You may be thinking, “What can I possibly eat for a Paleo breakfast?”
The Paleo diet plan bases its principles on the eating habits of the Paleolithic era (aka the Old Stone Age) and promotes foods that could be hunted and gathered during the time period. This means lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Paleo diet recipes limit foods that came about at the age of farming, including dairy products, legumes and grains.
For a Paleo breakfast, you can enjoy a number of breakfast staples, such as eggs, breakfast meats, fruits, etc., but the truth is there are a lot of unique and fun Paleo breakfast ideas that mix and match these ingredients.
Here are some of the healthiest, most delicious Paleo breakfast recipes that aren’t simply eggs and bacon …
Paleo Breakfast Ideas
1. Sweet Potato Toast with Fried Eggs
Eating Paleo doesn’t have to mean missing out on one of the biggest trendy foods: avocado toast. Swap your traditional slice of bread for a finely cut piece of sweet potato to make a Paleo-approved avocado toast alternative.
While this recipe keeps it simple with the “toast” layer, avocado and egg, you can spruce it up with sprouts, tomatoes or any other of your favorite toppings.
2. Turkey Sausage Paleo Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Paleo breakfast casserole is a simple way to prep your breakfast for the week. Even better, if you get tired of eating the same thing halfway through the week, it’s also easy to freeze — and won’t lose it’s flavor.
This dairy-free casserole is one the whole family can enjoy. Just prep for 10 minutes and cook for an hour, and you have yourself a delicious, savory meal to start your day off right.
Photo: Dr. Axe
3. Tropical Acai Bowl with Mango and Hemp Seeds
Waking up, getting ready and heading straight to the office? No worries … so are we — but you can still eat like you’re sitting on the beach.
This tropical acai bowl includes mango, kiwi and blueberries for an explosion of natural sweetness. Huge perk: You can swap out any of the toppings to truly make this Paleo acai bowl one you’ll enjoy.
4. Paleo Pancakes: A Healthy Banana Egg Pancake Recipe
Close your eyes and picture a Paleo meal. Meat, veggies and potatoes probably come to mind first … and while that’s definitely accurate, having to give up baked goods is a common misconception of the Paleo diet.
That means you can still have your morning pancakes — with a few adjustments. These pancakes use a Paleo flour blend, eggs, banana and ground flax to create a pancake to seamlessly fit into your diet.
5. Protein Paleo Breakfast Bars
Breakfast goodies like bars, cookies, breads and pancakes often seem like high-carb, low-protein breakfast options, but these Paleo breakfast bars offer healthy carbs in addition to 10 grams of plant-based protein per bar.
That means just because you opt for a sweet baked good doesn’t mean you have to skimp on you protein for the day.
Photo: paleOMG
6. Steak Tip Hash
While acai bowls and fancy avocado toast alternatives are all well and good, sometimes you just want some down-home cooking.
These steak tips with a coconut aminos marinade and white sweet potatoes, peppers and onions make a filling and nutritious Paleo breakfast with no eggs, but you can also serve it up next to a couple fried, poached or scrambled eggs if you prefer.
7. Sweet Potato Hash Browns
On the days you’re not sure what to pair your eggs with, give this sweet potato hash browns recipe a try. Ready in 30 minutes or less with only five simple and inexpensive ingredients, this will be a new weekday favorite.
Add turkey sausage on the side for a little extra protein, too.
8. Paleo Oatmeal
This oatmeal recipe (that also fits the bill if you’re following the ketogenic diet) is an easy Paleo breakfast idea. In fact, there’s no cooking required.
Instead of overnight oatmeal with traditional oats that aren’t Paleo-approved, this recipe uses ground flaxseed, which is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Photo: Paleo Gluten Free Eats
9. Whole30 Bacon Turkey Burger
It’s probably safe to say you didn’t have breakfast burgers growing up, but this Paleo-approved turkey burger with avocado ranch dressing, egg and sweet potato waffle “buns” will make you think twice about only enjoying burgers for lunch or dinner.
To make it even healthier, skip the pork bacon, or swap it out for Paleo turkey or beef bacon.
10. Gluten-Free Apple Muffins Recipe
When you get tired of enjoying an apple and almond butter for breakfast or a snack, give these gluten-free apple muffins a try. With cinnamon, coconut sugar and apples, your kitchen will smell like sweet autumn while you bake them too (a huge added bonus to this recipe, if you ask me).
11. Breakfast Sausage Chicken Poppers
You can find Paleo breakfast sausage at the store, but you have to be mindful of the cane sugar that often hides out in store-bought bacon and sausages. Plus, these breakfast sausage chicken poppers offer a flavor and fresh ingredients that just don’t quite seem to compare.
They’re made up of tasty and healthful ingredients, such as ground chicken, shredded sweet potato, spinach and apple.
Photo: Healthy Little Peach
12. Easy Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding with Berry Compote
This creamy and decadent chocolate chia seed pudding with berry compote may make it on the list of Paleo breakfast ideas, but I’d say this goes far beyond just an occasional breakfast treat. You may even find yourself replacing ice cream with it.
13. Turmeric Eggs Recipe
Let’s face it: Eggs are a quick and healthy breakfast option … so, if you’re tired of the old egg breakfast, maybe you just need a little sprucing up?
This egg recipe incorporates turmeric, thyme, oregano and more for a lot of added flavor.
Keep in mind while some people enjoy goat or sheep cheese while on the Paleo diet, if you choose not to indulge in these cow dairy alternatives, simply omit from the recipe.
14. Banana Blueberry Breakfast Cookies
Who said you can’t have cookies for breakfast? You can even have cookies for a Paleo diet breakfast!
Sure, they’re not your typical refined sugar and dairy kind of cookies (don’t worry, you’ll be glad for that in the long run), but these Paleo breakfast cookies will satisfy your morning sweet tooth with all natural sweeteners.
And while they skip the refined sugar and dairy, they also leave out the eggs, so if you’re following a vegan Paleo diet, enjoy!
15. Low-Carb Cauliflower Hash Browns
Watching your carb intake? These cauliflower hash browns are the perfect low-carb alternative to potato hash browns, with the same crispiness you love and a taste not too far off from the original.
Photo: Dr. Axe
16. Paleo Breakfast Muffins with Almond Meal & Cacao Nibs
Muffins make a perfect quick Paleo breakfast because they require zero time the morning of when made ahead. These hearty almond meal muffins mimic chocolate chip muffins with Paleo-friendly cacao nibs, but you can enjoy guilt-free knowing they’re free of refined sugar.
17. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is commonly eaten in Israel and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Shakshuka translates to “a mixture,” and it truly is a delicious mixture of tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and gently poached eggs.
The savory nature of this dish also makes it versatile and perfect for lunch and dinner as well.
18. Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins
On the go and in a hurry, you can’t go wrong with these healthy Paleo egg muffins that are easily portable.
Make up a 12-muffin batch on Sunday night for your busy mornings throughout the week. You’ll feel good about having a healthy meal first thing in the morning without adding any extra stress to your day!
Photo: Dr. Axe
19. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Pumpkin spice may be a fall favorite, but this pumpkin bread is one you can certainly enjoy year-round. Serve warmed or cold, with butter or a drizzle of maple syrup, in the fall or summer — you can’t go wrong with whichever ways you choose.
20. Raisin Nut Crunch Cereal
Paleo breakfast cereals can be pretty elusive in the grocery store isles, since most store-bought cereal options contain sugar, corn or other grains. It is possible to find a few packaged options, however, or to make your own at home.
This recipe, for example, incorporates nutrient-rich nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds and more.
21. Hydrating Watermelon Smoothie with Strawberries and Banana
For some, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. Starting your day off right with this hydrating Paleo breakfast smoothie with strawberries, bananas and watermelon can help give you a hydration boost and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Drink up and enjoy knowing you’re fueling your body and cells with the water they need to work their best.
Here are more Paleo breakfast ideas:
Final Thoughts on Paleo Breakfast Ideas
Paleo breakfast recipes like chicken sausage, cauliflower hash browns and gluten-free muffins can help add some variety and flavor to your typical Paleo morning routine.
Keep in mind that we recommend swapping out pork bacon for beef or turkey bacons and using avocado oil in place of olive oil for high-heat cooking.
