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30 Low-Carb Breakfast Recipes That Go Way Beyond Eggs
April 6, 2024
When you’re going on a low-carb diet, whether it’s to cut down on grains or to move your body from a “carb burner” to a “fat burner,” prepping lunches and dinners is pretty straightforward. With grilled protein options, roasted veggies and big salads, you can get a ton of variety and nutrients into your meals — but what about low-carb breakfast?
That poses more of a challenge, every single morning. So many breakfasts are centered around copious amounts of breads and grains, and while you certainly could eat dinner-style meals in the a.m., isn’t it more fun to start the day with something a little different?
These low-carb breakfast recipes don’t disappoint. From frittatas to muffins and burritos, they will get you excited to head to the kitchen in the morning. When you’ve got this many delicious options, the only real question is which one to make next?
Low-Carb Breakfast Ideas
1. Apple Cinnamon Waffles
These hearty waffles use protein powder and flaxseed meal to ensure you get a hefty dose of protein and fiber, keeping you full even without heavy carbohydrates. With just one cup of fresh apple for eight to 12 waffles, you get the apple flavor while keeping it low-carb.
Photo: Apple Cinnamon Waffles / All Day I Dream About Food
2. Avocado Frittata
Frittatas are good, but an avocado frittata is even better. Baked right into the dish and topped with cheese, benefit-rich avocados add a punch of heart-healthy fats and flavor — plus they look great!
Not only does this veggie low-carb breakfast recipe work great for brunch, but it’s just as tasty as a weeknight dinner.
3. Bacon and Zucchini Eggs in a Nest
Traditional “eggs in a nest” are buttered slices of bread with a runny egg cooked in the middle. This low-carb version uses zucchini “noodles” and raw bacon (opt for turkey or beef) to achieve a similarly crispy, delicious effect.
Photo: Bacon and Zucchini Eggs in a Nest / I Breathe I’m Hungry
4. Baked Denver Omelet
The whole “flipping without ruining it” problem makes omelets difficult and problematic for many of us cooks, but a baked omelet means you get all the good stuff without the stress. This colorful version uses a mix of peppers, onions and cheddar cheese, though you could swap in other favorite vegetables.
I suggest steering clear of ham and opting for turkey slices or any leftover meat you have on hand. Top this omelet with sliced avocados and hot sauce — yum.
5. Chocolate Banana Protein Pancakes
One of my favorite low-carb breakfasts, these chocolate banana protein pancakes are like eating chocolate cake for breakfast. The chocolate protein powder and chia seeds give these cakes a ton of staying power while banana keeps it naturally sweet. These are great for breakfast or even a quick post-workout snack.
6. Cinnamon Roll “Oatmeal”
The start of this faux-meal is vitamin C-rich cauliflower. Paired with crushed pecans, flax and chia seeds, it comes quite close to the texture of the breakfast classic.
Once you add in nutmeg, vanilla and allspice, you might think you’re actually eating a cinnamon roll! This recipe makes a big batch of six servings, perfect for reheating throughout the week.
7. Coffee Protein Muffins
No grains nor gluten here — just a whole lot of protein. Made with protein powder, Greek yogurt, almond flour and a shot of brewed coffee, these muffins make a terrific grab-and-go breakfast. Just pair them with some fruit to round things out.
At 125 calories each, you can enjoy them for dessert, too.
8. Crockpot Grain-Free, Low-Carb, Sugar-Free Granola
Store-bought granola can be one of those tricky “health” foods that ends up being loaded with refined sugar and preservatives. That’s what makes this low-carb version so sweet.
It’s made in the crockpot, so there’s very little hands-on time. I love the mixture of nuts and seeds sprinkled with shredded coconut. Sprinkle this in your yogurt, or eat on its own.
Photo: Crockpot Grain-Free, Low-Carb, Sugar-Free Granola / Sugar-Free Mom
9. Crustless Caprese Quiche
No crust, no problem. This simple take on the classic tomato, basil and mozzarella combo uses fresh veggies, eggs and cheese to make a low-carb breakfast so good you won’t miss those pesky carbs.
10. Garlic Coconut Flour Bagels
These are made with coconut flour, which is packed with healthy benefits. These bagels couldn’t be easier to make. Just be sure to use a doughnut pan so they don’t spread out too thin.
11. Egg and Avocado Spaghetti Squash Boats
Just five ingredients make up your new favorite breakfast. Roast the squash, fluff the strands, crack an egg into it, and top with avocado and organic ketchup. That’s all there is to this low-carb recipe, but the flavor is out of this world.
Photo: Avocado and Spaghetti Squash Boats / iFoodReal
12. Feta and Pesto Omelet
Salty, herby and made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, this low-carb Mediterranean-inspired omelet has it all. You likely have all the ingredients on hand already — butter, eggs, cream, feta and pesto — so get thee to the kitchen.
Quick tip: While store-bought pesto works well in this recipe, try it with homemade basil pesto at least once.
13. Hash Brown Egg Cups
Cauliflower strikes again! Here the cruciferous superstar is “riced” into a dough and then baked into hash brown cups. Add the egg, baked until set, and enjoy!
Photo: Hash Brown Egg Cups / Cafe Delites
14. Jumbo Chickpea Pancake
You will not miss normal pancakes when you get a taste of this vegan, low-carb chickpea version. Made with protein-packed chickpea flour, this pancake has its veggies baked right into it. Top with salsa, avocado, hummus or hot sauce (or all of them!) for a one-serving breakfast that’s unlike any other.
15. Low-Carb Breakfast Burrito
This low-carb take on a BLT gets wrapped in an egg “tortilla” for an extremely customizable, quick breakfast you can enjoy on the go.
16. Overnight Flax Meal
An overnight meal that requires zero cooking is a godsend on busy mornings. This flax meal porridge-like breakfast sets overnight so it’s ready to eat in the a.m.
Made with your favorite type of yogurt (try kefir for a probiotic boost), almond milk, protein powder and topped with berries, it’s filling, tasty and a welcome change from low-carb egg dishes.
Photo: Overnight Flax Meal / The Low-Carb Diet
17. Skinny Southwestern Crustless Quiche
This Southwestern-inspired quiche makes clever use of budget-friendly black beans. They form a type of crust in this (crustless) quiche. This low-carb breakfast recipe is versatile as well and great for experimenting with your family’s favorite ingredients.
18. Sour Cream and Chive Egg Clouds
At first glance, this recipe sounds complicated until you realize it’s just a few steps that are well worth it. First, you whip egg whites until they’re nice and fluffy, and then fold in sour cream, garlic powder, cheese and chives.
You’ll make a center in each “cloud,” pour in an egg yolk and then bake. No crazy ingredients, just fresh and delicious food.
Photo: Sour Cream and Chive Egg Clouds / Peace, Love and Low-Carb
19. Spinach and Cheddar Microwave Quiche in a Cup
Ideal for making during early mornings at the office or in dorm rooms, this protein-rich, low-carb breakfast recipe proves you don’t need lots of ingredients or gadgets to make something great. Four ingredients and a microwave are all it takes to prepare this quiche.
20. Stuffed Breakfast Peppers
Stuffed pepper recipes are a dime a dozen, but they’re almost always for dinner. Not this time. I love that this recipe uses the vegetable as a receptacle for eggs and cheese — and more peppers, of course!
21. Sun-Dried Tomato and Asiago Zucchini Bread
With sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Asiago cheese, this zucchini bread feels like the grown-up version of the bakery staple. When you’re looking for a savory breakfast, this is it — and because it’s made with almond and coconut flours, it fits right into your low-carb diet.
Photo: Sundried Tomato and Asiago Zucchini Bread / I Breathe I’m Hungry
22. Three-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pancakes
You really won’t believe how good these pancakes are with just three ingredients: cottage cheese, gluten-free oats and eggs. They’re also loaded with protein and perfect for experimenting with your favorite add-ins, like nuts or chocolate chips.
Don’t forget about the topping possibilities, like maple syrup, whipped cream, fruit or nut butters!
23. Zucchini Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Eggs
Now this is a low-carb breakfast of champions. Save the recipe for a special occasion or when you want to impress.
These crispy zucchini cakes are topped with a cheesy scrambled egg and smoked salmon — who needs to go out for brunch when this is on the menu?
Photo: Zucchini Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Eggs / Step Away from the Carbs
24. Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce
Not only do you make the main dish in this low-carb breakfast, but you make the classic hollandaise sauce too. Don’t worry — it’s still ready in less than 30 minutes.
The hollandaise is easier than you think, while this benedict includes asparagus, tomato, avocado, chives and eggs.
25. Keto Pancakes with Almond Flour and Cream Cheese
To make these pancakes low-carb and keto-friendly, they use almond flour in place of traditional flour. As an added twist, this recipe uses cream cheese for a richer flavor that provides healthy fats.
26. Crustless Spinach Quiche
What’s the easiest way to make a quiche low-carb? Remove the curst!
Ready in 40 minutes, this crustless version combines spinach, raw cheese, onion and coconut oil with eggs for a quiche so good you won’t miss the crust.
27. Huevos Rancheros
Few breakfasts are as filling yet ready in less than a half hour. This one fits the bill.
This take on huevos rancheros is filled with protein and healthy fats thanks to the grass-fed ground beef and cream cheese, not to mention the eggs. Of course, it also has plenty of veggies, highlighted by jalapenos, red onion, tomato, avocado, cilantro and oregano.
28. Bone Broth Veggie Frittata
Do you need a new frittata recipe? This low-carb breakfast recipe uses the power of bone broth to provide an added protein punch.
The eggs combine with red onion, broccoli florets, mushrooms, red pepper, basil and, of course, bone broth powder. And again, this one is ready in less than 30 minutes!
29. Breakfast Salmon Egg Bake
This one takes a little bit longer — about 55 minutes — but boy is it worth it.
Wild-caught salmon is the star of the show, a lean protein source that’s a regular in the healthiest diets across the globe. When you eat it along with eggs, ghee, onion, peppers, kefir, mushrooms, fresh dill, nutmeg and goat cheese, it becomes a decadent yet low-carb breakfast.
30. Keto Bread
In place of an early muffin, try this keto bread instead. Made with almond flour, it’s low-carb, and it uses some untraditional ingredients for a truly unique flavor.
For example, this low-carb breakfast recipe uses only egg whites, no yolks, along with cream of tartar, grass-fed butter, baking soda, apple cider vinegar and coconut flour. You’ve never had a bread (or muffin) like this before, and you’re sure to love it!
For more healthy breakfast recipes that are low-carb, try some of these Paleo breakfast ideas.
