Here are 15+ easy Christmas Breakfast Ideas that are sure to be a hit! Christmas Breakfast Casserole, cinnamon rolls, frittata and more holiday breakfasts to feed a crowd.
*Originally published 12/2013. Updated 12/2025*
Hi Friends!
With the holidays fast approaching, I’m sure many of you are starting to think about meals, especially if you happen to be hosting this year. While a lot of the focus is often on the main holiday dinner, I happen to think breakfast is equally important- especially if you’re hosting overnight guests!
Christmas Breakfast Ideas
There are lots of ways to feed a crowd on a holiday morning. One of the best options is something that can be prepped ahead of time so all you have to do is stick it in the oven in the morning.
You could opt for something hearty like a casserole, or something nice and sweet like cinnamon rolls. Or choose a more traditional option like French toast or pancakes and turn it into a casserole to make your life easier!
Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Morning Breakfast
To make sure your morning goes smoothly, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do whatever you can the night before! Holiday mornings are always crazy and anything you can prep ahead of time will be helpful.
- Preheat the oven as soon as you get up so you don’t forget! You can stick a casserole in to bake while opening presents or put it in as soon as you’re done.
- To keep dishes warm, cover with foil or place in a oven at a low temperature (like 180 – 200 degrees F). You can also try a warming mat (aff link)
Recipes For Christmas Breakfast Casseroles
Here are some easy Christmas breakfast casseroles that are hearty and filling. These are perfect for a holiday morning because they can be prepped the night before and all you have to do is stick them in the oven to bake while you’re opening presents!
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
The perfect mix of hash browns, sausage, egg and cheese cooked in the crockpot.
Holiday Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls are a classic holiday breakfast. They can be prepped the night before and stored in the fridge and once you pop them in the oven in the morning, the whole house will smell amazing! Here are a few different recieps you could try!
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Extra fluffy and prepped the night before, served with a cream cheese icing.
Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Made with bread flour to keep them fluffy, these can be made overnight or ahead of time with an easy vanilla ceam cheese glaze.
Sweet Christmas Breakfast Recipes
If you’re craving something sweet for your next holiday breakfast, there are lots of options! Everything from French toast to Dutch pancakes to coffee cake can easily be made to feed a crowd. Here are a few ideas:
How To Make German Pancakes (Dutch Baby Pancakes)
Only six ingredients and it puffs up in the oven making it a showstopper for sure!
Easy Christmas Breakfast Dishes with Eggs
Eggs are a breakfast staple for good reason. They’re full of protein and healthy fats and they’re SO versatile. Here are a few ways you could use them!
Breakfast Enchilada Casserole
A delicious mix of sausage, egg and potato with a creamy enchilada sauce.
How To Make the Perfect Frittata
Customize it with your favorite vegetables and serve in slices with toast!
Shakshuka
Easy poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce. Serve with crusty bread for scooping!
The Best Drinks To Serve on Christmas Morning
Don’t forget about drinks in all the holiday excitement! Here are some fun ideas:
- Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate
- Gingerbread Latte
- Peppermint Mocha
- Christmas Mimosas
- Christmas Punch
- Apple Cider Punch
Christmas Breakfast FAQs
What should I make for Christmas breakfast?
If you’re hosting Christmas breakfast for overnight guests, I would have a quick chat to determine their preferences. Keep it simple with fruit and muffins if they’re not big breakfast eaters. If they have a sweet tooth, try cinnamon rolls. If they wake up ready to eat, try something heartier like a christmas breakfast casserole.
What is the most popular Christmas morning breakfast?
Anything that can be served buffet-style is typically popular. Casseroles that can easily be cut into pieces, individual items like French toast or pancakes, or things like scrambled eggs and bacon that can be spooned onto plates typically go well. In addition, coffee cake, muffins, scones, croissants and other breakfast pastries are popular.
What is a good make-ahead Christmas breakfast?
There are a lot of casserole and egg-based dishes that can be prepped ahead of time. Breakfast casseroles with bread along with eggs and sausage or French toast casseroles often benefit from an overnight soak. Similarly, things with yeast like cinnamon rolls are great for making the night before so they can rise in the fridge overnight.
What’s a quick Christmas breakast I can make last minute?
You can’t go wrong with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage and some fresh fruit! Or grab some fresh bagels and put out toppings like cream cheese, smoked salmon, peanut butter and nutella.
What is a good high-protein Christmas breakfast?
Egg-based dishes like quiche or frittatas can be a good high-protein option. Or try savory cottage cheese bowls, protein pancakes or yogurt parfaits.
What are good gluten-free Christmas breakfast options?
You can choose something that’s naturally gluten-free like an egg and veggie bake with sausage and potatoes instead of bread. Or you can use gluten-free mixes to make things like gluten-free pancakes or muffins. Baked oatmeal is another good gluten-free option.
What can kids eat for Christmas breakfast?
Often kids are so excited for presents that it can be hard to get them to eat anything on Christmas morning. Try a smoothie, or a muffin and a glass of milk that they can eat quickly and get back to their presents. Or choose a make-ahead casserole that can bake while you’re opening presents so it’ll be ready when they come down from the excitement of opening presents.
What can I prep the night before for Christmas morning?
Many breakfast dishes reheat well if you choose to make them ahead of time. Many more can be prepped the night before and baked in the morning with minimal effort. Look into Christmas breakfast casseroles, French toast bakes, baked oatmeal and egg bakes.
What are fun Christmas breakfast ideas for toddlers or young kids?
Something as simple as making green pancakes and calling them Grinch pancakes can be fun at that age! Or try donut snowman or Santa pancakes! Here are 17 Kid-Friendly Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas.
What’s an easy Christmas brunch idea?
A themed breakfast bar is always a hit! Try a breakfast pastry bar with all your favorite muffins, scones and sweet treats, a yogurt parfait bar, a smoked salmon bagel bar or here are 10 Easy Brunch Bar Ideas.
What’s a festive Christmas breakfast idea using holiday flavors?
There are lots of seasonal flavors to choose from! Try Eggnog French Toast, Gingerbread Waffles, or this Cranberry Orange Buttermilk Breakfast Cake.
What’s an affordable Christmas breakfast that stil feels special?
I love the idea of using Christmas Eve leftovers in breakfast the next day. If you’re having a Christmas ham, it can be repurposed into a ham and cheese egg casserole. You could also add leftover potatoes or throw leftover potatoes on the waffle iron to make potato waffles! If you have leftover dinner rolls, use them to make a french toast bake! Here are 20 Budget Friendly Make Ahead Christmas Brunch recipes.
What breakfast dishes travel well if I’m bringing food to a holiday gathering?
Any breakfast casserole that can be baked in a casserole dish should be fairly easy to transport! You could also prep individual breakfast burritos and wrap them in foil or even cook a batch of pancakes or waffles ahead of time, transport them in tupperware and reheat when you get there.
Whatever you choose to feed your guests, I hope your holiday morning is full of contentment and love!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–