15 Cheap Breakfast Ideas (Delicious and Easy!)

Start your day the smart way with these Cheap Breakfast Ideas that are as delicious as they are easy on your wallet. Let’s get eating!

Ever found yourself staring at your kitchen pantry, wondering how to whip up a satisfying morning meal without draining your wallet?

I get it – mornings can be a rush, and your budget might feel squeezed. We’ve got your back with a lineup of cheap breakfast ideas that you can whip up using pantry staples or leftovers. These are also easy breakfast ideas, so you don’t have to spend much time on meal prep for these cheap breakfast foods.

These recipes are easy on your pockets and delicious and satisfying. Let’s dive in!

*Prices may vary based on location. Given amounts are an estimate.

Cheap Breakfast Ideas

1. Oatmeal Delight

Ingredients

• Rolled oats
• Water or milk
• Toppings of your choice (e.g., bananas, berries, honey, cinnamon)

Instructions

• Boil 1 cup of water or milk on the stove.
• Add 1/2 cup of rolled oats and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Stir occasionally until the oats reach your desired consistency.
• Pour into a bowl and top with sliced bananas, berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Buy oats in bulk here.

Cost: $0.40 per serving

2. Egg and Veggie Scramble

Ingredients:

• Eggs
• Bell peppers (any color), diced
• Onion, diced
• Spinach or kale, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a skillet, sauté diced onions until translucent.
• Add diced bell peppers and cook until slightly tender.
• Toss in chopped spinach or kale and stir until wilted.
• Whisk eggs in a bowl, pour into the skillet, and scramble everything together.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cost: $1.67 per serving

3. Peanut Butter Banana Toast

Ingredients

• Whole-grain bread
• Peanut butter
• Ripe banana, sliced

Instructions

• Toast slices of whole-grain bread.
• Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on each slice.
• Top with slices of ripe banana.
• Drizzle with honey for extra sweetness.

Here’s how to Save Money on Peanut Butter and How to Make Your Own Peanut Butter.

Cost: $0.55 per serving

4. Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients

• Yogurt (plain or Greek)
• Granola
• Fresh or frozen fruits (e.g., berries, mango, kiwi)

Instructions

• In a glass or bowl, layer yogurt at the bottom.
• Add a layer of granola on top.
• Top with fresh or frozen fruits.
• Repeat layers as desired.

You can Make Your Own Yogurt as well!

Cost: $2.09 per serving

5. Egg-in-a-Hole

Ingredients

• Bread slices
• Eggs
• Butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut a hole in the center of each bread slice.
• Heat a skillet and melt a bit of butter.
• Place the bread slices in the skillet and crack an egg into each hole.
• Cook until the eggs set, then flip and cook until the bread is toasted and the eggs are cooked to your liking.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Here’s my favorite Homemade Bread recipe.

Cost: $0.28 per serving

6. Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• Cooked white rice (you can use leftover rice)
• Milk
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

• In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of cooked white rice and 2 cups of milk.
• Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar (adjust to taste) and a splash of vanilla extract.
• Stir over medium heat until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
• Serve warm or chilled, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top if desired.

Cost: $0.47 per serving

7. DIY Breakfast Burrito

Ingredients

• Tortillas
• Eggs
• Black beans (canned)
• Cheese, shredded
• Salsa
• Avocado slices (optional)

Instructions

• Scramble eggs in a skillet until just set.
• Warm tortillas in a separate skillet or microwave.
• Assemble burritos with scrambled eggs, black beans, shredded cheese, and a spoonful of salsa.
• Optionally, add slices of fresh avocado.
• Roll up the burrito, secure the filling, and enjoy!
• You can also freeze these to have them made ahead of time.

Cost: $1.22 per serving

8. Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients

• Frozen fruits (e.g., berries, bananas)
• Yogurt (plain or flavored)
• Milk or juice
• Toppings (e.g., granola, sliced almonds, chia seeds, fresh fruit)

Instructions

• In a blender, combine frozen fruits, a scoop of yogurt, and a splash of milk or juice.
• Blend until smooth, adding more liquid if needed.
• Pour the smoothie into a bowl.
• Top with granola, sliced almonds, chia seeds, or your favorite toppings.

Here’s more Breakfast Smoothie Recipes.

Cost: $1.94 per serving

9. Avocado Toast

Ingredients

• Whole-grain bread
• Ripe avocado
• Salt and pepper
• Red pepper flakes, lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

• Toast slices of whole-grain bread.
• Mash ripe avocado and spread it on the toast.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.

Cost: $0.67 per serving

10. Homemade Pancakes

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Milk
• Egg
• Sugar
• Butter
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
• In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg and add 1 cup of milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract if using.
• Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
• Pour batter onto a hot griddle or skillet.
• Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on both sides.

Here’s a simple Pancake Mix that you can make ahead of time.

Cost: $0.22 per serving

11. Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• Assorted fresh or canned fruits (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, pineapple)
• Honey or lime juice for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

• Wash and chop a variety of fresh fruits into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix the fruits in a bowl.
• Optionally, drizzle with a bit of honey or lime juice for extra flavor.
• Toss gently and enjoy this refreshing and nutritious fruit salad.

Cost: $2.60 per serving

12. Cottage Cheese and Jam Toast

Ingredients

• Whole-grain bread
• Cottage cheese
• Jam or fruit preserves (your choice)

Instructions

• Toast slices of whole-grain bread.
• Spread a layer of cottage cheese on the toasted bread.
• Add a dollop of your favorite jam or fruit preserves.
• Enjoy the delightful combination of creamy cottage cheese and fruity sweetness.

Here are some Homemade Jelly recipes to try.

Cost: $0.72 per serving

13. Classic Cereal with Milk

Ingredients

• Your favorite budget-friendly cereal
• Milk

Instructions

• Pour a serving of your preferred budget-friendly cereal into a bowl.
• Add milk to cover the cereal.
• Allow it to sit for a moment to let the cereal absorb the milk.
• Dig in and enjoy this quick and easy classic breakfast.

You can even make your own Homemade Cereal too!

Cost: $0.31 per serving

14. Leftover Veggie Frittata

Ingredients

• Leftover cooked vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, onions, spinach)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven’s broiler.
• In a bowl, whisk together eggs, a splash of milk, salt, and pepper.
• In an oven-safe skillet, heat leftover cooked vegetables.
• Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cook on the stove until the edges start to set.
• Optionally, sprinkle cheese on top.
• Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook until the frittata is set and golden.
• Slice and enjoy your flavorful veggie frittata.

Get my recipe for Bacon and Cheese Quiche as well here.

Cost: $0.39 per serving

15. Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats
• Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
• Seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, chia seeds)
• Honey or maple syrup
• Oil (e.g., coconut oil)
• Dried fruits (e.g., raisins, cranberries)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
• In a bowl, mix rolled oats, nuts, seeds, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and a bit of oil.
• Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally for even toasting.
• Allow the granola to cool, then mix in dried fruits.
• Store in an airtight container and serve with milk or yogurt for a crunchy, budget-friendly breakfast.

Find another Homemade Granola Recipe here.

Cost: $0.40 per serving

Sample Meal Plans

If you need to make sure that you are going to stick to a strict budget, meal planning in advance can help greatly! Here’s a sample menu plan using several of the budget-friendly breakfast ideas above for a single person or for the entire family.

Monday: Veggie Frittata – $0.39 per serving
Tuesday: Cottage Cheese and Toast – $0.72 per serving
Wednesday: Homemade Pancakes – $0.22 per serving
Thursday: Smoothie Bowl – $1.94 per serving
Friday: Breakfast Burrito – $1.72 per serving
Saturday: Peanut Butter Toast – $0.55 per serving
Sunday: Egg and Veggie Scramble – $1.67 per serving

Total Cost for the Week:

$7.21 per person
$28.84 for a family of 4

How to Make Breakfast Even Cheaper

You can make several of these breakfast recipes even cheaper by making some of the items yourself or utilizing my free grocery ideas.

For the most part, stay away from breakfast meats like sausage, ham, or bacon unless you can source it very inexpensively. Instead, rely on eggs, cottage cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, and other cheaper protein sources.

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As you start your day, remember that a budget-friendly breakfast doesn’t have to be bland or boring. 

With these 15 simple ideas and making the most of pantry staples and leftovers, you can whip up various delicious and satisfying breakfast meals without adding too much strain to your wallet.

*Prices may vary based on location. The amounts given are an estimate based on grocery costs per serving recommended on packages.

More Frugal Meal Ideas

• The Cheapest Meals to Make on an Incredibly Tight Budget
• 14 Cheap Meals to Make When You’re At The End Of Your Budget
• Must Try Cheap and Easy Recipes With Ground Beef
• The Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Groceries (Free Printable List)
• Frugal Produce to Buy on a Tight Budget
• The Best 7 Easy Frugal Dessert Recipes to Try

What cheap meals do you make for breakfast?

This article with Cheap Breakfast Ideas has been published on Little House Living as of February 2024.