Back-to-School Breakfasts {Eat Well, Spend Less}

It’s almost time for lunchboxes, early rising, big yellow buses, and homework. Yes, school is back, and no matter where your kids attend, everyone seems to have a “school” routine.

Even though we homeschool year-round, when we start back full-time, our routine changes. During the summer, we are more laid-back; come the middle of August, while not strict, we do have a schedule.

One morning a week, we head to our Classical Conversations classes, while the other four are spent at home. I have found keeping the same routine for all five days helps us to be more organized on the one morning we “have” to be out by a certain time. {On this note, I have the utmost respect for those of you who public or private school your kids. The “school morning rush” is not something I look forward to on ONE day, so to you mommas who do it FIVE days every week? Well, you pretty much rock!} And while I’m not above serving a bowl of cereal if Cam and I have had a long night, I would much rather serve the girls something hearty that stays with their tummies and brains longer than cereal.

Here are my favorite {quick & easy!} breakfasts for school mornings:

Fruit, yogurt, and scrambled eggs – the fruit is quick because you can wash and cut it the night before {or, do like we do and wash it as soon as you purchase it… although doing this will make it disappear faster!}. And scrambled eggs only take a few minutes to whip up. If you have your kids helping, breakfast can be on the table in under ten minutes.

Oatmeal – and this isn’t the microwaveable kind, either. Top with blueberries or other favorite fruit and you can guarantee they’ll be full until lunchtime.

Breakfast Burritos – these yummy homemade-but-from-the-freezer burritos can be microwaved in about a minute. It doesn’t get much quicker than that, does it?

Easy Breakfast Parfaits with Homemade Granola – this is a breakfast your kiddos could throw together on their own, while you sip on some tasty coffee {links below, mommas!}.

Omelets, Pizza or otherwise – to make this even quicker chop and saute your veggies the night before; they’ll warm up when you throw them on the eggs.

Homemade Pop Tarts – once you’ve made and frozen them, these babies can be toasted and served almost immediately.

A few not-so-quick breakfasts for school mornings at home, weekends, or when you miraculously wake up early enough to actually cook:

Homemade Pancakes – make it quick by mixing the batter the night before; on school mornings just toss some butter on the griddle and bam! a hearty breakfast in a pinch.

Breakfast Casserole – again, mix all of the ingredients up the night before and pop it in a {cold!} oven. It takes about 30 minutes to bake, but it’s the perfect comfort breakfast for any morning.

Blueberry Muffins – what would a list of breakfast foods be without a muffin recipe? I could eat these muffins every. single. day. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, so that’s why it’s on my “not-so-quick” list.

Homemade Toaster Tarts – these are made with a homemade crust, but I bet you could make them with a pre-made just fine. This recipe made my not-so-quick list because you can’t just wake up {well you could, but you would want to start mighty early!} and throw these together. Now, if you made them the night before, warming them up in the oven or toaster would make them a quick breakfast indeed!

And for those special occasions, like the first day of school or the occasional snow {snow? it’s 100 degrees and Amy said snow?} day or holiday:

Cinnamon Roll Waffles – these make for a very decadent breakfast treat!

Baked Donuts – you had me at donuts.

Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls – because you can.

And for those mommas who need special {can I get an Amen!?} coffee, here are a few make-at-home recipes to be enjoyed on the drive to the school drop-off line or for when the kids are safely on the bus and you have a few minutes to breathe {or not!}:

Iced Coffee Recipe – my very favorite iced coffee recipe. Hubby claims it’s better than what you can buy at a fast-food restaurant.

Easy Cold-Brewed Iced Coffee – you can’t have too many iced coffee recipes. #coffeejunkie

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte – pumpkin spice? ‘Nuf said.

I’m always pinning something, and breakfast ideas are some of my faves. Feel free to follow my Breakfast Bonanza board or my Coffee Recipes board!

What are your go-to school morning breakfasts?

August is back-to-school month! See more tips, tricks, and recipes for streamlining this year’s school days:

• Aimee at Simple Bites
• Carrie at Denver Bargains
• Jessica at Life as MOM
• Katie at Kitchen Stewardship
• Shaina at Food for My Family