Deliciously Ella: healthy grab it and go breakfast recipes

People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I couldn’t agree more. Not just because breakfast is delicious, but because the way you choose to begin your day really affects the decisions you make later on.

If you start the morning with a satisfying, nourishing breakfast that makes you feel great then you’re more likely to make healthy decisions on into the afternoon. You’ll probably eat a more nutritious lunch and dinner — and just have a happier day in general.

That being said, breakfast can be the hardest meal to eat well at. Traditional breakfast foods are often processed and full of refined ingredients, but they’re quick and convenient which is why so many people eat them.

Time is an issue for almost everyone in the morning — myself included — so I completely understand the temptation to reach for a quick bowl of cereal or pick up a croissant with coffee on the way to work.

The good news, however, is that there are lots of simple, healthy recipes that you can make and enjoy instead. I’ve created three special recipes here that don’t require any prep at all in the morning: you can just grab them and go as you walk out of the door. So now there’s no excuse not to have a healthy breakfast…

Difficulty is no reason not to try these either, because the recipes aren’t complicated and you won’t spend hours chopping and whisking: two of them just need soaking overnight, and one needs to bake.

My favourite of these three breakfasts is the vanilla chia pudding; it’s amazing and I make it all the time. The chia seeds expand to around 12 times their original size as they soak up the almond milk and yogurt, and while this is going on they infuse with the flavour of fresh vanilla beans and honey to create a sweet, creamy breakfast.

If I’m running late I’ll take the pudding just as it is, but if you have a few minutes to eat it at home then try topping it with some granola and fresh fruit for something extra delicious.

^{Ella tops her overnight oats with pomegranates and sliced strawberries}

The overnight apple and raisin oats recipe is very popular in my house: everyone always loves it. It’s a very quick recipe to prepare – it takes just three or four minutes to throw together – and you can mix two or three portions at once so that you’re prepared for every morning. The oats and grated apple soften as you soak them overnight, so they contrast perfectly with the crunchy sunflower seeds and juicy raisins.

If you’re more of a granola bar breakfast person, then the banana and raspberry breakfast bars will be perfect for you. They’re gooey bars with sweet, juicy bites of baked raspberry popping up in every bite. They’re easy to carry around so they can be eaten anywhere — just put a couple of them in a Tupperware box in your bag.

These are a little sweeter than the chia pudding and the overnight oats, meaning they’re great for a four o’clock snack if you’re having an energy slump and need a pick-me-up. Around that time of day I love to spread a layer of almond butter over them and add a few slices of banana — such a great snack.

ON THE GO BREAKFAST IDEAS FROM DELICIOUSLY ELLA