Our Favourite Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Kids

It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For growing children who've (hopefully) had a good, long sleep, a nutritional breakfast is essential in order to be prepared for a day of learning and exploring the world.

Unfortunately, many breakfast foods you buy in the supermarket, including most packaged cereals and many yoghurts, are high in sugar and low in important nutrients. As many of us also are pressed for time in the morning, it can sometimes be hard to find something to serve your children for breakfast that is both quick and healthy.

Healthy breakfast recipes

We asked the team at Little Dish to put together some easy to make breakfast recipes with a focus on fruit, grains and protein, which are all important for your child's nutrition. Preparing these dishes is also something your children can get involved in and that you can do together.

Bircher Muesli

This is an easy breakfast that requires no cooking, that your children can help you assemble the night before. It sets in the fridge overnight and is ready to go when you wake up.

Serves: approximately 4
Prep time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients
100g rolled oats
100g plain, natural yoghurt
100ml full-fat or semi-skim milk (or substitute almond milk or cashew milk)
75g mixed berries, lightly crushed
2 tablespoons of honey
50g mixed seeds (optional)

Instructions
Mix together the oats, yoghurt, milk, berries and honey in a medium bowl. Divide the mix amongst four little jam jars or ramekins and sprinkle over the seeds if you are using them. Place in the fridge to chill overnight.

Fruit Porridge

A warm bowl of porridge is a great way to start the day for both adults and children. It will wake them up and give them plenty of energy for the day ahead. Try nut milk for a dairy-free alternative. Kids love to help stir in the fruit and drizzle the honey.

Serves: a family of 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
200g rolled oats
450ml full-fat or semi-skim milk (or substitute almond milk or cashew milk)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 apple, roughly chopped; 200g blackberries and/or 1 banana, mashed
Drizzle of honey, to serve (optional)

Method
Put the oats and milk into a medium pan over a medium heat. Bring to a simmer for 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally until the porridge is cooked and creamy. Stir in the flaxseed and the apple, berries or banana. Serve with a drizzle of honey if your children prefer a sweeter taste.

Purple Smoothie

Smoothies are a great way to get fruit, vegetables and nutrients into your children in a delicious way, plus they are very quick to prepare so a great breakfast option for those busy mornings.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients
400ml coconut water or cold water
1 banana, thickly sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced
300g blueberries
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (optional)
Handful of ice cubes

Method
Place all the ingredients in a blender and whiz on high for at least 1 minute or until smooth. Pour into cups and serve.

More healthy breakfast ideas

All of the recipes above are from the Little Dish Family Cookbook, which is packed full of tried-and-tested recipes your family will want to make and eat again and again.