The 11 Essential Quick Breakfast Items to Keep in Your Pantry and Fridge

With a well-stocked kitchen, you can easily grab a quick, nourishing breakfast whenever you need it. Keeping a variety of key ingredients on hand ensures you have everything you need to create a balanced, fulfilling breakfast every morning.

Add these essentials to your shopping list and you’ll never have to resort to boring cereal or unhealthy fast food for breakfast again. Check out our mix-and-match meal suggestions to break free from the breakfast routine.

1. Fresh Fruits

A handful of berries, an apple, or a couple of clementines will provide the fiber, natural sugars, and essential nutrients to kickstart your day with energy and vitality.

2. Frozen Fruits

Stock up on frozen fruits like berries, banana slices, or mango, peach, and strawberry chunks for quick smoothies or to mix into your cereal or yogurt. You can buy pre-frozen fruit or freeze your own by laying it out on a tray, then transferring it to a zip-top bag for easy, individual portions. It’s a smart way to save fruit that might otherwise spoil.

3. Plain Greek Yogurt

Packed with protein and calcium, Greek yogurt is a nutritious staple in any breakfast routine. You can even make it yourself! Enjoy it plain (a drizzle of honey can tame the tang) or blend it into smoothies and other breakfast recipes.

4. Whole-Grain English Muffins

English muffins make a more filling breakfast option than toast, perfect for building breakfast sandwiches. For those who enjoy fast-food breakfasts, they’re also delightful toasted and spread with nut butter. Feeling adventurous? Try making them from scratch.

5. Eggs

Eggs are incredibly versatile and only 70 calories each, offering a satisfying start to your morning. Boil a few at the start of the week for a quick snack or to add to other meals, or scramble one up for a warm, hearty breakfast.

Recipe: Avocado Breakfast Bowl

6. Avocados

Loaded with Omega-3s and healthy fats, avocados will keep you satisfied throughout the morning. When buying, opt for a mix of ripe and firm avocados to ensure you always have some ready to eat, while others will ripen in the coming days. Ripe avocados can last a few days in the fridge before they start browning.

7. Nut Butters

Peanut butter is a classic, but consider trying almond or cashew butter for a new taste and, often, a healthier nutritional profile. Many supermarkets or natural food stores offer a bulk section where you can grind your own nut butter fresh to order.

8. Rolled Oats

Packed with essential nutrients like manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium, oats are both filling and rich in fiber. Use them in sweet or savory oatmeal, as overnight oats, or blend them into a smoothie for an extra nutritional boost. We prefer the hearty texture of old-fashioned rolled oats, though quick-cooking varieties are perfect for busy mornings.

9. Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches

When you’re running late, having frozen breakfast sandwiches on hand is a total game-changer. They heat up quickly, giving you a hot meal in the time it takes to brush your teeth. Add an orange or banana for a well-rounded breakfast to start your day right.

10. Mixed Nuts

Head to the bulk section for a selection of mixed nuts, and keep a container on hand for quick, satisfying snacks or to add a nutritious crunch to your breakfast. If you’re mindful of sodium, choose a low-salt or unsalted version.

11. Baby Spinach

Spinach has a mild flavor, making it an easy addition to all kinds of breakfasts. It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies for the day—especially in smoothies, where it's practically invisible!

Delicious Combos for Quick Breakfasts

With your pantry and fridge stocked, you have endless possibilities for creating exciting breakfasts that keep things fresh. Here are a few creative ideas to help you get started and mix things up:

• Sprinkle fresh berries onto a bowl of yogurt, and top with mixed nuts
• Stir berries or chopped apple into oatmeal
• Peel a clementine and throw it whole into your smoothie blender along with spinach and frozen fruit, and even a spoonful of nut butter.
• Slice an apple and spread it with nut butter.
• Try a salad with fruit for breakfast, like a spinach salad with fresh berries and a handful of nuts.
• If you prefer non-sweet breakfasts, you might like savory oatmeal seasoned with a few dashes of soy sauce and topped with a boiled egg and some wilted spinach.
• Cook up a frozen breakfast sandwich and grab a banana or apple for the ultimate quick and satisfying breakfast on the go.
• Combine the oats, Greek yogurt, and fresh or frozen fruit in a mason jar with a lid for no-cook overnight oatmeal. You can even throw it in your bag to eat at your desk.
• Sandwich a fried or scrambled egg between two toasted English muffins for a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich. Add sliced avocado or a handful of spinach to beef it up.
• Mash an avocado with some lemon juice and spread onto a toasted English muffin for a tasty riff on the uber-popular avocado toast. It's great drizzled with a little olive oil and a sprinkling of hot sauce or pepper flakes.