26 High-Protein Breakfasts for Any Day of the Week
There’s more to high protein breakfast than protein bars and cottage cheese egg bites. (No offense intended, bars and bites: I love your work in a pinch.) When one is not at the airport, though, there are many more options. A high-protein breakfast should give a long-lasting sense of mesatiety and keep energy levels high, of course; but it should also taste good. That’s where our vast Bon Appétit recipe archive comes in.
Before we get to the good stuff: What the heck makes a meal high in protein, versus one that simply contains the macronutrient? Depending on who you ask, it should contain about 15 to 30 grams of protein—a rough range based on your body type and activity levels. I’m not going to give you a full macro breakdown of each meal (I’m sure you have an app for that). I will, however, share some suggestions to turn up the protein-dial in these recipes, so you can adjust them to what feels best for you.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Christine Keely1/26Blueberry Protein Pancakes
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon2/26Berry Protein Smoothie
Adding hemp or pumpkin seeds will increase the protein content in this nut butter and cottage cheese–packed smoothie. You could add some protein powder, but it’ll get pretty dense: I’d rather have a couple hard-boiled eggs for a second course.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht3/2610-Minute Bone Broth Soup
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Drew Aichele, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco4/26Turkish-Style Eggs and Tomatoes
Going savory is often helpful when it comes to upping breakfast protein, well evidenced in this fried egg and Greek yogurt number.
Alex Lau5/26Overnight Oats
Ah, the overnight oat! Some people love to hate on the gloopy carb, but I would never. Don’t skip the flax if you’re fibermaxxing.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro6/26Matcha-Mango Chia Pudding
Chia seeds are a solid plant-based protein source, but feel free to add a scoop of your favorite protein powder (and a little extra liquid) to the pudding to make this properly “high” protein.
Photographs by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr. & Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne8/26Green Eggs and Ham Frittata
Photo by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley9/26Adai (Quick Lentil Dosas)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley10/26Ponzu Salmon and Avocado Toast
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling Christine Keely11/26Chicken Breakfast Sausages
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards13/26Cheesy Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Packed with eggs, bell pepper, cheese, and tons of sausage (opt for breakfast-seasoned pork, chicken, or turkey sausage if you prefer), this is a casserole for one of those post-gym mornings when you plan to nap after.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams14/26Super Citrusy Oatmeal
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams16/26Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal
Photograph by Carl Ostberg, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Andrea Bonin17/26Curried Chickpeas and Baked Eggs
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards. Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua19/26Spicy Tofu Scramble With Tomato and Ginger
Not every scramble must be egg-based. I eat a lot of tofu, so I would double the recipe (which, of course, also kicks up the protein content).
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams21/26Blueberry Muffin Baked Oatmeal
Danny Kim23/26Green Peanut Butter Smoothie
Almond milk isn’t especially protein-packed, but nothing a serving of vegan protein powder (or soy or pea milk) can’t solve.
Photograph by Allie Holloway, food styling by Taneka Mooris.25/26Herby Dutch Baby With Smoked Salmon
