








Not many people know that I’m a former stats geek.
During my 2nd year of my undergrad program, I was absolutely terrified to take my first stats course. I thought I was going to fail, thus shattering my dreams of going to grad school. As it turned out, I ended up falling in love with (most) of my stats courses, studied my butt off, and excelled in them. I surprised myself because I’m not normally a math person, but stats appeal to me because they tell a story! Stats have a hook.
I realized that the Best of 2011 recap posts are like a mini research project for me. It’s fun to see what types of recipes you guys love the most!
This breakfast round-up comes at a good time because my breakfasts were all over the place while on holiday. I was eating random things like dinner leftovers, odds and ends (read: cookies), and sometimes I forgot to pack enough breakfast food while away and got by on random pieces of fruit. It wasn’t ideal and didn’t leave me with bursting energy.
My goal for this week is to get into a normal breakfast routine again and back on the Green Monster train!

14. Stacked Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes

13. Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie
12. Healthy Blueberry Breakfast Muffins

11. Peanut Butter Swirl Pancakes
10. Comforting Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

9. Raw Buckwheat Breakfast Porridge

8. Make-Ahead Steel Cut Oatmeal for 4 breakfasts + 4 new recipes
7. Sweet Potato Oatmeal Breakfast Casserole



4. 12 Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait recipes


2. Vegan Overnight Oats recipes were very popular such as The classic recipe, Blueberry Banana Pie, PB and Jam, and Carob Banana Chia

and the #1 breakfast recipe of the year goes to…

and the honourable mention award goes to…
Chocolate Cake Batter Smoothie!

What types of breakfast recipes would you like to see more of in 2012?
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{ 145 comments… read them below or add one }
The spoon in photo #10 is to.die.for! And your photos never cease to amaze me. So great to find a fellow stats nerd! I love stats for the very same reason as you – the stories they tell! I minored in stats at college!
Thanks! It’s from Anthro purchased in 2010
I agree, your pictures are FANTASTIC! As is this amazing place…OSG
Angela- I am making your stawberry shortcake stacked pancakes at the bed and breakfast tomorrow. Thank you for so many ideas! Please come open up a vegan eaterie here in Savannah, Georgia!
All of these, with the exception of the Green Monster perhaps, are sweet. I can’t do sweet in the morning. It makes me nauseous! My go-to used to be an egg sandwich, but obviously, I am looking for a vegan alternative (that doesnt take a ton of prep time). I’d so appreciate any recommendations!
I was thinking more savoury recipes too! Maybe a breakfast sandwich or something?
Yes! That would be lovely!! Looking forward to it.
I second that! I like sweet sometimes, but savory is delish too! Loving all the top of 2011 posts!
I agree I am trying to cut out all sugars and sweeteners from my diet in January. Trying to see if they are what trigger my outbreaks. Savoury would be good and I would love a sandwich please.
Scrambled tofu or savory pancakes, perhaps?
Oh my, a breakfast sandwich for vegetarians would be amazing! go brainstorm lol i love your recipes!
I second that. I love a savory breakfast most mornings.
Any chance for a vegan eggs benny recipe?
nom
I agree with this! I would love to see more savory breakfasts. Though I love my sweets, since I eliminated refined sugars I have a hard time having really sweet things at the start of my day.
I agree! I am definitely a savory breakfast person! I crave hashbrowns in the AM so need healthier alternatives. Have you ever tried ful medames? It is an Egyptian bean recipe, I think beans for me would be a good replacement protien for eggs.
those strawberry shortcake pancakes kill me every time! they look amazing!!!!
i wish i lived with you so i could wake up every morning to these beauties!! i hope your New Year is off to a great start!
I agree, I’d love to move in :D
Perhaps the tastiest “best of” list I’ve seen all year. We love your creations so much that we nominated you for the Versitility in Blogging Award:
http://loveletterstostrangers.com/2012/01/03/why-thank-you/
Thank you Tracy! Going to check it out :)
More cooked steel cut oat recipes, please! Steel cut is my favorite type of oat.
How the heck did I miss that sunshine juice recipe?!?! I need it now.. my throat has been killing me since I got back from Italy! As for breakfasts… I need to switch mine up more in 2012, so you’ve just given me some good ideas! :)
I have tried quite a few of these. Actually had my first green monster this morning! I think more savory breakfasts would be delicious! My mom used to make this breakfast casserole with potatoes, peppers, sausage, eggs, and cheese. It was delicious! I wonder if it can be veganized somehow??
a breakfast casserole would be great!
This year was a revolution of breakfasts for me! I broke out of my oatmeal w/ banana and cinnamon routine because of all of your lovely combinations! Also fell in love w/ green monsters and kale! I forgot about your strawberry shortcake pancakes. Might make them as a treat this weekend!
keep the breakfasts coming! They’re my favourite kind of recipes (although they are all awesome).
I’m happy to hear that Laura! I’m thinking this weekend is a pancake weekend too…
I love each recipe – although the sweet potato dish looks droolworthy. Must…make!
I want to see more ethic themed meals… mexican, vietnamese, japanese, native american….
It would be exciting to see a vegan twist on such a variety of food!
I was eating my Pad Thai the other day and thinking I would LOVE to see Angela’s version of this :)
thanks will do!
Oh man. You just made me want breakfast 10 times over again!! I definitely need to try out a bunch of these!
your carrot cake oatmeal is my absolute favourite! I make it at least once a week :D
I was wondering if there is any substitute for the coconut milk cream. I am not familiar with coconut milk! Your breakfast looks so good. I am trying to eat less meat in the new year and your blog is really helping me with that. Also, I am thinking I need to try that Green Monster even though I am a little nervous. Thanks!
Hi Lauren, I think that depends on the recipe. Which one were you thinking of?
Not only are your recipes AMAZING and utterly unique, your photography skills are so good that I almost died after every picture… I think I’m going to make every recipe on this page!!
Oh, I forgot… I would love to see more oatmeal recipes that are easy to make. I’m trying to eat oatmeal every day :) Either that or some breakfast muffins (or cupcakes, hehe)
you had me at breakfast cupcake….seriously. lol.
Thanks for your kind words!
We’re reintroducing the Monsta back into our lives today too. It’s been too long since we’ve had that green goodness!
So many gorgeous photos and creative recipes. I especially love the parfaits, they always look so decadent and fun to eat first thing in the morning. I liked some of your higher protein ideas that you tried a few months back, as I need lots of fat and protein in the morning.
Did you ever see that post when I made Eric a manly green monster? hilarious. well not for him, but was for me. I pretty much scared him from green monsters for life with that recipe!!!
Would love to see that post! Can you share the link!?
I cannot wait to try your carrot cake oatmeal. Carrot cake is my favorite!
I think someone mentioned this already, but I’d like to see some savory breakfast options. I tend to crave salty rather than sweet on a lot of mornings, which is why I gravitate towards tofu scrambles over pancakes. Don’t get me wrong though – I love pancakes too. :)
Thanks I will keep that in mind!
You sound just like me. I think people think my breakfast blog posts are crazy. Tofu Florentine, Sweet potato hash, tofu scrambles, vegan quiche, and spicy Italian pepper & tofu eggs. I love oatmeal, but for some reason, I can only eat it as a snack. I need a hearty, savory breakfast that keeps me going until lunch.
Angela, thank you for all your awesome inspiring posts. You always make me hungry! :)
I like your idea of a breakfast sandwich. That would hit the spot!
I forgot about apple pie oatmeal! Must make that one again soon. I’m obsessed with carrot cake oatmeal – I made it for my whole family last Christmas and everyone adored it.
Aww that’s nice!
Although I really really really want those strawberry shortcake pancakes, I must admit that I rarely ever “cook” breakfast. The hubby likes cereal and hates sweets. I eat oats through the week. So as crafty as I get in the kitchen on a weekend morning is a smoothie or a pb&banana sandwich. I know… lame.
heh not lame at all, I think that is the rule rather than the exception! The blog forces me to come up with breakfast recipes, otherwise I’d probably still be drinking the same GM each morning. :)
Love your recipes. Would love to see more savory recipes.
Angela, you can do no wrong. Keep putting them out and we’ll keep making them and eating them. If you wanna mix it up–throw in some savory recipes for us.
I’ve had similar breakfasts over the holiday break so I’m gonna green monster it up this week, too. Thanks for the motivation!
Oh these top recipe posts are killing me. I want them ALL. I’d like to see more hot cereal type breakfasts without oats because I’m allergic to them but that’s a pretty selfish request :) Just do your thing. Maybe more veggies incorporated into breakfasts?
not selfish at all, great idea! What cereals do you like?
Your Carrot Cake Oatmeal is one of my all time favorite breakfasts! It is so delicious! I’ll have to make it again next week, it’s been awhile. Also, the Glowing Sunshine Juice looks so delicious and energizing, I wish I had a juicer!
I just got a juicer and so far I’m just throwing in random ingredients. My favorite so far was apples, cranberries and ginger – it was festive and so tart. I mixed it with some club soda to make a really fun cocktail. I’m a big grapefruit fan so I can’t wait to try Glowing Sunshine Juice.
I swear I would eat all of this in one sitting…Im a breakfast LOVER!! I get excited to go to bed if I know i have a FAB breakfast in the fridge!
Anything that is carrot cake in the a.m. is good in my books!!
xxoo
|”Yummy!!!
I would LOVE more savory breakfasts!! I find that most people love sweet breakfasts, but I totally prefer savory!! I made savory breakfast waffles and they were amazing!!! :)
Happy 2012 – all the best to you guys!
Haha I love looking at my site’s stats too. It fascinates me – human behaviour, right? It’s a sociological experiment of sorts….right??
I love the look of the carrot cake oatmeal and the pumpkin gingerbread smoothie is calling my name! I need to keep varying up my traditional oats breakfast so this is great for inspiration. My green monster is already in regular rotation! x
I’d love to see more savory oats recipes, as well as more veggies in non-liquid form… like scrambles or stir-frys maybe? More variety, I guess!
My go-to OSG breakfast recipes are the healthy spelt pancakes (so easy to remember!) and the savory oats with salsa, avocado, crackers and nutritional yeast. :)
I love those ideas! Thanks. I also am a huge fan of the savoury oats. Maybe I should come up with another.
Gotta LOVE the green monster as the #1 – can’t start my day without my own little green monster (the good, juicy kind – not the jealousy kind!)
yum! All of these recipes look delicious. Love this post, it is dedicated to my favorite meal!
The Sweet Potato Breakfast casserole is unbelievable! I’ve made it a lot and everyone loves it. Also, can’t go wrong with the traditional Green Monster. My kids have started on the Green Monster train, too!
How ’bout more veggie themed breakfasts that are quick?
I tend to gravitate towards the VOO for breakfast more often than not because I LOVE the do-ahead quality of them. For 2012, I would love to see more recipes that you can do-ahead, and don’t have to do anything with the morning of. I adore cooking and baking, but first thing in the morning, that’s the last thing on my list! :)
I’ll put my thinking cap on!
I’d love more green monsters I have some orange dreamsicle amazing grass (the first amazing grass that I hate) and I need a way to get rid of it and not taste it
But my reality is I prefer soup for breakfast
I tried my first green monster over the weekend and it was amazing!!!! I have also tried the Blueberry Banana Pie (overnight). I didnt think I’d like oatmeal cold but it was delicious! I made it again, but kept the bananas out and replaced them with blackberries. The bananas just got too mushy and brown ( I had a few days of leftovers). The blackberries were a good addition.
I would love to see more bread or waffle recipes! My favorite kind of breakfast are oatmeals and breads with almond/peanut butter, I feel like they fill me up more than eggs/sausage etc.
I was also hoping you may be able to give some pointers on the best way to keep leftover food. I hate using plastic! Thank you again for your recipes!
Cheers to 2012!
Hi Mandy Jo, Thanks for the feedback! I’m happy to hear that yo are enjoying the GM and VOO!
As for storage, I’ve recently made the switch from plastic tupperware to mostly glass or all glass storage containers (I think they can be found at Costco). I find they work well and can be frozen too.
I’d like to see any recipe you want to create in 2012. These all look amazing and I really don’t “cook” breakfast. I’d say it’s more of a grab ‘n go thing for us. And don’t forget to grab that coffee, too. That’s what breakfasts of champions are made of, too. Lol
Great photos…seriously so pretty and thanks for the trip down breakfast memory lane from the past year.
Breakfast foods are my absolute favorite! Some of these ideas will probably carry me through lunch and dinner at time! ;)
You have some of the most beautiful photography I’ve ever seen! These look amazing.
I adore that buckwheat porridge. It tasted so good, but I think your gorgeous pictures had something to with it too. ;) I swear it would’ve been even better if I had cute glasses like that!
I feel ya! I never understood a darn thing about finance or economics. I was actually not great at either. But I decided to major in both, worked my butt off to understand them because I figured it was better to study something in school that fascinated me but that I knew nothing about. Now, I’m a corporate financial analyst. So go figure…
oh… definitely more green drinks!
that’s awesome, good for you! :)
It’s amazing how fear can sometimes prevent us from learning to like something.
Got a question. When you say “coconut milk” in a recipe, do you mean the traditional kind from a can, or the new Coconut Milks that come in a carton like this: http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/
Thanks!
The kind from the can :)
I’ve been thinking about switching up my breakfasts. Just in time! And peanut butter swirl pancakes? YES PLEASE!
I SUCK at pancakes. A tutorial+more lessons would be oh so fab. And then maybe, not so flat.
Oh man, thanks so much for the compilation of awesome breakfast recipes. I’ve probably made half of them already and plan to make the rest of the list very soon. I especially love the sweet potato oatmeal casserole and have made it for me and my husband about 5 times since you posted it. I can’t wait to try the buckwheat porridge now that I finally got my hands on some raw buckwheat. Kinda hard to find around here for some reason.
As far as what types of breakfasts I’d like to see on OSG, maybe more savory casserole type recipes would be great. I’ve loved all your sweet ones so far and I bet you could make an outstanding savory one. Just an idea :)
I see that we’re all on the same wave length here. I’m really trying to cut back on dairy but it’s hard to find a vegan savory breakfast dish that doesn’t involve eggs or cheese. SO Something like that would be appreciated :)
thanks everyone! great ideas
I just made the pumpkin gingerbread smoothie for the first time this morning. So delicious!
Yes definitely more savoury!
so much deliciousness !!!
Man! All of them look so good! Especially 4 and 14! Dishwear too.
I love all your recipes, so just keep them coming… no requests from me. :)
I’d vote for a savory breakfast oatmeal of sorts! I already love your lunch version :)
More Gluten-Free Breakfast in 2012 please!!
I hated stats in my second year of university! :P
It seems like a lot of commenters want more savoury breakfasts, but personally I love all your sweet ones. I have such a sweet tooth in the mornings!
I am so glad you are doing these round-up/year review posts. I keep seeing things which I wanted to make when I saw them and then subsequently forgot about…
In terms of the stats, that is one thing I’m afraid we are very different on. I have always loved math, but stats have been a struggle for me since my very first encounter with them. I am still determined to fix this as it may always be a part of my work but since I have always managed to just scrape by with my stats, I have never taken the time to really go back to the basics. Was there a particular textbook you really liked for psychology stats, or do you think it was just the work you put in?
Anyway, please keep the Top 10 posts coming. I’m really enjoying them and have been doing some round-up type posts featuring links to your recipes on my blog (my blog is just a baby so there aren’t enough recipes to do any sort of fair top 10 lists of my own recipes).
~Emily~
~Emily~
I would love to see more green monster recipes, breakfast smoothies, or gluten free breakfasts! Thank you for your awesome recipes! :)
I think the parfait may be my favourite, it’s just so beautiful!
I’d love to see a breakfast burrito. I’ve done tofu scramble in a tortilla that was pretty yummy. Back home we had this fast food place that did potato and egg breakfast burrito and it was topped with queso and spicy salsa verde. Amazing! I’d love to see this veganized! Just an idea. :)
I loved those strawberry pancakes but I think my ultimate favorite breakfast recipe of yours was the baked oatmeal. My gosh, I’ve probably made it at least 20 times since you posted it. Recipes for this year… I’m with a couple of others – savory. I’m so bad at making savory breakfasts and always go for the sweet variety.
So many great recipes…so little time! I must try this sweet potato casserole – it looks amazing. I also want to try more of the VOO (have loved what I have tried)- I have been so addicted to green monsters that I can’t seem to pull away and make VOO. Also have some weird mindset thing about having green monster (lots of veggies – no grains) and replacing with something with less veggies and more grains. Crazy I know – this cold weather may cure that though since VOO can be served warm :-)
I love your overnight oat parfait recipes. Whenever I make them I change small things (the flavor of banana “ice cream”, etc” and they always turn out so yummy!
Your pancake recipe for the peanut butter swirl pancakes actually became the staple pancake recipe for my household :) I was so happy to try a healthy pancake recipe on my family–and for them to love it!! We don’t normally do the peanut swirl, but I just want to say thank you for it! Happy new year! <3
Really want to try to re-create the Glowing Sunshine Juice…but my juicer is broken :( However, in the meantime, so many of these recipes look awesome! Also, in #4 Vegan Overnight Oat Parfaits, are those old Cascadian farm jelly/jam jars? What a good idea :)
Happy New Year Angela!
I love your Green Monsters and VOO. I would love to see more recipes that can be made in advance. That helps give me some extra time in the morning.
I looooove oats, but I’m looking to diversify. I’ve gotten stuck on oats of all varieties and brown rice farina. Maybe something quick, delicious, filling, gluten free (if possible), and oat free to boot? ;0) There’s a challenge!
My all time favorite… so far… is the overnight oats. Not sure if I can do the Green Monster (can’t have spinach!), next will be the pancakes….. love pancakes!!
I think there are a lot of recipes in this round up that I’d be happy to have at any time of day :) Which is a sign of a good breakfast I think!
Also, I’m always up for stats, so feel free to intertwine them with your posts for your geekier readers :P
In the winter, I like a warm breakfast waiting for me in the morning. Perhaps you can come up with some slow cooker breakfasts? Thanks!
LOve green monsters of course! :) Would like to see more weekend breakfasts ideas, other than pancakes… perhaps something that can be baked? Brunch items even?
Thanks!
I am a photographer as well and I have to say….its not just the beautiful, clear pics, but very nice composition Angela. It has my mouth watering every time. I loved this breakfast reminder list! Keep up the great work!
Thank you! What a lovely compliment :)
It always amazes me how yummy your overnight oats look! I wish I had the patience to make mine look pretty! :P
Perhaps some vegan waffles, mmm yum! With stewed rhubard and some kind of vegan cream… And what about something like a potato rosti with savoury mushrooms and spinach. I just ate, but my stomach is getting excited thinking about food :)
I stopped to look at the strawberry shortcake pancakes and thought that was THE ONE for me but then I got sucked into every single breakfast on your list! I LOVE having breakfasts like this for lunch since I can’t live without my shake in the morning. Looks like I have several lunch meals planned out for awhile. I can’t wait!
I loved your carrot cake oatmeal too! I want to make it again!
Hi Angela,
Love these recipes!! In answer to your question…
I would love to see more recipes that are oil-free. I am trying out the Engine 2 diet (aka the Health Starts Here challenge at Whole Foods). There seem to be some remarkable benefits to cutting out oil (and even earth balance) and I would love to see some tasty recipes that have substitutions! =)
I love how people always make the excuse of not having breakfast because they didn’t have time. Your recipe however, like the muffins and some of the porridges could easily be consumed over the period of a few days so you don’t even need to cook in the mornings. Also, the smoothies will take seconds to make as long as you have all of the ingredients prepped beforehand.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! All the recipes look wonderful!! Your photos are gorgeous!
Breakfast is my favorite time of day…especially with one of your recipes!
I don’t know how you choose the top recipes bc ALL your recipes are amazing…I would take each one of these…they all look SO good!!
Hi Angela. Thank you so much for this!!! My husband is deployed right now, so I thought to myself, this is the perfect time to get eating healthier and to change my ways, since 70% of the Abs are made in the kitchen. And I myself never really had good ideas what to cook anyways. I’m not a vegetarian nor a vegan. But to get healthier and better, I “veganize” at least 5 meals a week. Your website is helping me out A LOT and they all look soooo fantastic. I can’t wait for tomorrow to try one of your breakfast ideas. Thank you again! You are inspiring!
I LOVE YOUR RECIPES!!! I’d love to see more breakfast recipes — those are my favorite. :)
So many delicious breakfasts! I still need to try the buckwheat porridge.
I just realized you are a sweet morning person, rather than a savory :)
gluten free PANCAKES!
Love your recipes! Can’t get enough of them! I would love to see some whole grain muffin recipes in the future:)
I love love love your numerous oatmeal recipes! You’ve finally helped me to get my boyfriend to actually enjoy a bowl of healthy oatmeal (I made a banana bread oatmeal, using various ideas and suggestions of yours). Thanks for your awesomeness!
Have been making your Green Monster Smoothies and they are delicious and so easy! My favorite nut butter is Justin’s. They have amazing flavors. I just found a chocolate hazelnut flavor that tastes just like Nutella! Tastes great in the smoothie and is vegan/dairy/gluten free.
http://www.justinsnutbutter.com/products.php
All these look so yummy! Thank you for sharing!
I LOVE breakfast, and I’m a huge fan of your site. I recently started eating a more Paleo diet, but also vegan on some days.
My daughter has been scouring your posts this evening and has turned into a rabid fan. She says you are a goddess among foodies! The best news for me is that she is going to try out a new recipe a day. Yeah! Thank you for the lovely inspiration.
Aw thank you! Enjoy :)
Everything looks delicious, will try a few.
Where did you buy the wooden spoon in the ‘Comforting Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal’ photo?
Thanks.
I think it was from Urban Outfitters in 2010 :)
hello! thank you for these amazing recipes, i love your blog, i make at least one recipe a week from your pages. in fact, i made the peanut butter swirl pancakes with my boyfriend when we were visiting his family, and it was a HUGE hit!! a technical question for you, i am new to blogging myself, and i would love to repost this recipe on my page (credited to you of course, but with our pictures and twists, read: adding chocolate chips), but i don’t want to break any etiquette rules. may i re-blog it?
For sure, generally if you change a recipe it’s free for posting your own adaptations (at least in my eyes) with a link back to the original. Glad you enjoyed the pancakes!
I just made strawberry pancakes for breakfast!My boyfriend and my friend adored them!And of course me too… I am not a sweet lover for breakfast but these pancakes were really talking to me: bake me, eat me…. :)
I love your recipes!
These recipes look AMAZING! I can’t wait to try them myself :D Do you do your own photography as well? They are very well done!
Thank you, yes I do. It’s a learning process!
Hi,
I’m looking for ways to lose 70lbs, can you help? Thanks!!!!
Girl…you just made going vegan easy! Wow that sweet potato oatmeal is amazing!!!!!
I am so happy I found this site. I have been looking for some new vegan recipes to try. These look so good.
Why on earth is there an advertisement on your site for eggs?
Hi Pat, I strive to keep all the ads vegan on the site (and will remove any that are not vegan), however I can’t see the ads running in some parts of the world like the US and other countries. Thanks for letting me know about the ad, I will look for it and remove it shortly.
Thank you for sharing this post. So many great ideas.
Would you be willing to make apple cinnamon swirl pancakes? Instead of the peanut butter swirl. Some type of apple cinnamon swirl….? A vegan version of that would be pretty great. My vegan self and my non vegan boyfriend would like those :) :D
I just found your blog. OMG!!!! I couldn’t pull myself away. My husband and I recently went vegan and I’ve been experimenting with different recipes and am actually enjoying being in the kitchen again. I’ve printed off a number of yours and can’t wait to try them at home. This page is now bookmarked! Thank you for sharing these wonderful recipes!!!
Hey Sylvia, Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy you enjoy the blog :)
I would just like to tell you that you are SO appreciated and to please never stop doing what you love. You are so inspiring to so many individuals around the world including myself. I can feel your passion through your story and photos. I just want to thank you! It’s individuals like yourself that make a great difference, touching the hearts, souls, and lives around the world. Your passion and hard work does not go in vain.
Thank you so much for your lovely note – I appreciate you so much!
Both the berry muffins and the sweet potato casserole are amazing! Made them last night. Highly recommend both of these recipes for toddlers and adults.
I used your peanut butter swirl pancake batter to make plain pancakes for my fiance this morning. She is American and we both live in the UK. Her comment: “They taste so much like home. I could cry.” Mission accomplished!
How can I get these breakfast recipes?