21 Breakfast Recipes for Better Blood Sugar That Aren’t Eggs

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Eggs often are touted as an easy and nutritious breakfast, but they aren’t the only option! These tasty breakfast recipes are lower in saturated fat, sodium, carbohydrates and calories to meet our parameters for a diabetes-appropriate eating pattern. From frosty smoothies, creamy overnight oats and savory toasts, there’s an egg-free dish to suit every palate. Try dishes like our Lentil & Goat Cheese Toast and High-Protein Raspberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding for a nourishing morning meal that will support healthy blood sugar levels

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01 of 21

Lentil & Goat Cheese Toast

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward.

This simple toast pairs creamy goat cheese with hearty lentils and crunchy toasted walnuts for a quick, satisfying bite. It’s a nutrient-packed option that works just as well for breakfast as it does for a light lunch or snack.

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02 of 21

High-Protein Raspberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

This high-protein chia pudding layers a creamy raspberry chia base with a peanut butter–yogurt topping for a balanced breakfast. Blending raspberries with almond milk infuses the pudding with bright berry flavor, while chia seeds thicken it overnight. Assemble the jars ahead of time for an easy grab-and-go option.

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03 of 21

High-Protein Strawberry & Almond Butter Overnight Oats

Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

These creamy overnight oats are packed with protein thanks to Greek-style yogurt and almond butter, making them a satisfying grab-and-go breakfast. Prep them the night before for an easy, nourishing start to your day. While oats are naturally gluten-free, they may be contaminated during processing. If you’re following a gluten-free routine, be sure to buy oats specifically labeled gluten-free.

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04 of 21

High-Protein Morning Glory Muffins

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

Start your day with these high-protein morning glory muffins! Made with Greek-style yogurt, apples, carrots and whole grains, they’re naturally sweet and warmly spiced with a tender, moist crumb. A sprinkle of chopped walnuts and oats on top adds just the right amount of crunch.

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05 of 21

Chocolate-Strawberry Protein Shake

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

Soy milk and Greek-style yogurt provide a solid protein base for this chocolate-strawberry protein shake. Sweet strawberries, sliced banana and rich cocoa powder create a sweet flavor without needing any added sugar. Tossing in a few ice cubes chills the shake down and gives it a refreshing, frosty texture.

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06 of 21

High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This high-protein blueberry and peanut butter chia pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast packed with fiber and protein to keep you energized throughout the day. Chia seeds soak up the blended almond milk and blueberries overnight, creating a creamy pudding that’s layered for a peanut butter-and-jelly effect.

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07 of 21

High-Protein Orange-Mango Smoothie

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This high-protein orange-mango smoothie is a bright and refreshing drink that combines the tangy sweetness of fresh orange juice with the tropical richness of mangoes. A scoop of protein powder and Greek-style yogurt make this smoothie a satisfying breakfast. Using unflavored protein powder allows the natural fruit flavors to shine.

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08 of 21

Slow-Cooker Oatmeal

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Food Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Food Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

Here’s an easy way to serve a crowd a hearty breakfast. You can assemble it in the slow cooker in the evening and wake up to a bowl of hot, nourishing oatmeal. The slow cooker eliminates the need for constant stirring and ensures an exceptionally creamy consistency.

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09 of 21

Banana–Peanut Butter Yogurt Parfait

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

This banana–peanut butter yogurt parfait is a delicious and nutritious breakfast that relies on the natural sweetness of ripe bananas to create a creamy, flavorful base. The combination of banana and peanut butter is a classic pairing that provides healthy fats and a boost of protein. This easy parfait is a great way to start your day or enjoy a midday pick-me-up.

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10 of 21

Peanut-Ginger Tofu Scramble

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

A favorite among our EatingWell editors, this vegan breakfast scramble is wonderfully versatile, doubling as a satisfying dinner when served with noodles or rice and a side of roasted broccoli. The crispy tofu is perfectly coated in a peanut ginger sauce, which should be added off the heat for the creamiest texture.

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11 of 21

Copycat Dunkin’ Avocado Toast

Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster,  Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster,  Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

This copycat Dunkin’ avocado toast is inspired by the popular menu item. We love the flavors of creamy mashed avocado spread over a slice of toasted sourdough bread, topped with a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning for added flavor and texture. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy the flavors of the original without having to leave your house!

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12 of 21

High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell
Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell

These overnight oats get a protein boost from Greek-style yogurt, peanut butter and soy milk, combining for 17 grams of protein per serving. We mix it up with chopped strawberries, but any berry or chopped fruit will pair nicely with this easy grab-and-go breakfast.

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13 of 21

The Last Cottage Cheese Toast Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

Had your fill of toast that barely takes the edge off your hunger? Say hello to our delicious and nutritious cottage cheese toast! This toast, made with whole-grain bread and topped with creamy cottage cheese, is just the beginning. We’ve added six variations, both sweet and savory, perfect for kick-starting your morning or powering through the afternoon. Savory toasts are packed with lean protein, heart-healthy fats and plenty of plant-based fiber, while sweeter versions feature fruits like antioxidant-rich blueberries and raspberries. No matter which version you choose, satisfaction is guaranteed.

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14 of 21

High-Protein Black Bean Breakfast Bowl (No Eggs!)

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

While eggs offer plenty of protein, you can make a satisfying, high-protein breakfast without them. This breakfast bowl includes black beans, yogurt and Monterey Jack cheese, providing 18 grams of protein to keep you feeling full and energized throughout the morning.

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15 of 21

Salsa-Topped Avocado Toast

Credit: Photography: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabe Greco
Credit: Photography: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabe Greco

Spin leftovers from taco night into this easy salsa-topped avocado toast for a quick snack, or use it as a jumping-off point for breakfast by adding an egg on top. Single-serve packages of mashed avocado or guacamole can stand in for the fresh avocado.

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16 of 21

Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This fiber-rich chia smoothie is sweet and tangy with a velvety texture, thanks to nutritious chia seeds that expand as they combine with liquid. Chia seeds have plenty of healthy benefits, from delivering a boost of fiber to providing a dose of heart-healthy fats. We like the combination of strawberries, peaches and cherries, but any sweet and tangy fruit combo will work.

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17 of 21

Tiramisu-Inspired Overnight Oats

Credit: Photographer: Sara Baurley, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Sara Baurley, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert, serves as flavor inspiration for these overnight oats. Instant espresso powder adds a touch of bitterness to the dish, balanced by the sweetness of the maple syrup. We top each serving with yogurt for tanginess.

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18 of 21

Berry-Orange Chia Pudding

Credit: Jason Donnelly
Credit: Jason Donnelly

Before you head off to bed, throw together this berry-orange chia pudding for a tasty shake-up in your morning routine. Chia seeds, a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, are combined with creamy coconut milk, berries and orange juice that adds subtle sweetness and tang. The chia seeds transform overnight to create a thick, creamy pudding for a healthy grab-and-go breakfast.

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19 of 21

Baked Oatmeal with Pears

This comforting baked oatmeal is perfect for cozy weekend mornings and doubles as a make-ahead breakfast that you can meal-prep for healthy grab-and-go meals all week.

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20 of 21

Banana-Mango Smoothie

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Margaret Dickey
Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Margaret Dickey

Start your day with a flavorful fruit smoothie. This smoothie is as delicious as breakfast, but also serves well as an afternoon snack or even a frosty dessert.

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21 of 21

Coconut-Mango Oats

Credit: Sara Haas
Credit: Sara Haas

Give plain oats a makeover with this quick, five-minute breakfast idea. Adding just a bit of toasted coconut, some vanilla extract and fresh (or frozen) mango provides plenty of flavor. We use oat milk here, but feel free to switch it to dairy or any other plant-based, unsweetened milk too.

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