15 Easy and Light Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas

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We get so fixated on the Thanksgiving feast during the evening that we forget the most important meal of the day: Breakfast!

Some people may try to skip earlier meals to save room for a sumptuous dinner. However, if you’re doing this to avoid too many calories, it’s actually a bad idea. A light breakfast and lunch can help reduce your urge to overeat later on, so you can enjoy (and be thankful for) all the delicious meals without guilt afterward.

So, what easy and light Thanksgiving breakfast ideas are there? Don’t go for the usual oatmeal or cereal and milk! You can whip up a trouble-free dish in theme with turkey day to start your morning with a ton of energy to spend with loved ones. Check out the recipes below.

 

More delicious and healthy recipe ideas for you:

• 15 Easy and Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts
• 15 Easy Fall Dinner Recipes – Best Autumn Dinner Ideas
• 15 Easy Fall Desserts to Make this Season
• 15 Easy and Healthy Fall Snacks That Everyone Will Love

 

Pin this image on Pinterest so you can come back to these super delish light Thanksgiving breakfast ideas!

 

1. Pumpkin, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Quiche

The dish sounds, looks, and tastes high-class, but it only takes about an hour to prep and cook! It’s extremely easy to make, using ingredients you most likely have ready in the kitchen for Thanksgiving.

Packed with vegetables and a mouthwatering pumpkin-goat cheese filling, you’ll need to hold yourself back for more servings!

 

2. Healthy Pumpkin Muffin

Dessert for breakfast doesn’t need to feel like such a bad thing with this gluten-free pumpkin muffin recipe. Bring out the spirit of fall and turkey day. They are only lightly sweetened using maple syrup, with the main ingredient being old-fashioned oats and pumpkin puree.

Lactose intolerant individuals can also enjoy these healthy muffins since it uses unsweetened almond milk.

 

3. Sweet Potato Hash

High in vitamin A, antioxidants, potassium, and fiber, sweet potatoes are another excellent main ingredient to your first meal of the day. Thanks to the high fiber in sweet potatoes, your digestion slows down, so your body will continuously have sustained energy and a lasting sense of fullness.

This sweet potato hash recipe is uncomplicated, only taking 25 minutes to prep and cook. The soft consistency of the potatoes will complement the slight crunch from the bell peppers, which are also filled with necessary vitamins and minerals!

 

4. Healthy Cinnamon Rolls

You won’t believe these cinnamon rolls are only 95 calories! If you’re looking for a sweet beginning to your Thanksgiving day, then go for something lighter to avoid a sugar crash when dinner comes along. These low-sugar cinnamon rolls don’t only make a sweet breakfast, but a healthy Thanksgiving dessert as well!

Only using two ingredients for the dough and six tablespoons of sugar for ten rolls, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how yummy they are. The secret comes from using Greek yogurt for the dough, a nutritious ingredient with calcium, protein, and probiotics for your health!

 

5. Butternut Squash Pancakes

Butternut squash is one of the major ingredients we find in dishes come turkey day, and it’s one we look forward to! It tastes similar to sweet potatoes, having a sweet and nutty taste with a moist consistency. Moreover, it’s high in potassium, and fiber, among other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

So, why not add this ingredient to your morning pancakes? This recipe uses oats and eggs, topped with nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to bring out the fall season.

 

6. Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole

This casserole will tickle your mouth as it’s loaded with vegetables, cheese, and sausages. Oh, and did we mention it’s vegan? Using vegan-friendly ingredients, you can enjoy a hearty meal you can make ahead for morning meals even after Thanksgiving.

The casserole also contains firm tofu, a great vegetarian and vegan-friendly protein source that contains iron, calcium, and all essential amino acids. It’s also gluten-free!

 

7. Pumpkin Oatmeal

We said no oatmeal but we couldn’t help but include this recipe because of how it puts a unique and Thanksgiving-themed twist to the quick, classic breakfast. Think of it as a healthier version of a pumpkin pie, so you’ve already got a taste of what’s to come for dessert during your family feast!

You’ve got a chewy texture and nutty flavor from the steel oats, along with a fine source of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. These oats are great if you’re controlling your blood sugar as they have a low glycemic index compared to other types of oats.

 

8. Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes

We can’t think of breakfast without pancakes coming to mind! This pancake recipe is a must-try for anyone, which is an ode to the calm fall season thanks to the presence of pumpkin and cinnamon. Children and adults will feel thankful the moment they wake up when they get a whiff and big bite of these whole wheat pumpkin pancakes!

While whole grain, these pancakes still have a light and fluffy texture. Opt for whole wheat over “plain” pancakes, as the former is known to aid in digestion and reduce the risk of conditions like stroke, diabetes type 2, and heart disease.

 

9. Healthy Breakfast Parfait with Greek Yogurt

If you’re always on the go or don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen, this is one of the easiest breakfast ideas for busy mornings. This parfait looks so attractive thanks to the layers of colorful berries, granola, and honey vanilla Greek yogurt.

This is a light dish that amps up energy levels thanks to the protein from Greek yogurt and the antioxidants the berries contain. Granola is also rich in fiber, protein, and other macronutrients to fuel your day until the turkey comes out at night!

 

10. Healthy French Toast Casserole

Who knew you could create a lighter version of French toast AND make it into a casserole form? This recipe is absolutely divine, from the looks down to the taste. It’s also loaded with berries, which are low in calories but high in key nutrients that can help with your immune system, like vitamins A and C.

There is almost no sugar involved, except for the icing sugar and maple syrup for topping, though you can add a little of it or none at all!

 

11. Easy Egg Muffins

Savory muffins filled with protein without an overload of fat and sodium? Yes, please! These are easy and healthy breakfast muffins that contain protein from the eggs, which will keep you satiated for the day ahead.

These muffins also contain a buttload of vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Not to worry, these muffins taste so yummy with the cheese and fluffy texture, that the kids won’t even notice the veggies. You can even add bacon to help enhance the palate!

 

12. Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread recipe goes wonderfully with a nice cup of coffee. You’ll have so many things to feel thankful for as you enjoy each bite of warm, slightly nutty bread.

It’s a healthy bread you can enjoy a second serving of since it’s only sweetened with ¼ cup of maple sugar. Furthermore, it’s made of whole-wheat flour for extra fiber and is vegan-friendly. It’s also very easy to make, taking only an hour and 15 minutes, whether you’re a baker or not.

 

13. Maple Pecan Scones

People don’t need to skip on the pastries, even when it’s breakfast time! You can make your favorite pastries healthier, and these maple pecan scones are proof of that. They are low-carb, gluten-free, and grain-free. The scones are also relatively low in sugar, so you can fit them into a diabetic diet.

It’s an explosion of fluffy, nutty textures and flavors that pair well with coffee, hot chocolate, or tea! Plus, pecans are a nutritious ingredient as they have minerals that help lower blood pressure and monounsaturated fat, a good type of fat.

 

14. Spinach and Feta Frittata

Upgrade your usual scrambled eggs or omelets with this satisfying spinach feta frittata recipe! It looks and tastes fancy but is so simple to make, taking about half an hour without the hassle.

This frittata is packed with flavor and has a light, fluffy consistency thanks to the half and half. The feta cheese leaves a nice touch to the whole recipe, giving it a rich and slightly tangy taste. Plus, it has a ton of spinach in it, which is considered the ultimate nutrition superstar among the other green leafy vegetables!

 

15. Low-Carb Pumpkin Bars

Let Thanksgiving start early with this appetizing breakfast that kids and adults alike will love. It’s another quick and gluten-free breakfast that you can prep the night before to serve immediately. You can easily grab a bar to easily eat as you prepare for the fun festivities happening later on.

These are low-carb and have no flour or sugar, though they taste like any delicious and indulgent pumpkin bar! With only 139 calories and 2 grams of carbohydrates per bar, you won’t be going over your daily intake before dinner.