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We are 3 1/2 weeks into the school year already (I know! I’m still seeing “first day of school” picks this week from my friends in the northeast!). And I have to tell you, I’ve learned a few things about getting these kiddos out the door without mom and dad getting more gray hairs in the process.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that it takes some advanced planning to not lose your mind. But here’s the good news: that advanced planning doesn’t have to mean that you just do all the work the night before and stay up late grumbling (been there, done that while making overnight oatmeal). You can plan strategically to include steps in your morning routine that make your life easier, I promise!

Breakfast is one of those areas where, with just a little forethought, you can provide a very filling, protein-packed breakfast that will get your kids off to the right start (and that they will actually eat! Anyone else’s kids turn their noses up at the sight of scrambled eggs?).

Today I want to show you one of my girls’ very favorite breakfasts. It’s one of my favorites, too, because it’s easy to pull off on busy weekday mornings. I call it Great Start Waffles. 

This meal, believe it or not, will even travel with you if you are pressed to the max for time. I’d suggest a napkin for the ride, but you can most definitely eat this in the car! 🙂

To make your Great Start Waffles, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Kellogg’s Eggo Waffles (we love the Nutri Grain variety!)
• 1 Tbsp syrup of your choice (search for those without High Fructose Corn Syrup if you can)
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1 Tbsp peanut butter (look for the variety made with just peanuts to cut down on sugar intake)

Begin by toasting your Eggo waffles to your desired crispness.

While the waffles are toasting, in a small bowl combine the syrup and the peanut butter together. To make the peanut butter cooperate with the syrup and blend well, first heat up your tablespoon of peanut butter in a small microwavable-safe container for 10 seconds. The final consistency will still be thick, and that’s a good thing, because by combining your peanut butter and your syrup together like this, you’ve decreased the probability of having syrup spillovers!

If you haven’t yet sliced your banana, do so now, as well.

Once your waffle is toasted, remove it (carefully! It’s hot!) and apply the syrup peanut butter mixture. Add bananas on top and serve. Your child can simply pick it up and eat it like a piece of toast and get on the move if it’s time to go!

This recipe scales beautifully, so just double, triple or even quadruple it for the size group you need to feed. And if you have hungry teenagers in the house, turn the recipe into a sandwich by adding more peanut butter mixture and a second Eggo waffle on top!

I found everything I needed to make this recipe at my local Target. Did you know they have an entire section of their freezer devoted to waffles?

Just one more reason to love that place, I tell ya! The next time you visit the home of the bullseye, be sure to check out Kellogg’s Back to School packaging on great on-pack offers in store at Target.

Do you have any easy morning recipes or other tips that help you get your family out the door without stress?