These easy breakfast ideas are all delicious and easy to make for your family or overnight guests. Whether you’re looking for a savory main dish or sweet side dish, you’ll find the perfect side to serve.
Most Important Meal of the Day
The morning meal revs your energy, and the perfect way to do this is to have a delicious main dish and at least one breakfast side dish.
Most of these only require a handful of ingredients. And the best part is that you’re likely to have most of what you need in your refrigerator or pantry.
Any time I serve breakfast, I like to offer each person a cup of coffee with all of the stir-in options.
Give people a choice of sugar or sugar substitute and milk or cream. Lace some of the cream with vanilla extract for even more flavor options.
It’s also a good idea to offer fruit juice. Orange juice and either apple or grapefruit juice are both good options.
In order for everyone to season their food to their taste, make sure you have salt and black pepper on the table. I also like to provide softened butter and some sort of jam or jelly.
Best Breakfast Sides and Main Dishes
I’ve listed some of our favorite sides that I like to serve when we need a little extra nourishment. You’ll find all kinds of wonderful recipes for everything from breakfast potatoes to egg dishes.
1. Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry muffins are a breakfast staple around our house. I used to use my oven. But I discovered that the muffins cook more quickly and taste just as good cooked in my air fryer.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose. They’re quite simply delicious!
Also, you can make them with either frozen or fresh berries. Just be sure to dry them off to prevent the berries’ blue color from spreading out.
2. Frosted Cake Mix Donuts
This is a sweet side that both kids and adults will love. You only need a few simple ingredients to make this treat that’s as good as anything you’ll get at your favorite donut shop.
These donuts will definitely satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
3. Cloud Bread
This delightful fluffy bread is a great option if you want something to put butter and jam on but don’t want the bulk.
As the name implies, it’s light and airy, leaving your taste buds next level satisfied. Another thing you can do is spread cream cheese over them for a totally different and more filling dish.
4. Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If you like breakfast potatoes, kick your recipe up another notch and make these yummy roasted sweet potatoes.
They’re as good as hash browns … even better in my book. In fact, they’re a great side dish for any meal of the day.
If you want to try something a little different, add some ground sausage to the dish. This sweet potato hash is so satisfying and delicious!
5. Fresh Fruit Salad
Mix a bunch of fresh fruits together, put them in a jar, and you’ll have a delicious side dish to go with the rest of your breakfast.
You can use the fruit options in the recipe or swap them out for your favorite fruits. I like lots of color in mine, which is why I call this rainbow fruit in a jar.
6. French Toast Casserole
You can make traditional French toast or kick it up a notch and make this wonderful French toast casserole.
Serve it with maple syrup or blueberry sauce and lots of homemade butter to make a lasting impression.
7. Tater Tot Casserole
Make this delicious breakfast casserole with tater tots or hash browns. It doesn’t matter because tater tots are basically little balls of hash browns.
Some people call this a hash brown casserole. No matter what you name it, you’ll absolutely love it!
8. Chaffles
All you need are a few basic ingredients and a waffle iron. I started out making chaffles as a gluten-free option to replace sandwich bread.
Then I discovered that they’re just as good when served in place of waffles. Add a little butter and maple syrup, jam, or even brown sugar and you have a delicious breakfast food.
9. Eggs Benedict
Next time you feel like putting a little extra effort into breakfast, make these eggs Benedict from Natasha’s Kitchen. This recipe delivers a dish that’s every bit as good as anything you’d get from a fancy restaurant.
10. Yogurt and Fruit Bowl
When you want to take any breakfast to the next level, place a fruit and yogurt parfait beside each guest’s plate.
It adds so much to the meal but requires very little effort. It’s an easy way to add the wow factor to a special breakfast.
11. Homemade Sausage
I made this homemade sausage using ground turkey. But you can use ground pork or even chicken if that’s what you prefer.
What I love about this recipe is that you can use the seasonings in proportions that suit you and your family. And there’s no added sugar … unless you want it.
12. Cinnamon Raisin Granola
Why buy boxed granola when it’s so easy to make your own? Use this as either a cereal or as a topping on your favorite parfait or fruit bowl.
I love the fact that this homemade version of a breakfast favorite is as nutritious as I want to make it.
13. Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
I originally made these as classic dessert bars. But when I thought about the ingredients, I realized that this is also a breakfast food.
They make a yummy breakfast side dish that goes with almost everything. Also, anyone who needs something to grab and go will appreciate these yummy bars.
14. Coffee Smoothie
Enjoy your coffee and breakfast together, all in one mug with this yummy coffee smoothie. This is a great way to mix some of your favorite flavors and get the nutrition you need to last until lunchtime.
15. Banana Nut Muffins
I’ve always loved bananas, so I took my banana bread recipe and turned it into a muffin recipe.
These are so delicious that you’ll want to make extras to freeze. They’re perfect when you need something that’s quick, delicious, and filling.
16. Egg Bites
These low carb egg bites are easy to make, either in your air fryer or in the oven. They’re delicious as well as Keto friendly and gluten-free, so everyone will be able to enjoy them!
I use the whole egg, including the egg yolks. However, if anyone you know prefers only the egg whites, you can separate the eggs for those people.
17. Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
When you’re looking for healthy options for breakfast, this is a good one to try. It’s loaded with flavor and offers a variety of textures.
It has a somewhat nutty flavor that goes so well with the other ingredients. This is one of our favorite breakfast dishes for those days when we need extra nutrition.
18. Baking Powder Biscuits
These super easy baking powder biscuits from Out of the Box Baking will have you sighing as they melt in your mouth. Yes, they are that good! This recipe proves that delicious food doesn’t have to be difficult to make.
You can make them specifically as the recipe states. Or you can swap out the regular milk for buttermilk. And who doesn’t love buttermilk biscuits?
19. Grits
This post not only explains what grits are, but there’s also a recipe that’s super easy to follow.
If you’re from the South, you don’t need any explanations. You already know that grits are one of the best side dishes ever.
If you want to get a little fancier with your grits, make this yummy cheesy grits casserole. It never fails to put smiles on people’s faces. So yum!
20. Cinnamon Applesauce
This easy homemade cinnamon applesauce is a wonderful and versatile food. You can spread it on English muffins or toast.
Or you can eat it with a spoon. Regardless of how you enjoy it, you’ll love this recipe.
Perfect Breakfast Side and Main Dishes
Whether you’re serving your family, overnight guests, or college students who are home for the holidays, all of these breakfast dishes will get the day started off right.
Most of these are easy brunch recipes as well. In fact, I’ve been known to serve breakfast food at any time of day.