Transform Your Toast Routine with a Toast Bar

A girl holds toast topped with apples, berries and more next to a container of toppings.

Whether served with eggs, avocados, a cup of coffee, or a glass of milk, bread is a go-to breakfast staple. Around the world, breakfast bread accoutrements vary widely and include things like brewer’s yeast spreads to toast slathered in beans, and even milk poured over breadcrumbs.

Toasted or not, bread is a simple, quick morning go-to that lets kids create the breakfast they want. Once school is back in session, reimagine your morning routine with a toast bar!

It's easy, nourishing, and sure to become a family hit.

Start by pulling out your prepped “snackle” box (also known as a snack tackle box) of toppings so kids can mix and match their favorites for an easy breakfast. Keep one in the fridge for cold items and another on the counter for shelf-stable options, so everything is ready to grab in the morning.

Six pieces of toast with different toppings including hardboiled eggs, cottage cheese, berries and sunflower seeds.

Once back-to-routine becomes — well, routine — you'll have a better feel for what to include. A good start will include healthy toast toppings like fresh and dried fruit, granola, chia seeds, nuts, shredded coconut, cottage cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. You can use leftovers for snacks, smoothies, brunch or tomorrow’s toast toppings.

A simple toast bar is also an independence-building and fun activity for low-friction routines. The kiddos get to start their day with creative toast recipes and are empowered to make their own breakfast decisions.

The possibilities are endless, but here are six easy breakfast toast ideas to inspire quick, delicious morning meals.

Toast covered in cottage cheese and fresh berries.

Easy-Peasy Cottage Cheese and Berry Toast

Just like it sounds, top a slice of toast with approximately 2 tablespoons of Organic Valley^® Cottage Cheese and have the kiddos arrange berries of their liking in pretty patterns. It couldn’t be easier, right?! (Besides good old-fashioned toast with organic butter, of course.)

Toast with cinnamon, cottage cheese, and apples.

Cinnamon Cottage Cheese Delight Toast

Here’s another cottage cheese-lover idea. Take 2 tablespoons of Organic Valley^® Cottage Cheese and top with apples or bananas (or both!) and dash on a sprinkle of cinnamon. Add a drizzle of honey for those who like it extra sweet.

Cinnamon honey butter on toast with sunflower seeds on top.

The Bee’s Knees Toast: Honey Butter and Sunflower Seeds

Make simple whipped cinnamon honey butter the night before by blending 1/2 cup Organic Valley^® Butter with Olive Oil with 2 tablespoons of honey (more or less based on your household’s preference). Spread this delicious combo on toast or bread and sprinkle with a teaspoon of sunflower seeds. The bees that make the honey would be proud!

Cozy Cranberry and Apple Butter Toast

Spread Organic Valley^® Butter with Olive Oil on toast, then add apple butter and sprinkle on a kid-size handful of dried cranberries for a sweet, easy breakfast. This one is extra tasty on multigrain bread, perfect for less picky eaters. (Of course, we suggest you serve it with a cool glass of organic milk!)

Hardboiled eggs and sprigs of dill on a slice or cream cheese covered toast.

Sunny Slice Egg Toast

It’s an easy breakfast: Spread Butter with Olive Oil on toast, then layer on Organic Valley^® Cream Cheese. Top with soft- or hard-boiled egg slices and a pinch of salt. Let kids help peel the eggs the night before as a great little kitchen task. Add a pinch of dill or parsley on top if your kids enjoy fresh herbs.

Close-up of toast with cottage cheese and everything bagel seasoning.

Dress Up Everything Toast

Everything bagel seasoning is not just for bagels. Simply toast the kiddos favorite bread, add a few tablespoons of cottage cheese, and let the kids sprinkle on the seasoning. Maybe they’ll grab other healthy goodies from the snack box, too.

Simple Toast. Happy Mornings

We hope you and your kids discover tasty, unexpected combos to get everyone out the door with ease. Bonus: Cleanup is minimal, and there should still be enough nourishing snacks in your snackle box to fill hungry tummies when the kids get home from school.