Nobody really wants to get up early to make breakfast on a morning. This is especially the case in the winter. We like our beds and want to spend as much time in the warmth as possible. But then the kids start calling and we know we need to get ready for work. What if we could have it all organized before we even start the day?
Well, it is possible to plan breakfast ahead. This isn’t just about meal planning, but to make your breakfast ahead of time. It’s possible to physically make the breakfast, so all you must do is pull it out of the fridge and eat it! You can eat your breakfast on the go, too.
Mason jar breakfasts are the things you want to start making. You may hear them referred to as overnight oats or overnight breakfasts, as the idea is that you leave them overnight to combine and prepare.
You can pack the breakfast jars with plenty of fruits and other nutritious ingredients, so you get a power punch to start the day. Now all you need are a few breakfast ideas. These are the 12 mason jar breakfasts that you want to start with this winter.
A Colorful Overnight Oatmeal Breakfast
Let’s start with the simple overnight oats. There’s no need to cook anything. You just piece the breakfast jar together and you’ll be ready to go in the morning. This breakfast will take you around five minutes on a night to prepare, making it completely hassle-free. There’s no reason to skip breakfast or not to eat healthily.
Ingredients:
- 6oz Greek or Natural yogurt, any flavor
- ¼ cup of oats, uncooked
- ¼ cup of fruit of choice, berries are an excellent starting point
Method:
- Combine the yogurt and oats together in a jar
- Add the fruits and stir to mix together
- Cover and place in the fridge overnight
You can make this a couple of days in advance, but don’t leave it longer than three days or the yogurt will start to go off. You can also layer this rather than combining it right away. Start with the oats, then add the fruit and then add the yogurt on top. Leave it all in layers overnight so the yogurt slowly works its way into the oats. Stir before you start eating. You don’t end up with very soggy oats when you layer.
Jarred Banana Bread
Want to make banana bread but just can’t be bothered with the hassle? You’ll want to make this mason jar version. It does still require cooking, but it’s much simpler and easier than most other recipes.
You’ll get 12 mason jars out of this recipe. That means 12 breakfasts, so it really is worth the effort to cook!
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup of shortening
- 2 cups of sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of bananas, mashed
- 2/3 cup of water
- 3 1/3 cups of flour
- 1/2tsp baking powder
- 2tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2tsp salt
- 1tsp cinnamon
- 1/2tsp ground cloves
- 2/3 cup of pecans, crushed
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 325F and grease your mason jars
- Beat the sugar and shortening together in a mixing bowl until combined
- Add the eggs, water, and bananas and continue beating until fluffy
- In a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients, except the pecans
- Pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture a little at a time, making sure everything fully combines
- Add the pecans and fold to mix together
- Place the batter into the mason jars, filling them halfway
- Place the jars, uncovered, on a baking tray and bake for 40-45 minutes
- Place the lids on the jars and allow to cool
When you cool with the lids on, the jars will seal themselves. You should hear a light ping when ready. If you don’t, press down on the lid. There shouldn’t be any given when sealed.
Place the jars in the fridge for up to week to enjoy. You can put some in the freezer and store for a few months, but make sure they’re fully defrosted when it comes to eating them! This is a great way to plan for the winter months.
Jarred Blueberry French Toast
While overnight oats are popular, they’re not the only things you can make in a jar. How about making your own French toast in the mason jars? It’s time to get creative and enjoy your early mornings again.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 loaf of bread, cubed
- 1tbsp vanilla essence
- 1tbsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 1 ½ cup of milk of choice
- 2 eggs
- Blueberries, to taste
- 2tbsp butter, melted
- ¼ cup of maple syrup
Method:
- Place the bread cubes into the jars
- In a bowl, combine all the other ingredients except the maple syrup and combine thoroughly
- Pour the batter into all the jars evenly
- Cover and place in the fridge for 2+ hours
- Bake for 45 minutes at 375F, until the top looks golden
- Allow to cool and top with the maple syrup
You can store the batter with bread in the fridge overnight, so you can make ahead of time and bake in the oven on a morning while you get everything else ready. Alternatively, get everything made and store the baked bread in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it.
Enjoy a Superfood Breakfast in a Jar
It’s time to focus on the superfoods. They’re perfect on a morning, as they offer you the nutrients when your stomach is ready for them. You’ll absorb more into your body and gain plenty of energy to start the day. This is the superfood breakfast in a jar that you want to enjoy.
Ingredients:
- Vanilla flavored yogurt
- Blueberries
- Almonds
- Agave or maple syrup
- 1tbsp chia or flax seeds
Method:
- Combine the yogurt and chia seeds in a bowl
- In your mason jar, layer the blueberries and almonds at the bottom
- Top with the yogurt mixture
- Add more blueberries and almonds on the top
- Drizzle with the syrup
Store in the fridge overnight or eat the breakfast right away. You can add as much of the ingredients as you want, creating the perfect start for you personally. If you don’t have mason jars, you can also make this in a bowl. The presentation just isn’t the same.
Delicious Banana and Strawberry Split in a Jar
Who said you couldn’t have something sweet and delicious to start your day? There’s a common misconception that your breakfast must be packed with protein and little sugar. Sure, you don’t want artificial sugar, but you can still enjoy all the delicious natural sugars out there. This is a classic breakfast recipe that you can make in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- Vanilla flavored yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt)
- Strawberries, sliced
- Banana, sliced
- Maple syrup
Method:
- Place the yogurt in your mason jar
- Top with the sliced fruit
- Drizzle a little of the syrup over the top
You can do this without the syrup. Some people find Greek yogurt a little bitter, so you’ll want to consider tastes throughout preparing the breakfast first. Try without the syrup and add it in if you find you need it.
Make a Pancake in a Jar
You’ve had French toast and now it’s time for a pancake in a jar. This is a fun way to start the day and you can get four small jars out of the recipe. If you like bigger pancakes, then opt for two larger jars instead.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of flour
- 1tbsp baking powder
- 1tbsp sugar
- 1tbsp butter, melted
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- Blueberries
Method:
- Combine the flour with the sugar and baking powder in a bowl thoroughly
- Add the butter and milk, creating a pancake batter
- Place the blueberries at the bottom of your mason jars and then add the batter, filling halfway
- Place in the microwave for a minute (a little longer for larger jars)
You can top the pancakes with more blueberries and other toppings that you like for your breakfast. These are pancakes you’ll want to make in the morning because they don’t store very well in the fridge. You can store the batter overnight, though.
Apple Bread in a Mason Jar
Banana bread is delicious, but sometimes you want apple bread. This is another recipe that you can easily make in a breakfast bar. Granny Smith apples are the best for this because of their juicy sweetness, but you can use any apple you want. You’ll get around eight jars with this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2tbsp coconut oil
- ¾ cup of brown sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1 ½ cups of applesauce
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup of flour
- ½ cup of oats
- 1/2tsp baking powder
- 1tsp baking soda
- 1/4tsp salt
- 1/2tsp cinnamon
- 1/4tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 apple, peeled and diced
- 1 cup of walnuts, chopped
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 325F and grease the mason jars
- Beat the oil and sugar in a bowl until mixed well together
- Add the egg whites, applesauce and vanilla and beat to combine all
- In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients, except the apple and walnuts, combining everything
- Place the applesauce mixture into the flour mixture a little at a time, combining each time
- Fold in the apple and walnuts
- Pour into the mason jars, filling halfway
- Place the jars on a baking sheet and bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes
- Place the lids on while the bread is cooling to help seal the jars
Like with the banana bread, you’ll hear a ping when the jars are sealed. You can also test by pressing down to make sure there is no give. This is another recipe that you can make ahead of time. The bread will store in the fridge for a week or in the freezer for a few months.
Hash Brown Egg Bake in a Jar
It’s time to get a little savory with your meals. Sometimes you want hash browns to start your day. Don’t run to the nearest McDonalds. Opt for this healthier and delicious mason jar options instead.
Ingredients:
- Frozen hash browns
- Sausage
- Egg
- Cheese
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease your mason jars
- Layer the ingredients in order and repeat to get two layers in your mason jars
- Bake for 45 minutes
You can opt for scrambled egg instead of just a cracked egg over the top if you want. This is a great dish to make ahead of time and freeze for a few months. You’ll be ready for the winter months.
Baked Eggs in a Jar
Another option for savory is to choose baked eggs in a jar. This recipe adds plenty of vegetables, so you get the perfect, nutritious start to the day. It’s also a paleo breakfast if you want to avoid processed foods. The cheese is options, but it certainly helps to add a little more flavor.
You’ll get around six jars, depending on the size of your mason jars. You can also make extra to freeze if you want.
Ingredients:
- 2tsp olive oil
- ½ onion, chopped into half moons
- 1 bundle of asparagus, ends trimmed and chopped
- 10 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup of cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 375F and grease your mason jars
- Place the onions in a skillet with the oil and cook until brown
- Add the asparagus and cook for 5 minutes, until crisp
- Season with salt and pepper
- Place the vegetables into the jars and then top with the eggs
- Place a tbsp of cheese on top of each jar and then carefully stir with a fork
- Bake for 20-25 minutes
- Allow cooling before eating
While cooling, you can put the lid on the jars, so you can store your mixture for a few days or months (depending on fridge or freezer).
You can avoid the need for the oven if you want. Scramble the eggs in a pan and combine everything in a jar. This is a great way to put it all together and then store overnight.
Blueberry and Pecan Baked Oats
It’s back to the sweeter options. You’ll get about six jars with this mixture and it tastes just like baking a blueberry dish in a pan. The best thing is you can make ahead of time, bake, and then store in the fridge. It’s ready for you the next morning.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of rolled oats
- ½ cup of pecans, chopped and toasted
- 1 ½ cups of blueberries, frozen or fresh
- 1 ½ cups of apple juice or milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2tbsp honey
- 1tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4tsp salt
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Mix the oatmeal, blueberries, and pecans together in a bowl
- Mix the apple juice, honey, egg, cinnamon and salt in another bowl to fully combine
- Place the oatmeal mixture into your mason jars, spreading evenly
- Pour the apple juice mixture over the top
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and oats crispy
Allow the oats to cool a little before serving, but they are best eaten warm. You can store the batter overnight and then bake in the morning, or you can opt to bake and store in the fridge overnight. If you do the latter, put in the oven for 5 minutes just to warm up.
You can also make this with other ingredients. Switch out the pecans for walnuts and the blueberries for raspberries or bananas. You’ll find a world of possibilities when you let yourself get creative with breakfast jars.
Create Your Own Cinnamon Rolls in a Jar
How about making your own cinnamon rolls? The ones in the store aren’t known for being healthy, but you can change that with this delicious recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of flour
- 2tbsp sugar
- 1 1/4tbsp baking powder
- 3/4tsp salt
- ¼ cup of butter, chopped into small pieces
- ¾ cup of buttermilk
Ingredients for the filling:
- ¼ cup of butter, soft
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Ingredients for the icing
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- Cream
- Vanilla essence
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 350F and grease your mason jars
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and then add the butter, crumbling everything together with your fingertips
- Add the buttermilk and combine to create a soft dough
- Place on a surface and knead into a rectangle.
- Mix all the filling ingredients in a bowl and place over the rolled dough
- Fold the dough lengthwise and slice into 12 buns
- Place in mason jars and bake for 18 minutes
- Allow cooling on a wire rack
- Meanwhile make the icing by whisking the sugar with the cream, until creating a spoonable, thick icing
- Add in a few drops of vanilla and combine
- Spoon the icing over the top of the cinnamon rolls and then add the lids
You can put these in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer for up to six months. You can also add a bit of cream cheese when it comes to serving. This is another excellent way to get prepared for the winter months.
Oatmeal to Grab and Go
Sometimes you just want something that you can pull out of the cupboard or fridge and eat on the go. This is where this last recipe comes into play. There are also multiple flavor options to try out, giving you multiple breakfasts in the one recipe!
You’ll get eight mason jars out of the one recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 2/3 cups of oats
- 4 cups of water
- Pinch of salt
Method:
- Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and boil for 3 minutes
- Turn off the heat and spoon the mixture into your jars
- Store the jars with the lids on overnight on the countertop
Add your flavors the next morning. You can also just add sugar to the top and eat the oats plain. It really depends on your diet and preferences. Try out these delicious filling recipes to get you started.
Strawberry:
- 1 strawberry, chopped into pieces
- 1tbsp sugar
Apple cinnamon:
- ¼ Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
- 1tbsp sugar
- 1/8tsp cinnamon
- Splash of lemon juice
- Add the lemon juice to the apple and microwave for a minute or so to soften the apple and then combine the rest of the ingredients.
Cinnamon Spice:
- 1tbsp sugar
- 1/8tsp cinnamon
- Dash of nutmeg
Cinnamon and raisin:
- 2-3tbsp raisins
- 1/8tsp cinnamon
- 1tbsp sugar
You can add some milk to all these ingredients to help add a little liquid. When you add them to your oats, microwave for a couple of minutes. Not only will this help to combine all the flavors, but you’ll also get a delicious warming breakfast to start your day. The apple cinnamon and cinnamon and raisin middles are ones you want to warm through.
This is also a recipe that you can make with any middle you want. Put your favorite fruits and spices together for your favorite breakfast on the go option.
Stop Avoiding Breakfast!
It’s time to stop the excuses for breakfast. There are so many ways that you can make it ahead of time. All you must do is grab and serve. Some of the above recipes will need warming through, but that’s perfect for the winter season when you’ve got cold mornings you don’t look forward to.
Don’t forget to plan in the summer or fall. Get the delicious ingredients in season and make your dishes ahead of time. So many can be stored for up to six months, so there’s absolutely no excuse.
