*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, read my full disclosure.
If you’ve been looking for winter breakfast ideas that feel cozy, and nourishing, I curated a few simple meals that’ll bring more comfort and calm into your winter mornings.
As the fall season slowly transitions into winter, I’m drawn to staying home more and more, especially on gloomy days. When I crave something comforting, one of the easiest ways to ease into a cold day is to make a warm, wholesome breakfast.
Note: I’ll only be sharing winter breakfast ideas rather than full recipes to help inspire your morning meals but I’m sure you’ll love them all and maybe find a few new favorites!
The Beauty of Winter Mornings
It could be because I was born during a snowstorm, but I love winter with all my heart. There’s something so magical about being cozied up at home while it’s snowing outside, sipping hot cocoa, telling stories, or watching a good show.
In recent years, when I started working from home, I decided to make my winter morning meals a part of my slow living ritual. Pancakes are still a household favorite for me, with a warm apple cinnamon oatmeal a close second. This is why I wanted to gather these winter breakfast ideas for you, too!
I’ll put on a coffee shop ambience video on YouTube, make a cup of tea or coffee, and plan out my day. I’ll do my simple skincare routine and think about one thing I can do to make the day memorable.
I know winter lasts way too long, but wishing it away won’t make spring come faster. So I choose to accept the gloomy days, the cold, the bare trees, and the endless layers of clothes. And honestly, my heart’s all better for it.
Why a Warming Breakfast Matters
Preparing your breakfast on a slow winter morning can be a cozy ritual to help you start your day on a positive note. I love to plan my breakfast the night before so I don’t have to rush and just grab anything.
Using seasonal, unprocessed ingredients makes for a nourishing meal, especially since we naturally crave more caloric foods in winter.
If you’re affected by the winter blues, these warming winter breakfast ideas can be something joyful to look forward to in the morning.
How to Create a Winter Breakfast Ritual
Over the years, these comforting winter breakfast ideas have become a part of my winter morning routine. I love not having to rush or think about what to eat. I keep my favorites in a notebook along with other seasonal recipes.
To make these breakfast ideas a part of your winter morning, you need to be intentional about them. You don’t have to cook everything from scratch every single morning. Prepare what you can the night before, freeze where possible, and go with store-bought when you’re in a time crunch.
As you make and eat your breakfast, you can listen to some music or a podcast, have your coffee, journal, plan your day, or enjoy the meal with your family. Don’t rush through it and try to savor each and every flavor.
14 Easy Winter Breakfast Ideas For Warm & Cozy Mornings
As I was thinking about how to curate this list of simple winter breakfast ideas, I had three main goals in mind. The breakfasts had to be:
1. EASY – so you can prepare them the night before or the morning of;
2. NOURISHING – using healthy, fulfilling, seasonal ingredients;
3. DELICIOUS – so you’re excited to prepare and eat them.
So, without further ado, here are 14 easy winter breakfast ideas to make your mornings soft, cozy, and simple:
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
1. Brioche French Toast with Warm Winter Berries
When I hear brioche, all I can think about is the perfect smell of freshly baked buttery pastry. Sprinkle some cinnamon on your French toast, a drizzle of maple syrup, and pair it with warm winter berries.
You can also make a French toast casserole (I love this casserole dish set) or use an air fryer. If you don’t have brioche, you can make this French toast with regular white bread and brush a little melted butter on each slice.
2. Cranberry Orange Morning Muffins
This breakfast is Christmas on a plate! The tanginess of cranberries and the freshness of the orange are the perfect combo for a warm and filling winter breakfast. You can add cocoa or dark chocolate chips to the muffins for an even richer taste.
I like to use these silicone muffin pans, but if you have a metal muffin tin, make sure to use quality non-stick muffin liners.
3. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal
Dark chocolate and raspberry is a synergy of tastes like no other! I’d normally never put these two ingredients together, let alone in oatmeal, until I tried it.
I promise, you’ll love this combo! It’s equal parts creamy, sweet, and tart; a true experience for your taste buds! I usually make mine in this non-stick pot and love to serve it in these adorable bowls.
4. Gingerbread Scones With Cream Cheese Drizzle
For this winter breakfast idea, you may need a little prepping ahead, but the result is well worth the effort. I love these gingerbread scones for breakfast because I can pair them with a glass of milk, a cup of Earl Grey tea, or just a coffee, and I’m good to go!
With breakfast scones, I like to store and display them in this beautiful porcelain cake stand, so it’s easy to grab a piece whenever you crave it throughout the day.
5. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes With Toasted Pecan Maple Drizzle
Ohhhh, this winter breakfast gets me in my feels! I could eat it every single day and never get bored! What’s not to love about cinnamon + pancakes + toasted pecans + maple drizzle? Plus, it’s so easy to whip up, freeze, and store. Definitely a favorite of mine!
I love these winter pancakes with a cup of festive Christmas tea. Isn’t this the absolute perfect combo for a Christmas morning breakfast?
6. Walnut Honey Banana Bread
There’s nothing quite like the nostalgic taste of an old-fashioned banana bread. I love mine with walnuts and honey, and a glass of milk. I find it lasts a few days since you can’t eat the whole thing in one breakfast, so it’s great for on-the-go on days when you’re in a rush.
I love this old-fashioned ceramic loaf pan to bake the bread. Serve it warm with a little butter or yogurt. This wooden serving board makes it look like a cozy café treat.
7. Apple Ricotta Breakfast Muffins
Apple + ricotta is the dream combo for these winter breakfast muffins. Apple is such a fall/winter staple fruit that gives flavor and nutrition to any meal, and ricotta is the protein boost you need in a cozy winter breakfast. You can use any basic muffin recipe and just add the apple and ricotta to the batter.
I’ve found that Honeycrisp and Fuji are the best apples for baking as they’re naturally sweet and hold their shape well. Of course, you can use any type and the muffins will still taste amazing.
8. Nut Butter Chia Pudding With Spiced Granola Crunch
If you want to make any winter breakfast idea more nutritious, just use nut butters! This is a super easy breakfast to make the night before because chia seeds need to soak overnight. You’ll have a delicious breakfast in the morning – all that’s left to add is your favorite granola crunch!
I love almond butter for this breakfast because of its distinctive taste. Also, I add homemade granola whenever I have it at home. If you don’t have homemade, there are some pretty amazing ready-made granola mixes you could use.
9. Hearty Winter Breakfast Bowls
This is one of my favorite nourishing winter breakfasts because it’s so versatile! You can make the breakfast bowl as simple or as creative as you like! You can add berries, seeds, fruits, veggies, nuts + nut butters, and anything and everything you love!
These are great to make ahead and you can find freeze-friendly recipes to save time. Keep them in microwave-safe containers so you can reheat them as you go.
10. Warm Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches
A breakfast sandwich is a classic breakfast that can keep you full and happy for hours. Instead of your usual sliced bread, make your winter breakfast sandwich with French croissants. Add some lettuce, cucumbers, cheese, olives, and some condiments, and you’re good to go!
These croissants are so fluffy, buttery, and delicious and you can prep a few different sandwiches for the week. Just wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a couple of days.
11. Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
Baked apple cider donuts is the perfect Christmas morning breakfast! You can either grab a box of store-bought donuts or if you want a healthier version, you can make them at home. Roll them in cinnamon sugar and pair them with a cup of coffee, milk, or tea.
12. Spiced Winter Coffee Cake
In fall and winter, I use so many warm spices in anything and everything, and this spiced winter coffee cake is no exception! A slice or two with a cup of black coffee is enough to keep me full until lunch and I can store the rest in the fridge for a few days so I always have something quick to grab during the week.
13. Sourdough Toast with Melted Brie & Pear Slices
When I get a loaf of sourdough bread from my favorite bakery, I make sure to make the most of it for as many meals as I can. One of those is a scrumptious winter breakfast of sourdough toast with melted brie (you can use any good cheese) and pear slices. Sometimes, I’ll use butter or cream cheese for the toast but either way, this is a delicious winter breakfast idea.
14. Breakfast Polenta with Feta Cheese & Scrambled Egg
I’m not a fan of savory breakfasts but I know they’re more filling than carbs, so once in a while, I’ll add a few protein-packed options. One example is breakfast polenta! It’s sooo easy to make and you can substitute the feta cheese and egg with anything you like!
What Seasonal Ingredients Work Best for These Winter Breakfast Ideas?
Nature also rests in winter, so fresh fruit and veggies may be less abundant. This is why using seasonal ingredients is essential for your winter breakfast prep. Some of the best items to keep in your pantry include:
- Fruits: apples, pears, oranges, figs, pomegranates, cranberries, forest fruits…
- Veggies: pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, carrots, beets, ginger…
- Grains & seeds: oats, quinoa, chia, flaxseed, pumpkin, sunflower, hemp…
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts (and nut butters)…
- Sweeteners: local organic honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, date syrup…
- Warming spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, clove…
- Add-ins: milk, yogurt, nut milks, dark chocolate chips, vanilla extract, jam, tea…
You can also stock many of these ingredients in the fall and freeze them when possible, so you have an entire winter’s worth of seasonal produce.
A Note for Easing Into the Winter Season
I know not everyone is a fan of winter, so I hope these winter breakfast ideas will be a small reason to look forward to your mornings. Whether you prepare them for yourself or the entire family, these breakfasts will warm you up and help you start the day right.
If you liked these ideas, check out some of my other seasonal recipes here and make sure to pin this post to save it for later!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
