Nothing beats starting a day right than by kicking it off with a delicious meal. And if there’s one thing we know about The Pioneer Woman, it’s that many of her recipes are simple to follow, yet never sacrifice all that good, homey flavour. Now, just because it’s the first grub of the day doesn’t mean it has be prepared at the crack of dawn. Now, if you’re a morning person, go for it, but there are also plenty of recipes in Ree Drummond’s repertoire that can be made ahead and frozen for a later day. Whatever you do, just be prepared to eat.
Herbalicious Breakfast Casserole
Ree’s casserole is ideal for those who prefer their meals plant-based, though there is cream cheese and mozzarella for that melty goodness.
Frozen Yogurt Bark
The best part about Ree’s yogurt bark is that it seems like you put so much work into it — yet it’s so easy. Toasting the coconut and sunflower seeds is as laborious as it gets. Ree suggests using piping bags for the preserves but you can just as easily cut the corner off a sandwich or resealable bag for the drizzle portion of the recipe.
Freezer Breakfast Panini
The prep on this takes a bit of time but it’s so worth it. Ham, eggs, chiles and cheese? You can’t go wrong, especially because once they’ve been cobbled together and frozen, all you’ll need is patience once they’re removed from the freezer, baked through and the cheese is melty.
Very Berry Croissants
The blueberries and cream give it a healthy factor, but the streusel, syrup and powdered sugar turn Ree’s take on croissants into a full-blown treat. Shh, we won’t tell.
Wafflemaker Hash Browns
Ree takes frozen shredded hash browns to another level by adding ham and cheese, then using a waffle iron to transform them into mouthwatering squares.
Cowboy Quiche
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own pie crust — but a frozen or unbaked one works just as well. Just make sure you’ve brought your appetite.
Slow-Cooker Irish Oats
Whether you’re freezing or throwing a bunch of ingredients into a slow cooker, Ree is here to tell you that so many things can be ready when you’re ready to eat. Once the sweet and fruity part is finished doing its thing in the crockpot, all that’s needed is the toasted coconut and almonds, the liquids, the garnish and ta-da!
Breakfast Bagel Burgers
Ree Drummond tops a sausage patty with a fried egg (that runny yolk from a sunny side up is everything) sandwiched in an everything bagel (or any other kind of bagel of your choice). You won’t be eating again until dinner after this heart meal.
Crunchy French Toast Sticks
With a little help from some kids’ cereals, you too can create the snappiest sticks of French toast your teeth have ever had the pleasure of biting into.
Good Morning Muffins
These citrus muffins are a great way to kick off your day. If you prefer a punchier flavour, up it to two cups of the orange marmalade.
Breakfast Hash
This breakfast of fried eggs on a bed of bacon, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts, with tomato for some brightness and a crumble of salty goat cheese will make you a morning person.
French Breakfast Puffs
They may require muffin tins but because the cups aren’t filled, you wind up with these cinnamony-sweet puffs of perfection. Ree also notes that the puffs and can be placed in freezer bags and reheated later. If they last, that is.
Breakfast Burritos
It’s essentially a delectable meal of bacon, scrambled egg and hash thrown into a soft flour tortilla. Easy to make, easy to assemble, easy to eat.
Breakfast Cookies
Cookies make these sound like a treat but with the oats, coconut, flax seeds, pecans, raisins, and dried apricots and cherries, you can munch away with zero guilt.
Amish Baked Oatmeal
It may seem like a mess but once it’s mixed together and thrown into a rectangular pan, it’ll set into something glorious. Ree recommends serving with cream, brown sugar and berries and, really, why would you do anything different?
Crunchy Pancakes
Grab a ready-made pancake mix (Ree opts for whole-grain), toss in some healthy additions like granola, flax seeds, chia seeds and sunflower seeds and top with anything from fresh berries to natural peanut butter to Greek yogurt.