Dessert for breakfast with a healthy twist
Everyone knows I’m a big breakfast fan, and I definitely favour sweet dishes over savoury. So it was really only a matter of time before I put together a collection of some of my favourite healthy ways to indulge in dessert for breakfast.
My attraction to sweets is something that has always been with me, although it has a much healthier edge these days.
Over the last ten years or so I’ve really enjoyed the journey I’ve been on as I’ve added good nutrition to my already active lifestyle, while maintaining a healthy balance.
Following a healthy diet should never be about what you can’t have, or what you’re missing out on. It’s finding ways to healthify your favourites, and keep the flavour you love.
If you’re post-menopausal, you might like my free Breakfast Reframe guide — it’s a simple way to start eating in tune with the way your body works now.
Let’s face it, the line between breakfast and dessert has always been a bit blurry! I’m talking about things like muffins, cookies, breads, slices, pancakes, mousses and puddings.
You can enjoy these healthy sweet breakfasts as much, if not more, than you would the traditional version. They have all of the flavour you expect, without the bleached & refined flours or highly processed oils, plus a lot less sugar.
And whether you eat them for breakfast, dessert, or even as a healthy snack, especially after a workout is entirely up to you. You won’t find any judgement here, I eat them whenever I feel like it!
Let’s start with pancakes, because – pancakes!
I’ve currently got three pancake recipes on my blog – and quite a few in my recipe packs too. I’ll probably still keep adding more though, because you can never have enough pancake recipes!
EASY WEEKEND PANCAKES
My personal favourite is the Easy Weekend Pancakes. It’s such an easy recipe to make – just throw all of the ingredients into a blender, and then cook.
These pancakes are the perfect weekend brunch indulgence. Just add fruit and yoghurt, or if you really want to push the boat out, cream or ice cream. I won’t tell, promise!
POST-WORKOUT PANCAKES
These pancakes are such a great treat after a workout, and the recipe is quick to whip up.
There’s plenty of protein for muscle repair and carbohydrates to refuel your energy stores.
Just top them with some fresh fruit and yoghurt for a balanced post-workout meal.
3-INGREDIENT PROTEIN PANCAKES
Jenifer Byington from The Evolista shared this fab pancake recipe with us. It’s quick to make, naturally high in protein and one that Jenifer says the kids love too.
Muffins and breads, or as I like to call them: healthy cakes
Search the “healthy baking” category from my recipe index page, and you’ll find all of my muffin and bread recipes.
Muffins are one of my favourite quick brekkies before gym. And I love a slice of banana bread for a post-gym snack with a coffee.
STRAWBERRY COCONUT MUFFINS
I’ve been developing and improving most of these muffin recipes for a few years now. Let’s start with the strawberry coconut muffins, my favourite as a breakfast muffin.
CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER ZUCCHINI BREAD
With plenty of fibre provided by the oat, buckwheat and green banana flours, this bread is a satisfying way to start your day.
Grab a slice on the run, or enjoy it warm topped with a dollop of Greek yoghurt.
BANANA & WALNUT BREAD
I’ve always loved having banana bread for breakfast or a morning coffee break. My healthier recipes not only have less sugar, and no refined flours or oils, they also taste better than traditional banana bread.
Using just a little bit of honey or maple syrup allows the natural flavour of the bananas to shine through.
MANGO MACADAMIA LOAF
Mangos and macadamia nuts, all I can say is yum! This mango macadamia loaf is the one to make for an extra special morning tea, or a birthday celebration.
Puddings and bowls
The versatile pudding recipes in this section can be eaten for breakfast, dessert or as a healthy post-workout snack.
BANANA MOUSSE PUDDING
This recipe is a kind of hybrid of custard, mousse, and chia pudding. It was originally an adaptation of a chia custard recipe, but I make it to a thick consistency, so it’s really more of a mousse than a custard.
GRAPEFRUIT BREKKIE/DESSERT BOWLS
The smooth ricotta and Greek yoghurt base is lightly sweetened with honey and vanilla, then topped with juicy grapefruit segments, crunchy nuts, and seeds. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, tart, and sweet – and it looks gorgeous served in little glasses.
HIGH FIBRE CHOCOLATE ORANGE MOUSSE
Rich, creamy, and deeply chocolatey – this mousse tastes like pure indulgence, but it’s secretly packed with nourishing ingredients that support your midlife metabolism. Orange zest gives it a delicious hint of Jaffa.
PEACH & HONEY OVERNIGHT OATS
The combination of oats, chia seeds, and yoghurt makes these oats thick, satisfying, and naturally sweet, with juicy peaches adding a fresh burst of flavour.
Dessert for breakfast, with chocolate!
I don’t know about you, but I’m also a big fan of chocolate for breakfast. Or dessert, or a snack, or just about anytime really!
Although I am talking about good quality dark chocolate, and cacao powder, because a little bit is good for you.
CHOCOLATE CAKE MUFFINS
Muffins that taste like mini chocolate cakes are always a good idea, especially when they’re made with good, wholesome ingredients.
CHOCOLATE VANILLA BLISS BALLS
These yummy bliss balls are perfect for when you’re craving a chocolatey snack and want something healthy & filling. I love to have a couple with my morning coffee before an early workout.
CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE BOWL
This chocolate smoothie bowl is like having pudding for breakfast; a deliciously healthy one, of course!
It’s a good one to make when you’ve got avocado to use up, but you want something sweet.
Top it with your favourite berries, nuts and shredded coconut.
CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
Rich, fluffy, and ready in just a couple of minutes – this single-serve Chocolate Mug Cake is the perfect healthy indulgence when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to derail your goals.
Last, but not least…
The last 3 recipes I’ve got for you in this round-up don’t really fit any of the other categories, so I’ve put them here in their own special section.
They’re definitely worth considering if you fancy a different kind of healthy breakfast.
HIGH PROTEIN BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE
This cheesecake is every bit as yummy as a “regular” baked cheesecake.
I recommend it for a special occasion breakfast treat, or a brunch with friends.
MINI FRUIT CRUMBLES
Mixed berries and apples or pears give this crumble plenty of fruity sweet flavour. Serve it with Greek yoghurt for breakfast, or with ice cream for dessert.
MANGO CHIA BREKKIE POPS
Yes, they’re popsicles, and yes, they’re fabulous for breakfast in summer, especially after a hot & sweaty exercise session – trust me!
You’ll find plenty more simple, flavour-packed recipes here on my blog that work beautifully for post-menopausal bodies.
If you haven’t already, I recommend grabbing a copy of my free Post-Menopause Breakfast Makeover.
Your body responds differently now to food, stress, sleep and movement, so the old “just eat less” rules don’t work anymore.
The Makeover Guide shows you how to build satisfying breakfasts that support your post-menopausal body, for sustainable weight loss.
You can read more about it here:
Post-Menopause Breakfast Makeover
Or click the button below to dive straight in.
Don’t forget to pin these recipes for later!
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