17 Easy Make-Ahead Work Breakfast Ideas
Try these Work breakfast ideas to start your day right. Having some healthy breakfast that are also make ahead breakfast can make a great difference to work life, as most of us miss breakfast in the morning in the rush to work. I have experienced a huge difference in my productivity, energy once I started to have nutritious breakfast instead of just coffee to work. And it’s 3 years now that I take breakfast to work and hence was able to compile for you some breakfast ideas for work. These are easy work breakfast ideas that you can meal prep on weekend or make ahead a night before. You should definitely give a try to these healthy breakfast for work even if you do not carry breakfast to work as you can easily make them in the morning before work to ensure you have right energy to face the day.
1. Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a perfect breakfast for a rushed morning. You can make them the night before, to grab and go. In a mason jar or container, combine 1/2 cup of rolled oats, and 1/2 cup of milk. Stir well and let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, top with honey, maple syrup, fruits, or a sprinkle of nuts. It is super easy. No cooking is needed. Just mix, chill, and enjoy.
You can prepare several jars at once for the whole week. Just leave out fruits and nuts until the day you eat them. When I prepare for the week, I boil oats with milk and then make portions. Use a spill-proof jar or container. Pack toppings separately if you want them fresh and crunchy.
Use frozen fruits if fresh ones aren’t available. They’ll thaw overnight and taste just as good. This option is great for anyone who’s busy, on the go or prefers a cold, refreshing breakfast. Perfect for work mornings when you have zero time to cook.
2. Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a great make-ahead breakfast option that is ready to go if you prep at night. It’s quick to prepare and packed with healthy ingredients. Just mix 3 tablespoons of chia seeds with 1/2 cup of milk (any kind you like). Mixt it well and give it a rest for about 10 minutes. Give it a stir again before keeping it in the fridge to avoid lumps. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top it with your favorite fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of honey in the morning.
It is super simple to make and still healthy, just mix, wait, and top it off. Chia pudding stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days in my experience, so you can prepare a few jars at once. Use a mason jar or any airtight container for easy storage and carrying it for work. For a smooth texture, let it sit for at least 4 hours or overnight, so the chia seeds can absorb all the liquid. If you like it thicker, add a bit more chia seeds.
It is perfect for busy mornings, especially if you’re someone who leaves early with no time to make breakfast. It’s also great for anyone who wants a healthy, filling start to their day without much effort.
3. Greek Yogurt Parfait
Yogurt parfait is my favorite, it’s like a breakfast dessert, and the best part is it is quick to make. In a jar or container add Greek yogurt, layer it with some granola, fresh fruits (like berries or bananas), and drizzle honey or maple syrup. I also like to sprinkle some roasted nuts or seeds for a little crunch. It’s very easy and requires no cooking.
With fruits chopped before you can quickly make it the morning. Pack the granola separately to keep it crunchy, and add it at work when you are eating.
If you’re in a rush, you can prepare several servings at once and grab one each morning. Just make one container with yogurt and fruit, and one with granola. If you take this to work frequently you can keep a small pack of granola at the office. You can also add a few spoonfuls of protein powder to the yogurt to make it more healthy.
4. Egg Muffins
Egg muffin is a good savory breakfast option that you can prep ahead of time. It is portable and easy to grab when you’re running out the door. You can do meal prep on the weekend, make a batch on Sunday, and you can enjoy a healthy breakfast for the whole week.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, and any veggies or protein you want to add (like spinach, peppers, cheese, or bacon). Pour the mixture evenly into the muffin cups, filling about 3/4 of the way. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the eggs are set and golden. You can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze them for longer storage.
This is not an instant recipe but neither too difficult to make. Store the egg muffins in an airtight container, and grab one or two as you leave for work. You can reheat them in the microwave in about 30 seconds.
You can mix and match different ingredients in the same batch to avoid getting bored with the same flavor.
5. Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos are filling, in fact, I sometimes use them for lunch too. With some meal prep, you can easily make these. They are easy to make and perfect for on-the-go mornings.
Scramble some eggs in a pan with a little bit of butter or oil. Add some chopped veggies like bell peppers, onions, or spinach. For extra protein add cooked sausage, bacon, or beans. Once cooked, Make a wrap with store-bought tortilla flat. You can make variations by adding some cheese, salsa, or sauce of your choice.
It is fairly easy to make but you need some time to wrap and chop veggies. That is why I prefer to make these with meal prep to make it quick on the weekdays. I wrap them in food-grade paper and they are ready to go.
You can make several breakfast burritos at once and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for a month. Just wrap each burrito individually and add a plastic wrap additionally before freezing. If you’re taking them to work, wrap the burrito in foil for easy eating. You can reheat it in the microwave or wrap it in a paper towel and heat it up on the go.
This is perfect for anyone looking for a hearty breakfast.
6. Smoothie Packs
Smoothies are a super easy, healthy, and refreshing breakfast idea. In a freezer-safe bag or container, add 1 cup of frozen fruit (like berries, mango, or banana), 1/2 cup of spinach or kale (if you like a green smoothie), and 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds for added nutrition. Seal the bag and freeze. In the morning, just grab a pack, add it into a blender, add 1/2 cup of milk or juice, and blend until smooth.
You can make a whole week’s smoothie packs in one sitting and store them in the freezer. This is especially great if you are on a diet.
Use a quality sipper to avoid spillage.
7. Breakfast Bars
A breakfast bar is another good grab-and-go breakfast option that you can make ahead of time. But not one of my preferred breakfast options.
Mix 2 cups of oats, 1/2 cup of nut butter (like peanut or almond butter), 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup, and 1/4 cup of milk in a large bowl. Add in some dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips. Press the mixture into a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Let them cool before cutting into bars (Don’t forget to let it cool, I make that mistake).
Warp each bar individually on parchment paper and store the bars in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze them.
8. Pancakes
Everyone loves pancakes, you can make a batch of pancake batter and just make some in the morning in a few minutes. If I am carrying pancakes to work, I make my box ready with fruits and maple syrup at night and just make a few pancakes and add to it in the morning. Hardly take 5 minutes. Some people make batches of pancakes and store them in the fridge, I don’t prefer that way I would rather make the batter at night or use a store-bought pancake mix in the morning. But if you like that way you can make them ahead.
To add more protein you can top your pancakes with Greek yogurt, peanut butter, or a handful of nuts.
9. Quinoa Breakfast Bowls
Quinoa breakfast bowls are healthy and filling, if you are looking for something different from your usual breakfast you can try this. Make a head quinoa as per the package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool for a few minutes and store it in an airtight container. In the morning add to a container some cooked quinoa, chopped vegetables, salt, seasoning, and any salad dressing you like. You can also add nuts, and seeds for extra texture. It is easy to make if you meal prep or can spend some time in the morning chopping veggies, if everything is ready you can make it in less than 5 minutes. It is a healthy and customizable option.
10. Avocado Toast (Prep Toppings)
Avocado toast is a simple and nutritious breakfast option. Just toast a slice of whole-grain bread, add mashed avocado with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste. For extra flavor, you can add a fried egg, chili flakes, cheese slice, or tomato slices. If you want to make it ahead, you can mash the avocado with lemon juice and seasoning and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just toast your bread and assemble it in the morning. The lemon juice will help keep the avocado from browning. When carrying for work I add another slice of bread on top to make it like a sandwich so that it is easy to carry to work.
11. Peanut Butter and Banana Wraps
Peanut butter and banana wrap is a fun, easy breakfast idea. I make it when I am very late just because it makes my work less as my daughter can also take it it her tiffin.
Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla. Add a peeled banana in the center of the tortilla and roll it up tightly, slice the wrap into bite-sized pieces. It is one of the easiest breakfast ideas, you don’t need any prep. Wrap it in parchment paper and toss it in your bag. It is a quick, filling meal and super tasty. You can add
12. Breakfast Sandwiches
Breakfast sandwiches are a great option for those who like savory and filling breakfasts. And the best part is you can customize them to your liking and make different variations.
Toast bagel, or sandwich bread. While the bread is toasting, cook one or two eggs however you like (scrambled, fried, or poached). Add a cheese slice on top of the egg while it’s still warm so it melts perfectly. Once your bread is ready, layer the egg, cheese, veggies, or anything else you prefer (like bacon, sausage, or avocado) inside. Close the sandwich, and it’s ready to go.
You can make these sandwiches in advance and store them in the fridge by wrapping each sandwich in a wrap store in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave or toaster oven. But I prefer to make them fresh in the morning, it hardly takes 5 minutes.
You can play with flavor, by using different spreads like mayo, mustard, or hot sauce. You can also switch up the protein by using turkey, ham, or even a veggie patty. So even if you have a sandwich every day you will not get bored and can have a new kind each day.
13. Hard-Boiled Eggs with Veggies
Hard-boiled eggs with veggies are a quick, healthy breakfast option that can be easily prepped in advance. You can boil and store eggs in the fridge over the weekend. Use a food processor to quicky prep the veggies like bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots for the week. Or get salad mix.
In the morning just take your veggies of choice in a container, add a couple of hard-boiled eggs, add a drizzle of olive oil or your favorite dressing for extra flavor, and it is ready in just less than 5 min. You can also add some whole-grain crackers or croutons for a crunch.
14. Breakfast Quesadillas
A breakfast quesadilla is another tasty and quick breakfast option that you can make ahead. With some meal prep on the weekend, you can easily make them on a busy day. Heat the tortilla over a pan and add fillings of your choice, scrambled eggs, cheese, and shredded veggies go best. Fold the tortilla in half and cook on the other side for a few a mins till it is golden brown. Cut them into bite-size and pack them for the office. You can prep the veggies on the weekend and it will take minutes to make this in the morning. You can even dip them in salsa or sour cream for more flavor.
You can even use leftover chicken. Try different fillings to keep things interesting. With some prep on the weekend, you can easily make them quickly in the morning.
15. Breakfast Casserole
A breakfast casserole is another handy work breakfast idea. Just mix everything pop it in the oven and by the time you get ready for work your healthy breakfast is ready.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, beat eggs, some milk, a pinch of salt and pepper, some cooked potatoes (you can use hash browns), shredded cheese, and any veggies or meats you like. Pour everything into a greased baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
You can make it the night before, pack it in a box pop it in the fridge, and heat it up in the morning at work. This breakfast is best for anyone who needs something filling that they can make once and enjoy all week.
16. Banana Bread
Banana bread is a quick light breakfast, I suggest pairing it with some cut fruits or boiled eggs for complete nutrition. Make it on the weekend and you can also use it as a healthy snack after work. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mash 3 ripe bananas in a bowl. In another bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, beat 1/2 cup of melted butter and 3/4 cup of sugar until smooth. Beat 2 eggs and the mashed bananas into the butter-sugar mixture. Stir in the dry ingredients until combined. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for 40-50 minutes.
After it cools, store banana bread in an airtight container it stays good even at room temperature for 3 days. You can store it in freeze for a longer time,
You can also add chopped nuts, and chocolate chips for more flavor.
17. Sweet Potato and Egg Bowls
This is my daughter’s favorite and a healthy breakfast option that is quick and gives you the feel of enjoying a complete meal. If you make the potatoes on the weekend it’s pretty easy to make.
Dice 1-2 sweet potatoes into small cubes. Toss a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite spices like paprika or cumin. Roast them at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes until tender. Cook 2 eggs your favorite way—scrambled, fried, or poached. Add potatoes to the container and add eggs on top of it. You can make a big batch of sweet potatoes and store them in the fridge. In the morning, just reheat and add freshly cooked eggs.
Pack sweet potatoes and eggs separately if you plan to reheat at work. You can also use pre-cooked frozen sweet potatoes to make it quicker.
