Coastal Grandmother's Guide to 11 Elevated Summer Breakfasts

Good old-fashioned pancakes are a favorite, but have you tried a pancake casserole? Take a break from flipping flapjacks on your summer vacation and sleep in - this Blueberry Pancake Casserole can be prepped the night before and popped in your oven the next morning. This crowd-pleasing summer breakfast recipe is everything you love about buttermilk pancakes - light, fluffy, and with a subtle sweetness.

The secret to super fluffy pancakes is a huge twist: adding ricotta cheese will give your pancakes a light, airy texture. And flavor galore! Stack them up and serve with maple syrup and blueberry compote that’s just perfect for a fresh summer breakfast.

Transform your oatmeal bowl into a big batch of baked oats. A fun method of prepping this summer breakfast staple, baked oatmeal will remind you of bread pudding, or your favorite warm oatmeal cookies. Loaded with apples, pecans, raisins, nuts, and your favorite seasonal fruits, baked oatmeal will satisfy your sweet comfort food cravings. Enjoy this as a deliciously warm summer breakfast or prepare the night before and serve cold the next day.

These show-stopping parfaits are so pretty and delicious that you’ll forget that they’re super nutritious, too. Take your strawberry parfaits to the next level by adding protein-packed quinoa, lime zest, and coconut. It’s a luscious healthy treat that’s perfect for an easy, grab-and-go summer breakfast.

Tired of avocado toast yet? Time for a twist! This Italian-inspired sandwich pairs avocado with ricotta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, and basil on top of some crunchy sourdough bread, while a squeeze of fresh lemon juice makes the whole thing reminiscent of summer - fresh, vibrant and so satisfying.

If you’re looking to elevate your plain old toast, this hazelnut raspberry toast with chocolate will surely please a crowd. Top your toasty Nutella-covered baguette slices with raspberries and pistachios. Does summer breakfast get much better than this?

The perfect post-workout breakfast, this nut and seed granola recipe will make you feel good. Made with cashews, pecans, walnuts, almonds, coconut, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds, this chunky, gluten-free goodness is naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. 

Pound cake and muffin in one? Yes, please! The perfect pairing for your morning coffee, these moist muffins are drizzled with a sweet, tangy lemon glaze. With melts-in-your-mouth goodness, these lemon pound cake muffins are perfect when you’re grabbing breakfast on the go or catching up with friends over brunch.

This refreshing version of fruit pizza blends two favorite summer breakfast foods - bagels and fruits. An upgrade to your basic bagel, this recipe lets you top your crunchy toasted bread with gorgeous layers of fresh fruits and a naturally sweetened strawberry cream cheese spread. This summer breakfast recipe is everything you’d want to start your morning light and right.

For a new twist on your French toast, this vegan version ditches the eggs and dairy. Instead, almond milk and cornstarch are combined to mimic the texture of eggs. Mashed bananas add to its custard-like texture while maple syrup brings the sweetness. Add in vanilla and cinnamon for that classic French toast flavor, and top with coconut whipped cream for a decadent touch.

Matcha better than regular waffles, this recipe yields green waffles that are light and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and flavored with green tea. Top this summer breakfast recipe with yogurt, diced mangoes, fresh berries, or shredded coconut, and drizzle with maple syrup for some flavorful weekend brunch.