There are many reasons to avoid carbs in the morning: Maybe you’re trying out a keto diet. Maybe you usually go all-out on big, bread-heavy breakfasts, and want to switch it up. Maybe you want to avoid a carb coma by 10 am. No matter your reason, you can streamline your busy mornings by having low-carb breakfast recipes on hand. Here are some of our favorites.
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You Asked: Benefits of Eating a Low-Carb Breakfast?
Low-carb breakfast recipes are great for those on a gluten-free or keto diet. Having recipes ready to go that fit within the macronutrient framework you’re aiming for makes it easier to stick with it.
Low-carb meals are often high in protein. Eating a high-protein breakfast can help keep you feeling full and regulate your appetite throughout the day. According to research, low-carb breakfasts help prevent blood sugar spikes, too.
High-Protein, Low-Carb Breakfast Foods
Before we dive into the best low-carb breakfast recipes, here’s a list of popular breakfast foods that are low in carbs. Combining these filling ingredients with fresh fruit, vegetables, or other add-ons builds satisfying, well-rounded meals.
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Tofu
- Peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter)
- Greek yogurt
- Edamame
- Smoked salmon
- Turkey sausage
14 Low-Carb Breakfast Ideas
1. Keto Avocado Toast
Courtesy of Healthy Recipes Blog
Yes, toast can work with the keto diet — just not, you know, regular bread. Here, coconut flour-based low-carb bread replaces classic wheat toast. If you’re thinking, “Oh, come on — I don’t have time to make my own keto bread,” no worries: This recipe revolves around a 90-second keto bread. You mix it up in a bowl, then microwave for 90 seconds, and wham — you have something that can take the place of bread pretty easily.
Try the recipe from Healthy Recipes Blog.
2. Almond Cream Cheese Pancakes
Courtesy of Sugar Free Londoner
Wait, what? Pancakes can be a low-carb breakfast? This recipe uses almond flour and cream cheese to create that fluffy texture. Once cooked, these pancakes also freeze well, so you can easily defrost for a quick breakfast on busy mornings. Top with berries and a little almond butter instead of maple syrup, and you’re on your way.
Try the recipe from Sugar Free Londoner.
3. Steak and Egg Breakfast Bowl
Courtesy of Recipe for Perfection
Steak and eggs are such a classic diner breakfast. This healthier version relies on olive oil instead of whatever trans-fat-packed oils they use down at the local greasy spoon. We love the super-simple steak marinade in this recipe (great for dinner, too). Bonus points for serving it over some cauliflower rice with a side of wilted garlic spinach for a boost of fiber.
Try the recipe from Recipe for Perfection.
4. Low-Carb Breakfast Meal-Prep Bowls
Courtesy of Sweet Peas and Saffron
If you love a savory breakfast, this one’s for you. These vegetable and sausage bowls might seem more like lunch or dinner (and it works for that, too), but this is an ideal low-carb breakfast recipe that’s on the heartier side. Other reasons to swear by it: You can make several batches at once, and the one-skillet prep means cleanup is a snap.
Try the recipe from Sweet Peas and Saffron.
5. Roasted Portobello Florentine
Courtesy of One Bite Vegan
Craving a Florentine omelet? This roasted portobello florentine channels the breakfast favorite with a low-carb, plant-based twist. Instead of a traditional Mornay cheese sauce, you blend soaked cashews, water, nutritional yeast, onion powder, and lemon juice. Sauté your spinach until wilted (Florentine style), then use it to top portobello mushrooms. Finish by spooning the rich sauce on top. You won’t miss the eggs or dairy for a second.
Try the recipe from One Bite Vegan.
6. Low-Carb Chocolate Smoothie
Courtesy of Primavera Kitchen
A combination of coconut milk and avocado makes this vegan and low-carb chocolate smoothie extra creamy. The recipe calls for monk fruit sweetener, but you could easily skip it — or add a tiny bit of maple syrup instead. Bonus: Add a few tablespoons of canned pumpkin for vitamin A and fiber.
Try the recipe from Primavera Kitchen.
7. Almond Flour Waffles
Courtesy of The Big Man’s World
This is one low-carb breakfast recipe that satisfies a sweet craving. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, just like waffles are supposed to be, and yet, they are keto-friendly. We like these slathered with butter or topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Tip: Add some spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for interest.
Try the recipe from The Big Man’s World.
8. Matcha-Lime Chia Seed Pudding
Courtesy of Clean Plates
While delicious when made as directed, this recipe calls for some harder-to-source ingredients. If you don’t have ginseng powder or vanilla bean powder, don’t worry about it — a tiny bit of vanilla extract will do just as well. Make a few of these at once so that you’ve got breakfast on hand. It keeps for about five days in the fridge.
Try the recipe from Clean Plates.
9. Cheesy Vegetable Egg Muffins
Courtesy of Spend with Pennies
These egg muffins are probably our favorite of all the low-carb breakfast ideas. Why do we love them? They’re make-ahead. They freeze beautifully. They’re quick and easy. They have vegetables, eggs, and cheese, so they’re low-carb, healthy, and delicious. They’re incredibly versatile and can work with basically whatever vegetables are hanging out in your fridge. You can add some chicken or turkey sausage to them for extra protein. They’re cute (yes, that matters). We like making these in silicone baking cups for the easiest clean-up.
Try the recipe from Spend With Pennies.
10. Muesli Low-Carb Cereal
Courtesy of Low Carb Yum
If you’re craving a big bowl of cereal after doing the low-carb thing for a while — or you’re simply looking for something to sprinkle on your yogurt — this low-carb muesli recipe is ideal. It’s full of nutrient-dense nuts and seeds, and easy to modify. We love the cinnamon-vanilla flavor offered here, but you could go savory instead of sweet with a little cumin and curry powder.
Try the recipe from Low Carb Yum.
11. Crustless Quiche with Spinach
Courtesy of A Couple Cooks
Add cottage cheese to quiche filling and skip the crust, and you get a satisfying low-carb breakfast with tons of protein. Adding grated Parmesan cheese ups the flavor (and protein) while still keeping your veggie-packed breakfast light on the carbs.
Try the recipe from A Couple Cooks.
12. Maple Blueberry Turkey Sausage Breakfast Patties
Courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen
For those of you who loved dragging your sausage patties through a puddle of maple syrup when you were a kid, this recipe is for you. The combo of ground turkey and spices with a touch of maple and blueberries is… chef’s kiss. And if the idea of making your own sausage patties sounds intimidating, don’t worry — you mush a bunch of ingredients in a bowl and cook the patties in a skillet for just 4 minutes. You’ve got this.
Try the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
13. Foolproof Shakshuka
Courtesy of Cookie and Kate
Looking for a low-carb weekend breakfast option that’s snazzy enough for brunch guests? This dish is it. Shakshuka, which originated in North Africa, is spicy, loaded with umami, and deceptively easy to make. You toss it in the oven for just about 10 minutes, then serve it with keto-friendly bread — it’s low effort but a real crowd-pleaser.
Try the recipe from Cookie and Kate.
14. Tumeric Scrambled Eggs
Courtesy of Honest Cooking
You may already know how great turmeric is for you — its anti-inflammatory properties are well documented. Here’s a fast, easy way to get some into your day. Quickly sauté spinach in a skillet and then add your eggs and turmeric. Don’t forget to stir in a few grinds of black pepper, it’s key to unlocking all the benefits of turmeric.
Try the recipe from Honest Cooking.
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