There’s a time and place for cereal—and it is not Christmas. A holiday (or any special occasion, TBH) calls for a standout meal to kick off the celebration. And if you can use it as an excuse to feast on delights like Nutella pancakes, giant cinnamon rolls and eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce, why wouldn’t you take advantage? Read on for 70 Christmas morning breakfast recipes that are a step above the ordinary and totally Santa-approved. (Picky kids will love ’em, too.)
70 Christmas Morning Breakfast Recipes That Are Santa-Approved
So good, they'll almost outshine the presents (almost)
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Published Oct 19, 2023
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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: make ahead, high protein, beginner-friendly
These savory muffins are pretty epic (and surprisingly simple to make). Ready thy jumbo muffin pan and serve them with an eclectic selection of hot sauces. Oh, and ketchup for the kids' table.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
If you aren't already going all out with Christmas morning breakfast recipes, here's your chance. Consider this dish a decadent cross between breakfast and dessert. Instead of slathering Nutella on top, it's used as a filling for each pancake, ensuring that you get the good stuff in every bite.
3. Ricotta Berry French Toast Casserole
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
Creamy ricotta cheese mixed with pillows of buttery dough and berries in every bite. Need we say more? Just remember to stock up on maple syrup before the big day.
4. Sunday Morning French Toast
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
This breakfast confection tastes like Christmas magic. Consider setting up a toppings bar with fresh fruit, syrup, butter, whipped cream and more so your guests can top their own. We'll bring the mimosas.
5. Chilaquiles with Poached Eggs and Spicy Honey
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, high protein
The eternal breakfast question: sweet or savory? On Christmas Day, it can certainly be both, thanks to ancho chile-infused honey. The recipe calls for using orange blossom honey for added fruitiness, but any high-quality honey will suffice.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Behold: the breakfast you didn’t know we needed. Topped with all the eggs, avocado, bacon and cheese a girl could want, the nachos are equal parts filling and easy to prepare. (Don’t tell anyone, but they starts with frozen waffles.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
This is one instance where more is definitely more. Start with store-bought crescent roll dough, pile on the vanilla glaze and never look back. Let your kids lick the spoon once you're done: Good icing should never go to waste.
- Time Commitment: 6 hours
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
These flaky, doughy, indulgent croissants require a little more effort than the canned kind, but the results are so worth it. Everyone will think you’re some kind of pro pastry chef. (And we won't correct them.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
One reason the Swedish kind are superior to average pancakes? They’re ultra thin, so you can eat more of them. We'll take 20, chef.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Top this masterpiece with maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream, then set out some spoons and watch it disappear before your eyes. Don't bother with homemade waffles for this one; the frozen kind will work just fine.
11. Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Poached eggs topped with homemade hollandaise (we whip up the sauce in a blender to to make it totally foolproof) is as special as breakfast can get. And don't worry, it's easier than it sounds. Like, 35 minutes easy.
12. Bacon, Kale and Egg Grandma Pie
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, sheet pan recipe
If there ever was a day to make pizza for breakfast, Christmas would be it. Pro tip: Place a silicone baking mat atop the sheet pan to prevent the pie from sticking. You can thank us later, friend.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pan
This German-inspired gem is basically a cross between a pancake and a popover. It's light and airy with a touch of sweetness and a custardy center. The best part? There's no flipping involved.
- Time Commitment: 9 hours and 20 minutes (includes soaking time)
- Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
FYI, you can easily make this guy ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. It even works as a lazy weeknight meal, in case your crew loves breakfast for dinner.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
We love sandwiches and all things mini. Therefore, these are just the ticket for Christmas morning breakfast. Offer an array of condiments, from garlic aioli to hot sauce to pepper jelly—dealer's choice.
16. Peanut Butter Crumble Yogurt Parfaits
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead, ready in <30 minutes
Ohhh, this is fancy. Give yourself a break from all the heavy holiday food and treat yourself to something that feels a tad healthier. That doesn't mean boring though: This is almost like eating ice cream for breakfast, thanks to the oat-almond cookie dough bites.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, keto-friendly, low carb
If it includes bacon, we’re all in. File this one under Breakfast of Champions and serve the eggs with toast, hash browns or greens (or all three). Bonus points for having a wide selection of hot sauces on hand.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Three of our favorite things (cinnamon rolls, pancakes, cream cheese frosting), united in heavenly breakfast harmony. Make sure that you stack the pancakes with care when serving—that's precious cargo.
19. Kale Quiche with Cheddar-Rice Crust
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, <10 ingredients, make ahead
Gluten-free eaters at the table? No problem. This quiche looks and tastes fancy, but requires just 30 minutes of prep (and the crust is flour-free).
20. Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian Shredded Pancake)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
What’s kaiserschmarrn? Only the light, fluffy, easy-to-make Austrian dessert-breakfast of your dreams. Meredith Erickson, the brains behind the recipe, recommends adding two tablespoons of raisins or even grated lemon zest to the batter for extra zing.
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
It’s a little sweet, a lot savory and practically begging to be doused in homemade béchamel sauce. Your trusty cast iron skillet is sure to give you a tender, fluffy interior and a golden brown crust. Wash it down with a seasonal latte.
22. Breakfast Caprese with Soft-Boiled Eggs
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian
Healthy and beyond easy, we could eat this for every meal. The gooey yolk basically serves as a sauce. Mop up every drop with a hunk of crusty baguette or a fluffy slice of focaccia.
23. Joanna Gaines’s Asparagus and Fontina Quiche
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Swap the asparagus for any in-season green vegetable; kale or Swiss chard would be delightful. And if you somehow have leftovers, make like Joanna Gaines and cover them in plastic wrap. They'll keep in the refrigerator for up to two days.
24. Broiled Citrus Ricotta Toast
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
It's citrus season, after all. This dish looks like something you’d find on the menu at a fancy brunch spot, but it only takes 20 minutes to make. Pair it with roasted potatoes, candied bacon or dressed greens.
25. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Quiche is a notoriously outdated dish, but this version takes things up a notch. The recipe recommends swapping pie crust it for gluten-free layers of sweet potato. They're cut thinly so they crisp up in the oven like a charm.
26. Sheet Pan Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
Feeding a crowd? Don’t stand by the stove flipping pancakes all morning: Bake them in the oven instead. You’re supposed to be opening presents right now anyway.
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
The name pretty much says it all. This bread is pillowy-soft and sweet (and any leftovers would make excellent French toast…if you don’t devour the whole loaf all at once, that is).
28. New Orleans-Style Beignets
- Time Commitment: 3 hours
- Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
There’s no deep fryer required for these fluffy beauties, so put on a pot of coffee and queue up the jazzy Christmas tunes. The secret to ensuring they don't take all day is preparing the dough the night before.
29. Sweet Potato Rösti with Fried Eggs and Greens
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: gluten free, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
If a sweet potato and a latke had a very delicious baby, this would be it. The egg on top is optional, but highly recommended. A side of peppery arugula adds freshness, color and crunch to the meal.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
No flour, no yeast, no problem. These cuties are made with store-bought pizza dough, so you can spend less time making them and more time eating them. Just don't forget to garnish with extra citrus zest.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
These kanelbullar have so many more layers and swirls than the American version, making them an ideal Christmas morning breakfast indulgence. They pair particularly well with tea, though, so stock up before you get snowed in.
32. Apple Cider Pear Spelt Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Cake for breakfast? This one is practically healthy, so go ahead and treat yourself. In case you need more convincing, the poached pears inside are soaked in apple cider for good measure.
33. Brown Sugar Pear Puff Pastries
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
They’re just like the pretty treats in the display case at a fancy bakery…only better, because you made them. They'll definitely become a permanent addition to your fall and winter baking rotation.
34. Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
It’s a Christmas tradition, so you should probably have seconds (or thirds). These teeny-tiny panettone have the store-bought kind beat by a mile with their shockingly tender crumb.
35. Pecan Pie Scones
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
They’re hefty, buttery and mega flaky, thanks to layers of real pie crust folded into the dough. Paired with fresh coffee, they're an edible dream. Swoon.
36. Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words, and this one has us drooling all over the place. (Must be the warm-spiced chai frosting.) Tieghan Gerard, the creator behind Half Baked Harvest, recommends letting the dough rise overnight, so it's ready to work with in the morning.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Psst: We found a delicious use for last night's flat, leftover Champagne. Get yourself a pretty doughnut pan to ensure the presentation is on point—we'll take care of the mimosas.
38. Cookie Butter-Swirled Banana Bread
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
We’ll always have a place in our heart for classic banana bread, but, um...maybe not when this one is around. Blame it on the cookie butter. Not everyone is pro-walnut, but we feel they add necessary texture to this simple snack.
39. Everything Bagel Tomato Galettes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
There's a chance you never envisioned yourself making homemade bagels, but these aren't the time-consuming classic you'd expect. They’re quicker, simpler and ready to eat right out of the oven, not to mention cuter than the O.G.
40. Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein, crowd-pleaser
Place everything in the slow cooker, then reap the rewards once you're done opening presents. (That is, if Santa doesn’t get to 'em first.) The Crockpot lets you cook the eggs, bacon and potatoes at the same time, which really streamlines the process on a busy morning.
41. Sheet Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Dill
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
You won’t catch us standing by the stove on Christmas morning, but we’ll still be making eggs for a crowd. What's our secret, you ask? Baking them in one large batch on a sheet pan.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
We’re not saying you can’t eat gingerbread cookies for breakfast. We’re just saying you should make these cookie-inspired pancakes to go with them. (Make a double batch of whip while you're at it.)
43. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
All we want for Christmas is to smell these sweet-and-salty treasures coming out of the oven (with extra caramel sauce, please and thanks). The cinnamon sugar, crunchy almonds and pools of sticky salted caramel make for a truly unreal way to wake up.
44. Mashed Potato Fritters with Smoked Salmon and Chives
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special-occasion-worthy
We have some exciting plans for Christmas Eve's leftover mashed potatoes. Mix them with cheese and egg, fry them in hot oil until crispy and finish them with a capers or even caviar, if you're feeling fancy.
45. Chocolate Banana Bread Babka
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Both babka and banana bread deserve a spot on the table, so we wrapped them into one fabulous loaf. The crunchy cocoa streusel on top just might be our favorite (and the most photogenic) part.
46. Sweet Crepes with Caramelized Pears
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Making crepes may seem like a feat, but we promise it's way easier than it looks. Here's a make-ahead secret: The batter can be kept in your fridge for up to two days, so all you'll need to do the morning of is fire up the stove and pour.
47. Whole-Wheat Feta Tart with Caramelized Onions and Herbs
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
A savory pie is always a good idea—and even better if it’s filled with cream cheese and a quartet of fresh herbs. And with that whole wheat crust, we'll just pretend it's totally and utterly healthy.
48. Earl Grey Buns
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Serve these with a steaming pot of tea (or coffee) and watch them vanish like Santa up a chimney. Don't let the long prep time deter you—it's mostly hands-off proofing.
49. Layered Smoked Salmon Dip with Mini Bagel Chips
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
The only thing better than a bounty of cream cheese-slathered bagels, smoked salmon and the essential fixings is all those things in a dippable format. Serve the dip with your favorite bagel chips, cucumbers and extra everything bagel seasoning.
50. Sheet Pan Pancakes with Peaches and Strawberries
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, sheet pan recipe
These pancakes never need to be flipped. Just pour the batter into a sheet tray and let your oven do the heavy lifting. The results are colorful, cute and so, so delicious.
51. Eggs in a Basket
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Alright, this one has several names: egg in a hole, egg in a basket, toad in a hole, hen in a nest, one-eyed Jack—the list goes on. Regardless of what you call it, you truly can't go wrong with crusty bread and runny eggs. We'll take ours with a generous dose of hot sauce, TYVM.
- Time Commitment: 14 hours
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Let the kids help you whip up the dough on Christmas Eve, so it has time to rise before breakfast on the big day. And while the braiding looks complicated, it's so much easier than it seems.
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
One bite and you'll want to add this waffle-doughnut hybrid to your regular rotation. While you can totally use freezer waffles for this, we would definitely refrain from using fake syrup—splurge on the real stuff instead.
54. Slow Cooker Mediterranean Frittata
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
You can get creative with what vegetables you use in this crowd-pleasing frittata. Drop all the ingredients in the Crockpot, set it, forget it and devour. Serve it with breakfast potatoes, Greek salad and bellinis.
55. Leek, Kale and Goat Cheese Strata
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 35 minutes (includes soaking time)
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, one pan
Eggs, bread, cheese: What more could you want? This breakfast works well in a casserole dish, but you could also use a Dutch oven. A cast iron one will guarantee even heating, so the dish cooks through at the same rate all around.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
It doesn't get more festive than bourbon-kissed bread pudding. The two-ingredient chocolate sauce really seals the deal, and you can use all those day-old croissants you got for your relatives, so they don't go to waste.
57. Waffle Breakfast Sandwich with Chorizo
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein
In case you can't decide between waffles and eggs, this sweet-and-savory combination will suit both cravings. Make the waffles ahead and the sandwiches will only take you 15 minutes to assemble (you can even make extra waffles and chorizo to freeze and reheat later).
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Ah, just like what they served in your college dining hall...except so much better. The egg custard and honey-vanilla syrup make this recipe slightly more sophisticated (but no less kid-friendly than the standard).
59. Sausage-and-Egg Breakfast Dumplings
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
This is different than your average dim sum dumpling, but undeniably delicious. Choose between soy-mustard and sriracha-ketchup dipping sauces. Heck, it's Christmas: Serve 'em both.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
If your guests want to think you bought these at a fancy neighborhood bakery, so be it. These pastries are about to become part of your annual Christmas morning breakfast tradition.
61. Espresso Streusel Coffee Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
It’s just sweet enough, swirled with cinnamon and, lucky for you, doesn’t require an espresso machine to make. (The secret is using instant espresso powder instead of freshly brewed.)
62. Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Waffles
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
No need to choose between sweet and savory with this delicious number. It's kind of like the iconic combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese, but for breakfast. Top it with syrup, hot sauce, sour cream, nuts or fruit.
63. Slow Cooker French Toast Breakfast Casserole
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Your morning meal is about to be easier than making a pot of coffee. While everyone opens presents, the slow cooker can be hard at work. And luckily, you won't need to pay much attention to how it looks.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
Forget the dry, hockey puck-like scones of Christmas past. These boast a tender crumb (achieved by hand-mixing) and just a touch of sweetness. Bake them ahead of the 25th to save yourself some stress on the holiday.
65. Pillowy French Toast with Wild Blueberry Compote
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, make ahead
This light-as-clouds breakfast is topped with homemade compote *and* a tangy Greek yogurt-crème fraîche topping. Prepare the compote in advance to save time on Christmas morning breakfast; it'll keep in the fridge with no issues.
66. Green Shakshuka
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, high protein
Normally, shakshuka is red, because it is traditionally made with a tomato base. Substituting spinach and herbs makes it green. It's filling, great for groups and surprisingly healthy, so you'll no doubt want to make it again and again.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd pleaser, vegetarian
This savory bite, which is inspired by the popular Greek pastry, is the ideal light addition to your brunch spread. Pro tip: Make enough to freeze some ahead, so you'll have on-the-go bites to warm up on busy mornings.
68. Baked Ham and Cheese Omelet
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, less than 10 ingredients, gluten free, high protein
This healthy breakfast will keep your stamina up while you spend time with family. Win everyone over by serving them with crispy, golden brown home fries.
69. Doughnut Muffins
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why I Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, vegetarian
Paired with a pot of coffee, these will effortlessly win over everyone at the table. You may have to make a few batches, since they'll go quickly. But luckily, they're easier to make than an average doughnut because they're baked in muffin tins.
70. Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why I Love It: crowd pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
Tastes like a big hug from Santa. If your crew has allergies or nut aversions, we'd suggest leaving out the pecans and substituting pepitas for a similar crunch. Consider serving the oatmeal with sliced fruit for added freshness.
