We all love a good breakfast, which is probably why most restaurants these days have come up with their own breakfast menus and open as early as seven in the morning. We believe a good breakfast sets the tone of your day. But as lovely as an occasional breakfast or brunch outing can be, we are in no way suggesting you eat out on a regular basis. In fact, most fancy breakfast items you find in restaurants can easily be replicated at home. The good thing is that you don’t need to put in a lot of time and effort and it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Here are eight quick and easy breakfast ideas that can give you a much-needed energy boost in the morning. Most don’t require any advanced preparation while some might need you to put in a few minutes of kitchen time before you retire for the night.

Oats banana pancake

This protein rich breakfast delicacy does not need any pre-preparation. You can whip up delicious pancakes in under 15 minutes. It’s filling, nutritious, and simply delicious. Serve the pancakes with the side of fruits for a complete meal. Mash two bananas in a bowl, add an egg and whisk it until smooth. Add half a cup of oil along with a teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of baking soda. Grind two cups of oats and add it to the wet ingredients in the bowl. Add water or milk to make a smooth batter, which should neither be too runny nor too thick. Grease a pan with butter and pour small rounds of batter into it. Wait until you see bubbles on the surface of the pancake and then flip it to cook the other side. Since you’re using oats, you might have to cook the pancakes for a few minutes extra then you would have to while using regular flour.

Mango chia pudding 

For this amazing breakfast item that tastes a little bit like dessert, you need to soak chia seeds overnight. The rest of it is just chopping and assembling ingredients when it’s time for breakfast. It is perfect for summer when you don’t want to have a hot breakfast early in the morning. You can also enjoy this as a snack in the afternoon. Soak two tablespoons of chia seeds in a cup of yogurt and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. When it’s time for breakfast, transfer the pudding into a bowl, drizzle some honey, and top with chopped mangoes. You can also substitute mangoes with strawberries, blueberries, or any other seasonal fruit. Packed with protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients, this breakfast will keep you full for a long time.

Toast with a twist

Toast is a quintessential breakfast item. Traditionally served with butter, jam, or other such spreads, it is something that everybody likes. These days, toasted with avocado has become popular in many restaurants. Our version is a spinoff to that and is just as delicious and nutritious. Cut off the edges of two slices of bread and lay them flat on a baking tray. In another bowl, mash two boiled eggs and add some finely chopped onions and coriander to it. You can also add tomatoes if you want. Add salt and pepper according to taste to this mix and slather it on the slices of bread. Top it with a slice of cheese and let it back in the oven at medium heat for 15 minutes. You’re loaded toast that tastes a little bit like pizza is ready to be enjoyed.

Baked potato bonanza 

You need large sized potatoes for this recipe, which is really simple to make and tastes like an absolute dream. Thoroughly wash two large potatoes and leave their skin intact. Bring a pot of water to boil and add the potatoes, letting it cook for about 15 minutes. Don’t fully cook the potatoes. Drain the water and cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Spread the thin layer of butter or on top of the potatoes. Add some grated garlic and finely chopped green chilies. Sprinkle salt and pepper and top with grated cheese. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes in medium heat or until the cheese melts and you get a slightly charred smell. You can serve this carb and protein rich dish with a side of lightly steamed vegetables. It’s a wholesome meal that will keep you satiated for hours.

Cinnamon delight

This one will blow your mind. Be warned that it’s not as healthy and wholesome as the other items on this list but it’s definitely food for your soul. You need a thick slice of bread for this. It should be double the thickness of a regular slice of bread. You can buy fresh, uncut bread at the bakery and slice it yourself. In a large bowl, mix a cup of milk with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and two tablespoons of brown sugar. Give it a stir so that there are no lumps in the mixture. Grease a pan with butter. Dip the bread slice in the cinnamon mixture, making sure you coat both sides. Toast it on the pan after the butter starts sizzling, cooking both sides for two minutes each. The result will be a gooey cake like toast that melts in your mouth. Since this is mostly carbs, we suggest you serve it with some scrambled eggs and fruits on the side to make it a complete meal.

Yogurt fruit bowl

This is by far one of the healthiest things you can have for breakfast. It’s a great source of probiotic and fiber, leading to good gut health. Apart from being filling and nutrient-dense, it’s also delicious and you might just get hooked to it. You can use regular yogurt or blend a fruit with yogurt to get a creamy base. Then add that to a bowl, and add a teaspoon of honey to it. You can also add a bit of your favorite syrup to give it that extra flavor. This goes into the base of your bowl. Top the yogurt with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, crushed walnuts, and a handful of raisins. Next, chop fruits of your choice and layer them over the yogurt as well, creating an interesting mix of colors. Sprinkle coconut powder on top of the fruits and seeds and your delicious fruit bowl is ready.

Tangy chana chaat

If you aren’t a fan of sweet breakfasts, then this is for you. You just have to soak a cup of chana or black gram overnight. Then you can quickly whip up this dish in the pressure cooker the next morning. Chana is known to have anti aging benefits, improve hemoglobin levels, control blood sugar, and promote heart health among others. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds and dried red chilis to it. Allow it to sizzle. Add the overnight soaked chana to it and let it roast for about a minute before putting in salt and turmeric. Add half a cup of chopped tomatoes and mix it well. Pour one cup of water and let it cook for four to five whistles. Once cooked, transfer it to a serving dish and add chopped onions and coriander to it and mix well. Squeeze half a lime and serve hot. You can also have this with lightly toasted bread or plain roti.

Moong dal chilla

Chilla is basically a savory lentil pancake that is traditionally had for breakfast. It’s easy to prepare and rich in protein which makes it a good option for breakfast. You can also use chickpea flour (besan) to make these yummy pancakes but we recommend moong dal for its perfect taste and texture. Soak a cup of moong dal overnight and grind it in the blender the next morning. In the blender, add half an inch of ginger, two to three cloves of garlic, a teaspoon of cumin seeds, a few green chilis, and salt, along with the soaked moong dal and blend until you get a smooth paste. Ensure there are no lumps in it. Next, chop one medium tomato and onion and add this to the batter as well. Heat and grease a girdle and spread the batter in a thin circle. Let it cook for a minute or two before flipping it over. Serve the chilla hot with mint chutney.