63 Christmas Morning Breakfast Recipes That Are Santa-Approved
There’s a time and place for heating up frozen waffles. That time is not Christmas. A holiday (or any special occasion, really) calls for a standout meal to kick off the day, and when you can use it as an excuse to feast on delights like Nutella pancakes and eggs Benedict, why not take advantage? Here, 63 Christmas morning breakfast recipes that are a step above the ordinary (and, yeah, they’re Santa-approved).
RELATED: 48 Christmas Dessert Recipes That Can Get Anyone in the Holiday Spirit
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Muffins
These savory muffins are pretty epic (and surprisingly simple to make). Ready thy jumbo muffin pan.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
2. Nutella Pancakes
This is what happens when breakfast and dessert collide. Psst: If you’re not already going all out on Christmas morning, here's your chance.
Pinch of Yum
3. Ricotta Berry French Toast Casserole
Creamy ricotta cheese mixed with pillows of buttery dough and berries in every bite. Need we say more?
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
4. Baked Eggnog French Toast
Whether you’ve got store-bought or homemade eggnog hanging around, use the leftovers to make this breakfast confection.
RELATED: 10 Unexpected Things You Can Make With Leftover Eggnog
National Honey Board
5. Chilaquiles with Poached Eggs and Spicy Honey
The eternal breakfast question: sweet or savory? On Christmas Day, it can be both.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
6. Breakfast Nachos
The breakfast we didn’t know we needed. (Don’t tell anyone, but it starts with frozen waffles.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Giant Cinnamon Roll
This is one instance where more is definitely more. Start with store-bought crescent roll dough and never look back.
Erin McDowell
8. Cheater’s Croissants
These flaky, doughy, indulgent croissants require a little more effort than the kind from the can, but the results are so worth it. Everyone will think you’re some kind of pro pastry chef.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
9. Swedish Pancakes
One reason they’re superior to an average pancake? They’re ultra thin, so you can eat more of them.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
10. Waffle Bread Pudding
Top this masterpiece with maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream, set out some spoons and watch it disappear.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce
Poached eggs topped with homemade hollandaise (we whip up the sauce in a blender to make it foolproof) is as special as breakfast can get.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Sarah Copeland
12. Bacon, Kale and Egg Grandma Pie
If there ever was a day to make pizza for breakfast, Christmas would be it.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
13. Dutch Baby Pancake
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.
Damn Delicious
14. Spinach and Cheese Strata
FYI, you can easily make this guy ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
15. Breakfast Sliders
We love breakfast sandwiches and all things mini. Therefore, these are genius.
Get the recipe
How Sweet Eats
16. Peanut Butter Crumble Yogurt Parfaits
Ohhh, this is fancy. Plus, it’s almost like eating ice cream for breakfast.
Erin McDowell
17. Bacon-Wrapped Eggs
If it includes bacon, we’re all in. File this one under “breakfast of champions.”
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
18. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Three of our favorite things (cinnamon rolls, pancakes, cream cheese frosting) coming together in breakfast harmony.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
19. Kale Quiche With Cheddar-Rice Crust
Got gluten-free breakfast eaters? No problem. This quiche looks and tastes fancy, but it requires just 30 minutes of prep (and the crust is flour-free).
Christina Holmes/Alpine Cooking
20. Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian Shredded Pancake)
What’s kaiserschmarrn? Only the light, fluffy, easy-to-make Austrian dessert-breakfast of your dreams.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
21. Croque Madame Dutch Baby
It’s a little sweet, a lot savory and practically begging to be doused in homemade béchamel sauce.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
22. Sunday Morning French Toast
Pass the maple syrup—we’re helping ourself to a second serving.
Amy Neunsinger/Magnolia Table
23. Joanna Gaines’s Asparagus and Fontina Quiche
Swap the asparagus for any in-season green vegetable. Kale or Swiss chard would be delightful.
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
24. Broiled Citrus Ricotta Toast
It looks like something you’d find on the menu at a fancy restaurant, but it only takes 20 minutes to make.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
25. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust
If regular pie crust is intimidating, swap it for layers of sweet potato slices that crisp up beautifully in the oven (and happen to be gluten-free).
Photo: Tyler Mauk/Styling: Anne Mauk
26. Sheet-Pan Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
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.)
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
27. Sugared Holiday Bread
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).
Erin McDowell
28. New Orleans-Style Beignets
There’s no deep fryer required for these fluffy beauties. Put on a pot of coffee and queue up the jazzy Christmas tunes.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Aran Goyoaga
29. Sweet Potato Rösti with Fried Eggs and Greens
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.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
30. Mini Citrus Monkey Bread
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.
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
31. Swedish Cinnamon Rolls
These kanelbullar have so many more layers and swirls than the American version—ideal for a Christmas morning indulgence.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
32. Apple-Cider Pear Spelt Cake
Cake for breakfast? This one is practically healthy, so yes. We’re going there.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
33. Brown-Sugar Pear Puff Pastries
They’re just like the pretty treats in the display case at a bakery…only better, because you made them.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
34. Mini Cranberry, Pistachio and Chocolate Panettone
It’s a Christmas tradition, so you should probably have seconds (or thirds).
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
35. Pecan Pie Scones
They’re hefty, buttery and mega flaky, thanks to layers of real pie crust folded into the dough. Swoon .
Half Baked Harvest
36. Overnight Cinnamon Roll Bread with Chai Frosting
They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words, and this one has us drooling all over the place.
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell
37. Champagne Doughnuts
We found a use for your flat, leftover Champagne. This calls for a toast.
Butter Be Ready
38. Cookie Butter-Swirled Banana Bread
We’ll always have a place in our heart for classic banana bread, but, um, maybe not when this one is around.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
39. Everything Bagel Tomato Galettes
They’re quick, easy and ready to eat right out of the oven—not to mention darn cute.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
40. Slow-Cooker Breakfast Casserole
Place everything into 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.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
41. Sheet Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Dill
You won’t catch us standing by the stove on Christmas morning, but we’re still making eggs for a crowd. The secret? A trusty sheet pan.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
42. Gingerbread Pancakes
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.
Yuki Sugiura/Lagom
43. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel
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).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
44. Mashed Potato Fritters with Smoked Salmon and Chives
We have some exciting plans for Christmas Eve's leftover mashed potatoes.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
45. Chocolate Banana Bread Babka
Both babka and banana bread deserve a spot on the table, so we wrapped them into one fabulous loaf.
Erin McDowell
46. Sweet Crepes with Caramelized Pears
Here’s a make-ahead secret: The batter can be kept in your fridge for up to two days.
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
47. Whole-Wheat Feta Tart with Caramelized Onions and Herbs
A savory pies is always a good idea (and even better if it’s filled with creamy cheese).
Cloudy Kitchen
48. Earl Grey Buns
Serve these with a steaming pot of tea (or coffee) and watch them disappear.
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell
49. Layered Smoked Salmon Dip with Mini Bagel Chips
The only thing better than a bounty of cream cheese–slathered bagels and smoked salmon is all that in a dippable format.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
50. Sheet Tray Pancakes with Peaches and Strawberries
These pancakes never need to be flipped. Just pour the batter into a sheet tray and let your oven do all the work.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
51. Eggs in a Basket
Fact: You truly can't go wrong with crusty bread and runny eggs.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
52. Braided Apple Danish Loaf
Let the kids help you whip up the dough on Christmas Eve so it has time to rise for breakfast on the big day.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
53. Cinnamon-Sugar Waffles
One bite and you'll want to add this waffle-doughnut hybrid to your regular rotation.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
54. Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Frittata
Drop all the ingredients in the Crock-Pot, set it, forget it and devour.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
55. Leek, Kale and Goat Cheese Strata
Eggs, bread, cheese: What more could you want? (Well, maybe a side of home fries...)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
56. Croissant Bread Pudding
The two-ingredient chocolate sauce really seals the deal.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
57. Waffle Breakfast Sandwich with Chorizo
In case you can't decide between waffles and eggs.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
58. French Toast Sticks
The egg custard and honey-vanilla syrup make this recipe slightly more sophisticated (but no less kid-friendly than the original).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
59. Sausage-and-Egg Breakfast Dumplings
Choose between soy-mustard and sriracha-ketchup dipping sauces. Heck, it's Christmas: Serve 'em both.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
60. Cranberry Apple Danish
If your guests want to think you bought these at a fancy neighborhood bakery, so be it.
RELATED: 40 Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas That Take One Hour or Less
Katherine Gillen
61. Espresso Streusel Coffee Cake
It’s sweet but not too sweet, swirled with cinnamon and, lucky for you, doesn’t require an espresso machine to make. (The secret? Instant espresso powder.)
Jennifer Davis/The Southern Baking Cookbook
62. Bacon, Apple and Cheddar Waffles
It’s like the iconic combination of apple pie and cheddar cheese, but for breakfast.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
63. Slow-Cooker French Toast Breakfast Casserole
While everyone opens presents, the slow cooker can be hard at work. Your morning meal is about to be easier than making a pot of coffee.
