Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of eating the same cereals or yogurt every morning. With these quick recipes, you can start your day with a nutritious and exciting meal that tastes like dessert (it’s true!) Pudding, cookies, and pie–it’ll be a breakfast worth getting out of bed for.
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: 0-2 minutes
Total Time: 5-12 minutes
Photo by Katherine Baker
Wafles’n’Dinges Spinoff
Sure, everyone at NYU knows exactly when and where the Wafles’n’Dinges truck parks on campus (Mondays, right in front of Stern), but let’s face it: the Wafles truck, while delicious, is a bit pricey and perhaps not the most nutritious breakfast option before a long day of studying. Fuel up with this healthier version (which even includes a healthy homemade version of the famous Speculoos cookie spread!) and next time you’ll walk by those wafting waffle scents on Washington Square South without a second thought.
Ingredients:
1 toaster waffle
1 graham cracker (or a handful of Teddy Grahams)
1 tablespoon almond or sunflower butter
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon honey or agave
“Dinges” of your choice (sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, whipped cream, chocolate sauce)
Directions:
1. Cook toaster waffle as directed. If you want to make it more square like the true Wafles’n’Dinges waffles, trim off two ends.
2. Assemble the speculoos. Start by crushing the graham cracker. This can be done by placing them in a plastic bag, then smashing it with a large spoon until the graham crackers become small crumbs. A food processor can also be used for this. Place crumbs in a small bowl.
3. Add almond or sunflower butter, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl. Mix until well combined into a paste. If the spread is too thick or crumbly, add a bit more honey until paste reaches desired consistency (look for a peanut-butter like spread consistency).
4. Top waffle with “Speculoos” and add your “dinges” on top of that.
5. Dollop with whipped cream on a test day.
Photo by Katherine Baker
Banana Cream Pie
Bananas and Greek Yogurt are a match made in heaven. Topped with a warm crispy toaster waffle as the “pie crust,” digging your spoon through this twist on a classic parfait is like just like digging through a personal banana cream pie. Make it your own with your favorite flavor of Greek yogurt (recommended: vanilla or coconut).
Ingredients:
1 6oz vanilla, plain, or coconut Greek Yogurt cup
1 banana
1 toaster waffle
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 teaspoon honey
Optional: coconut flakes
Directions:
1. Cook toaster waffle as directed.
2. Remove lid from yogurt. Slice bananas, add half to yogurt and mix.
3. Add coconut shreds or nuts if desired.
4. Spread almond or peanut butter on waffle and top with remainder of sliced banana, honey, and coconut shreds (if desired).
5. Place toaster waffle on top of yogurt cup.
6. Eat by spooning through the waffle “crust,” and dolloping with the “pie filling” below. Yum!
Photo by Katherine Baker
Chocolate Breakfast Pudding
Pudding is delicious. Unfortunately, dessert pudding is often high in fat and store-bought pudding is full of sugar and preservatives. Instead, when you wake up craving something smooth and chocolate-y, make this delish breakfast treat. The Greek yogurt is rich in protein, calcium, and B vitamins while the cocoa powder helps thicken the rich Greek yogurt creating a happy cross between pudding and frosting. A surprisingly small amount of sweetener is all that’s needed to make this taste like a treat. Add sliced strawberries or raspberries for more decadence.
Ingredients:
1 6oz plain Greek Yogurt cup
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1-2 teaspoons of sugar or honey
Raspberries or sliced strawberries (optional)
Directions:
1. Add cocoa powder to Greek Yogurt and mix thoroughly until smooth.
2. Add sweetener and mix again.
3. Top with fresh fruit. Enjoy!
Photo by Katherine Baker
Breakfast Cookie for One
“Cookies for breakfast?” Yes! No, it’s not Cookie Crisp cereal; in fact, it’s much more delicious and has fiber, whole grains, and healthy fats that, unlike the sugary cereal, will actually keep you full until lunchtime. This is a base recipe that can be jazzed up with whatever fruits, nuts, jams and nut butters you have around your apartment. Use flavored oatmeal packets for an extra flavor kick (maple brown sugar flavor with almond butter and pecans makes for an excellent combination) but if you do, reduce or omit the additional sugar to avoid over-sweetening. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats or one packet of instant oatmeal
1 tablespoon nut butter or coconut oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg whites
Optional mix-ins: chopped fresh or dried fruit, nuts, a teaspoon of jam
Directions:
1. Place oats in a small bowl. Add nut butter or coconut oil (coconut oil will need to be melted in the microwave), baking soda, brown sugar, and honey. Mix well.
2. Add egg whites to oat mixture.
3. Add mix-ins of your choice. Mix.
4. Gather into a ball of “cookie dough” and place on a small plate. Smush down the dough to make a flat cookie shape. Spritzing the plate with non stick spray (optional).
5. Microwave on high for 1-3 minutes until browned and fluffy. Allow to cool briefly and enjoy.
Photo by Katherine Baker
Apple Crisp for One
With the weather getting colder, sometimes there’s nothing more comforting than a warm breakfast. This recipe is an easier but equally delicious play on apple crisp and takes only a few minutes to prepare. It’s also healthy enough to enjoy every day and can work as a great study snack or dessert.
Ingredients:
1 apple
1 packet of instant oatmeal (recommended: apple cinnamon or cinnamon spice)
A dash of cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey and/or brown sugar to top (optional)
Directions:
1. Chop apple into small pieces. Place in a microwave safe bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and mix.
2. Empty flavored oatmeal packet directly over the chopped apples. Drizzle one tablespoon of water over the top of the oatmeal. Do not add any more water (the moisture of the apples will be plenty).
3. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, until apples are tender and oats on top appear crispy.
4. Allow to cool briefly, then top with honey or brown sugar and enjoy.