From fluffy blueberry pancakes and banana zucchini muffins to maple peach oats and strawberry-mango smoothies, twelve of my favorite healthy and indulgent recipes perfect for summer mornings.
Pancakes
Blueberry Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes – Healthy, extra fluffy pancakes made with buttermilk, Greek yogurt, and 100% whole grains. Bursting with fresh blueberries and studded with melty dark chocolate chips. I love them with nut butter (maple almond butter) plus a drizzle of maple syrup, or maple vanilla mascarpone cream (below) plus chopped walnuts.
Blackberry Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Pancakes with Vanilla Maple Mascarpone – The same wholesome and fluffy whole grain buttermilk/Greek yogurt pancakes with beautiful blackberries, topped with a luscious glaze of creamy mascarpone mixed with maple syrup, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect with blueberries as well. Take them up a notch with a light drizzle of rich aged balsamic.
Waffles
Bourbon Espresso (or Cinnamon) Whole Grain Waffles – The thickest, most satisfying, filling Belgian-style waffles made with healthy ingredients and jazzed up with a hint of bourbon and espresso or simply warm cinnamon and vanilla. Here topped with mascarpone cream (maple, vanilla, a touch of bourbon, and cinnamon) plus melty dark chocolate chips. Serve with fresh summer fruit.
Extra Fluffy Whole Grain Waffles with Nut Butter and Jam – The chocolate PB & strawberry J version of these ultra-thick, soft-on-the-inside and crisp-on-the-outside waffles. Here with PB Crave Chocolate Peanut Butter.
Oatmeal
Peach Maple Almond Butter Sauce over Whipped Banana Oats – This sauce is quite possibly the greatest thing you will ever eat. Hands down. And you would never believe that it just takes seconds in the microwave. Juicy chopped peach, maple almond butter, maple syrup, plump raisins, dash of cinnamon, splash of vanilla, and a drop of bourbon (secret ingredient) if you’re feeling wild. Served over quick oats whipped up with naturally sweet ripe banana, a touch of warm cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla.
Peach Tea-Infused Oats with Peaches, Blackberries, and Balsamic – Using tea to make oatmeal is a simple way to ensure your morning bowl will never get boring. This peach black tea adds a light and delicious flavor that pairs with summer fruits and rich sweet balsamic. Complete with a big glob of drippy vanilla almond butter.
Strawberries & Cream Oats – A bowl of pure decadence so you can treat yourself like the royalty you truly are. Another ideal dish to finish off with a few drops of specialty aged balsamic if you have some.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Oats – One more as a tribute to cherries because we cannot leave them out. Your favorite oatmeal base (quick/rolled/steel cut made with milk of choice) plus chopped ripe banana whipped in vigorously at the end of cooking for extra fluffiness. Mix in a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg or cloves, splash of vanilla, dried fruit (optional), and sliced fresh juicy sweet cherries. Top with nut butter of choice and chocolate chips.
Muffins
Healthy Blueberry Muffins with Oats and Flax – Textured with hearty rolled oats and whole grains, bursting with blueberries, lightly sweet, soft and moist on the inside. I will say the muffin isn’t truly complete until it has been sliced, toasted, and slathered with something nutty and/or chocolatey.
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Zucchini Muffins – Don’t forget this is the season when you’re supposed to put zucchini in everything. Luckily these muffins taste amazing, they’re ultra soft and satisfying, and ideal for the freezer. Thaw 30 seconds in the microwave, slice and toast in a toaster oven.
Strawberry Mango Sherbet Smoothie – There are a million routes you can take with summer fruit smoothies, but this one is so unique and yummy I chose to spotlight it. Sweetened only with fruit (mango, berries, and banana) and made with Greek yogurt and buttermilk for a refreshing tang and probiotic boost.
The Best Ever Cheesy Soft Scrambled Eggs with Spinach – Crisp turkey bacon, everything seasoning, freshly shredded melty sharp cheddar, wilted spinach, chopped chives, and *most importantly* high quality organic or local farm-fresh eggs. Something about these slow scrambled eggs on a relaxed summer weekend morning is hard to beat. The secret to the ultimate rich and creamy texture is low heat, some moisture from the spinach, and a dose of patience.