18 Breakfasts for Weight Loss That Aren’t Oats

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November 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.

Oatmeal is a great pick for breakfast, but when you need to switch it up a little, these delicious breakfast recipes are the perfect alternative. Each dish is low in calories and high in protein, fiber or both to help you achieve healthy weight loss. Try our highly-rated High-Protein Breakfast Casserole or our quick and easy Green Smoothie for a morning meal that will help you meet your nutritional goals, without skimping on flavor. 

01 of 18

Orange-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall.

This Orange-Peach Chia Smoothie is a bright, refreshing way to start your day. Sweet, juicy oranges and frozen peaches are blended with creamy Greek-style yogurt and sweetened naturally by Medjool dates, creating a perfectly balanced flavor. Chia seeds add a boost of protein, fiber and omega-3s, while a touch of vanilla rounds out the taste.

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02 of 18

High-Protein Breakfast Casserole

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.

This high-protein breakfast casserole is the best way to start your day, packed with eggs, cottage cheese and veggies. Cottage cheese adds a creamy texture and increases the protein content without overpowering the flavor. Earthy mushrooms, bell pepper and sautéed kale bring flavor to every bite. Enjoy it warm or reheat slices throughout the week for a satisfying, veggie-filled breakfast.

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03 of 18

Green Smoothie

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

This vibrant green smoothie with spinach, banana, mango and pineapple is a refreshing way to start your day. The spinach blends in seamlessly without overpowering the sweet tropical flavors. Banana gives the smoothie a creamy texture, while mango and pineapple bring natural sweetness and a bright, sunny taste.

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04 of 18

Black Bean & Pepper Jack Quiche

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless.

This black bean quiche with pepper Jack cheese is perfect for brunch or a light dinner. The creamy egg filling is packed with fiber-rich black beans, sweet peppers and spicy pepper Jack cheese for a flavorful kick. If you want to tame the heat, Monterey Jack cheese can be used in its place. Serve it with a simple green salad or fresh salsa on the side.

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05 of 18

Strawberry-Mango Chia Seed Smoothie

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This strawberry-mango chia seed smoothie is a nutrient-packed drink rich in fiber, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds provide a plant-based source of protein and help keep you feeling full longer. You can use frozen strawberries and mango, but you’ll need to add extra almond milk to help it blend smoothly.

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06 of 18

Broccoli, Tomato & White Bean Quiche

Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.

This broccoli, tomato and white bean quiche is perfect for a simple breakfast, brunch or light dinner. Made without a crust, it’s much quicker to prepare than a traditional quiche, saving time without skimping on flavor. The blend of tender roasted broccoli, juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy white beans creates a filling, protein-rich meal that’s both comforting and nourishing.

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07 of 18

Chocolate-Strawberry Protein Shake

Photographer: Ali Redmond.

Soy milk and Greek-style yogurt provide a solid protein base for this chocolate-strawberry protein shake. Sweet strawberries, sliced banana and rich cocoa powder create a sweet flavor without needing any added sugar. Tossing in a few ice cubes chills the shake down and gives it a refreshing, frosty texture.

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08 of 18

Marry Me Quiche

Photographer: Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This savory dish, inspired by the beloved Marry Me Chicken, features the same delicious ingredients in the form of a crustless quiche! Sun-dried tomatoes bring a deep, tangy sweetness that melds beautifully with creamy goat cheese and spinach. Whether served for brunch, lunch or a cozy dinner with a salad on the side, Marry Me Quiche is guaranteed to win hearts with its comforting, bold flavor.

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09 of 18

High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This high-protein blueberry and peanut butter chia pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast packed with fiber and protein to keep you energized throughout the day. Chia seeds soak up the blended almond milk and blueberries overnight, creating a creamy pudding that’s layered for a peanut butter-and-jelly effect.

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10 of 18

Loaded Breakfast Baked Potato

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

These loaded breakfast baked potatoes are the ultimate comfort food worth waking up for. They take the best parts of a classic loaded baked potato—crispy skin, fluffy insides, melty cheese and smoky bacon—and make them breakfast-ready with a perfectly fried egg on top. Cooking the eggs in leftover bacon grease adds an extra layer of flavor. Whether you enjoy them with a dollop of sour cream, extra cracked pepper or chopped fresh chives, these breakfast potatoes are a warm, satisfying way to start the day.

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11 of 18

Cacio e Pepe Quiche

Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

This cheesy cacio e pepe quiche is a protein-packed twist on the classic Italian pasta dish. Tender cauliflower, combined with a creamy custard and nutty cheese, has the same bold black pepper and salty Pecorino flavor as the original dish and makes the perfect breakfast, brunch or dinner dish served with a green salad on the side. Precooking the cauliflower is key—it reduces moisture, preventing a soggy quiche, and enhances the vegetable’s natural sweetness and flavor.

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12 of 18

Raspberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

This creamy raspberry-peach chia seed smoothie is the best way to start your day or recharge in the afternoon. Chia seeds add fiber to keep you full and satisfied. The natural sweetness of frozen peaches combined with dates and the tangy brightness of raspberries make every sip refreshing and satisfying.

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13 of 18

Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Bowl

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

This colorful, satisfying breakfast grain bowl is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with ingredients like black beans, roasted broccoli and beets that fight inflammation to start your day. The egg is cooked just right—firm egg whites with a slightly jammy yolk. If you want the yolk fully cooked, cook it an extra two minutes. This grain bowl is vibrant and interesting with plenty of textural contrast, and we know you won’t be able to stop making it.

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14 of 18

Spinach & Feta English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

This spinach-and-feta breakfast casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that makes a perfect centerpiece for your weekend brunch. A mashup between a breakfast sandwich and a strata, this dish layers split English muffins, creamy spinach, crumbled feta and a fluffy egg mixture. With just 20 minutes of prep, this easy-to-make dish offers a stress-free way to kick off your weekend morning.

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15 of 18

Egg, Tomato & Feta Breakfast Pita

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

This breakfast pita is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious start to their day! This easy breakfast combines fresh veggies and feta cheese with za’atar, a fragrant spice blend that enhances the taste without adding sodium or sweeteners.

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16 of 18

Crustless Salmon, Leek & Mushroom Quiche

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek

This crustless salmon, spinach and mushroom quiche is easy to make. Serve it for brunch, lunch or even dinner with a simple side salad. Without a crust, this quiche comes together quickly and is also gluten-free.

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Orange Peel Smoothie

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Tricia Manzanero, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This creamy smoothie makes the most of the entire orange—peel and all. In addition to cutting down on food waste, studies suggest that orange peel is a powerhouse for gut health, packed with fiber to nourish beneficial gut bacteria. If you’re going to include orange peel in your recipes more often, consider using organic oranges and giving them a thorough cleaning before using. We recommend fresh ginger for the best flavor here, but you can substitute ¼ teaspoon ground ginger in its place if you prefer

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Mini Crustless Quiches with Kale, Mushrooms & Feta

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

These crustless mini quiches with kale, mushrooms and feta cheese are a delicious option for breakfast, brunch or even a light lunch served with a salad on the side. While we love this flavor combination, they’re easily customizable, allowing you to switch up the vegetables or cheese to suit your preferences.

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Read the original article on EatingWell