Meal Prep Ideas for Busy Mornings

Photo credit: King Arthur Baking

Between school days, daycare drop-offs and rushing to the office, most families have their fair share of hectic mornings. Thankfully, a few hacks can be used to create a plan that will ensure that your family’s morning routine runs smoothly. Planning outfits the night before, making lunches ahead of time and meal prepping breakfasts can all be effective strategies. If you need some help getting your family out the door on time, look no further than these meal prep ideas for busy mornings.

Egg Cups

If you find yourself headed to a coffee shop for egg cups or egg bites in the mornings, consider shaving some time off of your commute by prepping your own egg cups at home. Batch cook them in muffin tins and bake them, or get a copycat recipe for your favorite coffee shop-style egg bites to make them in a silicone tray in an electric pressure cooker. No matter what option you choose, you’ll find that you can get more creative with ingredients and save some extra cash by hand-making your egg cups over the weekend. Simply refrigerate your egg cups in an airtight container and microwave a couple in the mornings.  

Frozen Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are a hit with kids and adults alike. To make your morning breakfast prep painless, batch prep some burritos for an easy and protein-packed way to start your day. Fill your favorite tortillas with scrambled eggs, breakfast meat and cheese. Get creative and customize with roasted potatoes, bell peppers and/or onions. Roll your burritos up and wrap the individual burritos tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Heat them up in the microwave or toaster oven when you need a quick and hearty start to the day.

Breakfast Charcuterie

Everyone loves a good charcuterie plate. This picnic favorite can also serve as a well-balanced breakfast. Create a sweet and savory mix of cheeses, honey, fruit, mini bagels and a few cured meats. For added time savings, create your board the night before and place it in the refrigerator. This breakfast may have you dreaming of brunch at your local winery, but the ability for all family members to quickly graze makes it an ideal morning meal.

Protein or Veggie Muffins

Muffins are a breakfast classic that everyone enjoys, but they don’t always keep you full for long. Make your muffins filling long-term by adding a protein powder or nut powder to your recipe. For an added nutrition boost, choose a veggie-packed recipe, like a carrot or zucchini muffin. Whatever you decide to make, save time by prepping extra in the freezer for the next busy start to your day.