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If you are looking for a high calorie breakfast, but you don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Figuring out how many calories you need to reach your goals can be exhausting. You also need to make sure you have the right balance of macros (carbs, proteins, and fats).
As a Registered Dietitian, I have tons of experience creating delicious recipes and meal plans that help my clients get the right amount of calories and macros – without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.
Today, I’m sharing 15 high calorie breakfasts. There’s a free PDF file with seven savory and eight sweet recipes. While these are ideal for those who want to gain weight, they can also be used for people who want to maintain their weight.
Before we move on, understand that these recipes are made for educational purposes. They should never replace personalized advice. I always recommend going to a health professional to get the right calories and macros for each meal based on your needs, goals, and preferences.
Now, keep reading to get 15 delicious high calorie breakfast recipes.
What kind of breakfast is best for weight gain?
The best breakfast for weight gain provides a lot of calories but still keeps a balanced macronutrient intake.
For example, if you are eating a 500-600 calorie breakfast but it only provides five or six grams of protein, it is not balanced.
Remember that to gain weight, not only are the calories important, but you also need to have a good protein intake to promote muscle growth.
To make a high calorie breakfast for weight gain, include foods such as healthy fats. Options like avocado, nuts, seeds, and oils (like avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil), can be a great way to increase the calories without noticing it.
You can also include simple carbs such as fruits, jams, and honey. However, be careful with a high consumption of sugary foods since they can increase inflammation.
How many breakfast calories to consume for weight gain?
The calories you need to consume for weight gain depend on your total energy requirement. Remember that you need to be in a caloric surplus to gain weight, meaning you need to eat more calories than the body needs.
So, for example, if you need 1,500 to maintain weight, a good surplus could be 2,000 calories. This means that consuming 500-700 calories for breakfast could help you reach your total intake.
What is a high calorie breakfast?
A high-calorie breakfast is one that provides an average of 500 to 600 calories. The macronutrient might vary between each meal, but it should provide at least 20-40 grams of protein.
Now, remember that some people might need a higher caloric intake for breakfast. In this case, you can double the recipe or add other foods to increase the caloric content.
Why is a high calorie breakfast important?
A high calorie breakfast can help you reach your total energy intake. You might not get the desired results if you cannot reach a caloric surplus.
Also, a high calorie breakfast can give you an energy boost for an active day.
While the most important benefits are for those who want to gain weight, there are also possible benefits for those who want to lose weight. Research shows that a high calorie breakfast can lead to larger food thermogenesis (burning more calories through food) and feeling fuller for longer.
Now, keep in mind that if you have a high-calorie meal, you need to make adjustments for the rest of the day to avoid eating too much.
What makes a great high calorie breakfast?
A great high calorie breakfast contains all the macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) and also focuses on healthy options. Let’s take a closer look at what that entails.
Protein-rich
Make sure to include protein-rich foods such as eggs, Greek yogurt, cheese, chicken, and salmon. While everyone has individual needs, try to strive for 20-40 grams of protein per breakfast.
Contains good carbs
Another quality of a great high calorie breakfast is healthy carbs. Focus on whole grain carbs such as quinoa, oatmeal, whole grain bread, granola, and sweet potato.
If you are having trouble reaching your calories for breakfast, you can always replace them with simple carbs (white bread). However, I recommend not doing this too often since they tend to be of lower nutritional value.
Easy to prepare
Search for meals that won’t take a lot of time to cook. Oats can be prepared the night before (overnight oats). Also, burritos and muffins can be prepared the night before, saving you time the next morning.
Healthy
Finally, make sure you don’t solely focus on the calories. You also need to nurture the body. Add high-nutrient foods such as fruits and vegetables to make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals throughout the day.
15 Best High Calorie Breakfast Ideas
So, what are some high-calorie breakfast ideas that you can have? The following are easy-to-mask calories to prevent you from feeling too stuffed and help you reach your goal.
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes
- Porridge
- Smoothies
- Burritos
- Muffins
- Toasts
- French toast
1. Cinnamon and Banana Protein Oatmeal
First on the list of high calorie breakfast recipes, we have cinnamon and banana protein oatmeal.
One of the benefits of this meal is that it provides 35 grams of protein, which can help you reach your total protein intake for better muscle growth.
Also, it provides nine grams of fiber for gut health and digestion.
The best thing is that this meal will only take roughly 15 minutes to make.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 505
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 69 g
- Fats: 12 g
- Sugar: 24 g
- Fiber: 9 g
2. Peanut Butter and Blueberry Chia Oats
Overnight oats are a quick and easy way to get a delicious breakfast in the morning. It will only take a couple of minutes to make in the evening. Leave it overnight in the fridge and it’s ready to grab and go the following morning.
Adding blueberries to the breakfast increases the nutrient value of the meal. So, not only is it high calorie and delicious but it can also help decrease inflammation thanks to the powerful antioxidant effect of blueberries.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 619
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 82 g
- Fats: 29 g
- Sugar: 38 g
- Fiber: 12 g
3. Banana Oat Protein Pancakes
Who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast? They are a delicious treat that can help you get all the calories you need for breakfast. The best thing is that this recipe provides a whopping 41 grams of protein!
In addition, oat flour is highly nutritious since it provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It also is good for gut health, and its high fiber content can help improve blood work by reducing cholesterol levels.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 549
- Protein: 41 g
- Carbs: 71 g
- Fats: 12 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Fiber: 10 g
4. Orange Creamsicle Overnight Oats
I know just hearing the name made your mouth start watering. This delicious, creamy, sweet breakfast is going to be like having dessert first thing in the morning, but a lot healthier.
The meal is made by combining Greek yogurt, protein powder, oranges, honey, and more. For the rest, you’ll have to download the PDF.
This breakfast is high in protein and fiber, making it a great way to start the day. It also provides a vitamin C boost, thanks to the oranges. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation, improve skin, and help decrease the risk of catching a cold.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 551
- Protein: 43 g
- Carbs: 62 g
- Fats: 17 g
- Sugar: 29 g
- Fiber: 7 g
5. Creamy Apple Pie Protein Oatmeal
If you are looking for something warm and comforting, this can be the perfect high calorie breakfast. It provides roughly 535 calories, and it gives you 40 grams of protein, so you know you’ll probably cover your protein needs.
One thing I like to do with this breakfast option is play with the spices. For example, if you want to keep it traditional, you can just add cinnamon. But, if you are willing to try something new, you can replace the cinnamon with pumpkin spice or with golden milk spice.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 535
- Protein: 40 g
- Carbs: 68 g
- Fats: 13 g
- Sugar: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
6. Citrus Cauliflower Porridge
This powerhouse high calorie breakfast has several ingredients that have powerful benefits.
Since the recipe contains collagen, it can help increase protein intake, but it can also have a positive effect on skin and joint health.
In addition, it has powerful antioxidants such as pomegranate and blood orange, which can help reduce inflammation.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 546
- Protein: 27 g
- Carbs: 47 g
- Fats: 30 g
- Sugar: 26 g
- Fiber: 16 g
7. Strawberry Tahini Smoothie
Another sweet high calorie breakfast I have for you is this strawberry tahini smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to increase calories without feeling too stuffed afterward.
Just like the recipe before, this smoothie asks for collagen and adds high nutrient foods such as romaine and hemp seeds.
You can make some changes without affecting the calories or macro balance too much. Try switching the romaine for spinach, and instead of oat milk, you can use coconut milk. This will give it a creamier texture (it can also affect the fat content).
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 558
- Protein: 26 g
- Carbs: 65 g
- Fats: 26 g
- Sugar: 30 g
- Fiber: 13 g
8. Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie Bowl
The final sweet high calorie breakfast I have is this chocolate almond butter smoothie bowl. It is ideal for those who want a chocolate treat when they wake up without messing up their results.
One of the great things about this recipe is that it contains a couple of vegetables inside the smoothie bowl (zucchini and cauliflower).
They will provide you with essential nutrients, but the best part is that I can assure you that you won’t notice them! You’ll only detect the delicious chocolate taste.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 558
- Protein: 33 g
- Carbs: 59 g
- Fats: 24 g
- Sugar: 22 g
- Fiber: 20 g
9. Savory Egg and Beef Oats
Starting the savory portion of our high calorie breakfast list, we have egg and beef oats. Most people think of oats as something sweet, but there are hundreds of ways to enjoy them.
This option is extremely high in protein with 46 grams, so it is ideal for those who are following a high protein diet.
If you want to modify it, you can always add other vegetables you enjoy. They won’t affect the calorie and macros of the dish, but will add more flavor and nutrients to the meal.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 540
- Protein: 46 g
- Carbs: 31 g
- Fats: 25 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Fiber: 6 g
10. Tempeh and Sweet Potato Hash
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite carbs to use in recipes. Not only are they delicious with a slightly sweet taste, but they are also high in vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can help improve eye health and reduce inflammation.
In addition, this is the perfect meal if you want to reduce your animal protein intake. The use of tempeh provides a high-quality, plant-based protein source.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 591
- Protein: 27 g
- Carbs: 68 g
- Fats: 27 g
- Sugar: 29 g
- Fiber: 10 g
11. Steak and Sweet Potato Egg Muffins
Muffins are very easy to make, and the savory ones are some of my favorite options. They might take longer than other recipes, but only because they need 30 minutes in the oven.
If you want to save time making them on busy mornings, try making them a day or two before. Keep them in the fridge and reheat them as needed.
This is also a great recipe for those trying a low-carb approach.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 505
- Protein: 42 g
- Carbs: 8 g
- Fats: 33 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
12. Bagel with Bacon and Eggs
A quick and simple high calorie breakfast to gain weight is a bagel with bacon and eggs on the side. Yes, as simple as that.
This recipe provides 679 calories and 25 grams of protein, making it an ideal option for those who don’t want to feel too stuffed after eating.
As a recommendation, make sure to keep the consumption of processed meats to one or two times a week. Eating them frequently can increase inflammation markers. In addition, to make this option more nutritious, add a green smoothie or some vegetables on the side.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 679
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 55 g
- Fats: 39 g
- Sugar: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
13. Savory French Toast with Eggs
Who says that French toast has to be sweet? Just like oatmeal, it’s much more versatile.
This healthy high calorie breakfast provides 590 calories and 17 grams of protein, which can be enough for some people.
If you need a higher protein intake, you can always add a couple more eggs, just keep in mind this will increase the total calories.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 590
- Protein: 17 g
- Carbs: 64 g
- Fats: 28 g
- Sugar: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
14. Air Fryer Breakfast Burrito
Burrito for breakfast? Yes please! This recipe is ideal for those who want something on the go. It is quick to make and it only requires eight ingredients and 15 minutes of your time.
The best thing is that you can make them in the air fryer! Pop them in while you finish getting ready, and you’re out the door with a nutritious high calorie breakfast to gain weight.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 590
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbs: 29 g
- Fats: 41 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Fiber: 11 g
15. Egg and Feta Hash Browns
Finally, we have an egg and feta hash brown. The delicious crunchiness of the hashbrowns pairs nicely with the creaminess of the feta cheese, resulting in one of the most delicious savory breakfasts you’ll ever try.
You can also add other vegetables, such as tomatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms to add more variety to the dish.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 552
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 30 g
- Fats: 40 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Fiber: 4 g
I know you are excited to try all these new delicious high calorie breakfast recipes. To get started and download all the recipes, click on the following link.
High Calorie Breakfast Ideas PDF
Macro Calculator
If you are unsure if 500 to 600 calories for breakfast is ideal, ask a health professional to help determine how many calories you need at each meal time.
If you don’t have one, our calorie and macro calculator is one of the best tools available.
Here is how to use it.
- Choose your training and nutrition experience: Beginner, moderate, or expert.
- Choose your tracking experience: Beginner, moderate, or expert.
- Tell us your age, weight, height, and body fat (optional).
- Choose your activity levels: Sedentary, lightly active, moderately active, heavily active, or athlete.
- Check your email for your results.
Benefits of Meal Planning
Related: Feast On A Budget: 20 Cheap High-Calorie Foods For Weight Gain
Everyone’s very busy and you’re no exception. But far from adding more work to your plate, meal planning saves you time and much more. Here’s why you should start now.
Better portion control.
When you plan your meals ahead of time, it is easier to stay on track. If you are on a high calorie diet, it might be challenging at times to cover all your needs.
However, when you plan ahead, it helps you keep thorough control of your portions to get the best results.
Eliminates temptation.
It might happen that you wake up late and realize you don’t have time to prepare breakfast yourself.
As a result, you get ready and go through a drive-thru to get something to eat. While we want to eat more calories to gain weight, fast food places serve low-quality processed ingredients, which can increase fat.
Reduces meal stress.
On the same note, if you don’t want to go through a drive-thru, you probably get stressed about figuring out what to eat without messing up your goals.
Meal planning tells you what you are going to eat. You can wake up knowing what the right dietary choice of the day is.
Saves time and money.
Finally, since you know what you will eat, you can prepare some foods ahead of time, saving time in the kitchen.
Also, since planning makes shopping a snap, you can purchase things in bulk, helping you save money.
Conclusion
We’ve concluded this series of high calorie breakfast recipes.
They are all delicious and provide a good amount of protein and healthy carbs, on top of being fairly easy to make.
Remember that planning ahead can help you save time and money in the kitchen. So, when possible, try to meal prep so you only have to grab them and go in the morning.
If you are unsure if these recipes fit your needs, consult with a health professional or use our calorie and macro calculator to determine how many calories you need to help you reach your goals.
So, which of these recipes are you going to try tomorrow morning?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good high calorie breakfast?
A good high calorie breakfast is cinnamon and banana protein oatmeal. Just make sure you get the correct amount of each ingredient to ensure you get the necessary calories.
What is an example of a 700 calorie breakfast?
A 700 calorie breakfast can be a goat cheese, egg, and veggie tart. Tarts are easy to manipulate since you can modify the amount of tart you are going to have, allowing you to have more than 700 calories for breakfast.
What is a 300 calorie breakfast?
An example of a 300 calorie breakfast can be a warm raspberry chia pudding. To make it you’ll need 3 tbsp of chia seeds, ¾ cup of unsweetened almond milk, ½ cup of raspberries, 1 tbsp of almonds, and 1 tbsp of almond butter.
What should I eat for breakfast for 1000 calories?
A delicious 1000 calorie breakfast meal can be a savory egg, meat, and veggie tart. The benefit of making tarts is that you can modify the portion until you get the desired calorie intake.
What should I eat during breakfast to gain weight?
Focus on high calorie foods such as healthy fats. You can add avocados, nuts, seeds, and oils (olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil). Remember also to add a protein source such as eggs, Greek yogurt, or cheese.
Finally, add a carb source such as oatmeal, quinoa, or whole-grain bread.
Which breakfast has highest calories?
It all depends on the quantity of each ingredient. You can modify any recipe into being a high calorie food by replacing low-calorie foods. For example, instead of low fat cheese (like cottage cheese), replace it with cheddar cheese and increase the calorie content.
