The small but mighty blender is a versatile kitchen appliance that can make a quick drink or mix ingredients effortlessly for a recipe. Besides making smoothies, it may not be something you think of to use in the morning. However, the blender can be used for much more than this to start your day.

Curious how the blender can make a quick, nutritious breakfast? Read on to discover how to take advantage of the blender for not only breakfast smoothies but many other healthy morning recipes.

Breakfast Smoothies

A smoothie can be arguably one of the easiest and healthiest ways to start the day. It can be as straightforward as throwing in the blender some frozen fruit, an optional handful or two of leafy greens, liquid of choice (water, non-dairy milk, etc.), and other optional add-ins such as protein powder, oats, chia seeds, or nut butter. 

What makes a filling, healthy blender drink? It should provide at least a few fruits and/or vegetables and a decent protein source (protein powder, nut butter, yogurt). Adding in oats, seeds or avocado will further provide healthy fats, fiber and keep you feeling full longer.

The options are endless, including these healthy blender breakfast smoothie recipes to jump-start the morning:

• Chocolate banana protein shake can hit the spot after or before a morning workout. Option to add in brewed coffee if desired for a true all-in-one breakfast drink.

• Chocolate mint smoothie is a refreshing way to start the day and get in a sneaky serving of leafy greens.

• Peach, raspberry and basil protein smoothie combines the flavors of peach and raspberry with a surprising but delicious twist of fresh basil.

• Oatmeal breakfast smoothie combines berries, Greek yogurt, milk of choice, and banana for a satisfying protein and fiber-rich smoothie.

• Pumpkin pie protein shake can be a delicious, high-protein breakfast option any time of the year, not just in the fall! 

• Raspberry peanut butter smoothie combines just four ingredients (besides cold water) to provide an easy, filling, healthy blender breakfast.

Breakfast Smoothie Bowls

Both smoothies and smoothie bowls are quickly made in a blender. While smoothies are meant to be sipped, smoothie bowls are meant to be eaten with a spoon. Some thick smoothies can hold up to be poured in a bowl with toppings added. However, there are specific smoothie bowl recipes that are designed to be thicker, stand up to toppings, and eaten with a spoon. 

Blending a smoothie bowl can break up the monotony of always having a smoothie. Get creative and colorful with optional toppings for perfect smoothie bowls. 

Smoothie bowl toppings can include:

• Seeds (chia, ground flax, pumpkin, hemp)

• Granola

• Cut up fresh fruit 

• Chopped nuts

• Ground up chocolate or cocoa nibs

• Shredded coconut

Healthy Breakfast Blender Drinks

While not considered smoothies, there are alternate drink options that can be made in the morning with a blender. For example, the Indian drink mango lassi can easily be made in the blender for a sweet, healthy breakfast drink. 

Craving a cold coffee drink for breakfast? Make your own healthy homemade frappuccino or mocha frappuccino with a blender. If hosting a brunch gathering or simply just craving a fancy drink in the morning, a skinny bloody mary can also be made in just a few minutes with a kitchen blender.

A high-speed blender and cheesecloth or a fine mesh are the only tools needed to make homemade almond milk or oat milk. Making milk alternatives in the blender allows adjusting for desired sweetness level, and it tastes much fresher than commercially packaged plant based milk alternatives. These fresh milks can be used for making coffee or tea drinks, used with cereal, oatmeal or with a smoothie.

Morning Blender Recipes

Looking for something besides a smoothie for breakfast? No problem! There are many other ways to think outside the box to whip up a quick, healthy breakfast with the blender. 

Blender Pancakes

Healthy blender pancakes can be made with just three ingredients: cottage cheese, eggs, and rolled oats. Not only are they delicious, they just happen to be gluten-free and high in protein. 

Top with nut butter, cut up fruit, jam or traditional maple syrup. Banana spinach pancakes can also be whipped up in a few minutes in the blender and are sure to be a family favorite recipe.

Blender Waffles

Similarly, blender waffles can also be a go-to blender option in the morning. Strawberry banana oatmeal Greek yogurt waffles are a delicious, healthy blender waffle option. As the name suggests, they are made mainly from banana, Greek yogurt, oats, almond milk, eggs, and berries. 

Other quick, healthy blender waffle options can include cinnamon oatmeal waffles or double chocolate waffles.

Blender Egg Dishes

If wanting something savory, filling, and quickly made in a blender, look no further than blender egg dishes. Cheesy scrambled eggs can be made in minutes and served as is or with whole-grain toast.

Quiche and baked egg cups can also be made in the morning or made ahead of time and kept in the freezer for easy, healthy breakfasts on the go. 

Blender Muffins

Blender muffins can also be made quickly in the morning or ahead of time for a healthy breakfast option. Another bonus with making these blender muffins is they are surprisingly healthy by being refined flour-free and low in sugar. They also include fruits and vegetables making them high in fiber and nutrients.

For example, apple zucchini blender muffins include, of course, shredded zucchini and diced apples. Blender banana oatmeal muffins can be made with just oats, banana, eggs, Greek yogurt, and just a few tablespoons of honey. Blender chocolate spinach muffins are high in healthy fats, fiber, and protein thanks to the wholesome ingredients of almond flour, spinach, bananas, eggs, and rolled oats.

In Summary

While well-known for a blender to be used to make a wide array of healthy smoothie recipes, it can also be used for so much more. Blender drinks can go beyond smoothies to creating plant-based milks, coffee drinks, and even a bloody mary. 

The blender can also be handy to quickly mix up the healthy batter for pancakes, waffles, and muffins. If looking for savory, high-protein breakfast options, scrambled eggs, quiche, and baked egg cups can all be made with a blender.

If smoothies are a go-to for breakfast, consider experimenting with different blender creations from smoothie bowls to pancakes or an egg dish.