Whether you’re someone who conquers an entire to-do list before noon or a total non-morning person, the early weekday hours can be challenging to fit it all in. But a packed schedule doesn’t mean a delicious breakfast is off the table, it just might be in your hand instead. Grab and go breakfast ideas for work are the solution to streamlining your mornings and enjoying the most important meal of the day.
We’ve all been there. You woke up late, tumbled out of bed (and stumbled to the kitchen perhaps?), and spent every ounce of energy you have trying to pull yourself together for the day. But once you reach the kitchen, the clock on the oven tells you there’s no time for breakfast. Yikes. A banana and handful of granola might be as good as it’s going to get. Unless, of course, you prepared one of the below grab and go breakfast ideas for work that will keep you satisfied. From muffins to egg bites and everything in between, there’s a breakfast for everyone on this list. Your mid-morning self will thank you later.
Feature image by Hannah Zahner.
13 Grab and Go Breakfast Ideas for Work to Revamp Your Mornings
Vegan Nutty Banana Muffins
Why We Love It: There are a few elements that make a muffin stand out. It has to be fluffy, boast a structured but melt-in-your-mouth texture, and be topped with a crumble of sorts for some texture. These vegan banana muffins check all the boxes and then some. If it were up to me, I’d probably eat one every day.
Hero Ingredient: Sunflower seeds and sliced almonds bring the best nutty crunch. And they get toasted as the muffins bake… mmm.
Get the recipe for Vegan Nutty Banana Muffins.
Raspberry Chia Yogurt Pudding
Why We Love It: The best part about this chia pudding is that it does all the work for you overnight. All you have to do it mix up your chia seeds, almond milk, honey, and vanilla the night before and layer with yogurt, berries, and granola in the morning. It’s a grab and go breakfast that literally makes itself. What could be better?
Hero Ingredient: For me, it’s all about the berries here. Load up on whatever’s running ripe and enjoy the flavors of the season.
Get the recipe for Raspberry Chia Yogurt Pudding.
Freezer Breakfast Tacos from Meal Prep Addict
Why We Love It: This list wouldn’t be complete without some sort of breakfast taco. These can be made at the beginning of the week and frozen for a ready-made breakfast on demand all week long. This recipe opts for a sausage, egg, and cheese combo, but feel free to sub in your breakfast meat of choice. It doesn’t get much easier than this, people.
Hero Ingredient: A little salsa on the side goes a long way.
Get the recipe for Freezer Breakfast Tacos.
Healthyish Chocolate Chunky Monkey Banana Bread
Why We Love It: Banana bread gets a healthy rebrand in this grab and go breakfast recipe. There are enough bananas, butter, and nuts to keep things moist and satisfying, but not so much sugar that it feels like dessert. You can avoid the sugar crash and enjoy without hesitation on the go.
Hero Ingredient: If you have time, toasting a slice and smearing a little butter over top is just divine.
Get the recipe for Healthyish Chocolate Chunky Monkey Banana Bread.
Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mushroom Egg White Breakfast Cups
Why We Love It: Eggs on the go can be a challenge, but these egg white bites bridge all the gaps and leave you with a healthy, satisfying, and energizing go-to, to-go breakfast that gets the award for being, as the recipe says, “easiest to eat while driving.”
Hero Ingredient: The recipe calls for red bell pepper, spinach, mushrooms, and herbs, but feel free to sneak in anything you have in your vegetable drawer. These egg bites are great for using up those almost-too-old veggies and herbs that have been staring at you from the fridge. Make the most of what you have on hand.
Get the recipe for Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mushroom Egg White Breakfast Cups.
Blueberry Lemon Breakfast Bars from The Defined Dish
Why We Love It: Is it just me, or is blueberry and lemon a flavor combo that feels like it dates back to the beginning of time? OK, it doesn’t, but the pairing is definitely a classic that you can never go wrong with. In these breakfast bars, you get to enjoy the not-too-sweet, tart, fresh flavors of blueberry and lemon in the cutest little square shape. Bring extra to the office or send some to school for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Hero Ingredient: Not an ingredient, but these do really well in the freezer. Make a big batch over the weekend, wrap them individually, pop them in the freezer, and you’ve got breakfast on the go for a week or two.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Lemon Breakfast Bars.
Chewy Cherry, Almond, and Cacao Nib Granola Bars from Half-Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: If you’ve ever had a Quaker chewy granola bar, this is basically a grown-up version of that. With better-for-you ingredients such as buckwheat, almond butter, and flax meal, there’s absolutely no shame in grabbing one of these on your way out the door. Or a couple.
Hero Ingredient: The toasted buckwheat brings a nice crunch to the bar, but puffed brown rice cereal is a good substitute if you’re looking for a lighter and chewier texture.
Get the recipe for Chewy Cherry, Almond and Cacao Nib Granola Bars.
Zucchini Feta Frittatas from What’s Gaby Cooking
Why We Love It: If whole eggs are more your speed, these mini frittatas are for you. They keep things simple with zucchini, onion, chives, and feta for a satisfying breakfast you can make days in advance. Pop them in the microwave while you pour your coffee. Morning, made.
Hero Ingredient: It doesn’t get much better than tangy, salty feta cheese.
Get the recipe for Zucchini Feta Frittatas.
One Bowl Baked Banana Cashew Oatmeal
Why We Love It: This baked oatmeal has seriously got it going on. It’s packed with yummy ingredients like cashews, ground flax seed, peanut butter, and cinnamon and is just as delicious straight out of the oven as it is reheated with a little milk.
Hero Ingredient: Those bananas on top caramelize as the oatmeal bakes to make the perfect preview for all the goodness underneath.
Get the recipe for One Bowl Baked Banana Cashew Oatmeal.
Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches from Pinch of Yum
Why We Love It: Just because you have to grab and go doesn’t mean you can’t have it all. A BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese, for the uninitiated) breakfast sandwich wrapped up in an English muffin is definitely delicious on its own, but you can kick it up a notch with a little smashed avocado and sriracha if you have time in the morning. If not, a little reheating in the microwave or oven is all that stands between you and a warm, satisfying breakfast on the go.
Hero Ingredient: The spinach woven throughout those eggs makes it feel a little healthier. But don’t worry, the taste remains 100 percent indulgent.
Get the recipe for Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches.
Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats
Why We Love It: If you don’t already frequently make overnight oats, I highly suggest adding them to your diet. They’re customizable, almost impossible to mess up, and they literally make themselves. In this case, they’re also chock full of fiber, protein, and antioxidants along with flavorful goodness. Get all the flavors you love from a blueberry muffin in a heartier, healthier package to start your day off on the right foot.
Hero Ingredient: Lemon zest brings a brightness to each bite that just can’t be beat.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats.
Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Why We Love It: Breakfast casserole is a staple at my house for holidays, but it’s equally as celebratory and delicious during the week. This one is packed with tasty vegetables like mushrooms (yum), bell peppers, and spinach and is so easy to throw together. Minimal effort, maximum enjoyment, all week long.
Hero Ingredient: A little added rosemary gives that sausage a really yummy flavor.
Get the recipe for Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole.
One Bowl Morning Glory Muffins
Why We Love It: Another home-run muffin recipe, these fruit and veggie-spiked one bowl morning glory muffins are basically the kitchen sink of muffins—in the best way. You get a healthy dose of fruits and veg, wholesome ingredients like shredded coconut, whole wheat flour, and sliced almonds, all wrapped up in one little muffin paper. On the go meets delicious and nutritious.
Hero Ingredient: Again, a crunchy topping is crucial. In this case, it comes in the form of rolled oats and sliced almonds. Yum.
Get the recipe for One Bowl Morning Glory Muffins.
