Just like every year, this year we’re all about taking the stress out of the holiday season. We say yes to shortcuts and no to things that take away our energy. There’s no doubt that the kitchen is the center of the holiday action, but we’re leveraging every time-saving hack we can find to spend more time with friends and family by the fire. The key to a smooth Christmas? It all depends on how much you can commit to preparing ahead of time, starting with breakfast. To share some inspiration for getting things done, we’re sharing our favorite Christmas breakfast ideas. Because your vacation will be more enjoyable if you do all the hard work in advance.
There’s nothing better than relaxing on Christmas morning in your holiday pajamas with a big cup of coffee. When I was younger, I would jump out of bed at 4 a.m. (I’m not kidding) and run downstairs to enjoy the magic of a tree full of glitter and presents. I think about things more slowly. You can find me walking around in my slippers at Christmas, happily moving around the house at a snail’s pace. In other words, slowly. Very slowly.
Image by Anastasia Pudova.
20 ideas to make Christmas breakfast ahead
If “pre-made recipes” caught your eye, you might be the same way. What’s the key to making your dream of a quiet Christmas morning come true? Preparation is key, folks. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, meat or meat-free, healthy or indulgent, I have a choice for you. I am. Consider this roundup your ticket to a hearty, delicious breakfast for the whole family while you soak up the magic of the morning. Wake up, put the dish in the oven and get ready. Let’s get started.
Yogurt & Granola Breakfast Grazing Committee
Yogurt and granola are a classic combination. But when you lay it out on a beautiful board, nothing beats it. Simply chop your fruit the night before and portion out yogurt, granola (store-bought or homemade), and other ingredients into bowls. Before serving, channel your inner artist and lay out all the ingredients beautifully on the board. Your guests will have fun making their own bowls and choosing the ingredients.
gingerbread cinnamon rolls
These delights prove that crowd-pleasing cinnamon rolls are easy to make ahead of time. This Christmas classic beats the softness of almost every cinnamon roll I’ve tried. You can make them the night before, a few days in advance, or freeze them for cinnamon rolls whenever you want. And on Christmas morning, I’m sure these gingerbread cinnamon rolls are calling my name.
blueberry almond coffee cake
This Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake is light and fluffy, packed with juicy blueberries and a sweet, crumbly topping. Perfect for brunch, this menu brings fresh flavor to the heart of winter and is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
mini dutch baby
These mini Dutch babies are adorable and delicious, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfect for topping with fresh fruit or syrup. As a bonus, it’s dairy-free, making it a delicious treat for your holiday brunch table, no matter your dietary preferences.
vegan banana muffins
It’s like the best coffee shop muffin I’ve ever had, minus the dairy. These are beyond moist, perfectly nutty, and feature the most delicious crumble topping. I love making muffins for festive meals (as you can tell by the number of muffin recipes included in this roundup). You can bake and freeze or portion the batter into muffin tins and refrigerate the night before. Just pop it in the oven in the morning and your house will be filled with the blissful aroma of roasted bananas.
One bowl morning glory muffin
These one-bowl morning glory muffins are packed with healthy ingredients like carrots, apples, and nuts, making them a healthy way to start the holidays. Easy to make, flavorful, and the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition, it’s perfect for a fresh start before the new year begins.
Gluten-free muffins with jam
Gluten-free muffins filled with jam are a sweet and satisfying addition to your Christmas breakfast. With soft crumbs and a festive pop of fruity jam in the center, it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit without gluten. Pair it with a cozy cup of coffee or tea for a magical start to your day.
sweet laurel cinnamon roll
These grain-free cinnamon rolls from Sweet Laurel are a healthy twist on a popular classic made with simple, nutritious ingredients. Dusted with cinnamon and topped with a creamy glaze, it’s perfect for a cozy baking session. (Hello, it’s finally Christmas season.)
Chai spice soba granola
Granola is the perfect, multifaceted breakfast. meaning? You can enjoy it in any way you can think of. Enjoy with milk, spooned over yogurt, topping pancakes and waffles, or just a small squeeze. I love to bake a few granola sheet pans the day before, store them in an airtight container, and place them on the breakfast buffet in large bowls for guests to serve themselves. From there, the possibilities are endless.
Whole Lotta Good Stuff Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, here comes a healthier version of your favorite sweet breakfast. If you’ve learned how comforting banana bread can be during pandemic-era baking, there’s no better option for cozying up with your loved ones on Christmas morning. I also like that they specify that this banana bread is “healthy.” This means we’re not cutting corners here. There are many more luxuries to be found.
Anti-inflammatory berry and turmeric muffins
If you’ve already set your New Year’s resolutions to feel your best in 2025, these muffins will help you in that effort. It’s packed with anti-inflammatory super starter merics, as well as nutritious ingredients like walnuts, chia seeds, oats, raspberries, and blueberries. I don’t know about you, but I’m planning on baking twice as much in the new year and beyond.
Banana walnut bread with espresso and mascarpone
This Banana Walnut Bread takes a classic recipe to the next level with a rich, nutty flavor and perfectly moist texture. Topped with luxurious espresso mascarpone, it’s the perfect dish for a cozy Christmas morning.
almond kringle
Does the perfect Christmas breakfast include something warm and sweet to accompany your strong coffee?Here’s the recipe to make. If, like me, you know and love the aroma of almond filling that wafts through your kitchen, you’ll be pleased to know that this recipe calls for triple the amount of almond paste, sliced almonds, and almond extract. How could it be wrong?
cranberry orange muffins
By now it’s the night before Christmas, and you’re probably dreaming of muffins dancing in your head. I love the combination of bright, fresh orange and tart, jammy cranberries. These are delicious on their own, but for an extra flourish, we recommend enjoying the muffins with a little butter and orange spiked glaze.
Chai Chara French Toast
Elevate your Christmas breakfast with rich and fluffy Challa French Toast. A luxurious recipe perfect for a celebratory morning spent with the family.
cardamom pear porridge
Easy, energizing and able to keep you full for hours, porridge is perfect for a healthier Christmas breakfast. The porridge base can be made on Christmas Eve in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. On Christmas morning, simply reheat and line up bowls with mix-ins and toppings (yoghurt, granola, and fresh fruit are great) and let people mix and match as they like.
Baked oatmeal with banana and cashew nuts
If you don’t think your ordinary weekday overnight oats aren’t special enough for your Christmas celebration, try making this recipe. The ultimate oat with banana, cinnamon, maple syrup, peanut butter, and honey. It’s easy to make, healthy, creamy and dreamy. What’s not to love?
creamy pumpkin overnight oats
I’m a big fan of the overnight oats here. It may not seem celebratory at first, but just one spoonful of these oats is guaranteed to change your mood. Flavor-wise, these oats are similar to pumpkin pie for breakfast. As someone who is known for indulging in pie breakfasts on holidays, this is a dream come true for me.
Quiche full of vegetables
Quiche has a light yet luxurious taste. Not only that, this recipe brings both color and nutrition to your Christmas breakfast table in a healthy way. (Along with the addictive flavor, who could argue with that?) This dish has everything we love: a crispy, flaky crust, a rich and creamy custard, and plenty of veggies. are all included. To make ahead, simply follow the recipe until the end, let it cool, and then store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble everything in advance and bake when you’re ready to serve.
vegetarian scramble burrito
Burritos may not be your typical Christmas morning breakfast, but I argue that it’s time to make them part of your tradition. Scrambled tofu can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat on the stove and line with all your fix-ins. You can line up and assemble your burrito as you like. Bonus: It’s vegan so everyone can enjoy it!
