On Christmas Day, it’s tradition for many families to gather around the table for brunch, but it can be overwhelming to make something nice in the morning when there are a million other things going on. We compiled a list of the best Christmas brunch ideas that will wow your guests while not asking too much of you before you’ve had your fill of coffee. And for anything that seems too complicated (cinnamon rolls, for example), go ahead and get your loved ones involved—or make them ahead!
Savory French Toast Casserole
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
The great thing about French toast is that it’s super versatile—you can make it sweet or savory. If you know you’re going to indulge at the dessert table after Christmas dinner, skip the extra sugar earlier on in the day. This take on Bombay toast involves soaking day-old bread in a spiced and herbed egg mixture, and baking until the bread is golden and puffed up.
Easy Green Shakshuka
Credit:
Greg DuPree
There’s no shortage of ways to prepare eggs for brunch, but here’s another option: this shakshuka recipe. It’s a green spin on a North African specialty. Though usually made with tomatoes, this version calls for spinach, cilantro, and artichokes.
Layered Potatoes With Garlic Herb Butter
Credit: Victor Protasio
This potato-packed side dish works great on a holiday brunch table, blending the qualities of crispy hash browns and layered scalloped potatoes. To assemble, slice similarly-sized Yukon Golds and sweet potatoes, stack them in a cast iron skillet, then bake with garlic butter. Serve with a ham and egg omelet and a festive Christmas drink.
Hearty Blackberry and Pear Breakfast Crisp
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
This fruit crisp is basically a deconstructed pie, but instead of a store-bought pie crust, the “crisp” comes from sweet, butter baked oats. The oats are thickened with pecans and seeds, which add flavor, texture, and healthy fats. Top with yogurt for a little extra creaminess and protein.
Chorizo Chilaquiles Verdes
Credit:
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Christmas is as good a time as ever to eat these spicy chilaquiles. Based on the traditional Mexican dish, this recipe uses corn tortilla chips cooked in green salsa, topped with browned chorizo and fried eggs.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Breakfast Tacos
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
Big families with big holiday brunch plans call for big batch breakfasts like these egg, potato, and bean tacos. Start by cooking up a sweet potato hash, amped up with some chili powder and black beans. Scramble some eggs in a separate pan, and combine everything at the end for an easy, affordable breakfast you can make for a crowd on a busy December morning.
High-Protein Skillet Baked Eggs with White Beans and Mushrooms
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
Protein helps keep you fuller for longer, so if you need to save room for a big meal later, opt for high-protein options at brunch. This skillet gets its rich protein content from a half-dozen eggs and two cans of beans. Plus, it’s got kale and mushrooms for a boost of fiber.
Lemon Poppyseed Sheet Pan Pancakes
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
How do you make pancakes even better? Mix up the mixins. These pancakes are not only jazzed up with lemon zest and juice, poppyseeds, and blueberry syrup, they’re also baked in a sheet pan, so you don’t have to worry about flipping finicky pancake batter (and overcooking your pancakes on one side).
Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
Pudding for brunch? When it’s made with chia seeds—definitely. To make this recipe, chia seeds are soaked in a fall-esque concoction of spiced milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and orange zest before they’re topped with sliced apples and figs.
Big-Batch Steamed Egg and Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches
Credit:
Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen
Between opening presents and spending time with loved ones, Christmas morning is busy enough. Save yourself loads of time by prepping these breakfast sammies—made with eggs, sausage, cheese, and English muffins—up to five days before the big day.
Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard
Credit: Greg DuPree
This breakfast recipe is inspired by clafoutis, a French dish with fruit baked into a flan-like batter. Use whatever frozen fruit you prefer, but we like using dark cherries and mixed berries. Colorful and just sweet enough, this custard is the perfect centerpiece for Christmas brunch.
Use-It-Up Quiche
Credit:
VICTOR PROTASIO; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you’re bound to rack up a lot of leftover produce. Here’s how you’re going to avoid wasting it: Take inventory of what’s in your fridge, chop it up, and toss it in this quiche. You’ll feed six in one fell swoop, without wasting precious meat or veggies.
Herbed Ham and Cheese Baked Eggs
Credit:
Victor Protasio
There’s a reason why quiches, frittatas, and egg bites are common brunch recipes—they’re quick and easy to make, and they feed a ton of people. This frittata recipe is packed with a dozen high-protein eggs, and when it’s all said and done, it feeds eight.
Pepper and Chive Biscuits
Credit:
Victor Protasio
No brunch spread is complete without a basket of steaming biscuits. You can always go with classic buttermilk, but these savory biscuits may make you change your mind. They’ll remind you of sour cream and onion chips, and your guests will ask you for the recipe.
Winter Citrus With Nut and Honey Crunch
Credit:
Victor Protasio
When it’s the holidays, the food gets real decadent, real quick. To offer up some healthy options on Christmas morning, arrange this winter fruit salad. Your house will smell like oranges and warming spices, and you’ll feel good about starting the holiday with some antioxidants and fiber.
Jelly Sufganiyot
Credit:
Jen Causey
Jelly-filled donuts are like dessert for breakfast or brunch, but special occasions allow for it. These donuts, known as sufganiyot in Hebrew, are a popular dish for Hanukkah celebrations. If you’re having a multicultural Christmas, everyone will want to nosh on one of these before the festivities begin.
Big Breakfast Salad
Credit:
Victor Protasio
If you could stand to eat more greens, you might as well start on Christmas morning. This breakfast salad has got you covered with a bed of mixed greens, roasted potatoes, bagels, boiled eggs, and more.
Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pancakes
Credit: HEAMI LEE
Anyone can make buttermilk pancakes, but if you love sweet potatoes, you need to give this recipe a go. You know how sweet potatoes get all gooey and caramelized when baked? Take advantage of their natural sweetness (and nutrient density) by mixing them into your pancake batter and serving for all to enjoy.
Carrot Hummingbird Breakfast Bundt
Credit:
Greg DuPree Food Stylist: Emily Hall Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
For some reason, bundt cakes just feel more festive than round or rectangular cakes. And this recipe gives you an excuse to enjoy cake—carrot cake, to be specific—for brunch. It takes a few hours to bake, so this is one to make the night before.
Sunny Side Up Sheet Pan Breakfast
Credit: Greg DuPree
This hands-off breakfast recipe seems too good to be true; on a single sheet pan, you can cook potatoes, sunny-side-up eggs, and spinach, along with crispy slices of prosciutto. Serve with a pile of toast for dipping into the jammy yolks and making open-faced sandwiches.
Apple Spice Donut Pudding
Credit:
Fred Hardy
Christmas magic happens when you reduce chopped apples in butter, sugar, and cinnamon in this comforting dish. Serve the warm apple mixture over baked donuts, and add a dollop of ice cream for an easy breakfast that will have your family wanting seconds.
Italian Baked Eggs
Credit:
Jen Causey
From start to finish, this baked egg dish takes around 25 minutes to cook, which makes it an easy brunch item to whip up on Christmas morning. The tomato sauce gets its savory depth from sausage, onion, garlic, and oregano. Crispy, cheesy baguette slices are the best vessel to soak up every last bite.
Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
A plate of warm cookies is a must at every Christmas function, including brunch. If you need inspiration, look no further. These carrot cake cookies are made with classic breakfast foods like oats, eggs, almonds, and walnuts—so they’ve got to be healthy, right? After all, they do contain carrots, which are an excellent source of antioxidants and fiber.
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Credit: Victor Protasio
Many families enjoy banana bread on Christmas morning, but here’s your sign to switch to this pumpkin bread recipe. It’s got everything banana bread has to offer, such as fruit and spices, but it may take the cake since it has a crumbly streusel topping.
Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
Credit: Greg DuPree
For this eggy, cheesy breakfast bake, start with a bag of frozen potato tots as your base. Sausage, onion, and bell pepper bring a flavor punch while eggs bind everything together. Scatter thinly sliced jalapeño pieces and chives on top for a little bit of heat.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Credit: Jennifer Causey
These homemade cinnamon rolls require some forethought and organization, but we promise they’re worth it; by the end, your house will smell like cinnamon, and you’ll have fluffy, tender buns for brunch. Turn it into a fun group project by getting the troops involved in the baking process.
Classic French Toast
Credit: JMichl/Getty
There’s nothing quite like classic French toast on a cozy holiday morning. White Pullman bread cut into thick slices and topped with true maple syrup makes for the best French toast. Serve with fresh fruit.
Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding
Credit: Con Poulos
Everybody loves something warm and sweet for brunch, and on Christmas day, this recipe is no exception. But how could we make it even better? Well, the bread pudding is nearly effortless to assemble: Mix the ingredients and bake for 30 minutes.
German Pancakes
Credit: Christopher Baker
Unlike most pancakes served classically with maple syrup, this thick and tasty German pancake is drizzled with lemon juice, served with jam, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. For the best results, you’ll need a cast iron skillet to make this mega pancake.
Joanna Gaines’ Jojo’s Biscuits From Magnolia Table
Credit: Amy Neunsinger
Also known as “magnolia biscuits,” you can find these fluffy biscuits served at Waco’s Magnolia Table restaurant. However, with this recipe, you can make them just as easily at home. Serve with your choice of sides.
Zucchini and Mozzarella Frittata
Credit: JEN CAUSEY
Asparagus, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese make a flawless frittata that’s perfect for a crowd. Serve with sliced bread, and save the leftovers for tomorrow’s breakfast sandwich.
Dining and Cooking