10 Grab-and-Go Whole Grain Breakfasts

Breakfast is the most important meal—giving you a much-needed energy boost for the rest of the day. But when you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to turn to calorie-laden convenience foods that leave you hungry long before lunch. These healthy grab-and-go breakfasts boast whole grains to help keep you feeling full until lunchtime. With these quick recipes and make-ahead options, it’s easy to always make a healthy breakfast part of your day.


Crisp and chewy, this bar is a good-for-you alternative to store-bought cereal bars. The secret ingredient, silken tofu, will give your day a protein-packed start. The recipe also works with other fruit-and-nut combinations.

16 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling time)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, (about 2 ounces)
• 3 cups unsweetened puffed-grain cereal, such as Kashi
• 2 cups chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces silken tofu, drained (about 1 1/3 cups)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a large (15 1/4-by-10 1/4-inch) jellyroll-style pan with cooking spray.
2. Spread oats and walnuts on a baking sheet with sides. Bake until fragrant and light golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and add puffed cereal, dried apricots, flour and salt; stir to combine.
3. Meanwhile, puree tofu, egg, oil, honey, vanilla and lemon zest in a food processor or blender until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Make a well in the center of the oat mixture; fold in the tofu mixture until combined. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
4. Bake until firm in the center and golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into bars with a sharp knife.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Individually wrap in plastic and keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or remove plastic, wrap in a paper towel and defrost according to your microwave's directions.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 306 calories; 12 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 46 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein; 3 g fiber; 87 mg sodium; 367 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Fiber (14% daily value).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fruit, 2 fat