Start the day with smiles! These playful breakfast ideas for kids—from sprinkle-topped doughnuts to breakfast cookies—are guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters.
22 Fun Breakfast Ideas for Kids That Turn Mornings into Magic
Updated on May 25, 2025
1/22
Princess Toast
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these sparkly treats for my daughter's Brownie troop and they're great for princess parties. Sometimes I use lemon curd in place of the jam. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 465 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 82g carbohydrate (58g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
This fairy tale-inspired toast will be the talk of the town—or, you know, the kids’ breakfast table—thanks to edible glitter, sprinkles and buttercream frosting. If you really want to get fancy, you could swap in lemon curd for the frosting. To make the toast a tad healthier, consider whole wheat bread instead of white bread.
2/22
Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A tube of cinnamon roll dough and a little imagination make these adorable bunnies almost too cute to eat! They’re sure to appeal to “somebunny” at your house this Easter. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 290 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
It doesn’t get any cuter (or fluffier) than a platter of freshly baked cottontail cinna-bunnys. The best part? These rolls are almost too easy to pull off, requiring only a tube of premade cinnamon roll dough and some candy for decorations. If you’re more of a purist, you can certainly form the bunnies with your favorite homemade cinnamon roll recipe.
3/22
Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always tried to make cooking fun—for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This recipe is easy to make, and kids really like it. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 450 calories, 22g fat (5g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.
The only thing better than a made-with-love PB&J is a leveled-up one that’s dipped in egg batter and lightly fried until golden and melty inside. Want to make them even more irresistible for littles? Cut the sammies into quarters and serve them with extra preserves on the side, simply for the joy of dunking.
4/22
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This frosty strawberry banana smoothie with yogurt recipe is a delightful way to get a substantial dose of nutrients early in the day. Frozen strawberries combine with banana to keep these frosty smoothies extra thick. —Christy Adkins, Martinez, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 171 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Kids who aren’t fond of drinking a meal usually hate to see a smoothie coming. That’s not the case for this strawberry-nanna sipper, though. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for mornings when you have time only to blitz something. The smoothie is blended to a frothy finish and packed with refreshing, healthy and pleasantly filling ingredients.
5/22
Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
25 min
Servings
20 skewers
From the Recipe Creator:
These simple yet delicious breakfast corn dogs are easy to make with precooked sausage! Using a homemade pancake batter, you can easily prep these quick bites at the beginning of the week so they're ready to grab on those busy mornings. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 116 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
Think corn dogs on a stick, but make them breakfast-appropriate so they’re ready for little hands to grab and go. Bonus points for the fact that these corn dogs freeze well, making them a solid holiday breakfast recipe.
6/22
Hash Brown Egg Cups
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
They may look like muffins, but these cuties pack all your favorite rise-and-shine ingredients—eggs, hash browns and bacon—into a single-serving cup. Grab one and get munching. —Talon DiMare, Bullhead City, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 hash brown cup: 180 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
These hash brown egg cups strike the perfect balance between a mini quiche and a savory, loaded muffin. Refrigerated southwestern-style shredded potatoes create the crispy golden base. Then a generous sprinkle of cheese takes them to the next level. The result? Crunchy, cheesy nests that kids (and adults) will devour.
7/22
Pear-Berry Breakfast Tarts
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my kids were small, I could never get pancakes on the table while they were all still hot. Then I got the idea for these breakfast tarts. They're a good and simple recipe for any busy family. —Joan Elbourn, Gardner, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 tart: 379 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
There’s no excuse for store-bought Pop-Tarts when the competition looks this good. Want to mix it up? Swap in 2 cups of chopped, peeled apples if your crowd isn’t keen on pears.
8/22
Breakfast Pizza
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to make this bacon breakfast pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 352 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 169mg cholesterol, 842mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
Clock how fast it takes your kids to make it down for breakfast once they hear the words breakfast pizza! In this recipe, a premade pizza crust is topped with scrambled eggs and bacon bits and then covered with cheese. But feel free to use whatever you have on hand, including veggies to sneak in some greens.
9/22
Rainbow Fruit Toast
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Nothing will brighten your morning more than one of these colorful and tasty toasts. —Shannon Roum, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece of toast with cream cheese (calculated without additional toppings): 172 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 324mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
We didn’t realize this is what they meant when they said “eat the rainbow.” Consider us sold. These vibe-y, tropical toasts can be layered up in rows, then garnished and sliced for individual-sized handhelds that are petite and pretty.
10/22
Egg in a Hole
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
American toad in a hole is one of the first recipes I had my children prepare when they were learning to cook. Much easier than the European version, this fun egg in a hole is sure to please. My little ones have now grown (and have advanced to more difficult recipes!), but this continues to be a traditional standby in my home and theirs. —Ruth Lechleiter, Breckenridge, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 183 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 196mg cholesterol, 244mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat.
Some classics don’t need reinventing. This beloved breakfast starts simply—with bread, butter and an egg—and it’s perfect just as it is. Want to up the protein? Add crispy bacon, savory sausage or smoky ham for a heartier twist that the whole family will love.
11/22
Doughnut Muffins
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Back when my children were youngsters, they loved these doughnut muffins as after-school treats or with Sunday brunch. —Sharon Pullen, Alvinston, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 288 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
These sweet little doughnut muffins are easy to whip up with a few pantry staples (plus strawberry jam and butter), but best of all, they deliver big doughnut flavor without deep frying. Pro tip: Paper muffin liners make it easy to lift these beauties right out of the pan without tearing them, which would be a very horrible thing.
12/22
French Toast Waffles
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
16 waffles
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a from-scratch cook but also like shortcuts. Since we love French toast and waffles, I use a waffle maker to make a hybrid French toast. —Linda Martindale, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 waffles (calculated without syrup): 340 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 192mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.
If breakfast had a power couple, it’d be French toast and waffles. This brilliant mashup combines two kid-approved classics into one seriously satisfying dish. Think fluffy, golden French toast with the crisp edges and caramelized nooks of a perfect waffle. One bite and brunch will never be the same.
13/22
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A smoothie loaded with fruit, oatmeal, maple syrup and cinnamon is great in the morning or at any time of day. If your berries are fresh (not frozen), freeze the banana ahead of time. —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 153 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch.
Sure, we could go on about the antioxidants in blueberries and the potassium-packed punch of bananas, but let’s be real: Kids just want something that tastes amazing. Luckily, this vibrant smoothie delivers on both flavor and nutrition. It’s creamy, fruity and ready in just five minutes. Win-win!
14/22
Smiley Fries
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These cute smiley fries take us back to a time with lunch tables, food trays and tiny milk cartons. If you were a “hot lunch kid” growing up, there’s a strong possibility that you were served smiley fries like these from the cafeteria line on more than one occasion. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
6 fries: 131 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
Home fries are great—but smiley fries? They’re the life of the kids’ table, no contest. Crispy, golden and impossibly cute, these happy little spuds are guaranteed to steal the show. Just don’t forget the ketchup (or one of the world’s best french fry dips), because once the fries hit the table, no one’s leaving anytime soon.
15/22
Upside-Down Banana Monkey Bread
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone digs in to monkey bread thanks to its pull-apart shape. We add banana slices and pecans to top this already scrumptious showpiece for a brunch or family gathering. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces : 296 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.
This recipe features ooey-gooey monkey bread bombs doused in a caramel-pecan glaze and topped with fresh banana coins. We dare you to find a child not interested in what’s going on here. And it gets better. The bread is immediately inverted after baking, so the sticky sauce and crunchy pecans settle on top and nestle through the crevices, just as with sticky buns. Glorious, indeed.
16/22
French Toast Sticks
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
3 sticks: 183 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
Here’s a cooking-with-kids life hack: Turn any dish into sticks and it immediately becomes more exciting. Case in point: these cornflake-crusted French toast dippers that deserve regular breakfast-rotation status. Out of maple syrup? Hazelnut whipped cream takes these above and beyond—trust us.
17/22
Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These applesauce pancakes are so good, you just might skip the syrup. They were created for Christmas morning but have since wowed folks at church breakfasts as well as gatherings with family and friends. The cinnamon is a delightful touch. —Richard DeVore, Gibsonburg, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3 pancakes (calculated without syrup and butter): 218 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
Cinnamon and apples are already a dream team at breakfast, but when you turn them into pancakes? Now they’re headed in a “seconds-please” direction. These fluffy, sweet pancakes start with a pancake mix so there’s no tricky measuring or fancy ingredients needed. Just add water, mix up the batter and you’re on your way to a stack that smells—and tastes—like fall.
18/22
Eggs and Potatoes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love having breakfast for dinner, especially this combination of eggs, potatoes and cheese. I start cooking it in a skillet on the stovetop, and then I pop it into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 395 calories, 23g fat (12g saturated fat), 461mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
Sometimes all it takes is a sprinkle of cheese to turn morning grumbles into grins. If plain scrambled eggs usually earn an eye roll, these cheesy skillet eggs—served over warm sausage patties and crispy roasted potatoes—are sure to win everyone over.
19/22
Apple Banana Bread
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 184 calories, 4g fat (3g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 232mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
Packed with three kinds of fruit, this apple banana bread is a sneaky little masterpiece. Once you drizzle it with that sticky, salted coconut-caramel topping, let’s just say no one’s asking if it’s healthy—they’re too busy reaching for another slice.
20/22
Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son and I eat this peanut butter oatmeal recipe every day for breakfast. It's a hearty, healthy way to jump start our morning. —Elisabeth Reitenbach, Terryville, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 323 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein.
Even oatmeal skeptics won’t be able to resist this cozy, peanut buttery bowl of goodness! It’s hearty, healthy and just the right mix of sweet and satisfying to kick off a busy school morning. Want to get the kids extra-excited? Set up a DIY toppings bar with peanut butter, honey, cinnamon and diced apples—whatever they love—to let them build their perfect bowl.
21/22
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
Why choose between pancakes and cinnamon rolls when you can have both? Our cinnamon roll pancake recipe pulls the signature swirled brown sugar-cinnamon filling from cinnamon rolls and puts the rolls in pancake form. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 590 calories, 32g fat (19g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 813mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
Anything can be flattened to a pancake—and cinnamon rolls definitely fit the bill! Skip the dough and rise time; just swirl cinnamon-sugar into pancake batter on the griddle and top the pancakes with a dreamy cream cheese glaze. These are irresistible to adults and kids alike.
22/22
Air-Fryer Breakfast Cookies
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I used to buy brand-name breakfast cookies from the supermarket, but since I found this recipe, I've enjoyed making breakfast cookies more than buying them. —Linda Burciaga, tasteofhome.com
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 212 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 186mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
I’m convinced the air fryer was invented to sneak healthier versions of deep-fried favorites onto kids’ plates, and these breakfast cookies are proof. They’re golden, wholesome and just sweet enough to feel like a treat. No air fryer? No problem—you can bake them in the oven too.
Breakfast Ideas for Kids FAQ
What can you feed picky eaters for breakfast?
Stick with familiar favorites and fun presentations—think smiley face pancakes, toast cut into shapes, fruit kabobs or DIY yogurt parfaits with toppings they get to choose. When they feel as if they had a hand in making the recipe, they’re usually more excited to try it.
What are healthy breakfast ideas for kids?
Try protein-packed smoothies, oatmeal with fruit and nut butter, protein waffles with Greek yogurt, or veggie-filled egg muffins. Most not-so-healthy breakfast recipes can be lightened up with more fiber, protein and natural sweetness.
What are easy breakfast ideas for the school week?
Keep it quick with grab-and-go favorites like overnight oats, breakfast cookies, premade egg cups, or banana pancakes you can freeze and reheat. I’m also a big fan of roll-ups—they can go sweet or savory and they’re easy to make ahead. Bonus points for anything the kids can help prep on Sunday!
