I’ve been at college for only a few weeks, but I’ve already learned that walking to the caf for breakfast before your 8 a.m. is a hassle. To counterbalance this struggle and to condone my laziness, I’ve been eating breakfast in my room. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I try to shy away from the typical cereal or Pop-Tart kind of breakfast (but that is nothing against Pop-Tarts because cinnamon Pop-Tarts hold a place near to my heart), but I’ve worked to be a little more innovative with my dorm room meals.
This is an opportunity to get creative and try to make do with very few resources. I have prepared a five-day meal plan with breakfasts that I have tested out, which have withstood the trials of a dorm room. I’ve included suggested pairings for each item because, like I said, I’m a foodie.
Monday: Oatmeal
Oats are incredibly cheap and easy to cook, not to mention that they’re also a healthy breakfast option.
Ingredients:
½ cup of oats
¼ cup of either milk or water
Combine the two ingredients and microwave. Brown sugar and cinnamon make excellent toppings along with any fruit you prefer.
Tuesday: Bananas on Toast
Think of toast as a blank canvas of culinary delight. Any addition to a crunchy slice of bread is up to the eater, but I suggest peanut butter with bananas on top. Other pairings: peanut butter and apples, peanut butter and jelly, Nutella with bananas, cinnamon sugar, or jam and berries.
Wednesday: Scrambled Eggs
Yes, it’s true, you can make eggs in a microwave! I haven’t gotten salmonellosis yet, so it has to be foolproof. Crack an egg into a ceramic mug and cover the mug with a plate or bowl. Then cook the egg in the microwave for about a minute. Pairings: salsa, cheese, ketchup, or Sriracha.
Thursday: No-Bake Breakfast Cookies
These cookies take less than five minutes to make and can be made the night before. This recipe is a variation of other no-bake cookie recipes that I’ve found. Feel free to add whatever you’d like in addition to the standard recipe.
Ingredients:
¾ cup of oats
¾ cup of peanut butter
1 tablespoon of honey
Combine the honey and peanut butter and melt in the microwave. Then combine the peanut butter and honey mixture with the oats and form 6-8 cookies. Place the cookies on a plate and leave them in the fridge overnight. Optional extras: chocolate chips, almonds, raisins, or sunflower seeds.
Friday: Overnight Oats
This breakfast is strewn all over Pinterest. Naturally, I had to try it and concoct my own recipe.
Ingredients:
½ cup of oats
¼ cup of milk
1/3 cup of applesauce
½ teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
Combine all ingredients and stir well. Place in the fridge overnight. I suggest adding fresh apples on top the next morning.
The next time you’re not feeling taking a trip to the caf at 7:00 in the morning, try one of these breakfast ideas that can be easily made in the little matchbox room that college students call home.