I am so messed up on breakfasts right now. Our second son started taking a college class on MWF and he has to be on campus at 8:00. Color me late to this “get your kids out the door for school on time” game, but well, that’s exactly what I am. We work from home and we’ve home-schooled forever, so getting out the door to church with combed hair on Sundays has been our only morning schedule struggle. On school days, we usually eat while beginning our Bible time and school time in our jammies a few minutes after we wake the kids. Now, if you can possibly imagine, I must actually be dressed and have breakfast on the table by 7:20.
Yes, I’m sure most of you can possibly imagine, and many of you are thinking, “Really, girl? 7:20 am is practically mid-afternoon at our house.” God bless all of you early morning head-out-the-door-to-work-and-school friends. I have some recipes to share with you. We shall all eat well together…at whatever time each of us considers to be early.
Busy Morning Breakfasts That Can Be Made Ahead of Time
My goal this week was to prep breakfast foods and put them into the freezer so that I’ll be perfectly organized and never have to think again. Scratch that. My goal this week is simply to prep some breakfast foods and put them in the freezer. I’ll never be perfectly organized and in typical mom-life fashion, I found myself having to think straight and answer difficult questions like “are my soccer socks clean?” just a few minutes ago.
Here are my favorite breakfast foods to put into the freezer. They save time, money, and brain – my favorite things to save.
1. Hashbrowns and Hashbrown Patties
I’ll be baking a few pounds of potatoes this week to shred and put into the freezer. Fry up some eggs with these, serve with fruit – done. Everyone loves these and thinks you’re wonderful when you make these. It is fun when everyone thinks you’re wonderful.
2. Muffin Batter
You knew I would say this one. I can’t help it. Making and freezing muffin batter saves so much time. Not to mention dirty dishes. Deliver me from dirty dishes.
3. Cooked Turkey Sausage and Prepared Biscuits
I can make biscuits and gravy sooooo fast when I do this. My family is always amazed. Let’s just let them keep thinking that I am incredible to pull this off. Add the above mentioned Hashbrowns to this meal and you can picture my kids breaking into a lively Mom is Our Favorite Person in the Whole World dance (not really).
4. Oatmeal Cups
You wouldn’t think that this would save time, but it truly does. At least it saves brain. That’s worth a whole lot.
5. Giant Breakfast Cookies
Best thing to pull out of the freezer for breakfast…ever.
6. Pancake Muffins
Yep. My newest favorite. I cannot get over how easy these are.
7. Quick Breads
Find our favorite quick bread recipes here. I usually double or triple a batch. If I allow them to cool completely, then wrap them well before freezing them, quick breads thaw and serve well. It is so very nice to pull a prepared loaf or two out of the freezer to go with breakfast in the morning.
If you freeze nothing else to save yourself time, brain, and money (while also eating healthy, because you are just that awesome) – make and freeze some of these breakfast foods. It will make your morning routine so much easier. Pick the recipe that looks the easiest to you – then go for it!
What are your favorite breakfast foods to prep ahead? Have any new ideas for me? What time to you eat breakfast at your house?
I love to make double batches of waffles and pancakes and freeze them. We reheat them in the toaster oven. My daughter prefers hers straight from the freezer.
My oldest two (9 and 8) eat breakfast at 7:10.
That’s what I do also. I make either whole wheat waffles or my latest, sourdough waffles, and freeze them to pop in the toaster.
Right now we are having to hurry to be out the door at 8:45 twice a week. I have a 2 year-old and a 4 year-old. They usually sleep until at least 8 sometimes 8:30. Sometimes if I don’t have anything else made it’s fruit and nuts or cheese for breakfast. If I have a few minutes I will throw together a smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, a little bit of oats, maybe a handful of spinach and some water. This works great to fill up a toddler and even me. I’m not as sure that would be a complete meal for a teenage boy. :)
You don’t have to get dressed. As long as you’re staying in the vehicle, you’re good. Just roll out of bed and into the car. Of course, the one day you don’t is the day you’ll have to get out of the car…
Thank you so much for these great ideas, Laura! You are always a blessing and an encouragement! :o) Have a wonderful day!
I have gotten out of the habit of making and freezing muffins. Hmm…I’m thinking pumpkin muffins may be in order soon. I also love making big batches of homemade granola to have on hand. So tasty, healthy, and quick!
I applaud that your so involved in you kids lives and education! However, if you’re child is in college, I would hope he is helping out in SOME fashion with meal prep and clean-up! It’s all a part of being an adult :)
Oh my, yes, I very much agree with you! All four of my boys can now take care of all three meals each day on their own (well, my 10 year old would still need a little help). They are a great help getting all those foods put into the freezer and with each mealtime too. But, having these breakfast foods in the freezer to make the whole process easier since we typically put a big meal on the table each morning to keep them all going – well, it’s a lifesaver. :)
Great ideas, with back to school next week I will be trying a couple of them
Great ideas, with back to school coming it could not be better timing
Our three favorite make ahead breakfasts:
1. Eggs & “whatevers” burritoes
2. Overnight oatmeal (yogurt is the key for creamy texture)
3. Cinnamon quinoa w/toasted walnuts or pecans (this is served cold in the morning with raw milk – my husband’s favorite replacement for his beloved cereal.)
As for morning – I avoid getting up before the sun. However, hubby has to wake @ 5:45. At least 2 of our kids like to get up with him. So even though our homeschool life does not require pre-sun wakeup, it happens anyhow! Once my oldest is old enough to cook on the stove, she might like to wake me with eggs & toast on a platter. I see a little vase with flowers… Moms can dream too. :)