As a busy teacher and mom, weekday mornings can be pretty hectic. Can you imagine what a relief it would be not to worry about cooking breakfast? It’s a huge time-saver and stress reducer. Below are some easy no-cook breakfast ideas for teachers. You will also find some of my favorite recipes and tips.
Smoothies
Smoothies can be a healthy breakfast with so many different options. Even better, you can drink it on the go! It only takes 5 minutes to throw together in the morning or you can make it the night before and blend it in the morning. If making ahead, put all of the dry ingredients into the blender (no milk or water) and store it in the fridge until the next day. Then just add the liquid and blend. Can’t get much easier than that.
The trick with smoothies is to make sure you are not overdoing the sugar. It can sneak in with too much fruit or an uneven fruit to veggie ratio. Additions such as nut and seed butter can also add extra sugar, so opt for unsweetened versions. If a recipe calls for cocoa powder swap cacao powder instead. This superfood has zero sugar and beneficial antioxidants.
There are some healthy extras that you can add to almost any smoothie without even noticing. If using fruit, add an equal amount of greens such as spinach. It will change the color but you can’t even taste it. I also love using one tablespoon of chia seeds to boost protein, calcium, iron, and fiber. Another easy addition is collagen peptides or protein powder. So if you’re looking to boost nutrition, try these extras in your next smoothie.
Below are two of my favorite breakfast smoothies that are both healthy and delicious. If you try them out be sure to comment below and let me know which one was your favorite!
Berry Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk of choice
- ¾ cup spinach or greens
- ¾ cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp avocado
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 scoop collagen peptides or protein powder
Directions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and enjoy!
Banana Cacao Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk of choice
- ½ cup spinach or greens
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tbsp nut or seed butter
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 scoop collagen peptides or protein powder
Directions:
- Add the milk to your blender first to prevent other ingredients from sticking to the sides.
- Then add all of the other ingredients.
- Blend until smooth and enjoy!
Tip: Add ice to any smoothie to make it thick and frothy
Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are similar to smoothies because there are so many varieties and easy add-ins. This easy no-cook breakfast will help on those busy teacher mornings. Just mix all of the ingredients in a container the night before, store them in the refrigerator, and give it a stir in the morning. Such a simple and delicious breakfast.
The basic recipe is one part old-fashioned rolled oats and one part milk or milk alternative. Some ingredient ideas are chia seeds, flax, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, vanilla, nut/seed butter, and honey. Chia seeds absorb a lot of milk so you may want to add a little extra for those recipes. I prefer to add things like fruit, nuts, and collagen peptides or protein powder in the morning. You can also use more milk in the morning to reach your desired consistency. Here are just a few of my go-to recipes.
Blueberry Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup milk of choice
- ½ cup blueberries or mixed berries
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
- sprinkle of sliced almonds for topping (optional)
Directions:
- Put all of the ingredients, except the berries and almonds, in a container. Stir until well combined. Put the lid on and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning add berries and stir. Add more milk if desired and top with sliced almonds.
Banana Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- 1 banana (1/2 mashed and 1/2 sliced for topping)
- 2 tbsp nut or seed butter
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- sprinkle of chopped walnuts for topping (optional)
- Put all of the ingredients, except the sliced bananas and walnuts, in a container. Stir until well combined. Put the lid on and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning, stir until well mixed. Then top with banana slices and walnuts if desired.
Parfaits
A parfait usually refers to a French-style dessert that consists of different layers and is served in a tall glass. Today the parfait has been adapted in so many ways including an easy no-cook breakfast. It can be made in a tall thin glass, short wide glass, mason jar, bowl, or anything else you have on hand.
The key is to limit the sugar by using plain yogurt. Greek or regular yogurt will work depending on your preference. Berries, chopped fruit, or pureed fruit are a great addition. I like to puree my fruit in a blender the night before so it’s easy to add in the morning. You can also use granola as a layer or topping.
Choose as many layers as you want and in any order. I would recommend between 3 and 6 layers. I like to start with yogurt on the bottom and work my way up. There is no wrong way to do it so customize the parfait to your liking. The possibilities are endless. Below are some suggestions for layering and fruit combinations.
Parfait Layer Ideas
- yogurt, granola, fruit, nuts
- granola, yogurt, fruit, shredded coconut
- yogurt, fruit, yogurt, fruit, granola
- yogurt, granola, pureed fruit, yogurt, granola, fruit
Fruit Combination Ideas
- mixed berries
- strawberry banana
- banana peanut butter
- apple cinnamon
- pineapple coconut
- banana, pineapple, and mango
- peaches and cream (use Greek yogurt for the “cream”)
Here is a recipe that uses 6 layers. The measurements for the ingredients will be based on the shape and size of the container you are using so please tweak it to fit your needs. I recommend pureeing the berries the night before and refrigerating them to save time in the morning.
Very Berry Parfait
Ingredients:
- ½ cup plain yogurt (divided for 2 layers)
- ½ cup granola (divided into 2 layers)
- ¼ cup pureed mixed berries
- ¼ cup berries
Directions:
- Puree ¼ cup mixed berries in a blender (can also be done the night before).
- Use a glass or bowl to assemble the parfait into 6 layers starting from the bottom and working your way up.
- ¼ cup yogurt
- ¼ cup granola
- ¼ cup pureed berries
- ¼ cup yogurt
- ¼ cup granola
- ¼ berries
*Measurements are based on the size and shape of the container. Use these as estimates and adjust as needed.
Chia Pudding Parfait
Another tasty variation of the parfait is a chia pudding version. Chia seeds have become very popular over the last few years, and for good reason. According to WebMD, an ounce of chia seeds (about 2 tbsp) contains 138 calories, 10 grams of fiber, 9 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein, 17% calcium, 12% iron, and 23% magnesium. It is also an antioxidant, a good source of omega-3’s, and supports digestion.
The basic recipe is one part chia seeds and four parts milk or milk alternative. For example, 1 cup milk and ¼ cup chia seeds or ½ cup milk and 2 tbsp chia seeds. Mix the ingredients in a container and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then give it a stir again and store in the refrigerator overnight so the chia seeds can soak. In the morning, create your breakfast parfait by adding layers on top of the chia pudding. It is the same concept as the breakfast parfait ideas listed above. Here is a recipe that is delicious and tastes like sunshine in your mouth!
Tropical Chia Pudding Parfait
Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup pineapple chopped
Directions:
- The night before, stir the milk and chia seeds in a container. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then stir again.
- Store in the refrigerator overnight so the chia seeds can soak.
- In the morning, use a glass or bowl to assemble the parfait into layers starting from the bottom and working your way up.
- chia pudding
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup pineapple chopped
- 1 tbsp shredded coconut
*Measurements are based on the size and shape of the container. Use these as estimates and adjust as needed.
Make Your Mornings Vibrant!
There you have it. Easy no-cook breakfast ideas for teachers that will save so much time and energy. I hope you find this helpful on those busy weekday mornings. Be sure to comment below if you try any of the recipes.
Feeling better about your mornings but need to take care of yourself other times of the day too? Check out Self-Care Tips for Teachers and download your free checklist.
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