10 quick and easy recipes for healthy breakfast meals

Why do people skip breakfast when it is the most important meal of the day? It could be due to a busy schedule, stress, or lack of time. Who knows?

Do you know that starting the day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle? It gives the body the energy and nutrients to start the day on the right foot. Improve concentration, boosts metabolism, and helps to maintain a healthy weight.

Preparing that healthy and delicious meal can be a big deal, especially when you have limited time or feel weak and unable to handle the stress of preparing elaborate meals.

It would be best to have quick and easy breakfast ideas that are healthy and delicious. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing 10 Nigerian-inspired breakfast recipes that are simple, flavorful, and packed with essential nutrients to give you a great start to your day. They are fun, easy, and quick recipes that you will love to make every day and that are healthy enough to give you a perfect, nutritious, tasty breakfast.

So let’s get started.

Also read: How To Preserve Leftover Meal

1. Quick classic cereal

This is called quick classic cereal because it is not an ordinary cereal. A cereal with fruits, nuts, and full-fat milk. Ordinary cereal has little or no protein with little fiber. It would be best if you spiced things up by adding fiber in the form of fruit and some proteins in the form of nuts. A quick classic cereal typically refers to a simple, easy-to-prepare cereal ready in minutes.

They are a popular breakfast option for many who want a healthy and convenient meal to start their day.

Recipe for quick classic cereal

Ingredients

• 1 cup of your favorite breakfast cereal. Such as unsweetened cornflakes, maize/millet cereal, oatmeal, rice cereal, and wheat-based cereals.
• 1 cup of full-fat milk. Such as cow’s milk, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, or unsweetened soya
• 1/4 cup of chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts). You can mix different nuts.

Instructions:

1. Pour your favorite breakfast cereal into a bowl.
2. Add full-fat milk to the cereal in the bowl. Stir the cereal and milk together until well combined.

3. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the cereal.

4. Let the cereal sit for 1-2 minutes to absorb the milk and soften.

Note: You can adjust the number of nuts to your preference and switch up the nuts or milk type to create unique flavor combinations.

2. Fruit salad/smoothie

You can prepare a fresh and tasty fruit salad or smoothie for breakfast within a few minutes. Fruit salad/smoothie is fun to make and won’t take time. Fruits like kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, grapes, oranges, bananas, blackberries, apricots, peaches, or mangos can be used.

Fruit salad consists of a variety of chopped or sliced fresh fruits with a sweet dressing, while a fruit smoothie is a drink made by blending different fruits together with a liquid base such as milk, yogurt, or juice. When you combine fruits to make either salad or smoothie, it is always yummy and filling. They are a great source of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious option for people looking to improve their health and well-being.

Recipe for fruit salad and fruit smoothie

Ingredients for fruit salad

• 2 cups each of chopped fresh pineapple, watermelon, and pawpaw
• 1 cup each of chopped fresh cucumber and mango
• 1/2 cup each of chopped fresh oranges and grapes
• You will also need 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for fruit salad dressing.

Instructions:

1. Wash and chop the fruits into bite-sized pieces.
2. Whisk together the honey, lime juice, and ginger in a small bowl to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the fruits and toss gently to coat.
4. Chill the fruit salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe for a fruit smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup of fresh mango chunks, and 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple chunks
• Also, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, and 1 teaspoon honey (optional) as liquid base and sweetener.

Instructions:

1. Remove banana peels and slice.
2. Add the bananas, mango chunks, pineapple chunks, coconut milk, Greek yogurt, and honey (if using) to a blender. Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
3. Taste and adjust the sweetness or consistency, adding more honey or coconut milk as desired. Serve immediately.

3. Pancake

Also read: 20 popular Nigerian soups and stews

Pancake is fun and easy to whip up with all the necessary ingredients at home. It is a popular breakfast dish in Nigeria. They are often served with toppings such as butter, syrup, honey, peanut butter, or jam and can also be enjoyed individually as a snack.

Recipe for Nigerian Pancake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½  cups milk
• 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and make a well
2. Whisk the eggs and milk together until well combined, then gradually incorporate them into the flour mixture until you have a smooth batter.
3. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil (1 tsp) in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
4. Pour 1/4 cup of the pancake batter into the hot pan and swirl it around to form a thin layer.
5. Cook the pancake for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding 1 tsp of oil each time.
7. Serve the pancakes warm, either plain or with your preferred toppings.

4. Oatmeal with Fruits

Oatmeal with fruit is a healthy and nutritious breakfast dish made from oats and fresh or dried fruits. It is a popular breakfast in Nigeria and is often served as a warm, comforting meal during the colder months.

Recipe for oatmeal with fruits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats (soaked in water overnight)
• 2 cups water or milk
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh fruit (e.g., berries, bananas, mangoes, apples). You can use any combination of fruits.
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water or milk to a boil.
2. Stir in the oats and reduce the heat to medium-low.
3. Add a pinch of salt to the oats and stir to combine.
4. Simmer the oats for 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring, until they reach your desired consistency (some people prefer thicker oatmeal, while others prefer watery one).
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped fruit and honey or brown sugar (if using).
6. Cover the pan and let the oatmeal rest for a minute or two to allow the fruit to soften and the flavors to meld.
7. Give the oatmeal a final stir and serve warm.

5. Plantain Omelette

Plantain Omelette is a popular breakfast dish in Nigeria made with ripe plantains and eggs. It is a delicious and nutritious way to start your day and easy to make too!

Recipe for Nigerian plantain Omelette

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe plantains
• 4 eggs
• 1 small onion, 1 small bell pepper, and 1 small tomato (all chopped)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon chopped scotch bonnet pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Peel the plantains and cut them into thin rounds.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
3. Add the plantain rounds to the frying pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.
4. Remove the plantains from the frying pan and set them aside.
5. Beat the eggs with salt and chopped scotch bonnet pepper in a small bowl.
6. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and tomato to the frying pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
7. Pour the beaten eggs over the vegetables in the frying pan.
8. Place the cooked plantain rounds on top of the eggs.
9. Cover the frying pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until the eggs are set and cooked.
10. Use a spatula to fold the Omelette in half carefully.
11. Remove the Omelette from the frying pan and serve hot.

You can serve the Nigerian plantain Omelette with a side of toast or fresh fruit for a more satisfying breakfast. Enjoy!

6. Fried Plantains and Eggs

Nigerian Fried Plantains and Eggs is a simple, delicious breakfast dish with ripe plantains and eggs. It is a popular and delicious Nigerian breakfast meal and can be prepared quickly.

Also read: Ten Healthy Cooking Methods That Will Change Your Life

Recipe for Fried Plantains and Eggs

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe plantains
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion, 1 small tomato, and 1 small bell pepper (all chopped)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 tsp scotch bonnet pepper
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Peel the plantains and cut them into thin rounds.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
3. Add the plantain rounds to the frying pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.
4. Remove the plantains from the frying pan and set them aside.
5. Beat the eggs with salt and chopped scotch bonnet pepper in a small bowl.
6. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and tomato to the frying pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
7. Pour the beaten eggs over the vegetables in the frying pan.
8. Use a spatula to scramble the eggs and vegetables until the eggs are cooked through.
9. Serve the scrambled eggs with the fried plantains.

7. Akara and Pap

Akara and Pap is a popular breakfast dish in Nigeria. The Akara, also known as bean cakes, is a deep-fried bean fritter made with black-eyed beans, onions, and spices. Pap, or ogi or Akamu, is a fermented cornmeal pudding usually served with milk and sugar.

Recipe for Akara and Pap:

Ingredients for Akara:

• 2 cups of beans flour
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Water
• Vegetable oil

Ingredients for Pap:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 3 cups water
• Milk and sugar (optional)

Instructions for Akara:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the bean’s flour and gradually add water while stirring until you have a smooth batter.
2. Add the chopped onion, scotch bonnet peppers, and salt to the batter and mix thoroughly.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan.
4. Using a tablespoon, scoop the bean batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
5. Remove the Akara from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Instructions for Pap:

1. Mix the cornmeal with cold water and stir together to form a batter.
2. Add the cornmeal batter to a pot of boiling water and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat.
4. Add milk and sugar if desired.
5. Serve the Akara with the pap for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.

8. Peanut Butter and Banana Toast

Peanut Butter and Banana Toast is a quick and easy breakfast recipe combining peanut butter, banana, and honey on a slice of toasted bread.

Recipe for Peanut butter and banana

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• Butter or margarine for toasting

Instructions:

1. Peel and mash the ripe banana in a bowl.
2. Add the peanut butter and honey to the mashed banana and mix well.
3. Toast the slices of bread using a toaster with butter or margarine.
4. Once the bread is toasted, spread the peanut butter and banana mixture on each slice. Serve immediately.

9. Egg Sandwich

Nigerian Egg Sandwich is a simple yet delicious breakfast recipe that consists of boiled eggs, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful spread between two slices of bread.

Recipe for Egg Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 medium-sized tomato, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lettuce leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl to make the spread.
2. Season the spread with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
3. Toast the slices of bread using a toaster with butter or margarine.
4. Once the bread is toasted, spread the prepared mayonnaise and mustard mixture on each slice.
5. Add the sliced boiled eggs, tomato, and onion to one slice of bread.
6. Top with lettuce leaves and cover with the remaining slice of bread.
7. Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately.

10. Coconut bread and tea

Nigerian Coconut Bread and Tea is a popular breakfast and snack combination in Nigeria. The coconut bread is sweet, moist, and best enjoyed with hot, sweetened tea.

Recipe for Coconut bread and tea

For an easy breakfast, get coconut bread a day before at any trusted mall nearby.

Tea Ingredients:

• 2 cups water, 2 tea bags, and 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup milk

Instruction

1. Boil 2 cups of water in a kettle.
2. Add 2 tea bags, let it steep, and boil for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the tea bags, pour the tea into a cup, and add 2 tbsp of sugar.
4. Stir in 1/4 cup of milk. Serve the tea with slices of coconut bread.

Final note

Remember, breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You can make a delicious and healthy meal in minutes with the right ingredients and a few simple recipes. So, try out these recipes and experiment with your variations to find the perfect breakfast.