3 Easy & Cheap Breakfast Ideas You Can Make Ahead of Time

1. Salsa and egg muffins

These are going to be protein-packed, nutritious, and healthy. The protein in these egg muffins will help the breakfast to last a good bit longer than just a bowl of cereal.

These quick muffins that we can just put in the microwave and throw in this lunch box will be a great solution to that early morning routine. A hint to removing the egg muffins from the muffin tin - I ran a butter knife around the edge before popping each one out.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound breakfast sausage
• 8 ounces mild salsa (optional)
• 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 to 7 eggs, scrambled
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions:

1. Grease the muffin tin with some coconut oil, and ground up 1 pound of breakfast sausage.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the sausage in a skillet until browned, then drain.  
3. Add an even amount of sausage to each section of the prepared muffin tin.
4. Add 1 Tablespoon of salsa and a pinch of shredded cheese to each muffin section of the muffin tin. 
5. Scramble eggs and milk together, beating well, then add 1/4 cup of the mixture to each muffin.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes until the eggs are nice and fluffy. Allow to cool completely before placing in a freezer bag or container and storing in the freezer. Reheat in the oven or microwave for about 30 seconds until heated all the way through.

Egg muffins ready to freeze.

2. Baked oatmeal squares with raisins and apples

Oatmeal is a perfect meal for breakfast, but sometimes having it ready to go in the morning is a pain. This next recipe is a baked oatmeal with apples and raisins that is quick and easy to throw together. You cut the baked oatmeal into individual serving-sized squares, so it's easy to grab and go on busy mornings.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla
• 2 apples, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with coconut oil.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  
3. Mix oats, raisins, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt together in a very large mixing bowl. Mix well, so the cinnamon and raisins are evenly distributed.
4. Crack a half dozen large eggs into a separate bowl. Add maple syrup, milk, melted butter, and vanilla to the eggs.  
5. Add the finely chopped apples to the oat mixture and stir well. You want the apples to be mixed well throughout the blend so you have a relatively even number of apples in each oatmeal square.
6. Combine the wet and dry ingredients in the larger bowl and stir well. 
7. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan and bake at 325 degrees F for 60 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Let the baked oatmeal cool down. Cut it into individual serving-sized squares. Once the baked oatmeal was cooled and cut, I put a couple of squares each into Ziplock bags, then put them in the pantry, all ready for breakfast.

Baked oatmeal cut into serving-size squares.

3. Peppermint chocolate chip muffins 

If you love peppermint, chocolate, and coffee together, you'll love these muffins. I'm really looking forward to having these in the morning with my coffee. Something about winter mornings and peppermint chocolate and coffee just seems to be perfect together.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)
• 1 Tablespoon peppermint extract, more for a stronger flavor

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare the mini muffin pan by lightly coating it with oil. 
2. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Stir well.  
3. Add the eggs, vanilla, butter, milk, and yogurt. Mix well until blended.  
4. Add the cocoa, chocolate chips, and peppermint extract. Stir to combine well and incorporate the peppermint extract throughout the batter.
5. Spoon the mixture evenly into the mini muffin pan, filling each section 3/4 full. Add 2 chocolate chips to each muffin. 
6. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool before removing them from the pan. I'm going to let them cool a little while longer before I put them in individual baggies.

Muffins cool before packing for breakfasts.

Cheap breakfast ideas

I'm really excited about having these three make-ahead breakfasts on a budget already made and ready to go. I can stay in bed just a little while longer and have these nutritious breakfasts all ready for everybody when they wake up.

What are your favorite cheap breakfast ideas? Share in the comments below.