65 Healthy Brunch Recipes For When You Have Extra Time in the Morning to Savor Each Bite

These waffles are made with healthy, filling, and nutritious ingredients like whole-wheat flour, flaxmeal, protein powder, and hemp seeds. They’re sweet enough with fresh fruit, but you can also add a drizzle of maple syrup.

Calories: 130 per waffle
Protein: 8.4 grams

Get the recipe:
whole wheat vegan protein waffles

This vegan recipe is the perfect marriage between regular and chocolate banana bread, requires one bowl, and is done baking in 45 minutes.

Calories: 212 per slice
Protein: 9.9 grams

Get the recipe: vegan chocolate marbled banana protein bread

Quinoa is anything but boring in this sesame-ginger salad with protein-packed edamame, crunchy cabbage, and rich sesame oil.

Calories: 363
Protein: 15 grams

Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad

The fun part about this unique dish is that it’s cooked in light coconut milk, offering a subtly sweet tropical flavor that complements the juicy mango to perfection.

Calories: 328
Protein: 5.3 grams

Get the recipe: black rice with mango

Now you can enjoy your beloved avocado toast and still follow a low-carb diet. This recipe swaps traditional bread with superfirm tofu.

Calories: 362 (for two slices)
Protein: 25 grams

Get the recipe: tofu avocado “toast”

Aside from being a healthier, low-cal version than regular buttermilk pancakes, the gingerbread flavor beats any traditional flapjack.

Calories: 77 per pancake
Protein: 4 grams

Get the recipe: gingerbread “buttermilk” pancakes

This tofu scramble is bursting with an addictive savory-sweet flavor, made with tofu, kale, and sweet potatoes.

Calories: 264 per serving
Protein: 18.8 grams

Get the recipe: tofu scramble with sweet potatoes and kale

If you’re craving chocolate for breakfast but you also want something that’s nourishing and offers protein and healthy fats, bake a batch of these doughnuts.

Calories: 150 per doughnut
Protein: 8.8 grams

Get the recipe: chocolate protein muffins

Creamy, sweet, and fruity, this vibrant berry smoothie bowl tastes so fresh. Plus, you can take your time getting creative with the design you make using whatever toppings you choose.

Calories: 328
Protein: 20.6 grams

Get the recipe: high-protein berry smoothie bowl

Soft and chewy, sweet and satisfying, this French toast is everything your brunch-loving taste buds crave, but with fewer calories and fat because it’s made without eggs or dairy.

Calories: 330 for 3 slices
Protein: 13.2 grams

Get the recipe: vegan French toast

Chopped tomatoes, peppers, and radishes are tossed in a spicy lime dressing and then neatly tucked into a halved avocado for a pretty presentation.

Calories: 468
Protein: 6.9 grams

Get the recipe: salad-stuffed avocado

This moist and filling banana bread is just begging to be smeared with peanut butter!

Calories: 147 per slice
Protein: 7 grams

Get the recipe: vegan gluten-free banana bread

These baked doughnuts are super moist, with a cake-like consistency that’s perfectly spiced. They’re topped with a creamy subtle maple cream frosting made with raw cashews instead of butter.

Calories: 160 per doughnut
Protein: 7 grams

Get the recipe: baked carrot-cake protein doughnuts with maple cashew frosting

Sweet and moist on the inside and crispy on the outside, this banana bread tastes delicious on its own – but it’s even more amazing smeared with nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Calories: 188 per slice
Protein: 8.2 grams

Get the recipe: banana bread

This filling vegan twist on a lunch classic comes together fast and is mayo-free.

Calories: 485
Protein: 14 grams

Get the recipe: vegan “chicken” salad

Give your overripe bananas a second life with these protein-packed chocolate muffins – the perfect solution for your morning sweet tooth.

Calories: 130 per muffin
Protein: 5.5 grams

Get the recipe: chocolate banana protein muffins

These fluffy pancakes are made with whole wheat flour, protein powder, and chia seeds.

Calories: 104 per pancake
Protein: 5.1 grams

Get the recipe: vegan protein pancakes

This pumpkin muffin recipe just may inspire you to never bake with butter again.

Calories: 144 per muffin
Protein: 3.3 grams

Get the recipe: pumpkin avocado muffins

Classic and crisp, if you’re in need of some extra protein with this salad, add some grilled chicken or white beans to the mix.

Calories: 236
Protein: 9.3 grams

Get the recipe: kale and farro salad

Packed with fiber and protein, this bread is naturally sweetened with sweet potato, banana, and applesauce.

Calories: 225 per slice
Protein: 10.4 grams

Get the recipe: sweet potato banana protein bread

Steel-cut oatmeal usually takes 40 minutes to cook on the stove, and who has time for that every single morning? With just five minutes of prep on Sunday night, you’ll have five breakfasts to spoon into all week long (thank you, slow cooker!).

Calories: 247
Protein: 8 grams

Get the recipe: slow-cooker banana steel-cut oatmeal

This fresh and flavorful recipe will be your new favorite summer dish.

Calories: 253
Protein: 10.7 grams

Get the recipe: cucumber caprese salad

When you want your house to feel as cozy as slipping on a sweater in the fall, turn on your oven and bake this pumpkin bread.

Calories: 200 per slice
Protein: 9.2 grams

Get the recipe: chocolate chip protein-packed pumpkin bread

If you’ve never baked with stevia, this is the perfect first recipe. Each muffin has less than five grams of sugar.

Calories: 147 per muffin
Protein: 7 grams

Get the recipe: stevia-sweetened banana muffins

Filled with shredded romaine, cucumbers, sweet yellow peppers, and even sweeter cubed watermelon, as well as cherry tomatoes (straight from your garden!), this huge salad is juicy, light, and refreshing.

Calories: 311
Protein: 21.5 grams

Get the recipe: watermelon-bowl salad

These are chewy, fudgy, and perfect for satisfying your deep chocolate cravings – and yes, totally healthy enough for brunch!

Calories: 149 per bite
Protein: 5.9 grams

Get the recipe: black bean brownie bites

These pancakes are fluffy and have a deliciously cake-like sweet vanilla cinnamon flavor. You’ll save on butter because these are baked on parchment paper, and they’re easy to make in advance – no flipping required!

Calories: 133 per piece
Protein: 5 grams

Get the recipe: vegan whole-wheat sheet pan protein pancakes

With fewer than nine grams of sugar per muffin, these light and moist muffins – deliciously sweetened with lemon juice and blueberries – are sure to satisfy your decadent brunch cravings.

Calories: 150 per muffin
Protein: 6 grams

Get the recipe: lemon blueberry protein muffins

This kale and quinoa salad gets an Asian twist with sesame soy ginger dressing and sliced nori. Blueberries, tomatoes, and carrots add a bit of sweetness, while sliced almonds give it a satisfying crunch.

Calories: 377
Protein: 14 grams

Get the recipe: kale and quinoa salad

Sweetened only with banana, applesauce, and blueberries, this gluten-free breakfast follows the perfect formula for weight loss. At 350 calories, it offers almost 16 grams of protein and 9.3 grams of hunger-satiating fiber.

Calories: 353
Protein: 15.9 grams

Get the recipe: blueberry banana baked oatmeal

These muffins are bursting with deep chocolatey flavor, and you can’t taste the zucchini whatsoever. It just makes for a super moist and delicious muffin that could easily pass as a cupcake if you add a layer of frosting (now there’s an idea!).

Calories: 152 per muffin
Protein: 4.9 grams

Get the recipe: double chocolate zucchini protein muffins

If you’re gluten-free, here’s a tried-and-true recipe that tastes amazing – no special gluten-free flour mix required.

Calories: 153 per muffin
Protein: 6.7 grams

Get the recipe: gluten-free banana nut protein muffins

Top this refreshing salad with your favorite protein, such as grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu for a light, refreshing, and filling meal.

Calories: 340
Protein: 6.3 grams

Get the recipe: sweet and tropical salad

Skip the added sugars and bake these fruit-sweetened muffins. And don’t worry if your strawberries are a little shriveled or your grapes a little soft – just like the bananas, they bake up beautifully so they won’t have to go to waste.

Calories: 100 per muffin
Protein: 1.5 grams

Get the recipe: banana strawberry apple grape muffins

If you love oatmeal, but are also kind of sick of having it so much, you’ll love this hot breakfast made with quinoa instead. Enjoy yours with a few spoonfuls of yogurt or nut butter to add a little extra protein.

Calories: 356
Protein: 12.7 grams

Get the recipe: slow-cooker apple pie quinoa

This breakfast bowl tastes perfect on its own, but adding a little crunchy texture with some chopped salted cashews makes it even more delicious.

Calories: 366
Protein: 19.5 grams

Get the recipe: sweet potato, tofu, and avocado bowl

Theses baked doughnuts taste amazingly decadent for just 150 calories. If you don’t have a doughnut pan, you can make these in a muffin tin.

Calories: 151 per doughnut
Protein: 2.7 grams

Get the recipe: pumpkin spice doughnuts

These are so light and summery, with bursts of juicy raspberries – perfect to bake up for brunch.

Calories: 180 per muffin
Protein: 5.4 grams

Get the recipe: low-sugar, high-protein lemon raspberry muffins

Make a big batch in advance, and serve it over a bed of baby kale, alongside some toasted whole-wheat pita (pictured), or on top of some scrambled eggs for a protein-rich dish.

Calories: 349
Protein: 16.9 grams

Get the recipe: black bean and mango salad

Zoats is oatmeal combined with fresh zucchini – it’s like zucchini bread in a bowl!

Calories: 386
Protein: 23.7 grams

Get the recipe: banana cinnamon zoats

If you’ve become a fan of sweet potato toast, here’s a little twist that offers tons of complex carbs and protein to fuel your morning, and it’s gluten-free, Paleo, Whole30, and vegan. This makes for a fun, sweet, and satisfying midday meal.

Calories: 437
Protein: 15.9 grams

Get the recipe: banana-and-almond-butter-topped sweet potato

For a one-two punch of omega-3s in your breakfast, try baking eggs in an avocado – it’s adorable and delicious!

Calories: 449
Protein: 15.2 grams

Get the recipe: baked egg inside an avocado

Craving apple pie? Here’s a dairy-free option with much less fat.

Calories: 203
Protein: 3.5 grams

Get the recipe: apple pie muffins

Apples, oats, and flaxmeal boost the fiber in these sweet cinnamon breakfast cookies.

Calories:
Protein: grams

Get the recipe: apple flax oatmeal cookies

This rainbow salad is high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A, and the lemony dressing takes the flavor up a notch. Add some protein on top to make it even more satisfying.

Calories: 131
Protein: 4.1 grams

Get the recipe: colorful veggie salad

Mixed with grated carrot and applesauce to add fiber and natural sweetness, each slice of this vegan carrot zucchini bread is perfectly soft and moist.

Calories: 200
Protein: 3.4 grams

Get the recipe: carrot zucchini bread

Carrot cake meets breakfast in this slow-cooker oatmeal bursting with cinnamon flavor. Top yours with half a cup of soy yogurt to add a little extra protein.

Calories: 339
Protein: 12.8 grams

Get the recipe: slow-cooker carrot cake oatmeal

Soft and full of warming spices, these healthy baked cider doughnuts are perfect any time of the year – not just in autumn.

Calories: 86 per doughnut
Protein: .7 grams

Get the recipe: vegan cider doughnuts

This velvety smooth chocolate mousse filling pairs perfectly with juicy strawberries.

Calories: 174 (for 10 strawberries)
Protein: 7 grams

Get the recipe: chocolate-mousse-filled strawberries

These chewy, nutty, and subtly sweet bars are protein-packed and gluten-free.

Calories: 176 per bar
Protein: 8.4 grams

Get the recipe: oatmeal protein bars

Sometimes called cauli-oats, this version of the classic morning fave is lower in calories, lower in carbs, higher in fiber, and higher in protein than a bowl of oatmeal.

Calories: 351
Protein: 15.1 grams

Get the recipe: cauliflower porridge

Just throw the ingredients in your slow cooker and get ready to have this pumpkin spice oatmeal high five your taste buds come morning.

Calories: 382
Protein: 13 grams

Get the recipe: slow-cooker pumpkin spice oatmeal

This tabbouleh-inspired quinoa and tomato cucumber salad is light and refreshing.

Calories: 532
Protein: 8.8 grams

Get the recipe: tabbouleh quinoa salad

This sweet potato toast is a delicious way to add veggies to your breakfast.

Calories: 328
Protein: 9.1 grams

Get the recipe: avocado sweet potato toast

If you’re trying to eat less sugar and less processed junk, this cookie recipe is perfect. They’re only made with three ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen: bananas, rolled oats, and vanilla protein powder. That’s it!

Calories: 62 per cookie
Protein: 2.8 grams

Get the recipe: banana oat cookies

This crunchy cabbage and hemp salad tastes fresh and nutty.

Calories: 381
Protein: 6.6 grams

Get the recipe: cabbage hemp salad

Try this decadent chocolate twist on the classic zucchini bread recipe – the dried cranberries add such a unique and delicious flavor.

Calories: 260 per slice
Protein: 3.1 grams

Get the recipe: chocolate cranberry zucchini bread

This recipe for banana smoothie muffins is filled with a healthy secret ingredient you won’t even taste – spinach! You basically make a smoothie, add flour and a few other ingredients, and bake!

Calories: 155 per muffin
Protein: 2.2 grams

Get the recipe: banana smoothie muffins

Bake up a batch of these oatmeal energy bites to start off your morning. They’re made with just a tiny bit of maple syrup and sweetened with banana and applesauce.

Calories: 74 per bite
Protein: 2.1 grams

Get the recipe: low-sugar oatmeal banana bites

Enjoy this lighter take on a salad classic.

Calories: 372
Protein: 36.4 grams

Get the recipe: lightened-up Cobb salad

Cup your hands around this bowl of toasty warm oatmeal that offers way more protein than a regular bowl – over 18 grams!

Calories: 308
Protein: 18.4 grams

Get the recipe: high-protein oatmeal

Adding the juiciness of cooked apples to banana bread makes this recipe a standout. Plus, it’s so naturally sweet from the fruit that you don’t need any extra sugar.

Calories: 147 per slice
Protein: 2.4 grams

Get the recipe: vegan banana apple chunk bread

You can pre-make this recipe because unlike many salad leftovers, refrigerating this dressed salad only makes it even more delicious the following day.

Calories: 397
Protein: 15.5 grams

Get the recipe: Mediterranean quinoa salad

Subtly sweet and oh so creamy, this recipe takes minutes to blend up, so you can really take your time savoring each spoonful.

Calories: 156
Protein: 5.3 grams

Get the recipe: pumpkin pie avocado pudding

This delicious and filling flavor combination will inspire you to pick up some ripe avocados ASAP.

Calories: 246
Protein: 3.4 grams

Get the recipe: avocado arugula toast