Balanced, protein-packed, and filling, savory breakfast recipes are a great way to start your day right, stay alert and full for longer, and have a more productive day!
From egg-based savory breakfasts to breads, oatmeal, rice, toast, and protein-packed breakfast hash dishes, here’s a curated list of the best savory breakfast recipes & ideas to inspire your mornings and fuel your day!
Growing up in a Sri Lankan household, sweet breakfasts were not the norm. We mostly mostly savory breakfasts. In my husband’s case, his family exclusively made savory dishes for breakfast. Eggs, savory oatmeal, rice, roti, savory breads and toast, and even curry were the norm.
As kids, I think this helped us a ton in having good energy levels and focus in school and keeping us full for longer. No sugar spikes or crashes, or getting hungry all over again by 9.30 in the morning.
I hope these savory breakfast ideas give you plenty of inspiration to start your day right! They are endlessly customizable, some are quick and easy for those busy mornings, and others are make-ahead friendly and perfect for a more indulging breakfast.
They are divided into 5 categories including egg breakfasts as well as savory breakfasts without eggs. But most are super versatile dishes, so feel free to put your own breakfast spin on them!
Breakfast egg recipes
Just put an egg on it was my breakfast motto for the longest time. Actually, it still is.
Eggs are obviously one of the most popular and versatile savory breakfast ideas. We always make sure to keep our fridge well-stocked with eggs, and often use this simple egg float test to check their freshness.
Quick and easy to cook and packed with good nutrients and protein, these healthy breakfasts are the perfect fuel to power your day!
From simple scrambled eggs to loaded frittatas, breakfast burritos and breakfast casseroles, there are countless ways to incorporate eggs into a flavor-packed and filling savory breakfast.
1. Scrambled eggs
Perfect scrambled eggs (only 1 minute)
Tired of whisking and stirring eggs forever to achieve elusive perfect scrambled eggs?This recipe makes perfectly fluffy and creamy scrambled eggs in just 1 minute! All thanks to one secret ingredient that works perfectly, every time.Serve with buttered toast, bagels, sandwiches, croissants and pastries, rice, make a breakfast burrito – so many options! Or upgrade it with bacon, ham and cheese, salami, cottage cheese, spinach etc.
Fancy name for a super simple dish. Individually baked eggs with a runny, golden yolk, nestled in a creamy, herby, spiced mushroom sauce and gooey gruyere cheese. They are typically baked in small ramekins, but you can bake this in a larger dish for a family or for a crowd. You can also add different add-ins for lots of flavor. Served with buttery toast to soak up that creamy, cheesy, eggy deliciousness.
Warm, buttery toast with a rich, runny egg in a hole. And served with juicy salmon and topped with crunchy bits of pan-fried salmon skin and a tangy, spicy tartar sauce!Use a bread loaf that you can slice yourself, if possible. I love to use nice, thick slices of my homemade bread, and cut slices about 1 inch thick. Egg in a hole is such a simple classic that can be jazzed up in so many ways. I often use leftovers to serve with it too.
This is my spin on a Kiwi classic that I grew up eating, a lot.Hearty whole eggs, thick smoky chunks of juicy bacon, lightly spiced flavorful soft leeks and gooey cheese all encased in buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry. The base recipe only needs 3 ingredients; bacon, egg, and puff pastry. But you can jazz it up however you like. Versatile, nutritious, and very filling.
Crunchy breakfast potatoes, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked eggs with a creamy, runny yolk. Simple ingredients, all cooked in one sheet pan and ready in 40 minutes with little active time on your part!Perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast, but I also show you how to adapt the recipe to make it for busy weekday breakfasts as well.
Packed with bacon, chives, cheese, and eggs, and baked in a flaky, buttery crust that is so easy to make! Rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Best part is that it's very freezer-friendly with make-ahead options, so perfect for breakfast meal-prepping.
A pillowy soft sandwich with a rich, creamy, flavor-packed egg salad filling. Typically made with fluffy, soft Japanese milk bread, but you can use white sandwich bread from the supermarket too.This mayo egg sandwich is a classic that's very popular in Japan, and it's super easy to make with hard-boiled or soft-boiled eggs.I keep the filling leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Great as a quick on-the-go breakfast meal too.
These bacon wrapped and egg stuffed breakfast biscuits are the ultimate breakfast scones!The cheesy and herby buttermilk biscuits are soft & fluffy in the middle, and extra flaky on the outside, and stuffed with a perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs.
A hearty, luscious, creamy frittata with breakfast sausages, herbs, leeks, cherry tomatoes, and wonderfully tangy goat’s cheese. This isn't just any fried egg in a skillet. This is one loaded frittata to meet all your lofty breakfast goals! Perfect to use up leftovers too.
Packed with flavor and all the usual pizza toppings and add-ins like cheese, sausage meat, fresh herbs, marinara sauce etc. A healthy, hearty, filling breakfast for busy mornings, these can be frozen for up to a week. So they are make-ahead and freezer-friendly, and paleo-friendly too.
Simple, classic, the definition of a happy sandwich, and you only need 6 ingredients. You could also make an egg in a hole variation where you cook the egg right into a slice of toast. Creamy with a touch of sweetness, fruity freshness, and of course the obligatory egg!
An indulging savory egg breakfast to savor and enjoy. I LOVE halloumi in all its forms, and this breakfast brings together a soft & salty fried halloumi slice, creamy avocado slices, roasted cauliflower and red pepper, and a fresh cherry salsa, along with a fried or poached egg on top!A hearty gluten-free breakfast with such incredible flavor!
Toasted English muffin and spicy Mexican chorizo burgers with pico de gallo, avocado, and a glorious runny egg yolk in the middle, these breakfast burgers are packed with flavor and they are make-ahead friendly too. Another sit and savor kind of delicious savory egg breakfast.
I know not everyone loves eggs (or can eat them even) – I too have my moments where I can’t even stand to cook them for someone else.
So, whether due to dietary restrictions or preferences or allergies or you just want to explore and enjoy some egg-free savory breakfasts, here are some flavor-packed ideas.
While some pictures may feature eggs on top, these savory breakfasts are perfect without any eggs on the side!☺️
Breakfast hash & protein-packed dishes
It’s super easy to load up a breakfast hash with veggies, potatoes, protein, and healthy fats. They are hearty, filling, customizable, and even great to use up leftovers from previous night’s dinner!
14. Steak and sweet potato hash
Steak and sweet potato hash
Packed with spicy, smoky, sweet flavors, and a great way to use up leftover steak or beef, and sweet potatoes.Wholesome, nutritious breakfast that is paleo and WHOLE30 approved too. I often top it with a poached or fried egg, but that's totally optional. The hash can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge too.
If you have potatoes, onions, your choice of protein/ground meat, and common pantry spices, then this is one of the most flavorful breakfasts you can make without eggs! Caramelized potatoes, caramelized onions, a touch of curry, turmeric and chili flakes, and some ground pork or beef, and you'll be singing the rest of the day! 🙂I put an egg on top sometimes, but again, that's optional. Feel free to substitute the meat with tofu or mushrooms for a vegan option.
Asian spiced breakfast sausages spiced with Szechuan peppercorn and a mix of other spices.Easy to make with ground pork or chicken, and can be made ahead of time and frozen too. Perfect for quick, busy weekday morning breakfasts.
Earthy & sweet, paired with crispy bacon, this recipe transforms celery root into an incredibly flavorful breakfast! You can optionally top it with an egg as well. Celeriac (celery root) is a very knobby root vegetable that is not as common, but can be used the same way as other root vegetables.This recipe is gluten free and freezer-friendly too.
Delicata squash roasted with bacon and tossed in parsley pesto is a super flavorful savory breakfast during squash season! You could toss it with some cooked quinoa for an even more filling and nutrient-dense breakfast as well.You can make this up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge, or longer in the freezer.
Bubble and squeak is a classic British dish, which typically features leftover veggies. They usually feature potatoes and cabbage (or brussels sprouts), but beyond that, you can add anything else you like – carrots, peas, herbs, cheese, corn, or even broccoli!Flavorful, colorful, fluffy, creamy and so good!
As delicious as oatmeal cookies are, I actually love savory oatmeal more! Oats are a powerhouse of an ingredient for breakfast, and there are so many ways to dress them up with flavor and other ingredients. Same with rice and other grains. They are perfect for savory breakfast bowls.
Fried rice for example is a one-pot wonder, and a fantastic way to transform leftovers. I hope these healthy breakfast ideas inspire you to incorporate oats, rice, and grains into your rotation for nutrient-dense and meal prep friendly breakfasts.
20. Breakfast fried rice
Breakfast fried rice with chili garlic egg
Easy, quick to whip up, and doesn’t use a lot of ingredients, BUT also very versatile to use up leftover ingredients from your fridge as well.Great way to use up leftover rice. I top it with a chili garlic fried egg sometimes, but that's optional.
Oats cooked in chicken stock, lemongrass & coconut milk, and pork cooked to a crisp, golden brown and then coated with a sweet & spicy orange chili sauce! An easy, quick-prep breakfast with Asian flavors!
Honestly, this quinoa salad is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! A high protein quinoa salad, packed with nourishing ingredients, paired with a flavorful miso dressing, vegan and gluten free, can be eaten warm or cold. An all-around powerhouse of a vegan savory breakfast dish!
Perfectly cooked, fluffy quinoa is the base for a variety of savory breakfast recipes! I like to use chicken or vegetable stock to cook the quinoa for added flavor, and add other aromatics and spices too. You can store cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for longer. My go-to is mixing it with scrambled eggs and veggies or tofu scramble for a nutritious savory breakfast.
Growing up, Sri Lankan coconut roti was a breakfast staple in our household. Easy, meal prep friendly, can be made ahead of time, and perfect to sop up some leftover curry from previous night’s dinner!
Same with roti canai (roti paratha), and scallion pancakes are probably the most flavor-packed flatbread I’ve ever had! These also make for great on-the-go savory breakfasts for those busy mornings.
24. Scallion pancakes
Chinese scallion pancakes
Scallion pancakes (aka green onion pancakes or cong you bing) are super flaky, crispy, light, layered, savory, flavor-packed laminated pancakes!You can store these in the fridge for 3-4 days, but I LOVE to cook a big batch and freeze cooked pancakes for longer. OR you can freeze uncooked pancakes as well.Such a flavor-packed savory breakfast, these are probably my favorite flatbread ever!
Just as delightfully flaky and layered as scallion pancakes, I grew up eating a lot of roti canai (roti paratha). Serve with an egg or leftover meat or veggies, or with a curry – especially dhal curry or chicken curry or beef curry. Plus, you can make these ahead of time and store in the freezer too.
A Sri Lankan classic, and a uniquely delicious coconut flatbread. Shredded coconut mixed with flour and a few other ingredients, and then formed into a dough with water or coconut milk.Super easy to make, packed with coconut flavor, perfect to snack on on its own or serve with other sides (especially curries).Better yet, you can make these ahead of time and store in the fridge, or freezer for longer.
A high hydration focaccia bread that is drenched in flavor, with big bubbles on top, large air pockets inside, and super crispy throughout!Vegan and gluten free friendly, you can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or longer in the freezer.
If you like soft, fluffy Japanese milk bread, you'll LOVE this savory scallion and sesame version. Soft, springy, slightly chewy, delicious on its own, and perfect to make amazing breakfast sandwiches!
Pillowy soft, delicious bread buns and a flavor-packed, spicy, satisfying, curried beef filling are the perfect on-the-go savory breakfast for busy mornings!You can use chicken, beef, pork, lamb, goat etc. to make the meat filling, and you can store these in the fridge for a couple of days or in the freezer for longer as well.
In case you’re tired of boring French toast or waffles, try my spin on avocado toast with cajun spiced blackened shrimp, or smoked salmon toast with all the colors of the rainbow, or hearty fried chicken and waffles made with a bloody mary marinade!
30. Cajun shrimp avocado toast
Shrimp avocado toast
Not your regular avocado toast – a spicy blackened cajun shrimp avocado toast topped with roasted tomatillo and cotija for a quick, flavor-packed savory breakfast toast! You can store the cooked cajun spiced shrimp in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for longer, and simply reheat them in the microwave.
Smoked salmon toast (with passion fruit hollandaise sauce)
This smoked salmon toast is a sweet, tangy, spicy, incredibly flavorful, indulgent savory breakfast with cream cheese & passion fruit hollandaise sauce.You can optionally top it with a fried or poached egg. Serve with some fresh fruit for a perfect, cozy weekend breakfast. We don't often buy smoked salmon (lox), and use homemade smoked salmon dip instead for a variation of this toast.
Crunchy, crispy fried chicken marinated with all the flavors of bloody mary and scotch, and fried to perfection and drizzled with sriracha and maple scotch syrup!Then served with overnight yeasted waffles. A no holds barred fried chicken and waffles recipe perfect for lazy weekend breakfast and brunch.
Slices of soft, fluffy brioche bread, filled with bacon and cheese, and soaked in an egg custard, and baked until brown and crunchy on top! Good ol' grilled cheese in casserole form. You can make this with regular sandwich bread too. A fantastic make ahead savory breakfast casserole for lazy weekends or busy weekday mornings.
All the cozy comfort and robust flavor of French onion soup inside buttery, flaky pockets of puff pastry!These cheesy vegetarian hand pies are perfect for a quick, on-the-go savory breakfast.
Dini Kodippili is a professional food writer, recipe developer, food photographer, cookbook author, and baker. Dini has been featured on HuffPost, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Delish, Food & Wine and more. Learn More
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Hi! I’m Dini, a third culture kid by upbringing and a food-geek by nature. I was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand and lived in Australia, and then the US, before moving to and settling down in Canada. My food is a reflection of those amazing experiences!
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