Start a chilly winter morning right with cozy winter breakfast ideas. Many people are tempted to stay in bed, tucked under the covers when it’s freezing outside. Waking up and getting ready in the morning isn’t easy to begin with, especially if you have a late chronotype or are a night owl who thrives in the evening and tends to not be a morning person. That’s understandable because even the early morning rush has the potential to grate on the nerves of natural early birds who enjoy waking up with the sun. There’s just something about mornings that make all of us feel a tad frazzled.
But with darker days, longer nights, and colder temperatures in the winter, you’ve got yourself a more challenging start to your day, especially since the beckoning of your bed seems to feel more powerful when it’s frigid outside. That’s why we’ve curated these winter breakfast ideas to get you excited about waking up (and out of your warm bed) even if the weather outside is bitingly cold. These energizing brekkie dishes are the ticket to get you warmed up and excited to start your morning.
Many attest that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. Studies assert that a healthy breakfast equates to an overall better quality of your whole diet. You’re more inclined to make healthier choices that cover your daily nutritional dietary requirements for optimal wellness. Of course, intermittent fasting believers may disagree with this concept. However, for people with health issues like diabetes, hyperacidity, cancer, or hypertension, eating breakfast is crucial.
If you’re looking for cozy winter breakfast recipes, you’re in the right place. We’ve got everything you need because we compiled these mouthwatering morning meals that are warm, hearty, and scrumptious. They’re packed with flavor and essential nutrients to clear your brain fog and get your energy flowing. Warm up to these delicious recipes that serve as the perfect way to brighten your day, so you can gear up for a whole day on a positive note.
Not Your Ordinary Poached Egg: The Shakshuka
Savory with just the right amount of spice to warm you up, Shakshuka is a comforting breakfast option that goes great with staples like whole grain, multigrain, or sourdough bread. It is a very easy dish popular in the Middle East and North African regions and is essentially eggs poached in tomato, onion, garlic, and spice-ladened sauce. For this filling meal, you will need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium diced onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 eggs
- 1 small bunch of freshly chopped cilantro
- 1 small bunch of freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a saute pan, cook the chopped bell pepper and onion in oil on medium heat, cooking for 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent and tender. Then, add the garlic and spices and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour the tomatoes along with the juices into the pan, crushing the tomatoes with a spoon. Then add your salt and pepper, and bring the sauce to a simmer until slightly thickened.
Once it has reached a slightly thicker consistency, using your spoon or ladle, create wells in the sauce, cracking the eggs into them to cook. Cover the pan for 5-8 minutes until eggs are poached and cooked to your desired consistency. Top with cilantro, parsley, and shredded cheese (optional). You can enjoy this alone or with bread. This makes about 6 servings so it’s perfect for sharing. Plates of this dish create memorable winter breakfast dishes, because it’s so tasty and satisfying.
Unique Winter Breakfast Ideas: Pumpkin Porridge
This comforting dish that’s served piping hot is popular in East Asian regions, especially China, Japan, and Korea. This belongs to the list of best winter breakfast ideas because winter squash or pumpkins are naturally abundant even when it’s cold. This recipe is a great way to utilize the pumpkins you have kept over Thanksgiving, though you can also use a canned option.
This dish is incredibly refreshing and nutritious because pumpkins are rich in fiber which aids digestion and prevents blood sugar spikes. Studies say that pumpkins are rich in antioxidants and have strong antibacterial components. Roasted pumpkin seeds are also high in protein which could make you feel satiated for longer. Each bowl comes with a golden, creamy, and velvety texture that screams winter comfort. The best part about this is you can make it sweet or savory, depending on your mood. For the porridge base, you will need the following:
- 1/2 small pumpkin cut into cubes OR canned unsweetened pumpkin
- 1/2 cup of glutinous rice soaked in water for 1 hour
- 1/2 cup regular rice (like basmati or jasmine)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 tsp of brown sugar
- 5 cups water
Instructions:
Cook the pumpkin in a large pot until fork-tender. Discard the water and allow the squash to cool (skip this step if using canned pumpkin). Transfer the flesh into a blender and puree. You can also use a fork to mash the pumpkin. Next, combine all the ingredients in a pot and cook until the rice has broken down. Mix well to ensure the porridge doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Now the fun part begins! If you’re making a savory porridge, you can add one whole minced shallot and two cloves of garlic to your porridge base. You can also add a small knob of ginger (you can fish it out later once the porridge is done) and black pepper. These add-ons are all warming ingredients that will make you feel cozy when the weather is frigid. You can also add more salt and fish sauce for an extra umami taste. As for toppings, you can use century egg, hard-boiled egg, green onions, roasted pumpkin seeds, toasted sesame seeds, meat floss, diced ham, tofu, or any cooked ground meat of choice.
If you want to tickle your sweet tooth, add another teaspoon of sugar to the porridge base. Optional garnishes for the sweet version are sticky rice balls from your Asian store, sweet red beans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dried cranberry, pecans, blueberries, and the like.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to your chosen toppings, so enjoy the process and take this as the fun go signal to play with your food. This recipe makes 6 to 8 bowls and will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days (in a sealed container). You can reheat this over low heat and just add more water if it has thickened too much. Alternatively, you can also quickly reheat a bowl in the microwave, and just dilute it with water.
Amplify Your Hot Cocoa With the Filipino Champorado
Hot chocolate has always been a winter staple. But, if you are feeling adventurous, you can level up this experience with Filipino Champorado. This is a more filling chocolate breakfast dish that is tasty and homey. It is a staple in Pinoy households because of how filling it is. Kids love it too because it’s as if you’re eating dessert for breakfast. Enjoy a bowl of this warm chocolate rice porridge to banish your winter blues. This is mildly sweet with a hint of bitterness from premium cacao. You can eat this alongside savory items like eggs and spam. You will need the following ingredients:
- 5 cups of water
- 1 cup glutinous rice (pre-soak in water for 1 hour)
- 4 pieces of Tablea (Filipino chocolate disk) or 4-5 tablespoons of dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
Instructions:
In a deep pot, bring water to a boil. Then, add the rice and stir, lowering the heat from medium to low, cooking until the rice begins to expand. Add in the cocoa or Tablea and cook, regularly stirring the mix until the chocolate has completely melted. Cook until the mixture thickens and reaches your preferred consistency. Add sugar, and cook until dissolved. Lastly, serve with evaporated milk drizzle and enjoy alone or with egg, spam, or salty fish.
And here’s a healthy trick: you can add a tablespoon or two of chia while cooking or ½ cup of oatmeal to increase your fiber intake. This serves four heaping bowls. If you cannot finish the pot, this will keep well in your fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat it by diluting it with water on a stovetop or microwave.
Traditional Winter Breakfast: A Heaping English Brekkie Plate
There is nothing hearty like a classic English breakfast meal that contains protein, carbs, and fruits. It certainly deserves a spot in your winter breakfast recipes collection. If you want something a little on the more filling side, this meal will do wonders. It has eggs, beans, a choice of protein, and carbs of your choice. Eating a plate of this means you hit all your main food groups, which experts say is essential because your diet plays a vital role in the origin and prevention of multiple diseases. For this dish, you will need the following:
- 2 eggs (cooked in your favorite style)
- 1 serving of tomato beans
- 1 serving of a meat protein of choice (ham, bacon, turkey, etc.)
- 1 serving of carb of choice (bread, healthy muffins, and healthy pancakes)
For healthier muffins or pancakes:
- 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 + 2 tablespoons of almond flour
- 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon lemon oil
- Optional – berries, chocolate chips
- * To make into pancake batter, and 1/4 cup of water
Instructions:
Cook the eggs to your liking. Then, warm up the tomato beans and your protein of choice. As for the muffin mix, simply mix all the ingredients, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 17 to 20 minutes. If you would like to make these into pancakes, thin the batter out with some water and cook over medium heat on a stove. Winter breakfast ideas like this one may take time because of all its individual components. So it may be best to leave this for your weekends when mornings are a lot slower. And, of course, no self-respecting English breakfast is complete without a “cuppa” tea to beat the winter chill!
Upgrade Your Oats With This Filling Bread Pudding
High-fiber breakfasts are great for improving gut health. Moreover, studies show that those who have higher dietary fiber intake have a lower risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. But if you’re bored of eating the same steel-cut oats every day, you can morph this wonderful ingredient into pudding. This high-fiber breakfast of oatmeal and wheat bread pudding is a tasty morning treat that will surely give you the energy to go on with your day. Don’t worry because it’s very easy to do. It’s one of those winter breakfast dishes that even your kids can cook. You will need the following:
- 4 cups of wheat bread scraps
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 2 1/2 cups of milk of choice
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 1 egg
- Fruit of choice (optional)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- Add-ins of choice, like raisins, chocolate, etc (optional)
Instructions:
In a big bowl, mix the broken-up bread chunks with the oats, egg, and milk, allowing them to sit for 30 minutes for the milk to be absorbed. Then add the butter, fruits, and sugar, and add-ins. Combine and place in a pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the pudding has set. Let cool then serve. You can eat this with your protein of choice or add eggs on the side. Best of all, this keeps well in the fridge so you can reheat this in your microwave or oven toaster if you cannot finish the pan.
Are You Ready to Break Your Fast The Right Way?
These are just a few great winter breakfast ideas to try out this season. We’d love to hear what your favorite breakfasts are to beat old man winter. Slide into the comments section so we can share ideas.
We have all heard how important it is to think about what we put in our mouths. Food can either be fuel or be toxic. Of course, everyone desires to live a long, happy life, so it’s vital to make healthy choices that nourish the body inside and out. When you have stronger immunity thanks to a healthy diet, you’re less susceptible to illness. Furthermore, the right breakfast choices can provide you with much more mental alertness and more physical energy to increase your productivity levels throughout the day.
It’s also important to remember food sensitivities and allergies whilst preparing meals. If you need help, consider taking a CircleDNA test. This comprehensive at-home DNA test provides over 500 reports about you, including your ancestry, health disease risk, nutrition, and more. With this report, you can plan better meals, avoid allergens, and address nutritional deficiencies based on your own unique DNA. You’ll essentially learn the optimal diet plan for you, based on your genetic makeup.
References:
- Importance of breakfast in the nutritional and health improvement of the population (Ana Lopez-Sobaler et.al.) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30351152/#
- Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Potential, and Therapeutic Benefits of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) (Maria Batool et.al.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9182978/
- [Influence of food or food groups intake on the occurrence and/or protection of different types of cancer: systematic review] (Enrique Contreras Garcia & Ana Zaragoza-Marti) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31718202/
- Healthy benefits of dietary fiber (James Anderson et.al.) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19335713/
