf is crusty on the outside but soft in the middle and dotted with tart dried cranberries and toasted pecans. A layer of tangy cream cheese is the perfect complement to its sweet and savory flavor.
Shortcut: Toast a slice of Whole Foods bakery's cranberry-pecan bread instead.
5. Steel Cut Oatmeal with Raspberries and Brown Sugar
This hearty, slow-cooked oatmeal is packed with healthy carbs and protein but feels indulgent when topped with caramel-y brown sugar and tangy raspberries (fresh or frozen).
Shortcut: Top Quaker Steel Cut 3 Minute Brown Sugar and Cinnamon oatmeal with raspberries.
6. Healthy Gingerbread Muffins
No winter or holiday season can be complete without the cozy, warming scent of freshly-baked gingerbread. These healthy muffins from Ambitious Kitchen incorporate plenty of gingerbread spices and sweet molasses and maple flavor. They're the tastiest way to start a chilly day, especially if you're on the go.
Shortcut: Use Trader Joe's Gingerbread Cake & Baking Mix.
7. Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich with Arugula and Tomato
For a fancier upgrade to a classic breakfast sandwich, toast a whole-wheat english muffin or 2 slices of whole-grain bread and top with 1 fried or scrambled egg (or egg whites), 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a sliced tomato, and a handful of arugula. The rich egg and gooey cheese pair perfectly with the peppery, crunchy arugula and juicy tomato.
Shortcut: Try a frozen Evol Egg White, Kale, Roasted Tomato & Goat Cheese sandwich.
8. Classic Avocado Toast
Avocados are super healthy and full of creamy goodness. The ever-popular avocado toast is a flavorful, satisfying meal any time of day, especially in the morning. The rich, earthy flavor of mashed avocado comes to life with a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a dash of spicy red pepper flakes.
Shortcut: Use a spoonful of your favorite store-bought guacamole instead.
9. Shakshuka
This soul-warming Middle Eastern dish is packed with tomatoes, spices, and protein-filled eggs. Its warm, bubbling sauce, spicy flavors and fresh herbs will perk you up on the coldest of days.
Shortcut: Bake eggs for 7-10 minutes in pre-made Mina Shakshuka Sauce.
10. Veggie Frittata
Filled with healthy sautéed veggies, eggs, and cheese, this frittata is an easy but impressive-looking dish, perfect for breakfast (or any other meal of the day). For a boost of flavor, sprinkle the frittata with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Shortcut: Try a frozen CedarLane Spinach and Roasted Tomato Egg White Frittata.
I promise that these yummy options will brighten even the gloomiest, coldest winter morning. But if you're not a morning breakfast eater, breakfast for dinner is never a bad idea, either.