Protein-packed breakfasts that go beyond eggs

If you live a plant-based lifestyle, you’re likely already familiar with tempeh, a soy product made from boiled and fermented soybeans. Not only does its firm structure make it a desirable meat substitute, there are 19 grams of protein in just 100 ounces of tempeh. In this recipe, it’s molded into sausage patties that you can serve with a side of home fries or fruit for a filling breakfast option.

For the Tempeh Sausage Patties recipe, click here.

If your mornings are hectic, don’t think you have to rely only on cereal or a cup of yogurt to get you through the day. This quinoa breakfast bowl takes just five minutes to prepare. Add the protein-dense grain to your Instant Pot with maple syrup and milk and garnish with berries.

For the Instant Pot Breakfast Quinoa With Berries recipes, click here.

Muffins are a great breakfast option if you’re an avid meal prepper. Just make a batch before the week starts and grab one when you’re ready for breakfast. This recipe uses yogurt (a protein-dense staple) to make the muffins rich and creamy. Although the ingredients include one egg, it can be easily substituted with flax seed or applesauce.

For the Banana Yogurt Muffins recipe, click here.

Avocados have quickly become an iconic breakfast food. Just toss it on some toast with a pinch of salt, and you have a savory, flavorful meal in minutes. But there are a few easy additions you can make to give your avo toast a boost of protein. If you’re cooking for a special occasion, top it with luxurious poached lobster for seaside flavor and protein.

For the Lobster Avocado Toast recipe, click here.

Who doesn’t love a healthy smoothie recipe? Whether you’ve just woken up or you need a punch of protein after a hard workout, this mango smoothie with peanut butter and banana will keep you fueled until lunchtime.

For the Mango Protein Smoothie recipe, click here.

Of course, when it comes to protein-rich breakfasts you can’t forget about good old oatmeal. The dependable breakfast is filling, delicious and easy to make. Take it to the next level by baking it with brown sugar, cinnamon and other pantry staples.

For the Baked Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe, click here.

Nothing quite beats bacon, and this recipe turns the protein into a showstopper. Although braising the bacon in the oven requires a little extra patience, the outcome is a juicy, flavorful dish that can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Add it to salads, sandwiches and more.

For the Maple Braised Bacon recipe, click here.

If you don’t mind its grainy texture, chia seed pudding is a great, protein-rich breakfast option. For this recipe, the seeds are left to soak overnight in blueberries and milk (another protein-dense ingredient). Top it with bananas and flaxseed for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

For the Blueberry Overnight Chia Seed Pudding recipe, click here.

Adding meat or grain to your breakfast is an easy way to get your protein fix, and this recipe has both. Not only is this bowl filling, but it also takes only 15 minutes to make — and even less time if you cook the quinoa and sausage the night before. Add avocado, cheese and corn, and you’ve got a deconstructed taco as your first meal of the day.

For the Quinoa Burrito Bowl recipe, click here.

This dairy-free treat can be served for breakfast or dessert — a double whammy! Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein, especially for all of our plant-based pals out there. Cashews and walnuts are used to make a crunchy crust for these superfood bars that are as delicious as they are nutritious.

For the Tart Cherry Vegan Superfood Bars recipe, click here.

Gozleme is a Turkish flatbread that’s made with yufka or Turkish pastry leaves (if you can’t find the leaves, you can use packaged filo as a substitute). The yufka is stuffed with spinach and feta cheese, which has about 21 grams of protein per cup.

For the Gozleme recipe, click here.

If you’re trying to cut back on animal products, but you just can’t give up scrambled eggs, we’re here to introduce you to tofu scramble. Tofu, a high-protein soy product, is crumbled into pieces and cooked on a skillet with spices and veggies of your choosing. This recipe uses tomatoes, garlic, peppers and onion for a Mexican-inspired take on the breakfast option.

For the Mexican Tofu Scramble recipe, click here.

This tropical smoothie bowl tastes how summer feels. The bright dish is loaded with protein from the yogurt, granola and banana and is sweetened up by mango and pineapple. Feel free to make additions and substitutions liberally.

For the Dairy-Free Tropical Smoothie Bowl recipe, click here.

One easy way to incorporate a whole lot of protein into your breakfast is by making bacon chunks out of tempeh. Liquid smoke and paprika give the soy product a meaty flavor that seamlessly takes the place of real bacon. Add 1/2 cup of the bacon chunks to some avocado toast with blistered cherry tomatoes, and store the leftovers in the fridge for up to one week.

For the Tempeh Bacon Chunks recipe, click here.

Working fish into your breakfast is an easy way to pack in some protein. In this recipe, lox and cream cheese (a classic breakfast combo) are combined with other ingredients to make a seven-layer dip that’s reminiscent of a deconstructed lox bagel. Add the spread to an everything bagel or dip some veggies in it.

For the Seven Layer Bagel and Lox Dip recipe, click here.

The best part about working with ingredients like yogurt and muesli cereal is that they’re incredibly versatile. You can use your choice of frozen berries for this overnight breakfast bowl, but feel free to get creative and top the dish with fresh fruit, chia seeds, honey or whatever else you fancy.

For the Overnight Breakfast Bowl recipe, click here.

Having a protein-filled breakfast doesn’t have to be boring, and this shrimp-and-grits recipe is a testament to that. A dish commonly served on breakfast tables across the South, shrimp and grits is a comfort food that doesn’t slack when it comes to flavor.

For the Shrimp and Grits recipe, click here.

If you struggle when it comes to making your own coffee at home, then try this coffee smoothie recipe — it’s hard to mess up. The caffeinated drink is sweetened up with chocolate chips and banana, then given a protein boost from the oats and milk.

For the Coffee Banana Oat Smoothie recipe, click here.

If chicken and waffles is one of those dishes you reserve for brunch out at a restaurant, think again. This recipe makes the dish super accessible. The buttermilk chicken acts as your source of protein, and you can buy pre-made waffles from the store for an easy alternative to making them yourself.

For the Buttermilk Chicken and Waffle Bites recipe, click here.