When it’s already sweltering before 9am, a bowl of porridge just isn’t going to cut it. So, we asked the Good Housekeeping team what they’re actually eating for breakfast during the heatwave. From frozen peaches grated over Greek yogurt to protein smoothies, chilled melon and ice lollies, these are the breakfasts getting us through the hottest mornings.
And with the heatwave now entering its 632nd week, it might just provide you with some much-needed cooling inspo.
Best breakfast hack: Frozen peaches grated over Greek yogurt
‘I’m not overly hungry first thing, but I always have room for a bowl of thick Greek yogurt topped with grated frozen peaches and a generous drizzle of honey – it’s elite. The frozen fruit melts into the yogurt just enough to create a creamy, almost sorbet-like texture – exactly what I want when it’s already roasting outside before turning the laptop on.’
Best grab-and-go breakfast: M&S Strawberry & Creme Chia Pudding
‘M&S’s breakfast pots are a godsend on busy weekday mornings and I’ve recently become obsessed with the new Strawberry & Creme Chia Pudding. Inspired by the classic Wimbledon pairing, it’s creamy, fruity and filling enough to keep me going until lunch, with zero prep required, which is exactly what I need when I’m rushing out the door.’
Best if you can’t face eating: Chocolate protein smoothie
‘My current heatwave breakfast go-to is a smoothie made with More Protein Milkshake Style Chocolate Drink and a handful of frozen berries. I’ve tried what feels like every protein powder on the market since Lamberts discontinued my all-time favourite and this is the first that’s genuinely impressed me. Most protein powders taste chalky or overly artificial, but this one tastes like melted chocolate ice cream. Blended with frozen berries, it’s cold, filling and exactly what I want to wake up to when it’s already too hot for a proper breakfast.’
Best for kids (and adults): Kefir breakfast ice lollies
‘The kids start asking for ice lollies the second they wake up (and, honestly, who can blame them?), so I’ve started filling lolly moulds with Bio & Me’s new kefir drinks, frozen berries and a drizzle of honey. They’re brilliant for little ones, but I’ve found myself reaching for them, too. They’re refreshing, surprisingly filling and good for your gut.’
Best no-prep breakfast: Chilled Galia melon
‘I don’t usually do breakfast during the week, but my dream Sunday morning involves sitting outside with half a chilled Galia melon and eating it straight from the skin with a spoon. It’s simple, refreshing and exactly the kind of breakfast a heatwave calls for.’
Best savoury breakfast: M&S Shakshuka Pot
‘I’ve always preferred a savoury breakfast, but shakshuka is usually reserved for lazy weekends. This M&S pot lets me have it on a weekday and the combination of lemon yogurt, crumbled feta, eggs and chickpeas makes it feel surprisingly refreshing while packing in plenty of protein.’
Best for upping your protein: Cottage cheese with chilli crisp
‘I'd never really considered cottage cheese for breakfast until recently (that’ll be the Em the Nutritionist effect), but now I’m completely converted. When it’s too hot to cook, I spoon a few generous dollops into a bowl and top them with chilli crisp – this Peanut Rayu is my favourite. It’s creamy, savoury, packed with protein and surprisingly satisfying – exactly what I want on mornings when it’s too hot to face a proper meal but I still need something filling.’
Best snack: Frozen grapes
‘If you haven’t tried M&S’s Cotton Candy grapes yet, do yourself a favour and stick a punnet in the freezer right now. They’re sweeter than regular grapes and freezing them somehow makes that candy-like flavour even more intense. They’re the perfect icy bite to reach for every time you walk past the freezer – and dangerously moreish on a hot day.’
Best refreshing breakfast: M&S Watermelon With Lime
‘This is such a brilliant cooling breakfast or snack at any time of day. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll sprinkle over some fresh mint and Tajín. The zingy, sweet and salty combination is ridiculously refreshing and the next best way to enjoy it if it’s too early for a margarita.’
Best breakfast that feels like dessert: Sambazon Original Frozen Scoopable Acai
‘I was influenced into buying this after seeing it all over Instagram and I’m really glad I did. It’s frozen, but scoopable, so feels and tastes just like ice cream, but with the health benefits of acai. Perfect heatwave fodder!’
Best tropical flavour: Jordans Crunchy Oat Granola Tropical Fruits
‘My favourite breakfast right now is thick Greek yogurt topped with crunchy tropical granola and a generous drizzle of honey. It’s one of those combinations I never seem to tire of and makes me feel like I’m on holiday (yes, even when eating it al-desko).
On especially hot mornings, I pop the yogurt in the freezer for 15 minutes before assembling everything. It turns into an almost ice cream-like breakfast that’s incredibly refreshing, while still feeling wholesome enough to start the day.’
Best nostalgic breakfast: Innocent Like Strawberry Cupcakes Creamy Smoothie
‘I’ll admit I was completely influenced by the name. Innocent’s Like Strawberry Cupcakes smoothie really does taste just like strawberry cupcake batter, but still counts as one of your five a day. Kept in the fridge until it’s properly chilled, it’s become my go-to breakfast on mornings when it’s simply too hot to eat. Sweet, creamy and seriously nostalgic.’
Best iced coffee: Grind Pistachio Iced Coffee
‘My fridge is approximately 80% full of Grind iced coffee at the moment. The new pistachio flavour is amazing – it’s become my morning coffee of choice when it’s too hot to contemplate a flat white.’
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
