I'm a chef. Here are my 9 favorite easy breakfasts using basic items from Trader Joe's.

Sold at Trader Joe's, Food for Life Ezekiel bread has a hearty nuttiness and a sturdiness that makes it great for loading with toppings.

I like to toast a slice and top it with Trader Joe's fluffy whipped cream cheese and salmon.

The hot smoked salmon is my top pick, as it's flaky and tasts smoky, but the classic nova or Everything but the Bagel Seasoned smoked salmon is also lovely.

If I'm feeling fancy, I'll also add a sprinkle of drained capers and a dusting of lemon zest to the toast.

Oats with pecans is a cozy breakfast that will always satisfy my sweet tooth.

I prepare steel-cut organic oats with milk, not water, for optimal flavor. Then, I add Trader Joe's unsalted dry-toasted pecan pieces, which are the perfect size for a mix-in.

I top it all with a generous pour of Vermont maple syrup and a handful of blueberries or raspberries.

I like using ready-made tamales for a savory breakfast that requires minimal cooking and prep work.

Trader Joe's Mexican-style chile and cheese tamales are delightfully soft and fluffy, with a just-spicy-enough filling.

I like to dip mine in the thin and smooth Salsa Autetnica from Trader Joe's. It's not overly spicy, so you don't have to worry about starting your day with a fire on your tongue.

I like to grab a tub of overnight oats on busy mornings when I need to eat on the go.

Although Trader Joe's almond-butter chia oats are satisfying, I love adding crunch to the mushy meal using unsweetened coconut chips.

These overnight oats are plenty sweet on their own, so you just need the coconut's nutty flavor and crisp texture to complete this breakfast.

Crumpets can be hard to get in the US, but I've found them at Trader Joe's. They have the perfect airy, chewy texture to soak up any topping you give them.

A dollop of the chain's lemon curd is the perfect way to make a breakfast feel fancy with minimal effort.

I also serve my crumpets with juicy slices of sumo citrus, the best hybrid orange out there, for extra freshness.

You can buy pre-blended açai bowls at Trader Joe's, but I get its packets of açai puree so I can control the sweetness levels of my breakfast bowl.

I make a bowl by blending an açai packet with dark sweet cherries and frozen mixed berries. I add almond milk or coconut water to make the smoothie bowl more liquidy.

I also add almond butter — my favorite is the crunchy, salted version at Trader Joe's — for protein and healthy fats. I blend it in or drizzle it on top.

If you're looking for a savory breakfast, toss a frozen Trader Joe's scallion pancake (pa jeon) into a hot skillet until it's nicely browned on both sides.

Top it with a sunny-side-up egg — and maybe a drizzle of soy sauce or a spoonful of Trader Joe's crunchy chili onion — and you have a hot and filling meal.

I love starting my day with a fortifying bowl of soup, and it's never a bad time to have wontons.

I throw this together on the stove by heating Trader Joe's miso-ginger broth with a few frozen chicken-cilantro mini wontons.

You don't need much more than that, but you can add chopped scallions, any kind of greens, or chili oil to elevate your breakfast soup.

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