These bake-ahead breakfasts make mornings easy

For days when time is tight, or perhaps a snack while walking the dog, try some of these make-ahead breakfast recipes, from protein bars to a Persian omelette.

Saffron and cranberry muffins Source: Belén Vázquez Amaro

These sweet and savoury breakfast recipes can all be made a day or more in advance. Some freeze well too, making sure you've always got options. Several are gluten-free or dairy-free, and we've slipped in a no-bake option, for those hot days when you don't want to turn on the oven!

All kinds of muffins

Muffins are easy to make and portable too. Our muffin recipe collection opens its arms to all the family members and includes cupcakes and even cruffins (a cross between a croissant and muffin) and duffins (doughnut meets muffin). Try Donna Hay's "too-easy" berry muffins (you can change up the base recipe to suit whatever fruit you have on hand - "the possibilities are endless", she says), sneak in extra veg with zucchini muffins, or enjoy Donal Skehan's banana and oatmeal muffins.

Banana and oatmeal muffins Source: Donal's Kitchen Hero

Or lean on the savoury side with Mark Olive's oven-dried tomato, warrigal greens and goat's cheese muffins. The recipe includes instructions for homemade, oven-dried tomatoes if you'd like to make the most of summer bounty.

Oven-dried tomato, warrigal greens and goat’s cheese muffins Source: On Country Kitchen

Swedish saffron and cranberry muffin-buns

This seedy bake is part-way between a muffin and bun. "During Christmas time here in Sweden, it's very traditional to eat saffron buns. This gave me the idea of combining savoury seed buns with the 'holiday taste'. I also used cranberries instead of the raisins that Nordic buns normally contain. And voila! They turned out lovely," says Belén Vázquez Amaro of this recipe.

Saffron and cranberry muffin buns Source: Belén Vázquez Amaro

Toasted almond, coconut & chia cookies

You can adjust how much sweetness you want in these gluten-free, dairy-free cookies, which will keep for up to a week in an airtight container.

Toasted almond, coconut & chia cookies Source: Smith Street Books

Breakfast cookies

"These healthful little numbers are packed with wholegrains, nuts and seeds to nourish you and keep you full. They'd also make a satisfying snack post-workout or between meals" says Desiree Nielsen of these dairy-free cookies.

Breakfast cookies Source: Desiree Nielsen

Herb and feta oven omelette (kuku)

How good does this vibrant Persian baked omelette look!

Herb and feta oven omelette (kuku) Source: Feast / Derek Swalwell

Banana bread, all the ways

It's a perennial favourite for a reason. And our banana bread recipe collection has something for everyone - even if you fancy a triple-layer choc-bottom banana bread for breakfast!

Triple-layer choc-bottom banana bread Source: Alan Benson

If you're after something a little simpler, there's coconut-banana bread, banana and pear loaf, gluten-free banana and walnut bread or this easy banana bread.

Easy banana bread Source: Camellia Aebischer

Protein breakfast bars

"All three of my kids are vegan and they’re always buying these kinds of bars that you can get in the supermarkets. So I just thought I’d make my own. And these are super quick to make... and they last for a couple of weeks," says Juliet Sear of these protein-rich bars, which she makes in Beautiful Baking with Juliet Sear. Her recipe offers two options for sweetening - honey or, for the vegan version, agave syrup. These healthy bars also include oats, chia seeds, flax seeds, nut butter and protein powder. "Using some protein powder makes these a great homemade post-gym bar," Sear says.

Protein breakfast bars Source: Juliet Sear

Almond breakfast bars

We want all of our breakfasts to look this adorable! This no-bake breakfast bar recipe is from Donal Skehan. 'Have these chilling in the fridge the night before and you've got yourself an easy grab-and-go healthy energy boost for the morning," says our favourite Irish TV chef.

Almond breakfast bars Source: Donal's Cook, Eat, Burn!

Asparagus, pea and mint frittata muffins

These mini frittatas can be served hot or cold and they travel well too, so they make a great breakfast option.

Asparagus, pea and mint frittata Source: Simon & Schuster Australia

Egg and bacon pies

The classic combination made into a pie in this recipe from Anneka Manning. These are great for picnics, but since they will keep in a container in the fridge for up to two days, they can be a great make-ahead breakfast, too.

Egg and bacon pies Source: Murdoch Books

Honey and oat slice

"This honey oat slice is a piece of cake (pardon the pun) to throw together," says Paul West of his very easy five-ingredient recipe.

Honey oat slice Source: Sharyn Cairns

Kale and feta bread

You can eat this bread just as it is, but it's also great toasted and served piled with scrambled eggs, says Peter Georgakopoulos. It's made with kale, herbs and yoghurt for a hearty and healthy bake.

Kale and feta bread Source: Peter Georgakopoulos