6 Breakfast Trends That Taste Like Dessert

When it comes to breakfast… one could say we have a sweet tooth. Let’s face it, the best breakfast foods are the ones that taste like dessert. Think: pillowy pancakes, indulgent overnight oats, and fruit-filled yogurt bowls. I mean, if you can enjoy a meal that’s equally as indulgent as it is healthy, why wouldn’t you? Especially if these dessert-for-breakfast foods are as easy to make as they are to enjoy (hint: they are!)

Ahead are our favorite indulgent 2022 breakfast trends that will have you springing out of bed. Here’s to enjoying breakfast and satisfying your sweet tooth at the same time!

6 Indulgent Breakfast Trends You Need On Your Plate

#1 Macadamia Pancakes

Pancakes are one of those breakfasts that will *always* be trendy. I mean, just thinking about this decadent morning meal has us salivating — banana pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, cinnamon protein pancakes… where do we begin?! And lucky for us, this breakfast trend is only getting sweeter. According to Yelp’s 2022 food trend predictions, macadamia pancakes are about to take over our breakfast plate. Searches for this dessert for breakfast recipe are up by 613% percent, but we’re not surprised. We’re confident this will be one of the tastiest 2022 breakfast trends, and we’re also determined to make it one of the healthiest!

Here are a few healthy swaps to enhance both the texture and the nutrition:

Swap inflammatory oils for a healthier alternative: Most traditional pancake recipes call for refined oils (such as canola or vegetable) — try coconut or avocado oil instead!

Skip refined white flour for a wholesome alternative: Instead of using refined white flour, try a grain or gluten-free alternative like oat, almond, or coconut flour (just make sure you’re using the proper proportions when substituting!)

Go dairy-free: If macadamia is already the star ingredient, why not swap dairy milk for a macadamia milk alternative? You could also try almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk!

Keep it low-sugar: Sweeten your pancakes the all-natural way with natural sweeteners like banana, apple sauce, honey, or maple syrup.

Pancake Toppings:

If you’re a true dessert for breakfast lover, you know these breakfast trends aren’t complete without toppings! Here are some of our favorite healthy pancake toppings:

Freshly sliced fruit like banana, berries, and dates
Lightly sauteed cinnamon apples
A drizzle of natural sweeteners like honey, date syrup, or maple syrup
Low-sugar granola or a sprinkle of trail mix
Dairy-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs
Nut or seed butter (such as macadamia nut butter, granola butter, almond or peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter)

#2 Loaded Breakfast Bowls

Loaded breakfast bowls are one of the best breakfast trends because they’re easy to customize and easy to whip up!

Picture an indulgent breakfast bowl filled with all of your favorite sweet morning treats: yogurt, granola, berries, nut butter, maybe even crumbled energy balls, or chia seed pudding! Are you convinced? Well, there’s more: toppings! Maybe a drizzle of maple syrup, raw honey, or a slather of homemade chia jam. The possibilities are endless.

And, based on the 2022 trending foods, we’re expecting to fill our bowl with lots of exciting toppings and flavors. Think: sunflower seed butter in place of nut-based butters, hibiscus-infused jams and non-dairy yogurts, and turmeric and moringa granola. Yum.

Build your sweet breakfast bowl with these tasty ideas:

Greek yogurt with roasted sweet potato, granola, and a drizzle of almond butter
Chia seed pudding layered with coconut yogurt, berries, and cinnamon
Mixed fruit with granola, a drizzle of honey, and a splash of dairy-free milk
Warm oats topped with sauteed apples, coconut yogurt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon

#3 Overnight Oats

For the ultimate dessert for breakfast, look to overnight oats. It still amazes me how nutritious this breakfast can be while tasting like a straight-up sweet treat. Ingredients like oats, nut butter, chia seeds, and dairy-free milk come together to form a pudding-like mixture that is packed with fiber, protein, and satiating carbs. No wonder this is one of the most popular breakfast trends!!

Best of all, this healthy breakfast can be prepped ahead of time to make busy mornings that much easier. And, there are healthy overnight oats recipes for all your dessert-like cravings! Think: chocolate, pumpkin pie, berries and cream, and peanut butter everything.

And the next time you’re in the grocery store filling your cart with all your overnight oats pantry staples, be on the lookout for “grains that give back” – aka, environmentally-friendly grains. According to Whole Foods, sustainable grains are about to line the shelves with new grains such as Kernza, a sweet and nutty perennial grain that supports agriculture and environmental health. Expect to see granolas, cereals, and more!

#4 Golden Milk Latte

Of course, coffee is a morning must-have. But as we enter 2022, we’re giving our cup a powerful nutrient boost with the addition of turmeric. Golden milk lattes aren’t a new breakfast trend by any means, but according to Whole Foods, turmeric is taking over the wellness scene – and we’re fully ready to embrace this superfood, starting with our morning mug.

For all you sweet tooth lovers, you’ll be pleased to know turmeric lattes can be made into sweet and creamy dessert-like coffee blends that are actually incredibly healthy! Plus, if caffeine isn’t your thing, it’s easy to enjoy all the benefits of this anti-inflammatory spice without the caffeine-induced jitters.

Kick off the morning with this tummy tonic and give our sweet golden milk latte recipe a try. Feel free to customize it with your favorite non-dairy milk or sugar swaps!

Golden Milk Latte

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (we love full-fat oat, almond, or coconut milk)
¼ tsp ground ginger or ¼-inch slice freshly grated ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground turmeric
1-2 tsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
sprinkle of black pepper
1 tsp coconut oil, optional
1 espresso shot, optional

Directions:

Step #1: Heat the non-dairy milk over medium heat in a saucepan.

Step #2: Once warm, add the remaining ingredients, aside from the optional shot of espresso. Whisk until fully blended then remove from heat. Option to use a handheld whisk to froth your blend.

Step #3: Pour into a mug, then add the optional shot of espresso. Enjoy!

**#5 Sweet Smoothies (for you and your kids)**

When it comes to dessert for breakfast, there’s nothing better than a – naturally-sweetened – smoothie (or smoothie bowl). I mean, if you add the right blend of creamy ingredients (think: coconut or greek yogurt, frozen fruit, and nut butter) you’re basically eating dessert-like frozen yogurt for breakfast. Enough said — we’re sold!

But, that doesn’t mean your blender has to be full of sugar. In fact, it’s easy to make a low-sugar breakfast smoothie that is equally as decadent (and kid-friendly). According to global food trends, breakfast smoothies are going to be one of the biggest 2022 food trends for kids. So when you’re mixing up your morning blend, make an extra batch for your little ones! The best part? It’s easy to sneak in good-for-you nutrients without picky eaters realizing what’s in their cup.

Use these breakfast smoothie hacks to make a healthy dessert-for-breakfast blend without splurging on calories and sugar. You and your littles will be sipping away!

Thicken your smoothie with frozen veggies: Steamed and frozen cauliflower and zucchini are amazing thickening agents that are seemingly tasteless! Instead of adding excess fruit or one too many ice cubes, try this instead.

Be mindful of fruit sugar: Bring on the frozen bananas, mango, papaya, and sugary fruits, but keep it within reason! Stick to a serving or two of fruit per smoothie bowl serving to keep sugar levels in check.

Sweeten your smoothie bowl naturally: Craving chocolate? Add cacao powder! Want a caramel flavor? Toss in a date! Steer clear of processed sugars and stick to the real deal foods in their whole form.

Add healthy fats and protein: In addition to adding a thick and creamy texture, protein powder and healthy fats (like avocado, nut butter, and full-fat unsweetened coconut or Greek yogurt) transform your smoothie bowl from a snack into a satiating meal. Plus, you’ll avoid a blood sugar spike and be less likely to overeat!

#6 Breakfast Croffle

Are you team-croissant or team-waffle? Before you answer that… What if you could choose both? One of the trending dessert-for-breakfast items coming to a kitchen near you is none other than a croissant-waffle hybrid known as the ‘croffle’. According to the Yelp 2022 food trends, searches have increased by over 1,500% for this tasty morning treat. But, that doesn’t mean the store-bought products are going to be the healthiest items on the menu. Luckily, with a few simple swaps, making your plate healthier is easier than you think.

The idea behind this breakfast recipe is adding a pre-cooked or homemade croissant recipe to a waffle iron. So instead of reaching for a highly processed, sugar-filled store-bought brand, try making your own! It’s still a more decadent treat, but these healthier tips offer a more nutritious alternative:

Swap refined flour for healthier alternatives like sourdough, whole-wheat flour, and oat flour.
Skip the artificial and processed sugars for natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and maple syrup.
Use a non-dairy milk in place of dairy, such as almond or oat milk.
Serve it up with healthier toppings like a handful of fresh berries, a drizzle of nut butter, and a sprinkle of cacao nibs.

Delicious Plant-Based Swaps

According to the 2022 Whole Foods Trend Report, plant-based foods will continue to be one of the most sought-after food trends! There’s been a significant rise in plant-based eating over the past few years, and brands are hopping on board to accommodate the trend. With delicious alternatives for seemingly all animal-based products (from yogurt to protein), eating more plant-based foods is easier than ever.

Try these plant-based swaps when you want to indulge in the ultimate breakfast without deprivation.

Make it egg-free: Skip the eggs and make a flax or chia egg as a substitute.

Go dairy-free: From oat milk to pistachio milk, there are dairy-free alternatives for whatever you’re craving.

Give your meal a plant-based protein boost: Animal products aren’t the only source of protein – plant-based proteins look like they are going to continue to grow in popularity in 2022. Boost your plate with plant-based protein sources such as hemp seeds, chia seeds, nuts, and quinoa!

The Healthiest Ways To Satisfy Your Morning Sweet Tooth

These indulgent breakfast trends just made our mornings look a lot sweeter. Add these healthy morning meals to your recipe box and go to bed dreaming about all the ways you can make breakfast taste like dessert.

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