Having breakfast for dinner is a great way to reframe your dinner options. A near-empty fridge with few traditional dinner possibilities can suddenly hold a wealth of variety. Those eggs can become the base for some fabulous baked eggs or a breakfast burrito and those frozen waffles or pancakes can become a simple and nutritious way to feed the entire family. Make breakfast for dinner a family affair by getting your kids involved with meal prep. Older kids can prepare sliced fruit and veggies, scrambled eggs or they can wrap up breakfast burritos. Younger kids will have fun mashing up refried beans or avocado for guacamole or they can set the table and help arrange the toppings for a waffle or pancake bar. Most importantly, the whole family can have fun preparing breakfast for dinner and sharing a meal together (and of course, cleaning up together!).
Baked eggs
Baked eggs are the ultimate breakfast for dinner chameleons, not only can you top baked eggs with a wide array of different ingredients you can also get creative with baking vessels. If baking eggs in a ramekin, make sure it’s been lightly greased with cooking spray or olive oil. One ramekin can easily hold two eggs. Whip eggs together for a scrambled texture or keep them whole so the yolks remain intact (the better to dip toast soldiers in!). Try baking whole eggs in hollowed-out vegetables such as sweet bell peppers, tomatoes and avocado halves. Finely chopped scallions, crumbled turkey breakfast sausage, strips of ham and grated or crumbled cheese can be added to the eggs before popping them in the oven. Generally speaking, eggs should be baked in a 350°F oven for 12-17 minutes or until the whites are completely set.
Pancake or waffle bar
Pancake and waffle bars aren’t just for brunch buffets anymore. Give yourself some leeway with the pancakes and waffles, if you can find good store-bought versions to keep in the freezer the process becomes infinitely easier (or, next time you make homemade versions cook a double-batch and freeze the extras between sheets of parchment paper). Get creative with healthy topping options, taking advantage of fresh or frozen berries, banana slices, dark chocolate chips, shredded unsweetened coconut and nut butters. You might find that you don’t even need the maple syrup once you’ve loaded up the pancakes and waffles with all those delicious and nutritious topping combinations!
Breakfast burritos
These burritos are a fun way to enjoy breakfast for dinner with plenty of Tex-Mex appeal. Scrambled eggs or tofu make a tasty protein-packed base along with other burrito-filling ingredients you might have on hand (breakfast burritos are especially good on those nights when you’re looking at a fridge full of seemingly unrelated odds and ends). Fill your favourite whole wheat wrap with refried or whole beans, leftover sautéed veggies, spinach or kale, pico de gallo, guacamole, nonfat plain yogourt or shredded leftover chicken breast. Tightly wrap up the breakfast burritos in aluminum foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Breakfast burritos can also be made ahead, wrapped tight in plastic or aluminum, frozen and then reheated in the microwave for easy weekday breakfasts.