For us weekday warriors, breakfast isn’t much of a break and needs to be fast. Ideally, we’d be leisurely feasting over a cornucopia of breakfast goods like we’re in a vintage cereal commercial each morning; realistically, we’re shoveling a dry protein bar down our gullets while trying to beat rush hour traffic.
Not surprisingly, on-the-go people need breakfast on the go. And personally, I want options that extend beyond a sad thermos of coffee or a crusty Nature Valley bar that detonates into a million crumbs all over my car’s interior upon unwrapping. Whether you’re a busybody or simply not a functional morning person (like me), you’re in luck: There are plenty of healthy, filling, and tasty grab-and-go breakfasts available to tide you over.
Best breakfast on the go
From protein pancakes to portable cereal, my ideal quick breakfast doesn’t require much prep, cleanup or too many ingredients from my kitchen. While I’m always on a quest for the best, these are my star players at the moment:
Overnight oats
Instead of waking up earlier to prepare breakfast, let breakfast make itself while you sleep. Unlike traditional oatmeal that requires boiling oats, overnight oats don’t require any cooking. Typically mixed with milk or a dairy-free alternative, overnight oats are left in the fridge (you guessed it, overnight) to hydrate and soften up, creating a delectable texture.
While you can hydrate plain overnight oats then add extras like fruit, spices and nuts to the mix in the morning, there are brands that will do all of the heavy lifting for you to make it even easier.
Oats Overnight
Oats Overnight – Classic Variety Pack (16 Meals)
Oats Overnight
oatsovernight.com
$56.00
Oats Overnight offers protein and superfood-rich oatmeal that comes in a variety of flavors and caters to a range of dietary preferences. Each individual gluten-free packet contains at least 22 grams of protein, and there are vegan and caffeinated flavors to choose from as well.
Just pour 8oz of milk or milk substitute into the BlenderBottle (which comes free with every first order), add in a pack of Oats Overnight, shake to mix and stick in the refrigerator before bed. When you wake up you’ll have a complete meal ready to run out the door with. My favorite is the Green Apple Cinnamon flavor, which is filling enough to get me through the workday (and also tastes great warmed up in the microwave). They even offer a subscription, so you’ll never run out of meals.
Purely Elizabeth Collagen Oatmeal Cups
Purely Elizabeth Gluten-Free Collagen Oats Cup, Blueberry Walnut (4 Ct.)
Purely Elizabeth
amazon.com
$21.30
These gluten-free collagen oat cups are a healthy and versatile on-the-go breakfast option. Made with superfoods such as amaranth, quinoa flakes and chia seeds, Purely Elizabeth’s oatmeal cups have nutrition labels with ingredients you can pronounce and feel good about.
Simply mix your favorite milk directly into the cup, refrigerate overnight, and grab a spoon. If you don’t have time to wait, add in hot water to the fill line and you’ll have a warm breakfast ready in minutes.
How to make overnight oats
Overnight oats are simple to make at home with a few ingredients, and can easily become a staple breakfast on the go.
- Mix one part milk (or mylk) to one part rolled oats. Water is not a recommended substitute (you wouldn’t eat cold cereal with water, the same goes for overnight oats).
- Refrigerate overnight, or at least two hours until soft. The final product should have a creamy consistency.
- Add nuts, seeds, fruit, a little maple syrup – whatever tickles your fancy!
- Tip: Add ⅛ part chia seeds to the mix before refrigerating for a more pudding-like consistency.
Muffin in a mug
There’s nothing I love more than dessert disguised as breakfast. Calling cake a muffin magically transforms it into a meal, and I’m totally here for it.
Unfortunately, adulthood often requires more sustained fuel than a carby sugar high can provide, so muffins aren’t always regarded as a nutritious option. But a few companies have saved the day and created microwaveable muffins in a mug that not only taste like cake but have real health benefits – and only take a minute to make.
Kodiak Cakes Protein-Packed Single-Serve Muffin Cups
Kodiak Cakes Minute Muffins, Double Dark Chocolate (Pack of 12)
Kodiak Cakes
amazon.com
$23.99
With 10 grams of protein, B vitamins, antioxidants and 100% whole grains, these mug muffins are sneakily healthy and filling while providing a delicious chocolate fix. Just add water, stir, microwave for one minute, and voila – instant breakfast muffin!
FlapJacked Probiotic Protein Muffin Cups
FlapJacked Mighty Muffins, Power Breakfast Variety (12 Pack)
FlapJacked
amazon.com
$33.99
Great for breakfast or a post-workout snack, FlapJacked Mighty Muffins have 20 grams of protein, less than 20 net carbs and under 10 grams of sugar. Packed with probiotics for gut health and void of artificial ingredients, the variety pack includes flavors like Blueberry, Cinnamon Roll, Double Chocolate, Cinnamon Apple, Lemon Cream and Banana Chocolate Chip.
Protein Pancakes
If muffins in a mug aren’t your jam, pancakes can also be made in the microwave in a minute. Easy to throw in your bag on the way out the door, pancakes in a mug have all the benefits of a fluffy home-cooked breakfast without the sticky syrup or sink full of dishes.
Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Flapjack Cups
Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Flapjack Cup, Cinnamon and Maple (Pack of 12)
Kodiak Cakes
amazon.com
$25.99
Kodiak Cakes are not your average pancake. With non-GMO ingredients, zero preservatives and no artificial preservatives or additives, these cakes use real cinnamon and pure maple syrup for a sweet (but not overly sweet) flavor. With 12 grams of protein and three grams of fiber per cup, they’re intended to keep you full until lunch. For a little extra protein, add milk instead of water before microwaving.
Pearl Milling Company Pancake Cups
Pancake On The Go Pancake Mix Chocolate Chip Flavor
Pearl Milling Company
walmart.com
$1.13
If you crave the taste of pancakes but don’t have the time to whip up a batch in the kitchen, these chocolate chip and buttermilk pancake cups are the perfect comfort food on the go. Add berries or a touch of maple syrup for a little extra sweetness.
Cereal cups
Cereal is an easy breakfast to make, but not always an easy meal to take with you on the run. But it’s 2022, and there are easy ways to eat this breakfast staple wherever you are without a milky mess.
Magic Spoon Cereal, Variety 8-Pack
Magic Spoon
amazon.com
$28.49
Magic Spoon already has our stamp of approval as a healthier (yet delicious!) alternative to classic breakfast cereal favorites. These single-serve cereal cups have no sugar, are low carb, and pack 13 grams of protein. Keep a carton of milk in the office fridge (or steal some of your co-worker’s) or snack on it dry wherever you are.
Cereal Bar Variety Pack- Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Reese’s Puffs, Golden Graham Snack Bars (Variety Pack)
General Mills
amazon.com
$27.10
No milk? No problem. If you crave the familiarity of your favorite bowl of cereal on your morning commute, pop one of these cereal bars in your bag.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables with little effort. Whether you want to up your intake of greens, get a boost of protein post-workout, or just don’t have time to sit and eat a meal in the morning, this breakfast is for you.
Portable Smoothie Blender Bottle
WATSMAR Portable Blender
WATSMAR
amazon.com
$23.99
This USB rechargeable smoothie blender bottle eliminates the need to wash excessive dishes and makes your smoothie portable. Throw in your fruits and veggies, press the button and blend away – no cords or extra cups needed.
Daily Harvest Smoothie Cups
Daily Harvest Smoothie Cups
Daily Harvest
www.daily-harvest.com
Don’t know what to put in your smoothie? Daily Harvest will do the work for you with pre-made smoothie cups. This subscription service will deliver nutritious smoothie cups straight to your door – all you need to do is add water or your favorite milk, blend and sip right out of the cup.
https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/breakfast-on-the-go-16941488.php