5 Gluten-Free & Vegan Breakfast Recipes You Might Mistake for Dessert

We are always looking for ways to optimize our nutrition without offending our taste buds, so finding breakfast options that are easy on both the lips and the hips is a priority. If you’re starved for time and creativity and can’t stand the thought of having one more packet of microwave oatmeal, then fret no more, we’ve put together these five quick and healthy breakfast recipes that Gwyneth would approve and even Beyonce would have time for!

The Blueberry-Nana “Ice Cream” Breakfast Bowl

Why are bananas so great? They are chock-full of potassium and magnesium, which makes them the go-to fruit for athletes and gym rats. Not only do they give you an energy boost, but they also make you happy. Well sort of… bananas stimulate the production of serotonin, the happy hormone.

What you’ll need:

2 frozen bananas
½ cup of blueberries
1 tablespoon of cashew butter

Blend and top with your favorite granola and some cacao nibs

Chocolate Protein Bites

These little munchkins are anything but little when you take a look at their nutritional profile. We’ve filled them with protein, omega-3’s, and tons of flavor.

What you’ll need:

2 scoops of your favorite protein powder (I love Vega because it’s vegan but has a complete amino acid profile)
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup cashew or almond butter
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1 cup coconut flakes

Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Ball into small circles by rolling in the palm of your hand. Place in the fridge and eat them within a few days (or hours if you’re like me).

Cinnamon Apple Protein Smoothie

I don’t know about you, but fall makes me crave apple-pie flavored everything! So, if you’re like me and can think of nothing but those sugary cinnamon apple cereals you ate as a kid, I’ve got the perfect antidote. Enter the Cinnamon Apple Protein Smoothie.

What you’ll need:

1 whole organic apple, washed well, peel left on, core removed, and roughly chopped
1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
2 cups almond milk
2 Medjool dates
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon of ground flax
1 tablespoon of manuka honey for an immunity boost
A dash of vanilla extract
A scoop of your favorite protein powder
1 handful baby spinach
1 handful of ice

Blend together, pour, and enjoy!

Quinoa Flakes Breakfast Bowl

These days, everyone is talking about how great quinoa is. It’s so great; in fact, that you can eat it for breakfast and trick your taste buds into thinking it’s dessert.

What you’ll need:

1/3 of a cup of quinoa flakes (I love Ancient Harvest, because they cook so quickly)
1 cup of water
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 whole, ripe banana, sliced
½ cup goji berries
2 tablespoons blueberries
1 tablespoon almond butter

Add your quinoa flakes to rapidly boiling water (with salt, if desired) and cook for 90 seconds or until a porridge-like consistency is achieved. Pour into a bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon across the quinoa, top off with banana slices, goji berries, and blueberries.  Drizzle with almond butter to taste.

Zucchini Oats (more lovingly known as Zoats)

This breakfast option might sound alien, but the flavor is truly out of this world!

What you’ll need:

1/3 cup oatmeal (we opted for the ones with the shortest cooking time!)
2/3 cup of almond milk
½ cup zucchini, grated
A dash of sea salt
1 tablespoon agave
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 whole banana, sliced
½ cup raspberries
1 tablespoon almond butter

Cook your oatmeal following the instructions provided, using almond milk instead of water for a thicker consistency. One to two minutes before it’s ready, add zucchini, salt, agave, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well. Cook for another 2 minutes. Pour into a bowl and top with a sliced banana, a handful of raspberries, and drizzle with almond butter.

Amina AlTai is a health coach, personal trainer, and wellness marketing professional in NYC. Follow her on instagram at @busyhappyhealthy