This year, like every year, we’re all about taking the stress out of the holiday season. We’re saying yes to shortcuts and no to the things that zap our energy. While the kitchen is arguably the center of the holiday action, we’re using all the time-saving hacks we can find to help us spend more time by the fire with friends and family. The key to a smooth-sailing Christmas? It all lies in the amount of prep you can tackle beforehand, starting with breakfast. To share some inspiration for getting your to-do’s out of the way, we’re sharing our favorite Christmas breakfast ideas. Because doing all the hard work in advance makes for a much happier holiday.
There’s nothing better than lounging around in our holiday pajamas with a big cup of coffee on Christmas morning. While a younger version of myself was quick to hop out of bed at 4 a.m. (that’s not a joke) and run downstairs to revel in the magic of a twinkly, present-flocked tree, I take things muuuuuch more leisurely now as an adult. You can catch me on Christmas puttering around in my slippers, happy to move about the house at a snail’s pace. In other words: slowly. Very slowly.
Image by Anastasiya Pudova.
20 Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast Ideas
If “make-ahead recipes” caught your eye, I imagine the same might be true for you. The key to making your tranquil Christmas morning dreams a reality? It’s all about the prep, y’all. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, meat or meat-free, healthy or… indulgent, I have options for you. Consider this roundup your ticket to soaking up the magic of the morning and still having a big delicious breakfast for the whole fam to devour. Just wake up, pop your dish in the oven and get ready to dig in. Here we go.
Yogurt & Granola Breakfast Grazing Board
Yogurt and granola is a classic pairing. But when you arrange it on a beautiful board, there’s nothing better. Simply chop up your fruits and portion out your yogurt, granola (store-bought or homemade), and other fix-ins into bowls the night before. Before you serve, engage your inner artiste and lay out all of your ingredients aesthetically on your board. Guests will love building their own bowls and selecting their ingredients as they go.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
These delights are proof that crowd-pleasing cinnamon rolls can be made ahead of time and with ease. This Christmas spin on the classic surpasses the softness of almost every other cinnamon roll I’ve tried. These can be made the night before, a few days in advance, or even frozen for cinnamon rolls whenever you want them. And on Christmas morning, you can bet it’s these Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls that are calling my name.
Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake
This blueberry almond coffee cake is a light, fluffy delight with bursts of juicy blueberries and a sweet, crumbly topping. Perfect for brunch, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser to welcome a touch of fresh flavor to the heart of winter.
Mini Dutch Babies
These mini Dutch babies are as adorable as they are delicious, with a crisp exterior and fluffy center that’s perfect for topping with fresh fruit or syrup. Bonus: they’re dairy-free, making them a delightful treat for any holiday brunch table, no matter your dietary preferences.
Vegan Banana Muffins
Like the best coffee shop muffins you’ve ever had, minus the dairy. These are beyond moist, perfectly nutty, and feature the tastiest crumble topping. I love making muffins for a celebratory meal (as you can surely tell by the number of muffin recipes I included in this roundup). You can either bake and freeze them or portion your batter into muffin tins and set in the fridge the night before. In the morning, simply pop them in the oven and your whole house will be filled with the smell of baked banana bliss.
One-Bowl Morning Glory Muffins
These one-bowl morning glory muffins are packed with wholesome ingredients like carrots, apples, and nuts, making them a healthy way to kick off your holiday. Easy to make and full of flavor, they’re the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition for a fresh start before the new year begins.
Jam-Filled Gluten-Free Muffins
These jam-filled gluten-free muffins are a sweet and satisfying addition to your Christmas breakfast spread. With a tender crumb and a festive pop of fruity jam in the center, they’re the perfect way to indulge in holiday cheer without the gluten. Pair them with a cozy cup of coffee or tea for a magical start to the day.
Sweet Laurel Cinnamon Rolls
These grain-free cinnamon rolls from Sweet Laurel are a wholesome twist on a beloved classic, made with simple, nourishing ingredients. Swirled with cinnamon and topped with a creamy glaze, they’re perfect for a cozy baking session. (Which, hi, the Christmas season is all about.)
Chai Spice Buckwheat Granola
Granola is the perfect, multi-dimensional breakfast. Meaning? It can be enjoyed in just about any way you can think of. Have it with milk, spoon it over yogurt, top pancakes and waffles, or just toss back a few handfuls. I love baking a few sheet pans of granola the day before, storing them in air-tight containers, and setting them out at the breakfast buffet in big bowls for guests to serve themselves. From there, the possibilities are endless.
Whole Lotta Good Stuff Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Just when you thought you’d seen everything, along comes a healthier version of your favorite sweet breakfast. If pandemic-era baking showed you just how comforting banana bread can be, then there’s no better option for cozying up with loved ones on Christmas morning. I love too, that this banana bread specifies that it’s “healthyish” meaning we’re not cutting any corners here. There’s still a whole lotta indulgence to be found.
Anti-Inflammatory Berry + Turmeric Muffins
If you’re already committing to your New Year’s intention to feel your best in 2025, these muffins will aid in your efforts. They’re packed with anti-inflammatory superstar turmeric as well as other nutrient-dense ingredients like walnuts, chia seeds, oats, raspberries, and blueberries. I don’t know about you, but I’ll be baking a double batch for the new year and beyond.
Banana Walnut Bread With Espresso Mascarpone
This banana walnut bread takes the classic recipe to the next level with its rich, nutty flavor and perfectly moist texture. Topped with a luxurious espresso mascarpone, it’s the ultimate treat for a cozy Christmas morning.
Almond Kringle
Does your perfect Christmas breakfast involves something warm and sweet served alongside a cup of strong coffee? Then this is the recipe to make. If you know and love the scent of an almond filling wafting through the kitchen as I do, then you’ll be happy to see that this recipe calls for it times three: almond paste, sliced almonds, and almond extract. How could you go wrong?
Cranberry Orange Muffins
It’s the night before Christmas, and you can bet I have dreams of these muffins dancing in my head. I love the pairing of bright, fresh orange with tart and jammy cranberries. These are great on their own, but to send things over the top, I recommend enjoying your muffins with a little butter and orange-spiked glaze.
Chai Challah French Toast
Elevate your Christmas breakfast with rich and fluffy challah French toast—an indulgent recipe perfect for festive mornings with family.
Cardamom Pear Porridge
Easy, energizing, and able to keep you full for hours, porridge is a great option for a healthier Christmas breakfast. The porridge base can be made in the slow cooker or the instant pot on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, simply reheat and set out bowls filled with mix-ins and toppings (yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit is perfect) for people to mix and match as they please.
Banana-Cashew Baked Oatmeal
If your run-of-the-mill, weekday overnight oats don’t seem special enough for the Christmas festivities, it’s time to make this recipe. Bananas, cinnamon, maple syrup, peanut butter, and honey make these the ultimate oats. They’re make-ahead, healthy, and a creamy-and-dreamy dish. What’s not to love?
Creamy Pumpkin Overnight Oats
I’m a big overnight oats fan over here. And while it might not seem celebratory at first, one spoonful of these oats and I can guarantee you’ll change your tune. As for flavor, these oats are like pumpkin pie in breakfast form. And as someone who’s known for indulging in pie breakfast around the holidays, this is like a dream come true.
Veggie-Packed Quiche
Quiche has the ability to taste deliciously indulgent while also feeling light. Not only that, but this recipe brings a healthy dose of both color and nutrition to your Christmas breakfast table. (Alongside an addicting flavor, who could argue with that?) This dish includes everything we love: a crispy, flaky crust, a rich and creamy custard, and a rainbow of veggies. To make it ahead of time, simply follow the recipe all the way through, allow it to cool, then store in the refrigerator. You’re also welcome to do all the assembly in advance and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Vegetarian Scramble Burrito
Burritos might not be your typical Christmas morning breakfast, but I’d argue that it’s time to make them a part of your tradition. The tofu scramble can be cooked in advance and placed in an air-tight container in the fridge. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat on the stovetop and set out all the fix-ins. Guests can line up to assemble their burritos at their leisure. Bonus: These are vegan, so everyone can enjoy!
