10 Delicious & Easy Ways To Add Vegetables to Breakfast
Eating more vegetables for breakfast is easier than you may think! This list of 10 doable breakfast ideas that get vegetables on the table in delicious and nutritious ways. With everything from spinach in smoothies, to grated zucchini in waffles, and grated carrot in oatmeal, a veggie-loaded meal in the morning is terrific way to begin your day!
Vegetables aren’t something people often think of as being part of breakfast. But they so can be! And in easy, delicious ways that will dazzle your family.
But, why? Why do you want to bother adding vegetables to breakfast? Do you need to?
Nope, you don’t have to add veggies to breakfast…especially if you and your crew are eating oodles of vegetables later in the day.
However, with daily recommendations of 2-3 cups of vegetables for adults (source) and 1-3 cups daily for children (depending on age) (source), some people really struggle with getting their veggies in! Which is why having some tried-and-true easy ideas for breakfast that are also veggie-loaded can be oh-so helpful.
Smoothies are where I personally started adding more veggies into my family’s life and way of eating! They were easy to make on a busy morning, delicious, and a great way to get veggies in at breakfast….or any meal really!
I suggest starting with a simple kid-friendly green smoothie recipe. However, if green smoothies are a no-go for your family, a chocolate smoothie, purple smoothie, or even a pink smoothie might win them over and help everyone to love veggies showing up on the breakfast table!
If you or your family is already in the habit of eggs at breakfast, then adding veggies into the mix of this familiar meal might be the ticket for getting vegetable in at breakfast.
Omelettes and scrambles are also a great way to use up veggies odds and ends or repurpose cooked vegetables from last night’s dinner! And don’t forget the cheese! Cheese does magical things to eggs AND veggies!
Yep! Veggies in muffins is probably my favorite way for vegetables to show up at breakfast. They can be wildly kid-friendly, the perfect thing to make for easy grab-and-go breakfasts, or to stock your freezer with. Check out these kid-friendly veggie-loaded muffin recipes to get you inspired.
Casseroles aren’t just for dinner! They are great for breakfast too! And also a wonderful way to get vegetables in at breakfast!
Since a veggie-loaded breakfast casserole (just like any casserole) takes some time in the oven, I often suggest making it on a morning where you have some time or as part of your meal prep, as they reheat easily!
This is currently our favorite way to get vegetables in at breakfast! Just take that veggie-loaded egg scramble or omelette and put it in between two of your favorite tortillas with cheese!
Or, just make a regular quesadilla with your favorite fillings and add some baby spinach! Any food can be a breakfast food!
Quiche have all the perks of a casserole but with a shorter cooking time! Another great way to serve up vegetables for breakfast with added bonus of protein from eggs! I love this savory Crustless Potato Asparagus Quiche, but if you like something a little sweet for breakfast, this Breakfast Pumpkin Soufflé will fit the bill!
I mean, who doesn’t want a cookie for breakfast? And they can be low in sugar AND high in veggie goodness! Plus, they double as a great snack, portable breakfast, or healthier dessert! Here are some great veggie-loaded breakfast cookies to help you get going!
Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies
Blueberry zucchini muffin breakfast cookies
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Spinach Cookies
Yep! Veggies in oatmeal! It can totally be a delicious and EASY way to add vegetables to the breakfast table! Some people swear by adding a little riced cauliflower to oatmeal as it is cooking, but I personally love these veggie-loaded oatmeal recipes:
Carrot Apple Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal
Chocolate Zucchini Oatmeal
Carrot Banana Protein Oatmeal
Zucchini Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
10-Minute Carrot Apple Oatmeal
Just like muffins, pancakes or waffles make for a great, kid-friendly vessel for veggies! Plus, they are great for stocking your freezer or taking on the road with you on a particularly busy or early morning. Here are some wonderful pancake and waffle recipes loaded with veggies to get you inspired.
Blender Banana Spinach Pancakes
Veggie-Loaded Chocolate Pancakes
Kid-Friendly Pink Beet Pancakes
Blueberry Zucchini Waffles
Chocolate Waffles (with veggies)
Oatmeal Green Smoothie Waffles
If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands or are just not someone who enjoys cooking, this little hack of adding pumpkin, sweet potato or butternut squash puree to meals might be breakfast game changer!
I always keep pureed canned vegetables in my pantry for easy veggie-loading. They are great for adding to quick sauces, soups and baked good, but are also great for turning yogurt or chia pudding veggie-loaded!
I love this pumpkin chia pudding, but don’t feel you need a recipe! Just add a little pureed pumpkin/sweet potato/butternut squash to a bowl with plain yogurt. Add some mashed banana, applesauce or honey to sweeten. Mix and that is it!
Easy + Delicious Ways to Add Vegetables to Breakfast: Apple Carrot Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups rolled oats, use certified gluten free if needed
- 1 cup grated carrot, add more or less based on your preference
- 1 medium apple, diced (peeling is optional)
- 1 cup milk of choice, I used unsweetened almond
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, or to taste. Omit if you feel that the apples will sweet this enough for you.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine oats, grated carrots, diced apple, milk, water, maple syrup/honey, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium sauce pot. Stir and heat on medium heat until the mixture starts to simmer.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Serve warm topped with more syrup/honey, a drizzle of peanut butter, berries, some sliced bananas, raisins, dried cranberries, or some chopped nuts.
This is really a great idea if your kids do not eat vegetables and do a lot of drama. I really loved the way you have explained the recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and this great idea.