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Wouldn’t it be so nice if we all had the leisure time to cook a three-course breakfast every morning and then linger in some idyllic breakfast nook to savor it? Well, probably, but that’s not how the real world works most of the time: barring weekends and holidays, breakfast is usually a bit more of a rush.
The grain-based answer to this is typically granola bars, cold cereal, or freezer waffles, which leaves many people wondering what on earth they’re supposed to do when they go Paleo.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to cook every morning – or any morning, if you don’t want to! Instead, the trick is to make a big batch of something on the weekend, and then slowly eat your way through it all week. So here are some make-ahead breakfasts that aren’t too hard to put together, taste good hot or cold, and give you the energy you need to make it through the morning!
1. Frittatas (and other baked egg dishes)
Eggs are a perfect source of healthy fat and protein, not to mention all kinds of micronutrients – and with a frittata, you’ve got your vegetables conveniently included in one finger-friendly package. Bake up a frittata or two on the weekend and store them in the fridge: they’ll keep all week, and you can just carve off a slice for breakfast every day. Some recipes to get the oven fired up:
- Zucchini and Sweet Potato Frittata (Paleo Leap)
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Frittata Muffins (Nom Nom Paleo)
- Zucchini Pizza Frittata (Almost Bananas)
- Bacon and Jalapeno Frittata (Paleo Network)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Frittata (The Freckled Foodie)
- Easy Spicy Salmon Frittata (Grass-Fed Girl)
Hint: you could make any of these into frittata mini-muffins just by baking them in a muffin tin instead of a big skillet.
2. Meatballs
Meatballs are a great breakfast food: they’re portable, easy to eat, good hot or cold, and endlessly versatile so you don’t get bored. Here’s a recipe for meatballs in tomato sauce, but if the typical beef, tomato, and oregano-style meatballs sound too heavy, why not try a lighter, more summery version with ground chicken or turkey, maybe with some coconut milk, fresh herbs, or green onions? Some ideas:
- Greek-Style Meatballs (Paleo Leap)
- Seasoned Turkey Meatballs (Amazing Paleo)
- Bacon, Blueberry, & Ginger Meatballs (Cook like a Cavewoman)
- Simple Apple Meatballs (Live Healtheasy)
- Tangy Turkey Meatballs (Silly Little Cavegirl)
3. Hard-boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs might be the most dead-simple breakfast you could come up with. Boil a dozen at a time and grab 3 or 4 for breakfast every day with a piece of fruit or some leftover vegetables, or a cold baked sweet potato if you like a little more starch in the morning. Or if you have a bigger appetite, try Scotch eggs: hard-boiled eggs wrapped in a savory sausage coating. Some delicious variations:
- Scotch Eggs (The Clothes Make the Girl)
- Maple Breakfast Scotch Eggs (What Jessi Eats)
- Asian Scotch Eggs (The Paleo Mama)
- Sundried Turkey Scotch Eggs (Paleo in Practice)
4. Breakfast Peppers
Stuffing anything inside a pepper makes it so much easier to haul around with you, and the pepper “shell” helps you get in a serving of vegetables, to boot! You could go with a classic stuffed pepper recipe and just eat it for breakfast, or scramble some eggs with fresh herbs and onions and pour them inside instead. Add a pinch of chili powder if you’re feeling spicy! Some other ideas:
- Juicy Stuffed Peppers with Cinnamon Butternut Squash (Paleo Magazine)
- Paleo Sausage and Apple Stuffed Breakfast Bell Peppers (What I Gather)
5. Breakfast Meatloaf
The classic meatloaf recipe involves a lot of heavy beef and ketchup, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not always what you want for breakfast. Instead, why not try one of these slightly lighter, more breakfast-oriented variations:
- Keto Mini Cheeseburger Meatloaves (Paleo Leap; beef and bacon)
- Bacon-wrapped mini-meatloaves (Paleo Leap; beef and bacon)
- Slow-cooker breakfast meatloaf (Meatified; pork)
- Turkey meatloaf (Primal Palate; turkey)
- Summer Breakfast Meatloaf (PaleOMG; beef, pork, and bacon)
6. Breakfast Carnitas
Bacon is not your only option for starting the morning with a big plate of delicious fatty pork! Carnitas also hit that crispy sweet spot, and they’re great reheated. Some possibilities…
- Smoky Pork Carnitas (Conscious Eatery; crock-pot recipe)
- Crispy Carnitas (My Heart Beets; crock-pot and stovetop)
- Crock-pot Chicken Carnitas (The Black Peppercorn)
Just a tip: for recipes that call for pan-frying the meat after you take it out of the slow-cooker, this is a perfect opportunity to toss in some vegetables, too!
7. Breakfast Casserole
If you read “casserole” and your mind went straight to noodles and bread crumbs, it’s time to rethink. Casseroles can be perfectly healthy, and they’re great for baking in advance and then stashing in the fridge for quick meals later. Some ideas:
- Primal Breakfast Casserole (Mark’s Daily Apple)
- Paleo Sausage and Sweet Potato Casserole (Plaid and Paleo)
8. Chicken Drumsticks
You won't see them on the menu at IHOP, but chicken drumsticks are actually perfect for breakfast. They’re good hot or cold, they’re easy to grab and eat, and you can do almost anything with them in terms of flavor. Why not try…
- Thyme, Honey, and Dijon Glazed Chicken Drumsticks (My Little Jar of Spices)
- Slow Cooker Lemongras and Coconut Chicken Drumsticks (Nom Nom Paleo)
- Simple Grilled Chicken Drumsticks (The Domestic Man)
Just make sure to pack a napkin or two if you’re going for anything in a sticky sauce.
What Else?
What’s your favorite cook-ahead breakfast? Share it on Facebook or Google+!
