Back-to-school is almost here! You know what that means…setting alarms and hectic mornings for everyone. Don’t let those first few weeks of transition from summer schedules to school days leave you feeling like you’ve been hit by a (school) bus. 

You can save yourself tons of time and brain power by having some pre-made breakfast items ready to go in the fridge or freezer. Not only will this help the morning rush go a little more smoothly, it will also ease your mind to know that you won’t be resorting to sugar cereal by the end of the first week. 

Here are a few delicious ways to prep-ahead your child’s breakfasts for school days.

4 Pre-Made Breakfast Ideas to SaveTime (And Sanity) 

1. Silver Dollar Pancakes
Silver dollar pancakes are a popular breakfast item for kids of all ages, but who wants to get up early to start the griddle on a weekday morning? Instead, try making an extra-large batch with your favorite batter on the weekends and freezing some for the days ahead. 

Once your pint-sized pancakes are fully cooked, freeze them for an hour in a single layer on a sheet pan before bagging them up in ziploc bags. This will keep them from sticking together and make it easier to grab just the right amount to pop in the microwave before school. 

2. Single-Serve Bacon
Another breakfast staple that can be easily frozen is bacon. Instead of pan-frying your bacon a few strips at a time, you can cook a big batch in the oven on a sheet pan. After fully cooking and cooling the bacon, wrap individual portions in wax or parchment paper and seal them in an airtight freezer bag. 

Popping a few strips in the microwave will add a quick protein option to any breakfast. Or, you can pull a few packets from the freezer the night before to let them thaw in the fridge. Either way, you’ve saved yourself the time and mess of cooking in the morning. 

3. Mini Frittatas
Does your family love warm, savory eggs in the morning? Mini frittatas might be the perfect make-ahead option for you. Use a muffin tin and the egg mixture from your favorite frittata recipe to create a big batch of these tasty bites. 

Make sure to cool your mini creations completely before freezing in an airtight container. Then simply pop them in the microwave and serve with some fresh fruit for a quick, nutritious weekday breakfast. 

4. Breakfast Burritos
The key to a freezer-friendly breakfast burrito is cooling your ingredients before filling them so that they don’t steam up and make your tortillas soggy. You can also use a layer of cheese to separate the wet ingredients like eggs and veggies from the tortilla to ensure a pre-prepped breakfast that can be eaten on the go without falling apart. 

Layer a large tortilla shell with cheese, cooled scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and your favorite veggies. Tightly wrap your burritos in aluminum foil and freeze them in an individual layer before tossing them in a freezer bag. Make sure to unwrap them from the foil before reheating. 

Breakfast Prepper Pro-Tips

Here’s 3 few tips to help you prep like a pro so that you can hit the ground running when the back-to-school bell rings. 

Batch Your Breakfasts  You might be thinking to yourself, “Sure, pre-made breakfasts sound convenient and all, but when am I supposed to find the time to do all this prep work?” Remember that you don’t have to make all the recipes all at once. Start by making bigger batches of the breakfasts you are already making and freezing the leftovers. Extra Pro tip: Date your freezer bags and rotate through your freezer stock as you go. 

Make It Routine  Getting into a routine of preparing ahead can make a huge difference over time. Make extra batter next time you have Saturday morning pancakes, whip up some frittata filling next time you’re making scrambled eggs, or buy an extra package of bacon next time you’re cooking some. Even if you only have enough freezer breakfasts for two or three mornings a week, that’s two or three mornings you won’t have to cook! That’s a win in our books. 

Treat Yourself Putting in a little extra effort ahead of time will be worth it for the time saved on busy school mornings. Make sure to use that time to your advantage. Get an extra ten minutes of sleep, take your time in the shower, or treat yourself to a special coffee that you’ll actually have time to enjoy. There might be plenty of other chaos to face each day, but remember to give yourself a little pat on the back and thank your past self when you’re able to get breakfast on the table in five minutes flat. Look at you go! You’re basically the breakfast fairy now. 

The Sky’s the Limit

These ideas should help you get started, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Do your little ones have a breakfast food they love? With a little prep and planning, most meals can be made ahead and frozen in individual servings. 

You might still have to face the shoe-pile and search for missing homework… but you can’t beat the convenience of a heat-and-serve breakfast on a busy school morning.