One of the hardest parts about a special diet like Paleo, Whole30, or the autoimmune protocol (AIP Paleo) is figuring out what to eat for breakfast.
On the SAD (Standard American Diet), we’re used to grain in practically all of our breakfast foods. Cereal, muffins, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, toaster pastries, doughnuts, bagels… So what’s a grain-free mama to do?
And if you’re used to eggs as a fallback breakfast (we had a LOT of eggs when we did the Whole30 earlier this year), you’ll still find yourself in a tight spot on the AIP.
Side note: the AIP can be a very helpful reset for people struggling with autoimmunity, and I think Paleo has a lot to offer people. But it’s not exactly how my family eats anymore. If you’re curious, you can take a look at my template for a healthy diet.
You may also like:
I’ve been eating a lot of leftovers for breakfast these days, and that’s always a good option.
But if you, like me, are craving a little variety, here are 40 awesome AIP breakfast ideas. I’m super excited to give these a try!
Like all AIP Paleo recipes, these recipes are
- grain free
- dairy free
- nut free
- legume free
- refined-sugar free
- soy free
- egg free
- nightshade free
And if you’re doing the Whole30… Well, most of these Paleo breakfast recipes will work for you too! Just make sure you ignore any recreations like pancakes or muffins and skip the ones with added sweeteners.
Looking for a nice hot drink to go along with your yummy breakfast? Check out my caffeine-free Freebird Latte!
AIP Paleo Breakfasts
Healing Strawberry Gelatin Protein Smoothie (Dairy and Gluten Free)
This is a very easy recipe that will help you get the day started off right.
Collagen is a must-have in any AIP pantry because of how healing it is to the gut, and it's a great source of protein too.
This recipe looks so good that I seriously think I might make it tomorrow morning.
Just needs a little protein on the side (maybe one of the awesome sausage recipes in this lits?) and then you're good to go!
Easy Post Workout or Meal Replacement Blueberry Super Smoothie (Paleo, SCD, Gaps, Dairy Free)
This is another simple, simple protein-packed shake. The recipe calls for gelatin, which is super healing.
Just make sure you use a grass-fed gelatin, which is actually healing, and not a gelatin from the grocery-store desserts aisle.
This recipe calls for ghee, but you could definitely substitute coconut oil since it's just for keeping the vegetables from sticking to the pan.
I love how colorful this dish is! And you can't go wrong with bacon, right?
This sausage is a perfect combination of fall flavors.
You'll want to leave out the cayenne (it's a nightshade), but I don't think you'll miss it.
Mini Bacon Guacamole Cups – Guest Post from “All Day I Dream About Food”
OK, these aren't technically AIP with the jalapeno, but I would love to make these and just leave out the jalapeno. I bet they would be just as good.
Because a cute little cup made out of bacon and filled with guacamole? Who can resist?
I mean, seriously.
I love the simplicity of this recipe! These would be a great option for a busy grab-and-go morning.
Just make sure to use an AIP-friendly protein powder, like this one.
Yogurt was pretty much my go-to snack before starting the autoimmune protocol. I've missed it a lot.
I almost bought some coconut milk yogurt in the store the other day, but sadly it contained soy. (Sad face.)
This post, though gives a really thorough rundown of how you can make your own coconut milk yogurt.
If you're missing oatmeal, give this recipe a try.
Obviously, you'll need to choose AIP-friendly toppings (e.g., no nuts), but that shouldn't be hard to do. Dried fruit is a great option!
Coconut Blueberry Paleo Oatmeal (AIP, Gluten Free, GAPS, SCD, Whole 30)
Here's a really yummy "oatmeal" recipe for blueberry lovers.
The gelatin is a nice gut-friendly touch.
I like that this recipe includes a vegetable (cauliflower) unlike many other Paleo "oatmeal" recipes.
It's a good way to get in some extra nourishment while still getting that hot cereal consistency.
Paleo Raspberry Coconut Oatmeal (Grain Free, Gluten Free, AIP, GAPS, Whole 30, SCD, Low FODMAP, Vegan)
If you're a raspberry fan, like my mother-in-law, you'll love this Paleo oatmeal.
I've made lots of banana pancakes, but plantain pancakes are a new one for me. I'm definitely curious to try this one!
This recipe calls for a gelatin egg. If you don't know how to make one (I didn't), you can find out how to do it here.
Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I prepare sweet potatoes the same way over and over and over and over again.
This is a fun way to mix it up. Serve alongside some yummy breakfast sausage for a complete meal.
The blend of sweet and savory in this hash looks amazing! There are some great fall flavors here.
Can't wait to give this one a try!
It's true... one of the simplest ways to eat on the AIP is to mix up some stir-fried meat and veggies.
Here's yet another variation on that theme, with a Moroccan twist. Tasty!
I adore mango, and these mango sausages look amazingly delicious.
With such a simple, straightforward ingredient list, I will definitely be making these sometime SOON.
I love the idea of sweet potato toast--it looks like so much fun!
Obviously you will want to skip the egg/nut/seed topping suggestions for an AIP-compliant breakfast, but you could totally take inspiration from these ideas for your own toppings.
Avocado + apple + microgreens could be an interesting combo!
AIP / Spring Breakfast Chicken Soup - Slow Cooker Paleo Recipe
Who says you can't have soup for breakfast?
This soup looks so delicious and reminds me of something you might get at a Chinese restaurant.
Seems like a perfect soothing start to the day to me.
Also... cilantro? Um, yum. My mouth is watering already!
As a born-and-raised Maine girl, I'm pretty sure I have maple syrup running through my veins.
Lucky for me maple syrup is an AIP-approved sweetener! And these sausages sound amazing.
My sister makes delicious coffeecake.
And the last time I visited her, she had some on her table... and I couldn't eat it. Cue crocodile tears.
Knowing that this recipe exists makes me feel a whole lot better.
Spaghetti squash... not just for replacing spaghetti!
This is a fun variation that mimics a hot breakfast cereal.
Yes, you can eat granola on the AIP!
Here's a recipe that sounds tasty and super simple.
Hey, how about some pumpkin pie (in smoothie form) for breakfast?
Packed with healthy ingredients like gut-healing collagen, this is an indulgence you won't have to feel guilty about.
If you've never tried avocado in a smoothie, you need to!
It makes the smoothie so creamy, and give it some extra staying power because of the healthy fats.
This recipe has only 5 ingredients and sounds delicious!
AIP Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Muffins {egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free~ autoimmune protocol!)
Craving muffins for breakfast?
These apple cinnamon beauties will hit the spot. And the fact that you make them in the blender makes them super easy to throw together.
Some Paleo "oatmeal" recipes seem a bit complicated, but this one couldn't be more straightforward.
It's a bit heavy on the coconut, so if you're not a huge coconut fan, you might want to skip this one.
I, on the other hand, love coconut and think this recipe sounds pretty delicious. Just make sure you use the banana option instead of the egg to make it AIP compliant.
Finally, a breakfast casserole that doesn't rely on eggs!
This AIP breakfast casserole looks so tasty and nutritious.
I already talked about these in my AIP desserts post, but like I said there--they'd definitely pass as a breakfast food too!
Are they a cookie or a muffin? Neither!
These muffin tops are the cutest and would be perfect alongside a nice hot AIP-compliant latte.
Blueberries and kale might sound like an unusual combination, but I think they come together perfectly in this meatball recipe.
These are a must-try!
A bagel that's AIP compliant!
As Jaime at Gutsy by Nature says, "You just might think you are dreaming."
You might think that mashed cauliflower, mushrooms, and arugula would be better as lunch fare, but this is a dish I could see myself eating every morning.
Besides, it has bacon!
I also love that this one can be eaten cold--sometimes mornings are crazy, and anything you can prep ahead is a good idea!
No crazy ingredients here (unless you count coconut flour, which I don't--even Aldi carries it now).
And these AIP breakfast sausage chicken poppers are full of enough other nutrients from the spinach, sweet potato, and apple that you could reasonably make them a meal all by themselves.
The flavors of fall come together beautifully in this AIP breakfast porridge.
I like that this recipe makes enough to serve the whole family, too. Hmmm, I wonder if I can convince the kids to eat pumpkin for breakfast...
This AIP breakfast bowl combines mushrooms, chicken or pork, kale, radishes, and avocado.
Super nourishing and delicious!
By the way, if you don't care for raw radishes, they're really good sauteed--it takes out all the bite. You could cook them along with the mushrooms in this recipe.
This recipe is so, so easy and super flexible depending on what you feel like on a given day.
Vary the amount of gelatin you use for something that's more like yogurt or like pudding--you decide!
Spaghetti squash forms the basis of this "oatmeal."
She doesn't say how much it serves, but it makes a lot and could probably feed the whole family.
Simple, simple, simple. It's a bit like hashbrowns, but a tad sweeter.
You'll need to leave out the nutmeg for AIP compliance, but I don't think you'll miss it.
These would be great with a side of sausage!
One thing I love about this recipe is that I already have all the ingredients, so I don't have to go out and buy anything special.
AIP breakfast muffins, here I come! I think I'll add in the optional blueberries--we love wild Maine blueberries in this house.
Baking your veggies under bacon in the oven--such a great idea!
This idea will do you well with your own AIP breakfast creations, but check out the blog post for exactly how Erin puts this one together.
So many good egg-free breakfast options here! I’m sure you found at least one that you and your family will love.
Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite!