Another Summer over and another school year under way. For the first time in our house there are 3 kids in school, ranging from preschool to Senior in high school (AHHH! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??). For the older two that means lots of after school and weekend activities. In case you couldn’t tell that little one in the front keeps me busy in his own way! I LOVE this season of life full of homework help, practices, performances, packed lunches, family dinners before the next event and making memories! This stage is so fun, but mornings can feel a bit chaotic around here! I can’t be the only mom out there that feels they have approximately 10 seconds to feed their kids in the morning before getting them out the door… can I?!

Steph here, bringing you 3 easy breakfast recipes to keep your family fueled for the day with minimal morning effort, a win-win in my book! Now first some transparency- I am no perfectly organized Pinterest mom! I certainly do not claim to have it all together. The ten minutes it took me to find clean leggings this morning should be proof enough of that. [okay truth- they weren’t clean, they were inside out with dirty socks stuck to the ankles but I needed to move on with my day]. I do not always have breakfast prepared and ready to go. A lot of mornings look like me ripping the top from a yogurt smoothie for one child as I hand a granola bar to another while I spill my coffee on myself getting into the car. Lesson learned, use travel mugs – they were invented for a reason.

Every so often I do get myself organized enough to plan ahead for the week. Those weeks, my friends… those weeks are full of delicious and more relaxed mornings! Remember that 10 seconds I have to feed my family? First up, breakfast sandwiches that take just that much morning time!

Easy Morning Breakfast Sandwiches

When I’m running out the door and hungry the first thought that tends to cross my mind after dropping everyone off is “I should pick up some breakfast quick!” Something about a breakfast sandwich on a busy morning is so appealing to me, but the grease that tends to accompany them is not! Enter these quick to make, yummy to eat sandwiches! I love making these in the evening and having them available for my family to grab as they head out the door! So much less greasy than fast food, and even faster than waiting in line to order from the Golden Arches! Easily adjust these to your dietary preference by substituting a whole grain English muffin, egg whites and turkey bacon (or whatever your favorite ingredients are)!

This time I used Pillsbury Grands Buttermilk Southern Homestyle biscuits, but most any kind will do. The only type I don’t recommend is the Flaky Layers variety because they tend to fall apart a bit when you’re eating them. Still delicious, just not as practical for eating on the go!

After cooling, I wrap these babies up in plastic wrap, toss them all in a gallon bag to keep them together and easier to find in the fridge and VOILA! Easy to grab and quick to reheat sandwiches for the morning!

Next up, another 10 second morning miracle – Mini Baked Pancakes!

Mini Baked Pancakes

I’ve shared my favorite recipe for from scratch pancakes below. But, rest assured these will be delicious and save you even more time if you make your favorite pancake mix. If you go that route, simply pick up these instructions at number 3.

Tip: If you don’t have some of this spray in your life, it’s time to be amazed. You’ll thank me when you’re taking these pancakes out of the mini muffin tin and cursing all of the ripped apart cakes of your past!

What I love about these baked pancakes is that you can easily customize them to your family by dropping in blueberries, chocolate chips, pecans, etc. All of your pancake flavor dreams are coming true friends!

This time I made blueberry, plain and chocolate chip!

For true on the go eating, drop a couple of pancakes and syrup into one of these containers and head to the drop off line!

I do NOT recommend putting the syrup into the small tray, closing it up and tossing it into a bookbag for later! While the syrup won’t leak out of the container, some will go into the compartment below and you’ll end up with sticky hands getting the tray out. These containers are perfect for older kids who can hold the syrup tray in the car. When they’re done eating they can close up the container and toss it into the bag, no leaks! For smaller hands or kiddos who can only hold one container, I recommend using one of these to keep your syrup separate. These will also keep your bag free from leftover syrup when closed.

Tip: I always have these wipes in my center console for last minute cleanups of sticky hands and faces.

Last by not least, the breakfast casserole I make on repeat!

Sausage Hashbrown Casserole

This is my go-to recipe for the holidays, office breakfast carry-ins etc because it is a nice alternative to the usual egg casserole and it reheats SO well.

If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll whip up some eggs in the morning to make a breakfast scramble.  The 5 or so minutes it takes to scramble an egg feels like such little work when you consider how filling of meal you’re creating in the morning! This one is sure to stick with you until lunch time!

There you have it ladies – 3 recipes to keep your family full and give you a little extra time to enjoy that morning coffee. CHEERS!