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Looking to include more protein in your diet? Breakfast is a great place to begin. Check out these six High Protein Breakfast Ideas and get your day off to a tasty, protein-packed start!
Why High Protein Breakfasts Matter
Like everybody else, I’ve been hearing a lot of high-protein hype lately. I didn’t pay much attention at first, figuring it was just another food fad.
However, when recent blood tests showed my protein levels were abnormally low, my doctor told me I needed to eat more protein.
But I had a hard time thinking about how I was going to do that. I mean, there are limits to how many chicken breasts a person can eat.
“Start with breakfast,” she said. “When it comes to protein consumption, that’s a meal people tend to overlook.”
Well, I knew she had a point. My usual breakfast of banana, toast, and coffee was pretty skimpy on protein. Maybe I could do better?
After a little research, I came up with several high protein breakfast ideas that also happen to taste terrific!
Scroll down to see six of my favorites. Each one has at least 25 grams of protein and will get your day off to a great start!
1. Bagel with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese (25g Protein)
Bagels and lox were not a thing when I was growing up in Oregon. After my husband and I moved to the East Coast, bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon became my favorite brunch pick.
Bagels can be really filling, so I use half of a Thomas’s High Protein Bagel for this breakfast. If you’re hungry and want to pack in an extra 10 grams of protein, have a whole one.
You can use a whole, regular bagel if you’d prefer. With the smoked salmon and cream cheese, you’ll still clock in 25 grams of protein.
Enjoy this elegant breakfast as is, or add some traditional accompaniments like capers, red onion, chopped egg, or a sprinkle of fresh dill.
- ½ Thomas’s High Protein Bagel – 10 grams (or one whole regular bagel)
- 2 oz smoked salmon – 13 grams
- 1 oz cream cheese – 2 grams
Total protein: 25 grams
2. Greek Yogurt with Berries and Almonds (27 or 30.5g Protein)
These two quick and tasty breakfasts feature my new favorite brand of Greek yogurt – Kirkland Plain Greek Yogurt from Costco.
Just about every brand of Greek yogurt is fairly high in protein. But Kirkland tops every other brand I found, with a whopping 27 grams of protein per cup!
This is my favorite way to enjoy it at breakfast.
- 1 cup Kirkland plain Greek Yogurt – 27 grams
- ½ oz chopped almonds – 3 grams
- ½ cup of raspberries – .5 grams
Total protein: 30.5 grams
If a whole cup of yogurt seems like a little too much, try this option with some High Protein Granola from Kodiak. It’s got a great flavor and crunch!
- 2/3 cup Kirkland plain Greek Yogurt – 18 grams
- 1/3 cup Kodiak High Protein Granola – 9 grams
- ½ cup berries – .5
Total protein – 27.5 grams
3. High Protein Oatmeal with Greek Yogurt (26g Protein)
Old-fashioned oatmeal is one of my comfort food favorites for breakfast. It’s loaded with fiber. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a lot of protein.
My solution is to make it with milk instead of water, and serve it with a side of Greek yogurt and chopped nuts. Add optional berries for flavor and antioxidants, and a little brown sugar for a sweet finish.
- ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats, cooked with one cup of milk according to directions – 14 grams
- 1/3 cup Kirkland plain Greek Yogurt – 9 grams
- ½ oz chopped almonds – 3 grams
Total protein: 26 grams
4. Peanut Butter Protein Pancakes (26g Protein)
When I was growing up, my dad always smeared peanut butter on top of his pancakes. The combination of fluffy pancakes, peanut butter, and syrup was my idea of breakfast heaven!
Dad was definitely onto something there. But my version of our old family favorite ups the protein by using Kodiak pancake mix, then adding milk and an egg to the batter.
The instructions on the Kodiak pancake mix uses ¾ cup of milk and an egg, but note that the recipe makes two servings. You’ll only use half the batter per person. The protein totals below are for one serving only
Adding sliced banana and syrup is optional, but I highly recommend it!
- 1 serving Kodiak pancakes made with milk and egg (see package directions) – 20 grams
- 1.5 tablespoons peanut butter for each serving – 6 grams
Total protein: 26 grams
5. Greek Spinach and Feta Omelet (25g Protein)
My husband absolutely loves these Greek-inspired omelets, and so do I!
Two extra-large eggs mixed with milk feel like plenty to me. But if you’ve got a big appetite, whisk in an extra egg into your omelet – and an extra 7 grams of protein.
The filling is simple – cooked spinach sprinkled with some tangy feta cheese, and maybe a dash of Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Add a slice of toast and breakfast is served (Check nutritional information on the bread to confirm the protein amount on the toast.)
- 2 extra-large eggs – 14 grams
- 1/8 c milk – 1 gram
- 1 oz Feta – 4 grams
- 1 cup cooked spinach – 1 gram
- 1 slice toast – 5 grams
Total protein: 25 grams
6. Homemade Egg McMuffin (31g Protein)
This tasty breakfast is one we generally save this one for Saturday morning. It reminds me of Egg McMuffins.
Scramble the eggs with a little salt and pepper. Then toast the muffins, add a couple of slices of Canadian bacon, pile on the eggs, and top with a slice of cheddar.
Yum! There’s no better way to start the weekend!
- 2 extra-large eggs, scrambled – 14 grams
- 2 slices Canadian bacon – 5 grams (protein can vary by brand, check package to confirm)
- 1 English Muffin – 5 grams
- 1 ounce cheddar Cheese – 7 grams
Total protein: 31 grams
