6 Frugal Breakfast Foods

A recently distributed survey got a variety of interesting answers from anonymous users. Here are some great tips on eating a cheap breakfast.

Frugal Breakfast Food #1 - Eat Pancakes

"Pancakes and waffles make very cheap breakfasts. You can mix up the flavors by using instant muffin mixes instead of pancake mix."

A box of pancake mix can easily feed several people at least one hefty meal.  You can also make your own pancake mix with this simple recipe.

Old Fashioned Pancake Recipe INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 1/4 cups milk 1 egg 3 tablespoons oil 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and oil.  Mix the ingredients until they are smooth. 2. Heat your pan to medium heat.  You can even preheat your pan. It's important that the heat be medium and consistent.  If it is too hot the cakes will burn and be raw on the inside.  Pour batter on the pan, wait for the batter to bubble up and the bubbles to become firm before flipping. What is the cost of this recipe? The flour costs about 18 cents, the milk will cost about 23 cents, and the egg will cost about 10 cents.  Add up the remaining ingredients and the total cost will easily come in at about 20 cents.  So, you have a meal that will end up costing about 71 cents and has 8 servings.  So, the cost per serving is 9 cents.

Frugal Breakfast Food #2 - Eat Oatmeal

"Per ounce, oatmeal is the cheapest breakfast going.  Don't buy the flavored packets; buy plain oats, store brand, and cook in a slow cooker or on the microwave.  Add your own cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, or bananas!"

Another person wrote,

"Bulk instant oatmeal can be bought from many discount grocery stores. Mix with a little sugar, and some nutmeg or raisins, for a frugal but tasty breakfast."

Oatmeal really is economical. A 42-ounce container would cost you about $3 in any grocery store. If you want to add flavor consider honey, nuts, apple, Cinnamon, and even plain sugar.  Cost per serving is about 10 to 12 cents for a half cup of dry oatmeal.

Frugal Breakfast Food #3 - Buy Old Bread

"For a cheap breakfast, find a bakery that sells the prior days produce at a discount, even the bread is a little hard, you can always toast it."

Homemade bread is likely to be heartier and healthier than a simple loaf of store-bought white bread.  However, if you aren't crafty enough to bake your own bread, buy the good stuff day-old and heat it up.  You can use bread to make french toast too, which is a rich and protein filled breakfast.


Frugal Breakfast Food #4 - Eggs, Potatoes and Bacon

"Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, it's the cheapest. Eggs, potatoes, and bacon can be used to make up a plethora of hearty meals on a budget. Eggs are also an affordable protein."

Costing about ten cents for a 70 calorie serving, eggs are truly affordable protein. A simple omelett also takes minutes to prepare.  A frittata takes a little more effort, but is just as rewarding.  A simple Apple Cheddar frittata has about four ingredients, an apple, cheddar cheese, eggs, and butter, all very economical.

Frugal Breakfast Food #5 - Generic Cereal and Use Coupons

"Off-brand cereal is a good way to go."

Another person added,

"Breakfast can be one of the most economical meals of the day. Coupons for cereal can often be located in the Sunday newspaper. Many stores now have the option to load coupons onto their rewards cards or by logging in using a cell phone number."

Even if you buy cereal full price it is economical.  A box of Cheerios can be purchased for about $3.50 (18 oz) and it contains 18 servings.  This puts the cost per serving at about 20 cents.  Add in coupons and sale prices and you can usually cut the price in half.

Frugal Breakfast Food #6 - Fruit

"Bananas are cheap, and fulfill one's need to start the day with some fruit."

A banana is a simple and healthy breakfast consisting of about 100 calories. It comes in it's own biodegradable wrapper.  Most importantly, it costs about 50 cents per pound.  Add granola bar or some other small item and you have a decent breakfast.