It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

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After all, it is the first meal of the day before you start getting busy, so it is vital you get a good boost of energy to carry you out until lunch.

So if you want to make sure that you are getting plenty of energy in the morning, you are probably thinking about bulking up your breakfast with some extra sides – but like what? What would make a good breakfast side dish?

Here are 15 great breakfast side dishes that all have simple and easy to follow recipes so making breakfast is less of a chore than it used to be.

Croissant

Ah, le croissant – the go-to European breakfast food. This deliciously light side dish is ideal for those who want something not too heavy during breakfast time but is sure to keep away a growling stomach.

This recipe makes baking your own croissants a breeze in just a few basic steps.

Within no time, you will have a batch of light and fluffy pastries that with just a little extra butter, becomes a must-have addition to your breakfast.

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Bacon

Bacon is a classic breakfast food as it is one of the lighter ways to enjoy a bit of red meat in the morning without feeling as if you have had a huge meal.

It’s easy to fry up and make your own (just check out this recipe to see how quick it is!) but the best thing about bacon is that you can use it to make some pretty amazing breakfast meals.

Why not try adding some bacon to your pancakes or waffles? It definitely helps bulk up your breakfast and gives an early dose of protein in the morning.

Try it out by giving this recipe a try!

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Fruit Salad

This here is the perfect breakfast side for vegetarians and vegans. You really can’t go wrong with a bowl full of fresh and juicy fruits.

Anything can go into a fruit salad (well, not just anything, it has to be a fruit) so it is also a side dish you can change and shake up to suit your tastes.

This recipe also adds some fun additions like lemon yogurt and orange juice to make a really fruity breakfast salad.

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Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon rolls are a delicious little treat that you can enjoy throughout the day, but it also pairs up nicely with a cup of coffee and some fruit to make a delicious breakfast!

They are very sweet and filling, made mostly of buttery pastry and soft dough.

Its cinnamon flavoring makes it a favorite with those who have a sweet tooth, which is why it is a popular snack all across the world.

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RELATED: 16 Bagel Toppings For Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner

Pain Au Chocolat

A close relation to the classic croissant, a pain au chocolat is like the naughty cousin in the French pastry family.

It is a very light and flaky pastry that holds deep within a dark secret – chocolate! If you find a croissant just that little bit too plain, then you should try making your very own pain au chocolat as its chocolatey center serves as a wicked little treat in the early morning.

Just follow the recipe and you too can indulge just that little bit during breakfast.

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Hash Browns

If it is lots of energy you are after first thing in the morning, then you should really consider eating something made with potatoes.

Potatoes are a carbohydrate food, meaning that they contain lots of calories for us to burn throughout the day.

So, if you know you are going to be rushing around all day, you can eat some of these delicious hash browns with your breakfast so you will feel more energized for longer.

Hash browns are made using potatoes (and sometimes onions) to give you a deliciously crispy breakfast side dish that fits right in next to your eggs and toast.

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Yogurt

Another light yet filling breakfast side dish is yogurt.

Yogurt is great because you can eat it alongside a bunch of different main breakfast dishes – pancakes, waffles, muesli, a fruit breakfast mix, the list goes on!

Plus you can add any kind of toppings you like to bring different flavors to your yogurt dish.

This recipe offers you a lot of options including sweet fruit yogurt bowls, nutty yogurt bowls, and even some yogurt bowls based on cocktails!

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Banana Muffins

Muffins are a great way to indulge in something sweet yet filling during breakfast. Our personal favorite are banana muffins as they are often very soft, moist and super easy to make!

By making banana muffins, you can use up any overripe bananas you have as well treating yourself to a little taste of chocolate too!

This, combined with the flavors of vanilla and banana added in this recipe, make banana muffins a great choice for a sweet breakfast side!

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RELATED: 20 Traditional Korean Breakfast Recipes

Biscuits

Usually eaten as a dinner side dish in the southern states of the US, biscuits are way too versatile to be limited to just one meal.

By following this recipe, you can make fluffy and buttery US style biscuits that are perfect to be eaten as an early morning breakfast side.

You can eat them with some cream and fruit, or enjoy them side by side with some red meat and eggs.

But whichever way you choose to eat them, biscuits like these make for a fluffy and delicious breakfast side dish.

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Crepes

This batter-based treat is incredibly simple to make and yet so versatile that you can eat them alongside anything!

Because they are usually very plain when made, you have to add the flavor yourself by eating them with other dishes to make a larger breakfast meal.

Crepes can be enjoyed as both sweet or savory, making them ideal if you are serving breakfast to a lot of people.

You can eat them with peanut butter, fruit, eggs or fried veggies – making them a great side dish to your main breakfast meal!

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Sausage

If you are looking for something heavier, something more meaty – then why not try making your very own breakfast sausages?

Pork sausages go great with other side dishes like eggs or hash browns, making a very filling meal that will definitely keep you going throughout the day.

We have included a recipe for small breakfast-sized sausage patties that would fit great in a biscuit or covered by a fried egg.

They are very easy to make and small enough to fill you up without making you feel bloated and slow.

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Scrambled Eggs

A universally eaten breakfast food, eggs can be cooked in all kinds of ways and be served with lots of different dishes.

The best version for breakfast would probably be scrambled eggs – they are light and fluffy and taste delicious with just a little bit of seasoning.

Follow this recipe to make some really creamy and soft scrambled eggs that taste absolutely amazing.

No matter if you are serving them up on two pieces of crusty toast, or side by side with some sizzling sausages and rich black pudding – you are sure to end up with a satisfying side dish of scrambled eggs!

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Cheese Grits

This traditional southern recipe creates a really cheesy treat!

If you are not familiar with cheese grits, it is a recipe that bakes grits with lots of strong cheese and heavy cream. This makes an oatmeal like cheesy dish that packs a lot of flavor that is sure to catch your attention.

Cheese grits are best served up alongside meats like bacon or sausage as it acts like a cheese sauce over these very filling meats so if you prefer to eat a meat heavy breakfast, try adding some cheese grit on the side to add some extra flavor!

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RELATED: 10 Best Hawaiian Breakfast Recipes

Avocado

An increasingly popular breakfast food, avocado has been leading trends worldwide for the last few years as more and more people discover this delicious breakfast side food.

Avocados are amazing when eaten with eggs, but they can also be enjoyed on their own with some toast or next to a vegetable breakfast mix.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to some fresh avocado, so take a look at this recipe for avocado eggs and toast to see just how easy it is to whip up a filling breakfast like this!

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Pancake Bites

Not everyone is the master of flipping pancakes so if you want a quick and easy, mess free way to enjoy pancakes at breakfast, then why not try making some pancake bites instead?

Pancake bites are sweet balls of pancake mix baked in an oven instead of in a pan. They are very light and fluffy, and can be easily added alongside a bunch of different sides – bacon, yogurt, fruit, anything!

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Conclusion

So those were our 15 choices for some great breakfast side dishes!

Obviously, not everything goes with anything and some are definitely more suited to join some breakfast dishes more than others.

However, each and every single one of these recipes are delicious to try! They will leave you with a full belly so you can concentrate on your work for the day without being distracted by hunger pangs.

So if you are in need of a side dish to bulk up your normal breakfast, then take a look at the list above and pick out the side dish (or dishes) that suit your tastes and preferences best!

Happy cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Calories Should I Eat At Breakfast?

The recommended calorie intake for breakfast depends on a lot of different factors. It really comes down to your weight, age, height, health conditions, your planned events for that day, and if you are trying to gain or lose weight.

The best way for you to work out how many calories you should aim to take in at breakfast is to talk to a dietitian or nutritionist, but on average – most people should aim to eat 300 to 400 calories at breakfast.

This is not a set rule but rather a very vague guideline.

What Breakfast Side Goes Best With Eggs?

Because eggs are such a popular breakfast food, people are always looking for the best side dish to go with them.

There is no definitive ‘best’ side dish for eggs as everyone has their own tastes and preferences but these are some of the few that are often served up for breakfast with eggs.

Avocado has become increasingly popular recently because it is so easy to cook and is very good for you, but you can also enjoy eggs with meats like sausage or bacon, toast, or even waffles.

What Should I Put In My Breakfast Omelet?

Omelets are another great breakfast main dish because they are so easy to customize to your own tastes.

Although it is completely up to you what you want to add to your omelet, we would recommend you add one type of meat (like ham) or two or three different types of vegetable (like onion, tomato, or even peppers).

This way you get an extra boost of nutrients before you head out to start your day!

15 Breakfast Sides (+ Easy Recipes)

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so here are 15 amazing breakfast sides that are easy to make and will fill you up ready for a busy day!

Ingredients

Directions

Pick a recipe from the list above
Click the recipe name and visit the website
Collect the ingredients and cook the food
Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

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Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!