Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so we’ve been told. But between trying to get the kids ready for school and out the door, and attempting to look somewhat put-together myself, just eating breakfast is a win for me. This ultimately leads to guilt later in the day, so rather than continuing this hectic cycle, I was determined to find a solution that would work for everyone in my family.
Rice is a staple food for Koreans, so I didn’t have to think twice about eating it for breakfast. It’s a great option for a healthy and delicious meal loaded with nutrients to help you start your day on the right foot. The recipes in this post will change the way you think about rice, and prove that it’s a staple to be enjoyed any time of day.
10 Breakfast Rice Recipes Everyone Can Enjoy
Carbs in general have gotten a bad rap in recent years, so rice isn’t what a lot of people think of when they think about healthy breakfast recipes. But if it’s a staple food for more than half of the world’s population, it can’t be all that bad, right? So, what’s the deal? Is rice good for breakfast? Should you add breakfast rice to your meal rotation?
Is Eating Rice Good For Breakfast?
In short, yes, eating rice is good for breakfast. However, rice should be consumed in moderation and with other foods as part of a nutritious balanced meal. Eating rice in the morning can give you enough energy to start your day and stay energized until your next meal.
Rice is a nutrient-dense source of carbohydrates, which is your body’s main source of fuel. White rice is a good source of folate, and brown rice, a whole grain, is a fantastic source of essential nutrients like fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, selenium, and manganese.
How To Make Breakfast Rice 10 Ways
Breakfast Fried Rice With Bacon And Eggs
The “Breakfast Fried Rice” recipe from Our Salty Kitchen combines leftover rice with scrambled eggs, bacon, and vegetables for a savory and filling morning meal. It’s flavored with soy sauce and sesame oil (some of my favorite additions to any meal!), making it quick, customizable, and perfect for busy mornings and busy mamas. What I love the most is that it’s a versatile recipe where you can swap proteins and veggies to suit your preferences, providing yet another way to clean out the refrigerator!
Breakfast Fried Rice With Sausage And Eggs
This breakfast fried rice combines scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, onion, and cold rice stir-fried with soy sauce. Use gluten-free soy sauce, if needed! It’s topped with shredded cheddar cheese, peas, and fresh parsley for a hearty and flavorful meal. I don’t know about you, but I love incorporating green vegetables into breakfast time! The dish is easy to prepare and, of course, perfect for repurposing leftover rice. For full details, visit The Kitchn at the link above.
Spicy Breakfast Fried Rice
Now this is a great way to start your day with a kick. This Spicy Breakfast Fried Rice from Crunch Time Kitchen transforms leftover white rice into a savory breakfast, complete with jalapenos, veggies, and a sunny-side-up egg on top. This will give even the most dedicated home cooks an excuse to order take-out for dinner the night before.
5-Ingredient Breakfast Rice
“5 ingredients” also means EASY, which is what I like in a breakfast dish. This one is perfect if you want a sweet fix in the morning! You can essentially treat this recipe like oatmeal and add things like fruit, cinnamon, or honey. It combines jasmine rice, water, milk, unsalted butter, and sugar to create a sweet treat for your morning pick-me-up.
Breakfast Rice Pudding
This Breakfast Rice Pudding is such a cozy and satisfying way to use up leftover brown rice! You simmer the rice with milk, sweeten it with honey or maple syrup, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, comforting breakfast. The best part? You can top it with fresh fruit, nuts, or even a dollop of peanut butter to make it your own. It’s perfect for a chilly morning or when you’re craving something sweet and hearty, and your kids will love it!
Crispy Rice Bowl with Fried Eggs and Avocado
Asian-inspired flavors and rice are the ultimate duo! This is why ginger, low-sodium soy sauce, and garlic are perfect for bringing new life to another great duo: eggs and avocado.
To make this delicious Asian breakfast bowl, just crisp up your precooked rice and saute garlic and your favorite leafy greens with ginger, soy sauce, and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, fry your eggs and top the dish with avocado, scallions, and other flavors from the East! Yum!
Tamago Kake Gohan (Japanese-Style Egg Rice)
Here’s another Asian-inspired breakfast dish! This one simply takes hot rice and eggs, which is a pretty simple combo, but adds lots of depth of flavor with the umami goodness of soy sauce, MSG, mirin, and furikake! It’s a great way to prepare a quick, filling, high-protein meal on a busy morning—especially if you use a rice cooker!
5-Minute Gyeran Bap (Korean-Style Egg Breakfast)
Okay, one more Asian breakfast rice dish! This one is Korean-style. It’s no surprise that this one also includes rice, egg, and soy sauce! To give it the Korean twist add kimchi, roasted seaweed, fish roe, gochujang sauce, chili crisp, ground beef bulgogi, and/or avocado! Get adventurous!
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice
This Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apple Breakfast Rice is the perfect cozy breakfast for those slow, chilly mornings. Made with simple ingredients like our staple ingredient today, rice, as well as apples, and warm spices, it’s a comforting dish that cooks overnight, so you can wake up to a ready-to-eat meal. What makes this recipe unique is the slow infusion of cinnamon and apples into the rice, creating a creamy, lightly sweetened dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare—just toss everything into your slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
- 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
- Optional toppings: chopped nuts, raisins, additional maple syrup, or a drizzle of cream
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Grease the inside of your slow cooker with butter or coconut oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Add the rice, almond milk, water, diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Step 3: Set the Cooker
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy.
Step 4: Stir and Serve
Once cooked, stir the mixture to distribute the apples and spices evenly. Serve warm with your favorite toppings, like nuts, raisins, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
If you have leftovers, let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Hawaiian Fried Breakfast Rice
If you’re someone who thinks pineapple 100% compliments a savory dish, this is a breakfast rice dish for you. Red onions, green onions, minced garlic, red bell pepper, pineapple, and bacon crumble create the perfect concoction in terms of texture, flavor, and color. (Not that the last one matters.) Add eggs, rice, soy sauce, and some seasoning and you have a breakfast rice dish sure to brighten your morning!
Start your day on the right note with one of these delicious breakfast rice recipes!
I’m constantly looking for new recipes, but it’s not always easy to find nutritious recipes my kids will actually eat. Incorporating rice into my breakfast menu gives me a bunch more options, and it ensures that I don’t have to worry about me or my kids feeling sluggish for the rest of the morning.
For more nutritious recipes kids will love, check out these healthy drinks for kids!
