There’s a time and place for cereal—and it is not Christmas. A holiday (or any special occasion, really) calls for a standout meal to kick off the celebration, and when you can use it as an excuse to feast on delights like Nutella pancakes and eggs Benedict, why not take advantage? Read on for 65 Christmas morning breakfast recipes that are a step above the ordinary and totally Santa-approved.
food
65 Christmas Morning Breakfast Recipes That Are Santa-Approved
Published Dec 23, 2022
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1. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: make ahead, high protein, beginner-friendly
These savory muffins are pretty epic (and surprisingly simple to make). Ready thy jumbo muffin pan.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
If you’re not already going all out on Christmas morning, here's your chance. Consider this dish a decadent cross between breakfast and dessert.
3. Ricotta Berry French Toast Casserole
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We 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?
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Whether you’ve got store-bought or homemade eggnog hanging around, use the leftovers to make this breakfast confection that tastes like Christmas magic.
5. Chilaquiles with Poached Eggs and Spicy Honey
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
The breakfast we didn’t know we needed. (Don’t tell anyone, but it starts with frozen waffles. If you want to make 'em from scratch—go, you!—we recommend the Ninja Waffle Maker Pro Neverstick from HSN, simply because it takes up minimal counter space and lives up to its name; no fighting to scrape waffles off the grates here.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 6 hours
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We 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.
11. Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We 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.
12. Bacon, Kale and Egg Grandma Pie
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We 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 one of these HSN silicone baking sheets underneath to prevent the pie from sticking to the pan. You'll be glad you did.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pan
This German gem is basically a cross between a pancake and a popover—light and airy with a touch of sweetness and a custardy center.
- Time Commitment: 9 hours and 20 minutes (includes soaking time)
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
We love breakfast sandwiches and all things mini. Therefore, these are just the ticket for Christmas morning.
16. Peanut Butter Crumble Yogurt Parfaits
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, make ahead
Ohhh, this is fancy. Plus, it’s almost like eating ice cream for breakfast, thanks to the oat-almond cookie dough bites.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We 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 them with toast, hash browns or greens.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Three of our favorite things (cinnamon rolls, pancakes, cream cheese frosting) coming together in breakfast harmony.
19. Kale Quiche with Cheddar-Rice Crust
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We 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 We 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.
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion-worthy
It’s a little sweet, a lot savory and practically begging to be doused in homemade béchamel sauce.
22. Sunday Morning French Toast
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Bring on the cinnamon-laced custard and pass the maple syrup—we’re helping ourself to a second serving.
24. Broiled Citrus Ricotta Toast
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We 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.
25. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free
If regular pie crust is intimidating, swap it for layers of sweet potato slices that crisp up beautifully in the oven (and make this dish gluten-free).
26. Sheet Pan Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
Feeding a crowd? Don’t stand by the stove flipping pancakes; bake them in the oven instead. (You’re supposed to be opening presents right now anyway.)
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes
- Why We 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 We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
There’s no deep fryer required for these fluffy beauties. Put on a pot of coffee and queue up the jazzy Christmas tunes.
29. Sweet Potato Rösti with Fried Eggs and Greens
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
These kanelbullar have so many more layers and swirls than the American version, making them ideal for a Christmas morning indulgence.
32. Apple Cider Pear Spelt Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Cake for breakfast? This one is practically healthy, so we say yes. (The poached pears inside are soaked in apple cider, BTW.)
33. Brown Sugar Pear Puff Pastries
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
They’re just like the pretty treats in the display case at a bakery…only better, because you made them.
34. Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why We 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.
35. Pecan Pie Scones
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We 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. Swoon.
36. Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why We 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.)
38. Cookie Butter-Swirled Banana Bread
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We 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.
39. Everything Bagel Tomato Galettes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
They’re quick, easy and ready to eat right out of the oven—not to mention much cuter than a tray of bagels.
40. Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein, crowd-pleaser
Place everything in the slow cooker on Christmas Eve, then reap the rewards when you wake up the next day. (That is, if Santa doesn’t get to it first.)
41. Sheet Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Dill
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
You won’t catch us standing by the stove on Christmas morning, but we’re still making eggs for a crowd. The secret? Our trusty sheet pan.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We 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.
43. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why We 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).
44. Mashed Potato Fritters with Smoked Salmon and Chives
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
We have some exciting plans for Christmas Eve's leftover mashed potatoes. 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 We 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. You can thank us later.
46. Sweet Crepes with Caramelized Pears
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
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 We 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.
48. Earl Grey Buns
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 5 minutes
- Why We 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.
49. Layered Smoked Salmon Dip with Mini Bagel Chips
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
The only thing better than a bounty of cream cheese-slathered bagels and smoked salmon is all that in a dippable format.
50. Sheet Pan Pancakes with Peaches and Strawberries
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We 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.
51. Eggs in a Basket
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
You truly can't go wrong with crusty bread and runny eggs. We'll take ours with a generous dose of hot sauce, please.
- Time Commitment: 14 hours
- Why We 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.
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
One bite and you'll want to add this waffle-doughnut hybrid to your regular rotation, trust.
54. Slow Cooker Mediterranean Frittata
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Drop all the ingredients in the Crockpot, set it, forget it and devour. Serve it with breakfast potatoes and Greek salad.
55. Leek, Kale and Goat Cheese Strata
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 35 minutes (includes soaking time)
- Why We 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. (We're fans of the Staub enameled cast iron cocotte at HSN for how evenly it heats food—and how versatile it is in the kitchen, since you can also use it for braising meat, making soups and stews or simmering polenta.)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion0worthy
It doesn't get more festive than bourbon-kissed bread pudding. The two-ingredient chocolate sauce really seals the deal.
57. Waffle Breakfast Sandwich with Chorizo
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, high protein
In case you can't decide between waffles and eggs. Make the waffles ahead and the sandwiches will only take you 15 minutes to assemble.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
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 We Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Choose between soy-mustard and sriracha-ketchup dipping sauces. Heck, it's Christmas: Serve 'em both.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We 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.
61. Espresso Streusel Coffee Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We 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? Instant espresso powder.)
62. Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Waffles
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
It’s 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 We 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.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We 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.
65. Pillowy French Toast with Wild Blueberry Compote
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We 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 ahead to save time on Christmas morning.
Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now she’s an avid home cook and fanatic baker.
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
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