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Christmas morning moves fast in our house. The kids are up early, there is wrapping paper everywhere, and everyone is hungry by the time the last gift is opened.
That is why I like a breakfast I can prep ahead or pull together quickly. Some of these sit in the fridge overnight, and some come together in about 30 minutes with crescent rolls or a pizza crust.
Here are 15 easy Christmas breakfast recipes the whole family will love, from cozy French toast casseroles to cheesy egg bakes and sweet rolls.
The Best Christmas Breakfast Recipes
This article is all about the best Christmas breakfast recipes.
1. Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
What it is: Cubes of day-old French bread soaked in eggs, milk, maple syrup and cinnamon, then topped with orange zest sugar, chopped fresh cranberries and a buttery streusel.
You put it together the night before and bake it in the morning, so you are not cooking while the kids open gifts. The bright red cranberries make it look festive with no extra work. Tip: Use day-old bread so it soaks up the egg mixture without getting soggy. If your bread is fresh, cube it and let it dry on the counter for a few hours first.
2. Christmas Morning Wife Saver
What it is: Layers of bread, sliced ham and sharp cheddar soaked overnight in eggs, milk, dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce, then topped with melted butter and crushed corn flakes.
It tastes like a big baked ham and cheese sandwich, which most kids already love. One pan makes 12 servings, and the corn flake topping bakes up crunchy. Tip: Swap the ham for Canadian bacon or turkey if you like, and if you bake it the same day, let it rest at least an hour so the bread soaks up the eggs.
3. Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
What it is: Soft yeast rolls flavored with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, finished with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Your kitchen will smell like Christmas while these bake. The recipe is written as a make-ahead breakfast, which takes the pressure off the morning. Tip: Freeze the baked rolls unfrosted, wrapped in plastic and foil, then thaw them overnight in the fridge, reheat and frost.
4. Simple Breakfast Casserole
What it is: Shredded hash browns, browned pork sausage, onion, red and green bell peppers and garlic, baked in a mix of eggs, half-and-half and cheddar with optional baby spinach.
It uses only a handful of ingredients and makes 12 servings. It is the hearty savory dish that balances out all the sweet treats on the table. Tip: Thaw the hash browns in a colander first. Slightly frozen is fine as long as there are no large frozen clumps.
5. Candy Cane Danish
What it is: Crescent roll dough shaped into a candy cane, filled with sweetened cream cheese and cherry pie filling, then drizzled with a vanilla glaze.
It is ready in about 30 minutes and kids can help fold the dough into stripes. It looks like a bakery treat but starts with two tubes of crescent rolls. Tip: Bake it on parchment or a silicone mat so you can lift the danish off the pan without breaking it.
6. Pecan Sticky Buns
What it is: Soft yeast buns rolled with brown sugar and cinnamon, baked over a gooey layer of butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and chopped pecans.
One 9×13 pan makes 12 buns, which is plenty for a family breakfast. Leftovers keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. Tip: Reheat single pieces in the microwave in 10 to 15 second bursts until warm.
7. Breakfast Pizza
What it is: A refrigerated pizza crust topped with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, Monterey Jack and cheddar, then baked until the cheese melts.
Pizza for breakfast feels like a treat to kids, and this one is ready in about 30 minutes. Cut it into squares and let everyone grab a piece. Tip: Ground sausage works best here, and if you use links or patties, cut them into small pieces.
8. Gingerbread Waffles with Cream Cheese Glaze
What it is: Soft spiced waffles made with molasses, brown sugar, sour cream, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, served with a cream cheese glaze.
They take about 35 minutes and taste like a gingerbread cookie in waffle form. Kids love adding the glaze themselves. Tip: Spoon the glaze into a resealable bag and snip one corner to pipe it over the waffles.
9. Breakfast Strata
What it is: Buttered bread layered with cheddar, smoked gouda and diced ham, soaked in an egg, milk and cream custard and topped with crumbled bacon.
You prep it in the evening and bake it in the morning, and it serves 12. It is a good pick when you are hosting family for the holidays. Tip: Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight before baking.
10. Christmas Breakfast Casserole
What it is: Canned biscuits pressed into a 9×13 dish and topped with breakfast sausage, diced bell pepper, scallions and cheddar, then covered with eggs and milk and baked until puffed.
The red pepper and green scallions give it holiday colors, and the biscuit base is a hit with kids. You can make it the night before or the morning of. Tip: To make it ahead, assemble it, cover it unbaked and refrigerate overnight, then let it sit out while the oven preheats.
11. Eggnog Scones
What it is: Tender scones made with eggnog, nutmeg and cold butter, finished with a simple vanilla icing.
They are a quick way to use up the eggnog in the fridge, and one batch makes 8. Pair them with fruit and you have breakfast. Tip: Cut or shred the cold butter and put it in the freezer before you measure anything else so it stays cold.
12. White Chocolate Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls
What it is: Soft yeast rolls with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries kneaded into the dough, a cinnamon sugar filling and cream cheese icing.
One batch makes 18 rolls, so there is plenty for a crowd. The red cranberries give them a holiday look. Tip: Cover your stand mixer with a clean dish towel while it kneads to keep the flour in the bowl.
13. Sausage and Bacon Country Breakfast Casserole
What it is: Slices of slightly stale baguette soaked in eggs and milk, layered with diced potatoes, sausage, bacon and cheddar, then baked.
It tastes like a full country breakfast in one dish and serves 6 to 8. It also reheats well for the busy days after Christmas. Tip: To make it ahead, stop after assembling, cover and refrigerate overnight, then bake it in the morning.
14. Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
What it is: A soft sour cream coffee cake studded with chocolate chips and layered with a brown sugar streusel, baked in an 8 inch square pan.
Chocolate chips win over picky eaters every time. It keeps at room temperature for up to 2 days, so you can bake it on Christmas Eve. Tip: Plain full-fat yogurt works in place of the sour cream if you need it.
15. Pecan Praline French Toast Bake
What it is: French bread cubes soaked in eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg with raisins, then topped with buttery brown sugar pecans.
It is like bread pudding and French toast in one pan, and it serves 8. The pecan topping turns crisp and sweet. Tip: Bake it covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 20 more so the top toasts golden brown.
Tips for an Easy Christmas Breakfast
- Prep the night before. Many of these casseroles and stratas soak overnight, so the morning only means turning on the oven.
- Mix sweet and savory. Pair one sweet bake with one egg dish so everyone finds something they like.
- Use day-old bread. Dry bread soaks up the custard without turning soggy.
- Let the kids help. Little hands can sprinkle toppings, fold dough or pipe on the glaze.
- Plan for leftovers. Most of these keep in the fridge for a few days and reheat well for the busy week after Christmas.
Pin this post to your Breakfast Ideas board so these Christmas breakfast recipes are ready when the holidays get busy.