23 Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Ideas for a Cozy Holiday Morning

Christmas morning moves at its own pace. There’s wrapping paper everywhere, coffee brewing, and someone is always hungry before the last gift is opened. A good holiday breakfast should feel special without keeping anyone stuck in the kitchen all morning.

This list covers it all, from overnight casseroles that bake while the stockings get emptied to festive pastries, fluffy pancakes and a few lighter bites to balance things out. There are sweet picks, savory mains and even a cozy drink or two. Work through the list, mix and match a few favorites, and build a Christmas brunch the whole family will remember.

23. Chocolate Chip Sheet Pan Pancakes

Flipping pancakes one at a time for a full house is a quick way to miss the fun on Christmas morning. This sheet pan version bakes a whole batch at once, so everyone gets to eat warm pancakes together.

The fluffy buttermilk batter gets dotted with mini chocolate chips and a scattering of red and green sprinkles, then bakes into a tall, tender slab. Cut it into squares, stack them up and pass the maple syrup and whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425°F. Line a 13×18 sheet pan with greased parchment.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, butter and vanilla.
4. Stir wet into dry until just combined.
5. Spread batter in the pan.
6. Top with chocolate chips and sprinkles.
7. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, until golden.
8. Cut into squares.

22. White Hot Chocolate

A warm mug of something sweet is part of the Christmas morning magic, and this copycat tastes just like the coffee shop favorite. White chocolate chips melt right into steaming milk with a splash of vanilla and a pinch of sea salt, which keeps it from tasting overly sweet.

Only four ingredients and about 10 minutes on the stove. Top each mug with whipped cream and crushed peppermint, or keep a big batch warm in the slow cooker for a crowd.

Get the recipe here.

21. Winter Citrus Fruit Salad with Pomegranate

With so many rich dishes on the table, a bright fruit salad gives everyone a fresh bite in between. Juicy navel oranges, ruby red grapefruit and kiwi bring the best of winter citrus, while pomegranate seeds scatter little red jewels across the top.

A quick honey lime drizzle and a few torn mint leaves pull it all together. It’s naturally red and green for Christmas, and the fruit can be sliced the night before.

Ingredients

• 3 navel oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 2 ruby red grapefruit, peeled and segmented
• 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 6 fresh mint leaves, torn

Directions

1. Arrange oranges, grapefruit and kiwi on a platter.
2. Whisk honey and lime juice.
3. Drizzle over the fruit.
4. Top with pomegranate seeds and mint.

20. Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd on a busy holiday morning. Old fashioned oats bake up soft and custardy with chopped apples, warm cinnamon and a little maple syrup for sweetness. The edges turn golden and slightly crisp while the center stays tender.

Mix it the night before, tuck it in the fridge and slide it into the oven in the morning. A splash of cold milk or a spoonful of yogurt on top is perfect.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium apples, diced

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
2. Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
3. Whisk milk, maple syrup, eggs, butter and vanilla.
4. Stir wet into dry. Fold in apples.
5. Pour into the dish.
6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until set.

19. Cranberry Orange Bisconies

Part scone, part biscuit, these little pastries are a homemade take on a Costco favorite that’s no longer on the shelves. Halved fresh cranberries add tart pops of red throughout, and orange zest keeps every bite bright. Cold butter is the secret to their soft, flaky texture.

A brush of butter and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar before baking gives them a sparkly golden crust that looks right at home on a Christmas brunch table.

Get the recipe here.

18. Brown Sugar Candied Bacon

Regular bacon is great, but candied bacon makes Christmas morning feel like an occasion. Thick cut slices get pressed into brown sugar with a little black pepper and a pinch of cayenne, then bake on a rack until crisp and glossy.

The sugar caramelizes into a sweet, crackly shell that balances the salty bacon perfectly. Make extra, because it disappears fast and goes with everything from pancakes to eggs.

Ingredients

• 1 pound thick cut bacon
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Line a sheet pan with foil and set a rack on top.
3. Mix brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne.
4. Lay bacon on the rack. Press sugar mix on top.
5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until crisp.
6. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

17. Spinach and Gruyere Quiche

A good quiche makes a holiday brunch feel elegant without much effort. This one fills a flaky crust with a silky egg custard, sautéed spinach, a little shallot and plenty of nutty Gruyere cheese. It’s a great vegetarian main and slices beautifully for a crowd.

Bake it the day before and warm it in the oven on Christmas morning, or serve it at room temperature next to a simple green salad.

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated pie crust
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 5 ounces baby spinach
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. Fit crust into a 9 inch pie plate.
3. Cook shallot in butter for 2 minutes.
4. Add spinach. Cook until wilted.
5. Whisk eggs, cream, milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
6. Spread spinach and cheese in the crust.
7. Pour egg mixture over the top.
8. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until set.
9. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

16. Panera-Style Cranberry Orange Muffins

These jumbo muffins bring a classic bakery pairing to the Christmas table. Fresh orange juice and zest add bright citrus flavor, while juicy cranberries add a tart pop of red in every bite. A sprinkle of turbinado sugar on top bakes into a sweet, crunchy crust.

Even better, they freeze well. Bake a batch a week ahead, then just thaw them overnight and warm them up while the coffee brews.

Get the recipe here.

15. Everything Bagel Casserole with Smoked Salmon

All the flavors of a classic bagels and lox spread get baked into one easy, elegant casserole. Toasted everything bagel cubes soak overnight in a creamy custard of eggs, half and half and cream cheese, with smoked salmon, capers and chives stirred right in.

Lacey Swiss cheese melts over the top as it bakes. Since all the work happens the night before, it’s a stress free main that feels special enough for Christmas.

Get the recipe here.

14. Dutch Baby with Berries

A Dutch baby looks like it took real skill, but the batter comes together in a blender in about five minutes. It goes into a sizzling buttered skillet and puffs up dramatically in the oven, with golden, crispy edges and a soft, custardy center.

Bring it straight to the table so everyone can see it rise. Then top it with fresh berries, a squeeze of lemon and a snowy dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1/2 lemon

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425°F with a 10 inch cast iron skillet inside.
2. Blend eggs, flour, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth.
3. Melt butter in the hot skillet.
4. Pour in the batter.
5. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until puffed and golden.
6. Top with berries, lemon juice and powdered sugar.

13. Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Frittata

A frittata is one of the easiest ways to serve eggs to a crowd without standing over the stove. This one is loaded with roasted red peppers and baby spinach, so it’s naturally red and green for the holidays. Crumbled feta adds a salty, creamy bite throughout.

It starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven in under 30 minutes. Slice it into wedges and serve it warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 10 large eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 3/4 cup jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
3. Cook onion in oil in a 10 inch oven safe skillet, 4 minutes.
4. Add spinach and peppers. Cook until spinach wilts.
5. Pour in eggs. Top with feta.
6. Cook 3 minutes, until edges set.
7. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until center is set.

12. Gingerbread Pancakes

Gingerbread is the flavor of the season, so why not have it for breakfast? These fluffy pancakes are warmly spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cloves, while molasses adds that deep, cozy gingerbread taste. They cook up soft and tender and fill the whole house with a holiday aroma.

Stack them high and finish with warm maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream or a quick drizzle of cream cheese glaze.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
2. Whisk buttermilk, molasses, brown sugar, eggs and butter.
3. Stir wet into dry until just combined.
4. Heat a greased griddle over medium.
5. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake.
6. Flip when bubbles form.
7. Cook 1 to 2 minutes more.

11. Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Every brunch needs a potato dish, and this cheesy hash brown casserole is the one everyone goes back for. Shredded hash browns get mixed with sour cream, cream of chicken soup and lots of sharp cheddar, then topped with buttery crushed cornflakes and baked until bubbly and golden.

It’s the ultimate comfort side for eggs, ham or bacon. Assemble it on Christmas Eve, cover it and bake it straight from the fridge in the morning.

Ingredients

• 30 ounces frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
• 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and divided
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 small onion, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 dish.
2. Mix soup, sour cream, 1/4 cup butter, cheese, onion, salt and pepper.
3. Fold in hash browns.
4. Spread in the dish.
5. Toss cornflakes with remaining butter. Sprinkle on top.
6. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until bubbly.

10. Pecan Praline Waffles

These waffles taste like a Southern dessert dressed up for breakfast. Toasted pecans are folded right into a buttermilk batter, so every bite has a little crunch. The real star is the warm praline sauce, a quick stovetop mix of butter, brown sugar and cream with more pecans stirred in.

Pour it over the crisp waffles and add a pat of butter. It’s an indulgent treat worth saving for Christmas morning.

Ingredients

Waffles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

Praline sauce:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. Heat and grease the waffle iron.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, butter and vanilla.
4. Stir into dry ingredients. Fold in pecans.
5. Cook until golden.
6. For the sauce, melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan.
7. Whisk in cream. Simmer 2 minutes.
8. Stir in pecans, vanilla and salt.
9. Pour over waffles.

9. Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Biscuits and gravy is pure comfort, and it’s a hearty way to fuel up before a long day of celebrating. Flaky buttermilk biscuits get split open and smothered in a creamy, peppery sausage gravy made in one skillet. The gravy only needs a few staples and about 15 minutes.

Use homemade biscuits if there’s time, or grab a can of refrigerated biscuits and save the energy for wrapping paper cleanup.

Ingredients

• 1 can (16.3 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Bake biscuits as the can directs.
2. Brown sausage in a large skillet.
3. Sprinkle flour over sausage. Stir 1 minute.
4. Slowly whisk in milk.
5. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes, until thick.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Spoon over split biscuits.

8. Homemade Cherry Danish

These bakery style pastries are a true labor of love, and the bright cherry centers make them perfect for Christmas. The dough is laminated by hand, rolled and folded with cold butter until it bakes up into dozens of buttery, flaky layers. Each swirl gets a deep well filled with sweet cherries and a simple vanilla glaze once cooled.

They freeze beautifully before or after baking, so the work can be done well ahead of the holiday.

Get the recipe here.

7. Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole

Eggs Benedict is a brunch classic, but poaching eggs for a crowd on Christmas morning is nobody’s idea of fun. This casserole layers toasted English muffins and Canadian bacon, then soaks it all overnight in a seasoned egg custard. In the morning it bakes until puffed and golden, and a quick blender hollandaise goes over the top.

Every square tastes like the restaurant version, with almost none of the fuss.

Ingredients

Casserole:

• 6 English muffins, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 8 ounces Canadian bacon, chopped
• 10 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Hollandaise:

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and hot
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Directions

1. Grease a 9×13 dish.
2. Layer half the muffins, all the bacon, then the rest of the muffins.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, onion powder, salt and pepper.
4. Pour over the top. Cover and chill overnight.
5. Heat oven to 375°F.
6. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until set.
7. Blend yolks and lemon juice.
8. Slowly pour in hot butter while blending.
9. Add cayenne. Spoon over casserole and top with chives.

6. Gingerbread Monkey Bread

Classic pull apart bread gets a holiday twist with a homemade gingerbread spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. Pieces of canned biscuit dough get rolled in the spiced sugar and stacked in a bundt pan, then drenched in melted butter and brown sugar that caramelizes as it bakes. A simple vanilla glaze finishes it off.

Assemble it the night before, and let the kids help roll the dough.

Get the recipe here.

5. Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Bake

Buttery croissants make the richest base for a breakfast casserole. Torn croissant pieces get layered with diced ham and melty Swiss cheese, then soaked in a Dijon spiked custard so every bite tastes like a warm ham and cheese croissant. It’s a great way to use up holiday ham, too.

Assemble it the night before, then bake it in the morning until puffed and golden, with crispy, flaky edges on top.

Ingredients

• 6 large croissants, torn into pieces
• 2 cups diced cooked ham
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives

Directions

1. Grease a 9×13 dish.
2. Layer croissants, ham and 1 1/2 cups cheese.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, mustard, salt and pepper.
4. Pour over the top. Press down gently.
5. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Heat oven to 350°F.
7. Top with remaining cheese.
8. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until set.
9. Sprinkle with chives.

4. Eggnog French Toast Bake

This is Christmas in a casserole dish. Cubes of challah soak overnight in a custard made with real eggnog, a little cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, so it tastes like the holidays from the very first bite.

A brown sugar cinnamon crumble goes on right before baking and turns into a crunchy, caramelized top. Pull it from the oven, dust it with powdered sugar and pass the maple syrup.

Ingredients

French toast:

• 1 loaf challah (about 16 ounces), cut into 1 inch cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups eggnog
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• Maple syrup, for serving

Directions

1. Grease a 9×13 dish. Add the bread.
2. Whisk eggs, eggnog, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Pour over bread. Press down gently.
4. Cover and chill overnight.
5. Heat oven to 350°F.
6. Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and butter into crumbs.
7. Sprinkle over the top.
8. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until set.
9. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup.

3. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Crescent Breakfast Wreath

This crescent roll wreath is the showstopper of the Christmas brunch table, and it’s much easier than it looks. Refrigerated crescent dough gets arranged in a ring, then filled with soft scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and sharp cheddar. The points fold over the filling to create a golden wreath shape.

Garnish it with chopped chives and a few cherry tomatoes for a festive red and green look, then slice and serve warm.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 8 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 6 cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Arrange crescent triangles in a ring, wide ends overlapping in the center and points facing out.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
4. Soft scramble in butter.
5. Spoon eggs around the ring. Top with bacon and cheese.
6. Fold points over the filling and tuck under.
7. Brush with beaten egg.
8. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until golden.
9. Garnish with chives and tomatoes.

2. Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Frosting

Nothing smells more like Christmas morning than a pan of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. These bakery style rolls start with a soft, pillowy yeasted dough rolled up with plenty of buttery cinnamon sugar. A rich vanilla frosting goes on while they’re still warm, so it melts into every swirl.

Best of all, the dough can be shaped the night before and refrigerated, so all that’s left in the morning is baking.

Get the recipe here.

1. Overnight Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

There’s a reason the classic sausage and egg casserole shows up on so many Christmas tables. Cubes of crusty bread, browned sausage and plenty of sharp cheddar soak overnight in a seasoned egg custard, then bake into a hearty, golden casserole with a soft, cheesy middle.

It feeds a crowd, reheats well and keeps everyone full through a long day of celebrating. Assemble it on Christmas Eve, and breakfast basically makes itself.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 6 cups cubed day-old French bread
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 10 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Brown sausage with bell pepper. Drain.
2. Grease a 9×13 dish.
3. Layer bread, sausage, green onions and 1 1/2 cups cheese.
4. Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper.
5. Pour over the top. Press down gently.
6. Cover and chill overnight.
7. Heat oven to 350°F.
8. Top with remaining cheese.
9. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until set.
10. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.