Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents made breakfast for dinner? You came home from soccer practice expecting the same old chicken or pork chops, but then, there you were at the dinner table eating pancakes — at night! It all felt so daring, so fun, so… dare we say, genius?
And it really was. Breakfast for dinner (sometimes called “brinner”) is genius. It’s sweet. It’s savory. It’s the best of both worlds. And the best part is, it’s simple and economical to make.
If you’re looking to recreate that brinner magic but falling short on ideas, we’ve gathered seven easy breakfast recipes that make weeknight dinners simple and fun so that you can have a little taste of the morning any night of the week.
1. Easy Roasted Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
Yes, technically, this recipe has breakfast in its name, but they’re so good you can have them any time of the day. Made with just a few simple ingredients you already have on hand, you can make delicious, savory roasted golden potatoes for dinner in just about 20 minutes (a little longer if you like them extra crispy). Use the Wilton Mega Baking Sheet Pan to make a bigger batch at one time, because once friends and family get a taste, they’ll definitely ask for seconds!
2. Coconut Caramel Pancakes Recipe
Pancakes with a coconutty, caramel twist? Don’t mind if we do. Use the Toasted Coconut extract from the Treatology™ flavor kits to take these pancakes to the next level. Then toast your own coconut flakes for added flavor. Top them all off with caramel-infused butter amped up with brown sugar for a delicious sweet and salty flavor combination.
3. Breakfast Hand Pie Recipe
These savory hand pies are an easy fix when you’re craving comforting breakfast for dinner on-the-go. This recipe calls for the classic combination of eggs, sausage and cheese all wrapped up in flaky crescent roll dough. But you can make your own vegetarian pie option if you skip the meat and add your favorite vegetables like green peppers or onion. Make a big batch and keep some in the freezer so you’ve always got breakfast on hand.
4. Sheet Pan Breakfast Recipe
Grab your Mega Baking Sheet Pan — this is another recipe that’s perfect when you need to feed a hungry crowd, fast. Just mix the hash browns, sausage and cheddar cheese with some seasoning, put it all on your pan, then place it in the oven. Add the eggs and muffins about halfway through baking, then top with some green onion when you’re done. Breakfast for dinner is served! It’s super simple and there’s not a lot of cleanup because you bake it all together on one pan.
5. Mexican Breakfast Bake Recipe
This savory breakfast casserole recipe makes a super satisfying dinner. It’s basically a delicious egg bake with extra bold flavors you can adjust to taste. Combine spicy chorizo sausage and smoky chipotle peppers with your favorite fresh veggies (we love green onions, mushrooms and tomatoes in our bake). Serve it on top a mixture of French bread, cheese and egg, then sprinkle with a dash of cilantro right before serving. It’s one of those dishes friends and family will request for breakfast or dinner. Either meal, everyone wins.
6. Zucchini Quiche Recipe
This is your new, easy, no-fail quiche recipe. Roll out your favorite refrigerated pie crust, add the egg mixture, goat cheese, zucchini, yellow squash and red pepper. Thirty minutes later, you’ve got a totally delicious dinner quiche packed with protein and veggies that’s *chef’s kiss* good.
7. Sausage Pesto Breakfast Pizza Recipe
This breakfast pizza recipe is a pizza night game changer. Save tons of time using your favorite refrigerated pizza dough to make this fast weeknight meal. Just add pesto, top with breakfast sausage and cheese, then bake your egg on top to taste. The best part is, this recipe is individually sized, so everyone gets their own mini pizza (or two)!
What’s your go-to when you’re craving breakfast for dinner? Share in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more great recipes and inspiration.