Frugal Kid Friendly Breakfasts

Is the cost of prepared breakfast foods breaking your grocery budget? Are you sick of the same old cold cereal every morning? Here are so frugal, kid-friendly breakfasts that the whole family will enjoy.

Homemade pancakes

Our family adapted this recipe from an original. The original is taken from Betty Crocker's 40^th Anniversary Edition Cookbook. It was a bridal shower gift and some of the pages are torn and stained. This recipe is very easy, delicious and frugal. We have it memorized. It is easily doubled or tripled and then the pancakes can be frozen and reheated later in the toaster when time is short.

1 egg

1-cup all-purpose or whole-wheat flour

½ cup milk

½ cup water

1-tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

Beat egg with wire whisk in medium bowl until fluffy. Add oil, milk, water, and then dry ingredients. Beat until smooth. Heat griddle to 350 degrees. Spray surface with cooking spray. Pour batter into desired shapes and sizes. Cook pancakes until lightly browned on each side and cooked through. Enjoy with butter or margarine and syrup.

Homemade Instant oatmeal packets

The instant oatmeal packets are very expensive for the amount of oatmeal they contain. My children used to only have the quick oats from the large tubs that were less than $2 to purchase and would last at least one month. Then they tried the instant oatmeal packages at their cousin's house and wanted that taste. They contain a lot more sugar and sodium so I've created a recipe to make them at home.

5 cups quick oats, divided

5 tablespoons light brown sugar

1-1/4 teaspoons salt

10 sandwich bags

Separate the quick oats into 2.5-cup portions. Put one portion in the blender and process until powdery. In each sandwich bag include the following: ¼ cup quick oats, 2 tablespoons powdery oats, 1/8 tsp salt, ½ Tsp brown sugar. Seal bags and shake gently until combined. Store in a used Instant Oatmeal box. To serve, add desired amount of milk or water, combine and microwave for 1to 1-1/2 minutes until cooked. Some prefer thicker oatmeal, so add more milk and cook for longer.

Homemade French toast sticks

These are great to make up ahead and freeze. Then pop into the toaster, slice and serve with butter and syrup for an easy before school breakfast!

6 slices bread (any kind, even stale)

2 eggs

½ cup milk

2 Tablespoons sugar

1-teaspoon cinnamon

Beat eggs and milk until fluffy. Add sugar and cinnamon. Dip bread into mixture and place on hot, buttered skillet at 350 degrees. Cook until lightly browned on each side. Enjoy!