Kick-start the new year with these healthy breakfast recipes that contain superfood blueberries

ONE of the best ways to kick-start a new year health kick is by having a nutritious breakfast that contains one of your five a day.

Here are some great ideas for filling breakfast dishes that contain superfood blueberries.

Blueberry and banana breakfast bars

(Serves 9)

Cost: £3.78 -42p per person

Preparation: 15 mins

Cooking time: 35 mins

YOU NEED:

• 110g rolled oats
• 65g coarsely chopped dried figs
• 25g coarsely chopped almonds
• 35g sunflower seeds
• 150g mashed ripe bananas
• 85g smooth peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 large egg whites
• 100g fresh blueberries
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tbsp sunflower seeds, extra
• 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds

METHOD: Preheat oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Line a 20cm square baking tin with baking parchment, leaving 2.5cm of parchment hanging over the sides.

Remove one handful of oats and put to one side for later.

Mix the remaining oats, figs, almonds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds together in a bowl.

Stir bananas, peanut butter and honey together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until completely melted and smooth, about 5 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat. Whisk egg whites together in a bowl until foamy.

Mix banana mixture into egg whites and whisk until smooth. Add oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Fold blueberries (apart from one handful) into the mixture.

Press the mixture into the prepared tin. Top with pumpkin seeds, the extra sunflower seeds, oats and the remaining blueberries.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until golden.

Cool completely before cutting into squares or bars.

TIP: WILL stay fresh in an airtight box for two days

Quick and easy French toast

(Serves 12)

Cost: £2.40 - 20p per person

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 25 mins

YOU NEED:

• 4 medium eggs
• 175ml semi-skimmed milk
• 3 tablespoons light brown soft sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 12 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 100g mixed berries – eg. blueberries

METHOD: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add the milk, brown sugar and nutmeg; stir well to combine.

Soak bread slices in the egg mixture until saturated. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat.

Brown slices on both sides, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve hot with the berries.

TIP: YOU can also serve with maple syrup or Greek yoghurt

Blueberry breakfast smoothie

(Serves 1)

Cost: £2.98

Preparation: 15 mins

YOU NEED: 

• 50g fresh blueberries
• 100g Greek yoghurt
• 4 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar, or less to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon, or to taste
• 3 ice cubes

METHOD: Blend the blueberries, yoghurt, orange juice, sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon together in a blender on low speed for 30 seconds.

Then increase the speed to high and blend until smooth – about two minutes.

Add ice, blend on high until smooth – about one minute more.

TIP: YOU can swap blueberries for any fruit you like.