20 High Protein Breakfast Ideas

Start your day with these high protein breakfast ideas made from healthy whole food protein sources! From quick smoothie bowls…

Feb 16, 2025 - 15:02
 0
20 High Protein Breakfast Ideas

Start your day with these high protein breakfast ideas made from healthy whole food protein sources! From quick smoothie bowls to savory scrambles, we’ve got the recipes to keep you full and energized all morning long.

High protein breakfast ideas

Looking for satisfying high protein breakfast recipes to start the day? As cookbook authors and recipe experts, we are passionate about creating dishes that are both nutritious and flavorful using healthy protein sources.

In this post, Alex and I are sharing our top high protein breakfast ideas to start the day, including smoothie bowls, scrambles, sandwiches, tacos, and more! We’ve also included some information from the Mayo Clinic that may change the way you think about protein. Keep reading!

What is a high protein breakfast?

The Mayo Clinic recommends to consume 15–30 grams of protein at each meal. Interestingly, more is not better. Studies show eating more than 40 grams in one sitting is no more beneficial than consuming 15-30 grams in a meal. So, there’s no benefit in eating more protein than you need!

The same article indicates the average adult needs 60 grams per day, or around 70 to 90 grams if you’re over 40 years old. If you eat high protein meals for lunch, dinner, and snacks, it’s likely you may only need about 10 to 15 grams protein at breakfast!

What are the healthiest protein sources?

The Mayo Clinic, the best ways to get protein are eating whole foods (not protein powder or supplements), like the following:

  • Fish or seafood
  • Lean meats, such as skinless, white-meat chicken or turkey
  • Egg whites
  • Low-fat dairy
  • Plant based protein like soy, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils

High protein breakfast ideas—recipe list

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High Protein Breakfast Bowls (& More Ideas!)

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Need a quick and healthy breakfast or snack idea? This satisfying yogurt bowl is packed with protein, fiber, and flavor—and easy to customize with your favorite toppings. It’s especially fun to make a DIY yogurt bowl bar as a low-stress way to serve guests!

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: High Protein
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 to 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, plus more to taste if desired
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 handful blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries
  • 1 handful sliced strawberries
  • 1 handful dried cherries or cranberries (optional)
  • 1 dollop almond butter or peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon roasted salted pepitas (optional)
  • 1 handful granola or chopped pecans
  • More topping ideas: chopped apples, pineapple, banana slices, pear slices, peaches, mango, chia seeds, bee pollen, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, toasted coconut, etc.
  •  

Instructions

  1. Mix the Greek yogurt with the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
  2. Prepare the fruit, as desired.
  3. Place the yogurt in a bowl, then sprinkle and drizzle with all toppings. Add another drizzle of honey or maple syrup, as desired. 

Notes

Try these seasonal variations:

Pumpkin yogurt bowl: To 1 cup Greek yogurt add ¼ cup canned pumpkin, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon each vanilla extract and cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice). Top with pepitas or pecans.

Apple crisp yogurt bowl: Top the yogurt with sliced apples or homemade applesauce, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and homemade granola.

Strawberry rhubarb bowl: Top the yogurt with rhubarb compote, fresh strawberries, chopped pistachios, and a drizzle of honey.

Peaches and cream yogurt bowl: Add ripe sliced peaches or peach compote, chopped pecans or homemade granola, and fresh mint sprigs.

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