How to Beat the Clock: 8 Back-to-School Breakfasts Ready in 15 Minutes or Less

By: Emily Lee

In the throes of back-to-school chaos, the meal that’s most often overlooked is breakfast. Assembling an elaborate plate seems like a scene from Mission: Impossible, especially when there are bookbags to pack and buses to catch. Sure, on-the-go breakfasts like yogurt cups and granola bars are reliable in a pinch, but nothing beats a homemade, sit-down meal.

If you’ve been saving your favorite classics like pancakes and omelets for weekends at home, there’s no need: With a few helpful tips and the right ingredients on hand, you can have satisfying plates ready in a flash. Make time for the most-important meal of the day with these 10 breakfast dishes ready in 15 minutes or less, from omelets and poached eggs to pancakes and oatmeal.

Eggs Benedict

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Eggs Benedict is the quintessential brunch item — a dish to be savored and not rushed on a leisurely Sunday morning. But there’s no reason this comforting medley of crisp Canadian bacon and soft poached eggs atop toasted English muffins can’t be part of your weekday breakfast routine.

Ree Drummond uses her mother’s quick and easy method to ensure the eggs come out right: When the water comes to a gentle simmer, add a little bit of white vinegar to the pan. Then, use a spoon to create a whirlpool before adding the eggs. This spinning motion encourages the whites to wrap around their yolks.

French Omelet

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Food Network Kitchen de-mystifies the process of making soft, unblemished omelets with a perfect bright-yellow hue. And yes, it’s possible to pull off in just 15 minutes. Keep the filling simple — have some fresh chopped herbs and your favorite cheese on hand.

Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Chives

Total Time: 10 Minutes

Ricotta and minced chives elevate basic scrambled eggs to bistro-worthy status. Kids will love the creamy texture of the cheese combined with the soft eggs. If there’s time, serve with a side of your family’s favorite toasted bread.

Rachael Ray's Frothy-Chilly Fruit Smoothie

Rachael Ray's Frothy-Chilly Fruit Smoothie

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Rachael Ray's Frothy-Chilly Fruit Smoothie

Frothy Chilly Fruit Smoothies

Total Time: 8 Minutes

Smoothies are known for their convenience, but it’s hard to find the right combination of ingredients that will sustain you all morning. Rachael Ray’s banana and frozen berry smoothies have a thick texture that’s more substantial than some solid meals. The secret ingredient? Strawberry-banana low-fat custard yogurt.

CC ACAI BREAKFAST BOWL
Cooking Channel
Unsweetened Frozen Acai Puree, Banana, Blueberries, Honey, Granola, Pomegranate
Seeds, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

CC ACAI BREAKFAST BOWL Cooking Channel Unsweetened Frozen Acai Puree, Banana, Blueberries, Honey, Granola, Pomegranate Seeds, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

CC ACAI BREAKFAST BOWL Cooking Channel Unsweetened Frozen Acai Puree, Banana, Blueberries, Honey, Granola, Pomegranate Seeds, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Acai Breakfast Bowl

Total Time: 5 Minutes

Acai is a purple berrylike fruit packed with antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. To assemble this nutritious breakfast bowl, use the unsweetened frozen puree, which has a pleasant flavor with earthy olive oil notes. Add traditional parfait toppings like berries and granola for a bowl that’s loaded with fiber.

Mixed Berry and Yogurt Parfait

Total Time: 5 Minutes

For a low-fat breakfast, top plain yogurt with fresh berries (or frozen, if you prefer the frosty texture) and granola, then drizzle the parfaits with a little bit of maple syrup for a touch of natural sweetness. Store-bought granola works in a pinch, but Food Network Kitchen’s homemade recipe contains just 2 grams of sugar, which is hard to beat. Prepare the granola ahead of time to have on hand for busy school mornings.

FN_Egg-in-a-Hole

Photo by: Marshall Troy ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Marshall Troy, 2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Eggs in a Hole

Total Time: 5 Minutes

Enjoy fried eggs and buttered toast with this classic all-in-one breakfast. The beauty of this recipe is that it calls for just three pantry staples: eggs, butter and your favorite bread. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, you can use a regular glass to cut a hole out of the center of the bread. Let the center circle toast up in the pan, then use it to soak up the creamy yolk.

Photo by: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All rights Reserved

Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All rights Reserved

Overnight Oats No-Cook Blueberry Almond Oatmeal

Total Time: 0 Minutes

Set aside just 10 minutes before bed — that way, you’ll spend 0 minutes preparing breakfast in the morning. Eggs or pancakes won’t hold up so well in the fridge, but these overnight oats sure will. The night before, combine milk, oats, blueberries, brown sugar and other desired flavorings, like lemon zest, vanilla and almond extract. Seal the mixture in a glass pint jar or another container with a lid. When you wake up the next morning, there will be a low-calorie, high-protein breakfast waiting for you, zero preparation required.

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