Baby breakfasts don’t have to be extravagant—because who really has time for that? But breakfast does need to be rich in nutrients, filling, and appropriate for your morning muncher to eat. It’s quite possible to whip up a healthy breakfast at home that—get this—your infant will love and is quick and easy to pull together. Seriously. Read on for easy-to-make breakfast ideas for babies 8 to 12 months that’ll make you and your little one’s mornings better. 

How much should I feed my baby?

Before diving into what to feed your baby, let’s look at how much. Because babies have tiny tummies, they only need small portions. And giving your child a small amount can make mealtimes less overwhelming. If your baby wants more to eat, don’t worry…they’ll let you know—let their tummy be the guide! 

Baby Breakfast Serving-Size Guide

  • Cereal: 5 to 8 tablespoons
  • Fruit: 2 to 4 tablespoons
  • Vegetables: 2 to 4 tablespoons
  • Meat and protein: 2 to 3 tablespoons 
  • Starches: ¼ to ½ cup 

Here are nine breakfast ideas to add to your morning meal routine.

Yummy Baby Breakfast #1: Peachy Parfait

What’s better in the morning than baby’s own parfait? This filling breakfast boasts lots of good nutrition thanks to yogurt (calcium and protein), peaches (vitamin C), and ground walnuts (healthy fats). 

To make a peachy parfait you’ll need:

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain whole milk yogurt
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons of chopped peaches (canned in their juice)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons of finely ground walnuts 

Simply layer yogurt with chopped peaches. But don’t stop there. Top it with finely ground walnuts to give your baby’s developing brain a boost of healthy fats. 

Yummy Baby Breakfast #2: Cinnamon Quinoa Bowl

Whole grains have become synonymous with breakfast for lots of adults—and your babe can indulge in this healthy meal component too. Give your baby a taste of the whole grain life with a cinnamon quinoa bowl. Quinoa is soft-cooked cereal seeds that are versatile, easy to eat, and packed with protein and fiber.

Mix cooked quinoa, with unsweetened applesauce (potassium), and add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor. Make sure you rinse uncooked quinoa to remove its natural chemicals that may cause it to taste bitter.

To make a cinnamon quinoa bowl:

  • ¼ cup to ½ cup cooked quinoa (cook quinoa similar to rice with a 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio) 
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
  • A pinch of cinnamon 

Yummy Baby Breakfast #3: Simple Egg-o-cado

With just two ingredients, you can have an easy, nutrient-loaded breakfast for your little foodie. The simple egg-o-cado calls for chopped hardboiled eggs (selenium and protein) and avocados (fiber and healthy fats).

To make egg-o-cado you’ll need:

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of chopped hardboiled eggs (boil eggs for 10 to 12 minutes until fully cooked to keep baby safe from foodborne illness) 
  • ¼ avocado cut into wedges

Yummy Baby Breakfast #4: Bean-y Baby Burrito

Who doesn’t love a deconstructed breakfast burrito? This easy breakfast is chock-full of nutrients, like plant-based protein (black beans), calcium (cheese), and vitamin B6 (corn tortilla).

Lightly fork mash the black beans so they’re easier to pick up with babies pointer finger and thumb. Steaming the corn tortilla softens it up so baby can chew it well after cutting it into pieces or thin strips.  

To make a bean-y baby burrito, you’ll need:

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fork mashed black beans
  • ¼ to ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese + fork-mashed beans
  • ¼ to ½ cup steamed corn tortilla, cut up into pieces or thin strips

Yummy Baby Breakfast #5: 3-Ingredient Mini Pancakes 

Skip the boxed pancake mix and prep this morning recipe with just three ingredients: breastmilk or prepared formula, banana (potassium), and white whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour has just as many health benefits as regular whole wheat flour, but it’s softer so babies are more likely to enjoy it. Use this recipe to make four mini pancakes that you can cut-up into finger foods for your hungry babe. Serve with berry puree, unsweetened applesauce, or jarred baby food to keep things moist. 

To make mini pancakes, you’ll need:

  • 1 tablespoon of breastmilk or prepared formula
  • 5 tablespoons of white whole wheat flour
  • ½ ripe banana

Mix these ingredients together and cook on the stovetop.

Yummy Baby Breakfast #6: Tropical Sunrise Smoothie

Bring the tropical eats to your baby’s highchair tray by blending pineapple (vitamin C), breastmilk or prepared formula, and shredded coconut. Shredded coconut is rich in choline, a nutrient that helps your baby with their thinking and vision, while pineapple is loaded with vitamin C for immunity. Offer your babe 2 to 4 ounces of this tasty smoothie by spoon or through a straw cup.

To make a tropical sunrise smoothie, blend together: 

  • 1 cup breastmilk or prepared formula
  • 1 cup frozen pineapple tidbits
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

You can freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray and pop them out when you need them next!

Yummy Baby Breakfast #7: Skillet Veggie-Egg Scramble

Eggs are an excellent vessel to help get your baby the veggies they need. It’s never too early in the day to load up on plant-based foods. Vegetables—like peppers, broccoli, and spinach—work well with eggs, plus they help your babe absorb dietary iron because they contain vitamin C. Iron helps oxygen travel through your baby’s body and supports healthy development. 

To make a skillet veggie-egg scramble you’ll need:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons sweet peppers, finely chopped
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons breastmilk or prepared formula

Finely chop sweet peppers, broccoli, or spinach and cook on the stovetop in canola oil. Scramble the eggs with a little breastmilk or prepared formula to make them soft before adding them to your mix.

Yummy Baby Breakfast #8: Banana-cado Toast

The perfect meal for any busy morning, “banana-cado” is a fruit spread that’s loaded with copper, fiber, and antioxidants. All it takes is a little fork mashing work to marry the banana and avocado together into a creamy spread that you can to smear all over whole wheat toast. 

To make banana-cado toast, you’ll need:

  • 2 to 4 tablespoons avocado
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons ripe banana
  • ½ to 1 slice of whole wheat bread

 Yummy Baby Breakfast #9: Apple Pie Oats

We’re salivating just thinking about this daybreak delight. Oats are an excellent source of whole grains and iron, while apples offer vitamin C and fiber.

To make apple pie oats, you’ll need:

  • ¼ to ½ cup oats
  • ½ to 1 cup breastmilk, prepared formula, or water 
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons steamed apples, chopped
  • Cinnamon, apple pie spice 

Whip up this breakfast treat by first steaming or boiling a peeled apple and then prepping the oats and liquid via stove. Mix in cinnamon and apple pie spice for a kick of flavor your tot will love. 

 Check out more baby food ideas: 

About Gabrielle McPherson

Gabrielle McPherson, MS, RDN, LDN is registered dietitian in Missouri who specializes in community and pediatric nutrition. Gaby is passionate about encouraging families to eat well in simple, practical ways that are realistic...and delicious! When not working, Gaby loves cooking, baking, and making messes and memories with her sous-chef/preschooler Charlotte.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.