In a Breakfast Rut? 9 Inspired Ways to Kickstart Your Morning

Greek yogurt, honey, clementines, and raspberries make a sunny, tangy topping for whole-grain toast.

Send your brown sugar on sabbatical and explore another side of oatmeal. Taking a cue from polenta, our Italian-style porridge gets a tantalizing flavor boost from garlic, Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil. The sunny-side-up egg adds protein, while fresh greens and briny Peppadew peppers invigorate every spoonful.

Hard-cooked eggs and chives upgrade creamy avocado in this twist on the ever-popular toast.

Here’s a real-food take on the toaster tarts many of us ate during the nutritional dark ages. Stuffed with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheddar (instead of sugary goo), they’re encased in a light, flaky whole-wheat crust. Freeze a batch, and you’ll always have a hot option on hand.

See Step by Step How to Make These Pocket Pastries

Cream cheese, olives, and lemon zest deliver hors d'oeuvre-worthy punch in this super-savory toast.

Airy and herby, these zucchini-and-dill waffles will have you leaping into the weekend. Grated Gruyère in the batter offers a smidge of sharpness; the zucchini makes them extra-tender. For full effect, top with sautéed spinach, smoked salmon, and a dollop of crème fraîche.

Give peanut butter a rest and reach for trusty tahini instead. Topped with bananas and maple syrup, this toast strikes the perfect balance between nuttiness and sweetness.

Get up and out with a wellness retreat in a jar—these layers are naturally sweet, creamy, and refreshing, as well as packed with virtuous omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and calcium. First, comes a coconut-milk chia pudding that's chilled overnight. Spoon some into a jar or glass, followed by a layer of fruit and a blanket of Greek yogurt. Top with a simple green smoothie. You can assemble up to two days in advance—the morning of, just dig in.

Set this morning glory in the middle of your dining table, and watch the forks fly. Part Mexican enchilada, part Middle Eastern shakshuka, it has crunch (from fried tortillas lining the bottom), heat (jalapeño-spiked salsa), and protein-packed sustenance (black beans and poached eggs). Radishes, scallion, and cilantro counterbalance the dish’s heartiness.