20 Strawberry Breakfast Recipes To Start Your Day

Breakfast: it's the most important meal of the day! A good breakfast sets the tone for the day ahead, both in terms of mood and in terms of food. Whether you're packing in the protein, piling up pancakes or mixing up a batch of muffins, a healthy and fulfilling breakfast can make, or break, your day.

Over in the Food Network kitchen, we're all about breaking our fast with one of our favorite fruits, the strawberry! Sure, we don't mind other fruits every once in a while, but there's really nothing sweeter than a perfectly-ripe strawberry to start your day. And while they're best enjoyed fresh, we've taken them a step further to come up with plenty of breakfast ideas using jam or frozen berries, too.

Dessert for breakfast: we've all been there. Whether you had a late night, fell asleep on top of your computer or woke up with your sweet tooth running the show, there are just some mornings when you need dessert!

Luckily, we're not here to judge: Instead, we're here to satisfy those cravings — and we're about to do it with one dish: a 'breakfast' strawberry shortcake. Ever heard of it? Neither had we, 'til the idea came to us in a dream, and we can guarantee that it tastes just as good as it looks (or maybe even better). We simplified the traditional biscuit into a two-ingredient wonder that won't take up your whole morning, but if you're really low on time, feel free to use a can of frozen biscuits. It's just as good, and don't worry — we won't tell if you won't.

Sometimes, breakfast is all about indulgence. On those rare Saturday mornings, when the world seems to slow down and the family takes their seats, one-by-one, the stress of school, work and life forgotten, all that matters is breakfast: in this instance, the perfect brunch, filled with, you guessed it, platefuls of golden-brown French toast.

Claire makes hers with day-old brioche, ensuring that the bread holds its own, even when bathed in custard and 'fried' on the griddle for the perfect crust. She also uses her bounty of strawberres in two ways, making a warm, comforting compote with some of them and topping the French toast first with the compote, then with a showering of fresh strawberry slices. A dollop of homemade whipped cream ties it all together for the perfect weekend treat.

We've been going through a muffin phase, recently. Blame it on the multitude of bakeries that are serving up the softest, sweetest muffins that pair perfectly with a freshly-brewed batch of coffee, or perhaps on the local Trader Joe's for coming out with a new muffin every month that we just can't resist, even when they're gluten-free!

Personally, we can't resist Ina's take on the humble muffin. Using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, along with 2 sticks of butter because according to Ina and Julia Child, everything is better with butter, these muffins are studded with just the right amount of strawberries to make you smile with delight. Better yet, this recipe makes over a dozen muffins — just enough to be part of a relaxing weekend brunch while also playing the part of the perfect breakfast-on-the-go before school and work.

If you thought French toast on its own was indulgent, wait 'til you see what we've got in store!

Presenting: Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast. Yes, you heard right — and it's delicious. And no, this isn't just a dollop of cream cheese and a few strawberry slices strewn haphazardly atop a slice of crusty bread, oh no. We've entered the realm of stuffed French toast with this creation, and boy, is it worth it.

The secret? Hawaiian rolls! It's unconventional, we know, but somewhere, that's why it works! Resembling a biscuit breakfast, you can use your leftover rolls for this beast of a breakfast that utilizes both strawberry jam and fresh strawberries to really pack a berry-ful punch. And don't forget to have extra strawberries for the garnish. After all, you can never have too many strawberries.

Praised for their high fiber content that keeps your gut happy, healthy and moving, chia seeds are all the rage. An easy way to use them? Well, they make for a great chia pudding that thickens overnight and is both filling and fabulous.

We decided to take everyone's new favorite treat one step further and whip up a breakfast that's perfect for the sweltering summer heat. These chia breakfast pops are full of fiber and polka-dotted fun! All you need is 5 basic ingredients, a popsicle mold and some popsicle sticks. Oh, and make sure to make these the night before so that the popsicles have time to set in the freezer overnight. Otherwise, you won't be eating your breakfast, you'll be wearing it!

If you're a cereal person, you probably start your day with a bowl that's studded with nuts, seeds and grains to keep you (and your gut) going throughout the day. But if you're Ina Garten, you start your day with something a little fancier: homemade muesli.

It may sound complex, but really, her muesli is just the perfect combination of oatmeal, hazelnuts and readymade granola to act as a sophisticated cereal that, when layered with macerated berries and Greek yogurt (or the milk of your choice, if you prefer), outperforms your favorite cereal any day. Thank Ina, because now you have your new breakfast favorite.

There are mornings when you want to sit down to a stack of thick, fluffy pancakes, drowned in syrup and leisurely read the morning paper — believe us, we've been there too. But there are also mornings where you're looking for a healthy and light start to your day, something that took 5 minutes to put together yesterday night, your current self thanking your past self for meal-prepping a breakfast to grab on the go and eat at the office. This is that breakfast. It takes a total of 3 ingredients and 5 minutes — no, really — to prepare, and it's perfect.

If you're bored of the same old bowl of oatmeal every morning or you've run out of toppings to jazz it up with, well, you're in luck, because this recipe is definitely for you. It's deceptively simple, and relying on a jar of strawberry preserves to sandwich in-between an oat mixture means that you can make these bars all year round — not only when strawberries are in season.

If you're looking for ways to pack in a powerful, protein punch, first thing in the morning, look no further than this breakfast right here. Move over cream cheese, because we've found a way to upgrade you using a secret, silky dairy base made from your creamy, calcium-heavy cousin: cottage cheese. We whip it with freeze-dried strawberries for that 'pretty in pink' spread, and folding in some fresh strawberries adds a seasonal, sweet surprise that's all-natural.

It's a novel way to eat your morning English muffin, which will disappear before you know it and leave you wanting another.

Looking for a new (and delicious) way to say "I love you?" Look no further than Ellie Krieger's Heart-Shaped Pancakes. Swimming in a vibrant pool of fresh strawberry sauce made from fresh (or frozen) strawberries, lemon juice and a few spoons of maple syrup, these pancakes are pretty on the nose — and tasty to a fault.

Have some strawberry sauce leftover? Don't hesitate to drizzle it over some waffles for your weekend brunch or even mix a spoonful or two into a glass of milk for the kids' calcium boost before school — it's so good that they'll be begging for another glass.

Strawberries and cream. Strawberries and shortcake. Strawberries and...matcha? Definitely! That's why recipe developer Emily Weinburger combined the two into one delicious, delicate muffin. Not only is the result super-moist, it's TikTok-ready right when it comes out of the oven! Just drizzle on a little glaze and some powdered, freeze-dried strawberries dosed with a hint of sea salt, and they're ready for their big debut.

Don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the most iconic combination of them all. That's right, you guessed it: strawberries and rhubarb. Perhaps it's your favorite pie filling or, like us, it's the only way you'll even eat rhubarb. Whatever the case may be, in this instance, two reds are better than one, and don't we know it!

This loaded toast is set to edge out avocado toast as the one to beat. Challah bread buttered with an added dash of vanilla and ground cinnamon, the toast comes to life with a heaping helping of the bright red fruits. Top it off with a dusting of powdered sugar, and the toast of your dreams is ready to dive right in!

Valerie Bertinelli works her magic in this recipe by forgoing one of the kitchen's oldest, tried-and-tested appliances (the oven) for its newfangled sibling that's getting all the attention: the Instant Pot! Custard turns into casserole and in the time that the casserole is combining, cooking and cooling, she hops over to the stovetop to simmer together strawberries and lemon juice into a tart and tangy, fruity syrup. It's the perfect breakfast to bring to your weekly ladies' brunch, slicing wedges for the perfect portion.

And if you have extra fruit syrup, not to worry: stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it lasts for a week, so drizzle it on a scoop of ice cream when you get a chance: it's pure decadence.

A smoothie is the perfect free-for-all breakfast. Or snack. Or post-workout recovery drink. Really, a smoothie is an anytime drink, and well, if you prefer drinking your breakfast rather than eating it, especially at 7 am, then this recipe is for you.

There's a healthy dose of strawberries in each cup, sure, but the real magic of this smoothie is the way it celebrates the iconic strawberry-banana flavor pairing while throwing in a surprise twist: frozen peaches! Together, the three fruits create a glass of frothy fun. And if you're lactose-intolerant, simply swap out the yogurt and milk for your favorite plant-based alternatives. Whether you're an almond milk mom, an oatmilk aficionade, or a coconut yogurt fan, this smoothie is totally customizable — and yummy.

Leave it to Ree to bring a kabob-inspired breakfast to the table with these creative skewers (that she pairs with a mildly sweetened Honey Yogurt Dipping Sauce). Her secret ingredient? Frozen biscuit dough: she fries it in pieces to create bite-sized, fried dough reminiscent of a doughnut hole and creates these delightfully-colorful skewers with the fruit she has on hand. You can mix and match, of course, but the strawberries are a must-have to bring the love to the table.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." You've heard it time and time again and chances are your mom said it the most, from waking you up with the promise of a delicious, home-cooked breakfast to calling after you with this line as you rushed out the door to catch the bus, a granola bar in one hand and banana in the other. So much for a home-cooked breakfast!

Luckily, this parfait is mom-approved, not to mention stunningly pretty, colorful and tasty to a fault! Packed with protein from the Greek yogurt base and the surprise ingredient, quinoa, it's loaded with fulfilling fiber, vitamin C, and a healthy dose of antioxidants to make for a brain-boosting breakfast to start your day with. The mild sweetness comes a dash of honey and the fresh fruit used, so make sure you use strawberries and kiwis that are relatively ripe.

There's a French toast for every occasion — there, we said it. Whether happy, sad, jubilant or elegant, French toast is truly an anytime, any-morning breakfast. Even for those weekends when your in-laws are visiting and you want — no, need — to impress them. Enter: cardamom-orange French toast.

The cardamom is sophisticated and spiced just right to make your mother-in-law go, "what is in there that's so good?!" And if you've ever wondered whether strawberries and orange go together, this recipe will prove that they 100% do. Especially when topping them with a healthy dose of honey to create what Aida called 'honeyed strawberries.' There's only one word to describe these berries, especially in combination with the perfect French toast: yum!

Doughnuts by any other name, would they smell as sweet (and taste as perfect)? Bobby Flay says yes. For what is a doughnut, other than a fritter with a hole?

Well, we guess it doesn't matter, because Bobby prefers his lemon ricotta fritters any day anyways: light and pillowy from the ricotta and a few eggs, these doughnuts — erm, sorry: fritters — are like eating a cloud. And we know it seems tedious, but don't forget to make the quick berry jam he serves them with. In it, raspberries and blackberries play second fiddle to some ripe, juicy strawberries and after a short but effective maceration and a quick cook, it's set to cool and combine into a thick, luscious, dunkable jam for your light-as-a-feather fritters.

It's time to take a trip — a trip to Margaritaville! Are you ready? If not, a plateful of these pancakes just might do the trick.

The batter is probably unlike anything you've ever seen...or made! Spiked with a healthy dose of tequila, these pancakes rely on a dash of red food coloring to really make them pop. But don't you worry, there are strawberries in there too — both in the form of a pure strawberry extract and a pint of strawberries that, when stacked upside down, are the perfect morning surprise.