As we age, it’s important to make sure you’re eating a variety-filled diet that provides your body with the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. These tasty breakfast recipes meet our parameters for healthy aging. They’re also high in protein, with at least 15 grams per serving, to support healthy muscles, bones and more. You’ll want to try options like our Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats or our High-Protein Breakfast Casserole for a nourishing breakfast that will help you feel your best.
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High-Protein Pancakes
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
These protein-rich pancakes are a satisfying way to start the day, made with simple ingredients including protein powder, banana, eggs and oats. Top them with fresh fruit, nut butter or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
Creamy oats are infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, then stirred together with poppy seeds for a make-ahead breakfast that tastes like a lemon-poppyseed muffin in a jar. A touch of maple syrup adds sweetness to balance the tart lemon.
High-Protein Breakfast Casserole
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
This high-protein casserole is the best way to start your day, packed with eggs, cottage cheese and veggies. Cottage cheese adds a creamy texture, while earthy mushrooms, bell pepper and sautéed kale bring flavor to every bite.
Black Bean & Pepper Jack Quiche
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
This black bean quiche is perfect for an easy breakfast or brunch that can be prepared ahead of time and reheated in the microwave. The creamy egg filling is packed with fiber-rich black beans, sweet peppers and spicy pepper Jack cheese for a flavorful kick.
High-Protein Apple & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
These apple-peanut butter overnight oats make a satisfying breakfast that you can prep ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week. Creamy peanut butter and strained (Greek-style) yogurt add plenty of protein, while chopped apples bring natural sweetness and crunch.
High-Protein Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chia Pudding
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
Chia seeds create a thick, creamy texture while delivering fiber and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Peanut butter adds flavor and plant-based protein and is balanced by the deep cocoa notes.
Peaches & Cream Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
These peaches-and-cream overnight oats are a delicious, make-ahead breakfast that combines sweet ripe peaches with creamy oats. The oats soften overnight in the fridge, resulting in a thick, pudding-like texture without any cooking.
Creamy Raspberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
Chia seeds add a healthy dose of fiber to this fruity smoothie. The natural sweetness of frozen peaches combined with dates and the tangy brightness of raspberries makes every sip refreshing and satisfying.
High-Protein Peanut Butter, Banana & Blueberry Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
These overnight oats pack 17 grams of protein per serving thanks to strained (Greek-style) yogurt, peanut butter and soymilk. We sweeten these oats naturally with banana and add blueberries for a more fruity flavor.
Cauliflower Steaks with Poached Eggs & Pesto Hollandaise
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
This weekend-worthy dish features cauliflower “steaks” flavored with Italian seasoning and topped with sautéed kale, a poached egg and pesto-flavored hollandaise.
Chocolate-Cherry Protein Shake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This chocolate-cherry protein shake made with strained (Greek-style) yogurt and peanut butter is a protein powerhouse. Cherries provide natural sweetness, and the chocolate flavor from the cocoa complements the peanut butter without any added sugar.
Huevos Divorciados (Divorced Eggs)
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
This dish hails from Mexico and boasts a unique twist. It features two sunny-side-up eggs nestled on tortillas, each yolk surrounded by its own salsa. Typically served with a side of beans, it’s a delicious breakfast that celebrates the best of both worlds.
Black Forest Cake-Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These overnight oats are filled with classic Black Forest cake flavors. From the rich chocolaty oats to the sweet, dark cherry yogurt base, it feels like having dessert for breakfast in the best way possible.
Greens-&-Gruyère Mini Quiches
This mini quiche recipe uses classic Provençal flavors—garlic, oil-cured olives, anchovies and caramelized onions—to season these very-green egg cups. They keep well, perfect for breakfast on the fly, yet the flavors are sophisticated enough to serve for brunch.
Mixed Berry Cheesecake-Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
These cheesecake-inspired overnight oats feature layers of sweet berries and creamy oats with a graham cracker topping, just like the classic dessert. Any combination of berries works well here.
Overnight Quinoa Pudding
This quick and easy recipe blends quinoa and chia seeds for a protein-packed dessert or grab-and-go breakfast. This recipe uses kefir rather than milk for a probiotic boost and maple syrup rather than refined sugar for its sweetness.
Avocado Toast with Burrata
Burrata (cream-filled fresh mozzarella cheese) takes this avocado toast recipe to the next level for a weekday-friendly breakfast.
Snickers-Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
These fiber-rich Snickers-inspired overnight oats have all the features of the famous candy bar—crunchy peanuts, rich chocolate and a buttery caramel drizzle over tender and tangy oats.
Strawberry-Banana Green Smoothie
This green smoothie is sweetened only with fruit and gets an extra dose of healthy omega-3s from flaxseeds.
Peach Pie Overnight Oats
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
These overnight oats are packed with the classic flavors of peach pie. Featuring warming spices and layers of cooked summer-ripe peaches, they bring dessert-like flavors to breakfast.
Spinach & Fried Egg Grain Bowls
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Wheat berries, a nutty-tasting whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture, are the base of this hearty breakfast bowl that is topped with spinach, peanuts and an egg.
Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser
These overnight oats are chock-full of classic strawberry-cheesecake flavors—from the rich cream cheese layers to the sweet strawberry base. These oats feel like dessert for breakfast in the best way possible.
Spinach, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie
Ali Redmond
Peanut butter and banana is a classic combo that’s even more delicious with the addition of tangy probiotic-rich kefir. Plus, this smoothie helps you up your veggie servings for the day with a bit of mild-flavored spinach mixed in.
Muffin-Tin Spinach & Mushroom Mini Quiches
Switch up your morning routine with these easy vegetarian mini quiches. Earthy mushrooms and spinach pair nicely with rich and creamy Gruyère cheese. Serve them on a platter with a fresh fruit salad for a simple weekend brunch.
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Catherine Jessee, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Carrot cake for breakfast? We say yes! These carrot cake overnight oats taste just like the classic dessert—complete with a frosting-like layer—but with far less added sugar.
Peanut Butter-Banana French Toast Casserole
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This French toast casserole is sweetened with banana and a touch of maple syrup. The drizzle on top adds a nutty peanut butter flavor to every bite.
