Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas

Finding easy portable travel breakfast ideas can be challenging when you're constantly on the go. Whether heading out on a long road trip, transporting kids to school, or simply commuting to work, having a nutritious breakfast that doesn’t take much time to prepare or consume is important.

While many people resort to grabbing something from a café or drive-thru, homemade, portable breakfast options are more affordable and often healthier. Your money is better spent on ingredients you can assemble at home.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the best portable breakfast ideas for busy travelers, focusing on meals that are easy to make ahead, pack up, and eat on the go. From smoothies and overnight oats to sheet pan egg sandwiches and breakfast wraps, you’ll have various options to suit every taste and dietary preference.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Sheetpan Egg Sandwiches

Let’s start with a breakfast idea that’s both hearty and convenient: sheetpan egg sandwiches. This is one of my favorites. These are perfect for meal prepping and can be customized with your favorite ingredients. Using a sheet pan to bake eggs allows you to make multiple sandwiches at once, saving you time and effort.

They are easy to eat while on the move and offer a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbs. If you have chickens, this is a great way to use up an abundance of eggs.

How to Make Sheetpan Egg Sandwiches:

Ingredients

• 6-8 large eggs (depending on the number of sandwiches you want to make)
• 1 cup of milk, half & half, heavy cream, or a dairy-free alternative.
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or cooking spray)
• Bread of your choice (brioche, sourdough, whole wheat, etc.). I used ciabatta rolls the last time I made this recipe.
• Cheese (cheddar, provolone, or dairy-free cheese)
• Optional: cooked bacon, sausage, spinach, tomatoes, avocado, or any other toppings you prefer

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a sheet pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk with the milk, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the egg mixture onto the prepared sheet pan, ensuring the eggs cover the entire surface.
4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set.
5. While the eggs are baking, prepare your bread and other sandwich toppings.
6. Once the eggs are done, let them cool for a few minutes before cutting them into sandwich-sized portions.
7. Assemble your sandwiches: Layer a slice of egg, cheese, and any additional toppings onto your bread.
8. Wrap the sandwiches in foil or parchment paper for easy transport. Parchment paper allows easy rewarming and helps with crumb control in the car!

These sheetpan egg sandwiches are incredibly versatile. You can prepare a batch and store sandwiches in the fridge for a few days or freeze them to use later. To reheat, simply microwave, toast them, or pop them in the air fryer.

Finally, not only are they quick to eat, but they’re also filling enough to satisfy you during your busy travel day.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are another easy portable travel breakfast idea, and for good reason. This no-cook, customizable breakfast is packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, making it a nutritious choice that keeps you full until lunchtime.

In addition to being delicious, it’s incredibly easy to prepare the night before, and you can just grab it from the fridge and go.

How to Make Overnight Oats:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup milk (or a dairy-free alternative)
• ¼ cup yogurt (optional for added creaminess)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional for extra fiber)
• Sweetener to taste (honey, maple syrup, or stevia). I use honey most of the time.
• Toppings: fruit, nuts, nut butter, granola, craisins, raisins, seeds, etc.

Instructions:

1. In a mason jar or a small bowl, combine the oats, milk, yogurt (if using), and chia seeds. Stir well.
2. Add your desired sweetener and mix again.
3. Cover the jar or bowl and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, top your overnight oats with your favorite fruits, nuts, or granola.
5. Seal the jar or container and you’re ready to hit the road.

Pro Tip: You can make several jars of overnight oats at once and store them in the fridge for up to five days. This makes them a perfect option for meal prep.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Smoothies

Smoothies are a fantastic portable breakfast for travelers. They are quick to make, and you can pack them with an assortment of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. In addition to using a variety of fruits and vegetables, you can prepare smoothie packs ahead of time, saving you time in the morning when you’re rushing to leave the house.

How to Make Smoothie Packs:

Ingredients for One Smoothie Pack:

• 1 cup frozen fruit (berries, mango, pineapple, etc.)
• 1 handful of spinach or kale (optional but adds a nutritional boost)
• 1 tablespoon nut butter or protein powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds (optional)
• 1 cup almond milk or any milk of your choice

Instructions:

1. Add all of the ingredients (except the milk) into a freezer-safe bag or container.
2. Label the pack with the date and the type of smoothie.
3. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, pour the contents into a blender, add your milk, and blend until smooth.

These smoothie packs can last for up to a month in the freezer, and they’re perfect for anyone who needs a quick, healthy breakfast. All you need to do is blend the pack with your milk (or any liquid you prefer), and you’ll have a refreshing breakfast in less than 5 minutes.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Energy Balls

If you’re looking for something small, portable, and packed with energy, energy balls can be a great option. These no-bake bites are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go and can be made in various flavors to suit your tastes.

In addition to being easy to prepare, they are also a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which will keep your energy levels steady throughout the day.

How to Make Energy Balls:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, etc.)
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flax seeds
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut flakes, protein powder

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well mixed.
2. Once the mixture is combined, next you will want to roll it into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
3. Next you place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm them up.
4. After refrigerating, store the energy balls in an airtight container.

These energy balls are a perfect breakfast for travelers who need something quick and nutritious which can be eaten one-handed while on the go. They also make an excellent snack if you get hungry during your day as well.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is another easy, no-cook breakfast that you can prepare the night before. Chia seeds absorb liquid and expand to create a thick, creamy texture, making them ideal for making a satisfying pudding.

Next, you will want to customize your chia pudding with a variety of flavors, fruits, and toppings, so you’ll never get bored with all the varieties you can create.

How to Make Chia Pudding:

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup milk (or a dairy-free alternative)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Sweetener of your choice (honey, maple syrup, or stevia)
• Toppings: fresh fruit, nuts, granola, or coconut flakes

Instructions:

1. In a jar or bowl, combine chia seeds, milk, vanilla extract, and sweetener.
2. Stir well to ensure the chia seeds are evenly distributed.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, stir the pudding and top with your favorite toppings.

Chia pudding can be made in advance for several days, making it another excellent meal prep option for most of us. In addition to being portable, this is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein.

Easy Portable Travel Breakfast Ideas: Breakfast Wraps

Breakfast wraps are a quick and easy breakfast option that you can easily customize. Whether you want eggs, veggies, or leftovers, a breakfast wrap is the perfect portable meal.

Decide what ingredients you want to include. The next step is to fill a tortilla with your favorite ingredients, roll it up, and you’re ready to go.

How to Make a Breakfast Wrap

Ingredients:

• Tortillas (whole wheat, spinach, or flour). In contrast to sheet pan egg sandwiches, we use soft tortillas in this recipe.
• Scrambled eggs or egg whites
• Avocado, salsa, cheese, and/or cooked bacon
• Spinach, mushrooms, or other veggies (optional)
• Hot sauce or your favorite dressing (optional)

Instructions:

1. The first step is to scramble your eggs and cook any veggies you want to add to the wrap.
2. Next, lay a tortilla flat and fill it with the cooked ingredients.
3. Add any additional toppings like avocado or cheese.
4. Roll up the tortilla tightly, folding in the sides as you go.
5. The final step is to wrap it in foil or parchment paper for easy transport.

Breakfast wraps are versatile and can be made to fit any dietary preference, from vegetarian to keto. In addition to being versatile, this recipe allows me to use up any random leftovers in the fridge. I use leftover veggies like onions, peppers, and mushrooms most frequently in this recipe.

To summarize, try these easy and portable breakfast ideas, you’ll never have to settle for unhealthy snacks or fast food on your travels again. You will save money and these are healthier options.

When you prepare your food you control portion size and ingredients. What kind of portable travel breakfast food will you prepare this week?