Eggs aren’t the only way to get through the morning without crashing before lunch. Some people are tired of them, some can’t eat them, and some are just looking for something different. This list is packed with breakfasts that keep you full, taste great, and don’t involve cracking anything open. From pancakes and porridge to patties and toast, these meals are loaded with protein. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and don’t need a side of bacon to feel complete.
Sweet Potato Turkey Patties
These patties are a great way to start your day with solid protein and a bit of natural sweetness. They’re easy to batch cook, reheat well, and work on their own, with greens, or even layered into a breakfast sandwich. You won’t need a mid-morning snack with one of these.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Turkey Patties
Ground Chicken Sausage Patties
These are made with real ingredients like ground chicken, apples, and onions. They cook quickly in a skillet and freeze well, making them great for weekly meal prep. They’re packed with protein and work with anything from toast to rice cakes.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Sausage Patties
Perfect Protein Pancakes
With 30 grams of protein per serving, these pancakes hold you over without needing to add anything else. They come together quickly and work with all your usual toppings like syrup, nut butter, or fruit. A smart choice for anyone who’s skipping eggs.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Protein Pancakes
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
These pancakes are loaded with protein and just enough pumpkin to give them flavor without being overwhelming. They’re easy to prep ahead, heat well in a toaster, and give you a breakfast that actually keeps you going.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Protein Bagels
These are made with cottage cheese and require only three ingredients. Each bagel has about 10 grams of protein and they’re sturdy enough to hold whatever you like—lox, cream cheese, nut butter, or even turkey and greens.
Get the Recipe: Protein Bagels
Caramelized Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bake
This breakfast bake is made with oats and quinoa and sweetened with banana and a few chocolate chips. It works well as a grab-and-go option or can be reheated in the oven for a slower morning. It’s packed with protein and makes your kitchen smell great.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bake
Savory Canadian Bacon Pancakes
These are loaded with chopped Canadian bacon, herbs, and shallots for a breakfast that skips the sugar and still hits the spot. They reheat easily and work for anything from a weekday meal to a brunch spread.
Get the Recipe: Savory Canadian Bacon Pancakes
French Toast Smoothie
This smoothie takes the flavor of French toast and turns it into a filling drink. With cinnamon, vanilla, oats, and protein powder, it’s thick enough to feel like a real breakfast and works well for mornings when you’re out the door fast.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Smoothie
Savory Hummus Waffles
These waffles are built with Italian sausage and sun-dried tomatoes, which give them a strong, savory flavor. They’re great as-is or served with hummus or a handful of fresh greens for something more substantial.
Get the Recipe: Savory Hummus Waffles
Chocolate Pancakes
These chocolate pancakes are made with just six ingredients and a good dose of protein powder. They’re great when you want something sweet that actually fuels your day and don’t take much time to prep.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Pancakes
Creamy Millet Porridge
This porridge cooks overnight in the slow cooker and gives you a hot breakfast as soon as you’re up. Stir in some protein powder and add some nuts or fruit in the morning for a protein-rich meal that doesn’t take effort.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Millet Porridge
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
These pancakes are soft, packed with protein, and made with just a few basic ingredients. They freeze well and reheat quickly, making them perfect for stocking your freezer with solid breakfasts.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Peanut Butter Banana Bread
This banana bread uses peanut butter and ripe bananas to keep it moist and packed with protein. It slices well, stores easily, and makes for a great quick breakfast that doesn’t leave you hungry again an hour later.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Bread
High Protein Oatmeal
This oatmeal is made with protein powder and mix-ins like chia seeds and nut butter. It’s thick, hearty, and built to keep you full well past your first meeting or school drop-off.
Get the Recipe: High Protein Oatmeal
Protein Rice Pudding
Made with protein powder and almond butter, this rice pudding doubles as breakfast and dessert. It’s creamy, easy to make ahead, and keeps you full much longer than the regular version.
Get the Recipe: Protein Rice Pudding
White Bean Avocado Toast
Mashed white beans stirred into avocado give this toast a protein upgrade. It’s quick to make, doesn’t require cooking, and works great for mornings when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Avocado Toast
Smoked Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese
This combo is simple, fast, and packed with protein. It works for everyday mornings or when you want something that feels a little more put together without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese
Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Toast with Fresh Berries
This toast uses peanut butter and cottage cheese for a protein-rich base, then tops it with fresh berries for color and sweetness. It’s fast, practical, and easy to eat on the go.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cottage Cheese Toast with Fresh Berries
Greek Yogurt & Peanut Butter Bowl
Just mix Greek yogurt with peanut butter and a scoop of protein powder for a no-cook breakfast that’s ready in two minutes. It keeps you full and tastes better than most protein shakes.
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt & Peanut Butter Bowl
Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl
This is a great no-cook option built around cottage cheese and fresh vegetables. It’s high in protein, easy to prep, and keeps you full through the busiest part of your morning.
Get the Recipe: Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl
Easy Keto Porridge Recipe
This porridge comes together quickly and keeps you full for hours. Made with nuts and seeds, it’s thick, creamy, and perfect for a protein-packed breakfast without eggs.
Get the Recipe: Easy Keto Porridge Recipe
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.