Autumn is the season when I feel most compelled to prepare meals for my family. With the temperatures dropping and the sweltering heat becoming a memory, I find myself eager to offer my kids more than just go-to prepackaged yogurts and bananas for breakfast. This is why having a roster of simple fall breakfast recipes is essential. I aim to provide them with comforting, filling meals before they head out into the refreshing autumn air, but since it’s early in the day, I have three kids, and there are school routines to manage, simplicity is key.
Fortunately, there is an abundance of delightful and easy fall breakfast inspiration available, whether your preference leans toward sweet breads and muffins or if you favor savory options. Additionally, if enjoying pumpkin spice Cheerios constitutes your breakfast, then that counts as an effortless seasonal meal as well. This list isn’t intended to impress anyone; it’s all about incorporating seasonal flavors and serving your children breakfasts that you’d enjoy yourself. Many of these fall breakfast recipes can be prepped ahead of time, and with a little planning, you could find yourself among those organized parents who prepare all their breakfast options overnight for smoother mornings.
So, start writing down your favorites! Some of these dishes are uncomplicated one-bowl mixes, while others may require a tad more effort. However, you can always simplify by using jarred applesauce and frozen vegetables to lighten your load. Ultimately, any breakfast enjoyed during the fall qualifies as a fall meal. (And let’s be honest, maple syrup is practically its own food group at this time of year.)
Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins
Don’t let the idea of making apple cider doughnut muffins from A Cozy Kitchen overwhelm you. These can be prepared the night before, and they’re surprisingly simple to make in the morning due to the use of applesauce instead of fresh chopped apples or homemade puree. You can also mix the batter a day in advance and bake them in the morning if you prefer. The only step that takes some time is letting the batter rest for around 20 minutes before putting it in the oven, but if you’re short on time, feel free to skip this step — just know that they might not rise as much as a bakery-style muffin. Nevertheless, they deliver the same delightful flavors reminiscent of an apple cider doughnut found at a fall festival, but in muffin form.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Oatmeal makes another appearance in this collection of easy fall breakfasts because A) it is inherently an easy fall breakfast, and B) this recipe for pumpkin pie oatmeal from Damn Delicious is simply incredible. Prepared just like your typical oatmeal, you combine the oats and milk, then mix in pumpkin puree, spices, and top it off with syrup and pecans. It’s a delicious, hearty dish that is brimming with beloved autumn flavors.
Monte Cristo Casserole
Although this Monte Cristo casserole recipe from Averie Cooks doesn’t include seasonal favorites like pumpkin or apple, it is packed with hearty flavors and ingredients that provide a filling breakfast well-suited for fall mornings. Plus, it features ham, which just feels like a comforting breakfast ingredient during this time of year. You can prepare this dish overnight and simply pop it in the oven come morning for a satisfying breakfast that sticks to your ribs.
Pumpkin Butter
While a jar of pumpkin butter may not be a complete breakfast (or is it?), you can transform this super simple recipe for pumpkin butter from Inside Bru Crew Life into a fantastic fall breakfast companion. Prepare it the night before and serve it over yogurt or oatmeal, or simply spread it on toast in the morning. It’s infused with all the seasonal flavors you adore and adds a delightful hint of sweetness and spice.
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
This apple pie baked oatmeal from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs is as wholesome as it sounds—and difficult to mess up. Once again, easy is the priority, and this recipe doesn’t require extensive chopping or peeling tasks. Just use applesauce and a handful of common ingredients like rolled oats and spices, then mix them together. You can also prep this overnight so that your family wakes up to a warm, comforting fall breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Cider Syrup
Are you ready for the most indulgent fall breakfast ever? If so, you need to try Half Baked Harvest’s pumpkin spice french toast with cider syrup. Although this is a hearty meal, I still consider it easy because you can prepare the egg mixture for dipping the bread overnight, allowing your slices to soak until morning. Once you’re ready to cook, all that’s left is to grab your griddle or pan and flip them! This breakfast is such a comforting option — especially with the cream cheese stuffed inside! — and surprisingly doesn’t take as long as you might expect. And if you opt for the cider syrup, it only takes a few minutes to prepare!
Oatmeal Banana Bread
If your family enjoys a wholesome bread for breakfast without excessive sweetness, consider A Spicy Perspective’s oatmeal banana bread. This dish is made similarly to traditional banana bread, but the addition of apple pie spice or pumpkin spice along with oatmeal gives it an elevated, autumn-inspired twist. Perhaps serve it with a spread of pumpkin butter on top? Pair it with eggs, bacon, or even a bowl of cereal if you want to round out the meal.
Pumpkin Muffins
How amazing do these pumpkin muffins from Pinch of Yum look? They’re extremely easy to prepare, and with ingredients like Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, and optional chocolate chips, you can feel confident giving your kids a breakfast that tastes almost like dessert. Bonus: you can blend all the ingredients using a food processor for added convenience.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
This sausage breakfast casserole from Budget Bytes might not feature any distinct fall flavors such as apple, cinnamon, or pumpkin, but it’s incredibly easy to prepare and is packed with all the comforting ingredients you desire on a crisp fall morning — sausage, eggs, cheese, and even tortilla chips. Using
Frozen vegetables allow for a quick breakfast that can be easily assembled, and they also make for beautiful leftovers.
Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits
These pumpkin yogurt parfaits from The Picky Eater are exceptionally simple to create, and they’re visually appealing too! Just layer your ingredients. You have the option to prepare homemade granola for the topping, use store-bought granola, or sprinkle on some crunchy alternatives like toasted coconut or nuts for an excellent autumn breakfast. Packed with protein and natural sweeteners, they make for an excellent pre-school meal for kids.
Maple Sausage Breakfast Sliders
Another breakfast option that can be prepared the night before or quickly made in the morning is the maple sausage breakfast sliders from Cookies and Cups. Using pre-cooked maple sausage, you just need to scramble a few eggs and assemble everything for a filling, delightful, sweet, and savory breakfast perfect for fall.
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Making homemade granola gives a sense of sophistication, yet it’s remarkably easy to prepare. This pumpkin spice granola recipe from Gimme Some Oven features all the cherished flavors of fall along with a satisfying crunch from pecans, pepitas, and toasted rolled oats. Simply combine the ingredients and bake; it serves as a topping for yogurt, a cereal with milk, or even a quick grab-and-go snack as you head out the door. This granola is perfect for those hectic mornings when you need a boost of energy to tackle the day.
Egg-in-a-Hole Toast
This traditional breakfast dish carries various names, but no matter how you refer to it, egg-in-a-hole toast always makes for a satisfying breakfast during the fall. It’s the kind of hearty meal that sets the mood for the chilly air outside, and few things make buttered toast sound as enticing as in the autumn. The recipe from I Am a Food Blog shows you how to create perfect egg-in-a-hole toast—you may just find this to be the ultimate way to enjoy eggs.
Image Source: Rimma Bondarenko / Shutterstock
