18 Quick Breakfasts under 400 Calories That Aren’t Toast

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

Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

While avocado toast or peanut butter toast are great breakfast options, there are plenty of other choices for when you’re in the mood to switch it up. These egg, smoothie and oatmeal recipes come together in 15 minutes and have just 400 calories or less per serving to help support healthy weight loss, if that is your goal. Try our Strawberry Passion Fruit Smoothie or our BLT Breakfast Sandwich for a healthy breakfast that will fit seamlessly into your morning.

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Strawberry Passion Fruit Smoothie

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This strawberry–passion fruit smoothie is bright, creamy and naturally sweet. Frozen strawberries and tangy passion fruit blend with Greek-style yogurt and almond milk for a refreshing drink that’s ready in just 5 minutes.

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02 of 18

He Bao Dan (Pocket Eggs with Soy-Sesame Sauce)

Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

In Wuhan, China, this is a common way of cooking eggs. Black sesame seeds are slightly more flavorful and aromatic than white sesame seeds. Find them in the Asian foods section of the supermarket or substitute the white variety if they aren’t available. Serve these eggs over rice or noodles.

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03 of 18

BLT Breakfast Sandwich

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 open-face sandwich is a delicious way to start your day. Turkey bacon provides savory flavor and crunch while keeping fat and calories in check. Country-style whole-wheat bread (or sourdough) often has no added sugars, making it the best choice here.

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04 of 18

Blueberry-Banana Peanut Butter Parfait

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This blueberry-banana peanut butter parfait is a delicious layered breakfast that combines fruit, yogurt and nutty goodness. Sliced bananas and juicy blueberries are stacked between creamy yogurt and swirls of peanut butter for a sweet and satisfying meal. Chunky peanut butter adds a bit of crunch for extra texture, but smooth peanut butter blends in beautifully if you prefer a silkier bite.

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05 of 18

The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

This vibrant green smoothie with spinach, banana, mango and pineapple is a refreshing way to start your day. The spinach blends in seamlessly without overpowering the sweet tropical flavors. Banana gives the smoothie a creamy texture, while mango and pineapple bring natural sweetness and a bright, sunny taste.

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06 of 18

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 or snack 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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07 of 18

High-Protein Cinnamon-Roll Oatmeal

Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
Credit: Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

Flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup and a Greek-style yogurt “frosting,” this cinnamon-roll oatmeal is a winning breakfast worth waking up for. Oats offer lots of filling fiber to help keep you full and your heart healthy. Add toasted chopped walnuts if you want a little extra crunch.

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Dylan Dreyer’s Orange-Mango Smoothie

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

For Dylan Dreyer, “Today’s 3rd Hour” co-host and NBC News meteorologist, this smoothie is a staple in her household during cold and flu season. The vitamin C from the oranges helps support immune health, so she and her kids can feel their best. Plus, it tastes just like a creamsicle. If you don’t have almond milk, any other dairy or nondairy milk will work.

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09 of 18

Spinach & Feta Mug Scrambled Eggs

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

Whip up eggs with a few simple ingredients in a microwave-safe mug, and you have the makings of a breakfast that’s prepped, seasoned and will be ready to eat in a little more than a minute before running out the door. If you don’t want to store the mixture in individual mugs, you can store it in an airtight container then transfer to a mug when you’re ready to cook it.

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10 of 18

Anti-Inflammatory Strawberry–Passion Fruit Green Smoothie

Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
Credit: Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

This anti-inflammatory smoothie draws its bright tropical flavor from frozen passion fruit pieces available in the frozen fruit section of well-stocked supermarkets or natural-foods stores. To make this with fresh passion fruit, you’ll need 4 medium-size ripe purple passion fruits. Cut the fruits in half crosswise, gently scoop out the jelly-coated seeds, place in a blender (discarding shells) and puree until smooth. Freeze the puree in an ice cube tray before blending into the smoothie. If you can’t find passion fruit at all, substitute frozen pineapple.

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11 of 18

Feta, Egg & Spinach Breakfast Taco

Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Credit: Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

It doesn’t get easier than this healthy breakfast taco that’s ready in just five minutes. Kale or arugula will work just as well if you don’t have spinach on hand. If you want an over-hard egg instead, and notice the egg is browning too quickly, add a tablespoon or two of water to the pan to help steam the egg and set the yolk faster.

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12 of 18

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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13 of 18

15-Minute Eggs in Vodka Sauce

Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Drawing inspiration from the classic Italian recipe Uova al Purgatorio (Eggs in Purgatory), this easy one-pot meal melds tangy tomato sauce with perfectly poached eggs, ideal for sopping up with crispy toasted bread. We like to add a dash of heavy cream to give the sauce some extra richness, but you can leave it out if you prefer. A garnish of chopped fresh basil or parsley, if you have it on hand, would be a welcome addition.

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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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Spinach & Fried Egg Grain Bowls

Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Credit: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Wheat berries, a nutty-tasting whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture, are the base of this hearty breakfast bowl recipe. The fiber-rich grain freezes very well, so cook up a batch to stash away for salads, bowls and more. Topped with spinach, peanuts and an egg, these bowls make for a satisfying breakfast. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra heat.

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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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17 of 18

Pesto Scrambled Eggs

Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis
Credit: Photographer / Brie Passano Styling / Annie Probst / Holly Raibikis

Pep up breakfast (or dinner) with a little pesto. And be careful not to overcook your eggs. Scrambled eggs are at their best when you see soft, creamy curds. Serve with a slice of whole-grain toast and sliced tomatoes.

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Watermelon-Peach Smoothie

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This watermelon-peach smoothie is a refreshing drink that’s perfect for warm days. Made with ripe watermelon and frozen peaches, this smoothie bursts with fruity flavor without the need for added sugar. Use frozen peaches from a bag or freeze your own ripe, in-season peaches for the best sweet and fruity flavor.

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