12 Dirt Cheap Breakfast Ideas to Make When You’re Broke
When you’re counting every penny, breakfast doesn’t have to be boring or skipped entirely. These dirt cheap budget breakfast ideas use inexpensive ingredients and pantry staples you may already have around your house.
What’s your go-to cheap breakfast to make when money is tight? Drop a comment and share your ideas with everyone.
1. Oatmeal
A container of oats costs a couple of dollars and makes dozens of breakfasts. Cook it on the stovetop with water, make overnight oats in a jar, or bake a big batch on Sunday for the whole week.
Add whatever you have on hand, such as cinnamon, brown sugar, or even leftover fruit that’s starting to go soft.
2. Breakfast Potatoes and Eggs
Potatoes are dirt cheap and incredibly filling; one large potato can be half your breakfast. Dice it up, fry it until crispy, then crack just 1-2 eggs right into the same pan. This combo will keep you full until lunchtime.
3. Beans on Toast
One can of beans stretches into two filling meals when you pour it over toast. The protein and fiber will keep you satisfied for hours, and you likely already have bread and a can of beans in your pantry.
4. Breakfast Burritos
Make a big batch on Sunday using just one or two eggs, but bulk them up with cheap fillers like diced potatoes, beans, or rice. Wrap them individually and freeze for grab-and-go breakfasts all week.
5. Cinnamon Sugar Toast
This was a staple during the Great Depression when families had to make do with basic pantry ingredients. Butter one side of the bread and sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture.
The secret is mixing the cinnamon and sugar together beforehand. Don’t sprinkle them on separately, or you’ll get a mouthful of straight cinnamon.
6. Veggie Scramble
Eggs are one of the most affordable proteins available (even with fluctuating prices). You can scramble them with any vegetables that need using up. Frozen mixed veggies often cost less than fresh ones and won’t spoil in your freezer.
7. Cottage Cheese with Toppings
Large containers of cottage cheese give you a serious protein bang for your buck. To stretch cottage cheese further, add toppings like fruit, everything bagel seasoning, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, chopped green onions, or a drizzle of honey.
8. Chorizo Breakfast Tacos
A little Mexican chorizo goes a long way since it’s so flavorful, plus it’s cheap too. One package can make several breakfasts when you scramble it with eggs, and the chorizo fat makes the eggs taste incredible.
9. Sliced Cheese, Fruit, and Nuts
Buy block cheese instead of pre-sliced to save money, and then pair it with the cheapest fruit available that week. Throw in a handful of the most affordable nuts you can find, like peanuts.
10. Sliced Spam and Eggs
Spam doesn’t need refrigeration until you open it, which means you can stock up when it’s on sale. Fry a couple of slices with an egg and potato for a filling breakfast that’ll keep you going.
11. Dinner Leftovers
Your fridge might already have tomorrow’s breakfast waiting; leftover pizza, pasta, or rice all work perfectly. Reheating last night’s dinner takes less effort than cooking anything from scratch, and it’s free since you already paid for it.
12. Fried Rice Breakfast Bowl
Day-old rice actually works better for fried rice, so this is perfect for using up leftovers. Scramble an egg right into the rice with whatever vegetables you have hanging around.
