When you need a quick, protein-packed breakfast that can travel with you as you run out the door, your trusty protein shake always comes through. But the blender isn’t your only option for putting that protein powder to use in the A.M. From pancakes, to overnight oats, to donuts (yes, donuts!), these breakfast recipes will amaze your taste buds and forever change how you do breakfast.
1. Protein-Packed Cereal Bowl
A bowl of cereal is the classic breakfast—but it’s pretty meh when it comes to protein contents. Unless, of course, you hack this innovative idea from Nutrition Starring You. Whisk your favorite protein powder into your milk and watch that bowl of Cheerios transform into a more gains-friendly meal. (Use chocolate protein if you were a fan of chocolate-y cereal milk as a kid!)
Our Protein Pick: BodyTech Rich Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate
2. Blackberry Ricotta Protein Pancakes
Feeling fancy? These pancakes from Andrea’s Protein Cakery sound like something straight from a fancy brunch menu—except they just so happen to pack 32 grams of protein per serving (courtesy of egg whites, ricotta, and vanilla protein powder). We know what we’re making for breakfast this weekend.
Our Protein Pick: Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein
3. Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
Yes, you can totally have cake for breakfast. Especially when it’s made with spelt flour, coconut oil, and stevia. Plus, it’s got 10 grams of protein! With the help of a microwave, Chocolate Covered Katie’s mug cake takes about five minutes to throw together and cook.
Our Protein Pick: Quest Nutrition Chocolate Milkshake Protein
4. Banana Bread Protein Waffles
Banana bread isn’t the only thing you can make with that overripe banana. Whip out the waffle maker and grab your vanilla protein to make these easy protein waffles from Jennifer Meyering. A little vanilla extract and cinnamon will make them a perfectly sweet treat.
Our Protein Pick: Dymatize Banana Nut Elite XT Protein Powder
5. Strawberry Shortcake Protein Overnight Oats
In case you haven’t heard, overnight oats are the trendiest breakfast in town. Made with vanilla or strawberry protein powder and Greek yogurt, Dashing Dish’s dessert-inspired oats make a great grab-and-go breakfast. (Swap the yogurt for applesauce or mashed banana if you don’t do dairy.)
Our Protein Pick: Muscle Milk Strawberries ‘N Creme Protein Powder
6. Coffee Cake Protein Muffins
Behold, java lovers! Start the morning off with a kick of protein and coffee with these protein muffins. Plus, Southern In Law’s recipe is flourless and refined sugar-free—who doesn’t love that?
Our Protein Pick: Isopure Espresso Protein Powder
7. Protein Crepes
Looking for yet another morning meal that proves protein powder can be super-sophisticated? Little Bits Of’s two-ingredient protein crepes are the perfect vessel for nut butter and fruit galore—and they’re totally Instagrammable.
Our Protein Pick: BodyTech French Vanilla Micellar Casein
8. No-Bake Carrot Cake Breakfast Bars
Complete with protein frosting, this no-bake breakfast packs major diner-good flavor without refined sweeteners, grains, or dairy. The recipe, from The Big Man’s World, also makes a great dessert or sweet-cravings crusher.
Our Protein Pick: Syntrax Nectar Sweets Vanilla Bean Whey Protein Isolate
9. High-Protein Double Chocolate Muffins
Get your fudge fix with Foodie Fiasco’s decadent muffins. At 86 calories (and 11 grams of protein) a pop, they’re made with yummy ingredients like chocolate protein powder, coconut flour, dark chocolate, and sweetened with erythritol. Feel free to get a little heavy-handed when measuring out that dark chocolate…
Our Protein Pick: Tera’s Whey Dark Chocolate Grass-Fed Organic Whey Protein
10. Protein Samoa Donuts
We’ve discovered the secret to surviving Girl Scout Cookie season with your health and fitness goals in tact: Samoa protein donuts from Malzis Fit. Sugar-free caramel sauce, shredded coconut, and dark chocolate make to-die-for cookie-like toppings.
Our Protein Pick: Dymatize Nutrition Chocolate Coconut Iso100
11. Pumpkin Protein French Toast
Probably one of the last breakfasts we associate with healthy eating, French toast can be calorie-conscious and muscle-friendly with just a few tweaks. Hungry Hobby’s pumpkin French toast is full of flavor by soaking whole-grain bread in a mixture of egg whites, pumpkin puree, vanilla protein powder, and cinnamon for a healthier version of the indulgent fan favorite.
Our Protein Pick: True Athlete Natural Vanilla Whey Protein
12. Double Chocolate Protein Oatmeal
A warm bowl of oatmeal might just be one of the most relaxing ways to start a morning. Add chocolate into the mix and you’re set for the day. Brooklyn Farm Girl’s chocolate-y protein oats come together quickly on the stove top—just stir in your favorite chocolate protein powder.
Our Protein Pick: PEScience Chocolate Peanut Butter Select Protein