Looking for a yummy breakfast recipe for Christmas Day? We’ve got delicious Christmas breakfast ideas for you! These breakfast holiday recipes range from cinnamon rolls to easy breakfast casseroles to monkey bread to buttermilk pancakes to make-ahead options, we’ve got a great list of recipe ideas for you to try!
Christmas morning is the perfect time for a festive and indulgent breakfast! Whether you’re serving a crowd or just your close family, here are some delightful holiday breakfast ideas to kick off the day.
21 Best Christmas Morning Holiday Breakfast Recipes
Christmas morning breakfast holds a special place in many people’s hearts for a variety of reasons, rooted in both tradition and the unique atmosphere of the holiday. Here are a few reasons why it feels so special:
1. A Time for Family and Togetherness
Christmas is often the one day of the year when families come together to celebrate, and breakfast is the first shared moment of the day. Whether it’s just immediate family or a larger gathering, enjoying a meal together on Christmas morning creates lasting memories. It’s a peaceful time before the bustle of gift-giving, holiday visits, or cooking a big dinner. Sharing a special breakfast allows everyone to connect and start the day on a positive note.
2. Tradition and Nostalgia
For many people, Christmas breakfast is tied to long-standing family traditions. These could include special dishes passed down through generations (like cinnamon rolls, pancakes, or egg casseroles), or unique customs—such as serving breakfast after opening presents, or incorporating a festive theme like gingerbread or cranberries. The familiarity of these traditions can bring a sense of nostalgia, evoking fond memories of childhood or previous holidays.
3. Indulgence Without Guilt
Christmas morning often marks a time to indulge in foods that are a bit more decadent or luxurious than usual—like rich pastries, eggs Benedict, or mimosas. The holiday spirit encourages treating oneself, and breakfast offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy something special that might not be part of the regular breakfast rotation. People tend to embrace the “special occasion” aspect of Christmas, allowing them to enjoy foods they love without worrying about their typical routine.
4. A Slow Start to the Day
Unlike many other days, Christmas morning often feels slower and more relaxed. There’s no rush to get out the door, no work to do, no obligations to meet immediately. This slower pace allows for a leisurely breakfast, where there’s time to savor the food, share stories, and take in the holiday atmosphere. It’s a peaceful, mindful moment before the energy picks up later in the day.
5. Celebration and Frestivity
Food plays a big role in celebrations, and Christmas breakfast is no exception. The dishes served often have a holiday flair—bright fruits, festive pastries, seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger, and even holiday-themed table settings. The breakfast feels like a celebration in itself, helping to set the tone for the joy and excitement that fills the rest of the day.
6. The Element of Surprise
For many families, there’s an element of surprise or joy associated with Christmas breakfast. Maybe it’s a homemade dish or a carefully crafted spread of pancakes and toppings, or perhaps it’s the joy of discovering a favorite dish or treat that appears only on Christmas morning. Even the anticipation of the morning meal can add to the excitement of the holiday itself.
7. A Sense of Comfort
Christmas morning breakfast often brings comfort—whether it’s a familiar dish made by a loved one, the warmth of hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate, or the coziness of being gathered around a table together in a quiet house. It’s a meal that feels homey and nurturing, perfect for embracing the sense of warmth and togetherness that defines Christmas.
8. A Shift in Focus
After the buildup of the holiday season—decorating, shopping, and preparing for parties—Christmas morning breakfast provides a shift in focus. It’s about slowing down, appreciating the present moment, and enjoying the company of those around you. It’s an opportunity to pause and appreciate the simple pleasures of life, especially as the excitement of the day unfolds.
9. A Delicious Start to the Holiday Feasting
For many, Christmas is a day full of indulgent meals, from the big holiday dinner to festive snacks throughout the day. Christmas breakfast serves as the first course of this holiday feasting, setting the stage for a day of celebration. Having something delicious and special first thing reminds everyone that the day is one for enjoyment, not routine.
10. Symbol of Generosity
Christmas is often a time for giving, and that spirit can extend to breakfast. Whether it’s preparing a homemade meal for others, sharing food with friends and family, or giving little treats like freshly baked cookies or homemade jams, the act of serving and sharing food on Christmas morning symbolizes the warmth and generosity that is central to the holiday.
In essence, Christmas morning breakfast is special because it’s more than just a meal; it’s a time for connection, celebration, and enjoyment. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and is a moment to savor, whether it’s through tradition, indulgence, or the simple joy of being together.
Let’s check out all these Holiday Breakfast Recipes so you can make the best holiday breakfast!
21 Holiday Breakfast Recipes
Looking for a yummy breakfast recipe for Christmas Day? We've got delicious Christmas breakfast ideas for you! These breakfast holiday recipes range from cinnamon rolls to easy breakfast casseroles to monkey bread to buttermilk pancakes to make-ahead options, we've got a great list of recipe ideas for you to try!
Overnight French Toast Casserole is a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead breakfast recipe that everyone loves! Made with a maple custard and light vanilla glaze, this French Toast Casserole recipe delivers the classic flavor you know and love of french toast in casserole form.
Take the work out of cooking Christmas morning with deliciously easy Cheesy Sausage Hash Brown Egg Cups! Only 5 basic breakfast ingredients (eggs, frozen hash browns, sausage crumbles, onion and eggs) plus 5 minutes of prep and you’ll have 12 beautiful potato and egg bites ready to eat! Serve with cinnamon rolls for a great breakfast!
Make your holiday breakfast special with this Christmas Morning Casserole, a dish that's easy to bake in the oven. Perfect for Christmas morning, this hearty casserole combines all your favorite breakfast ingredients for a delicious and stress-free start to your day. Serve with fresh fruit for a wonderful breakfast!
There isn’t anything much better than waking up on a weekend morning and enjoying a warm and tender, freshly baked cinnamon roll. I love this recipe so much because you can do the bulk of the work in assembling these cinnamon rolls the night before. In the morning, it’s super easy to finish up the recipe and bake these rolls for breakfast or brunch!
This is my favorite holiday breakfast recipe! You will find this coffee cake recipe to be moist, buttery and full of cinnamon flavor! We like it for Christmas morning, but it makes the best brunch treat, snack or even dessert! It goes perfectly with a cup of hot coffee! Make it the day before and it's ready for the next morning.
Each slice of this easy breakfast casserole is thick, flavorful, and satisfying; plus, the recipe is an incredibly convenient breakfast choice since it’s make-ahead and infinitely adaptable. Like quiche and breakfast egg muffins, you can use your favorite seasonings and cheeses, vegetables like peppers and mushrooms, meats like sausage or bacon, or you can make it vegetarian. The best part is that you can assemble this dish ahead of time so breakfast is a breeze in the morning!
These Christmas Morning Pancakes are the perfect way to start your holiday season with warmth and cheer. Our fluffy, light pancakes filled with festive sprinkles will bring smiles to your whole family’s faces!
This Christmas Quiche is filled with sausage, cranberries, and cheese. It makes a perfect Christmas morning breakfast or brunch.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is a fun, easy twist on the perfect holiday breakfast with refrigerated rolls, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. If you want to try out a rich, holiday version of monkey bread, then you need to try this recipe. Great for Christmas morning, brunch, or a Thanksgiving dessert, Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is the perfect sweet, gooey treat.
Sausage and egg overnight breakfast casserole is a baked egg casserole with pork sausage, onions, cheddar cheese, and spices, baked together with cubes of whole-grain bread. This delicious breakfast casserole recipe is sometimes known as a breakfast strata.
These Frosted Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls are just what your sweet tooth needs this Holiday season! With a crazy good frosting on top of perfectly spiced rolls, what more could you want?!
In this easy Eggs Benedict Casserole, fresh English muffins are layered with delicious rounds of Canadian bacon, covered in a savory custard mixture and baked until golden brown. Served with Hollandaise sauce, it’s the perfect holiday breakfast!
This is the Best Ever Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole! Make this easy recipe in the pressure cooker with yummy hash browns, bacon and peppers. It's fast to make on a holiday morning.
This easy Cherry Cheese Danish recipe is fancy enough for holidays and special occasions yet simple enough to make any day! It's a delicious breakfast that looks so impressive and is next level amazing!
Warm up your winter mornings with this Easy Eggnog French Toast recipe! Made with soft brioche and a creamy eggnog mix, this breakfast idea is a festive twist on a classic. Perfect for cozy mornings and holiday brunches!
Christmas Fruit Salad is a tasty blend of winter fruits and summer berries. Top this holiday fruit dish off with our Orange Honey Dressing. A delicious and sweet recipe that’s so healthy and good for you too!
Crispy, buttery Cinnamon Roll Waffles are made with canned cinnamon rolls and a drool-worthy homemade maple cream cheese syrup. Breakfast has never been so easy and delicious! Add some eggs or fruit for the perfect compliment to your holiday breakfast!
For a festive and indulgent breakfast, try these Chocolate Peppermint Overnight Oats. The combination of rich cocoa and refreshing peppermint makes this a perfect holiday treat that’s still healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast.
Makes this beautiful, festive, red and green frittata for Christmas breakfast or a holiday brunch! It's full of fresh veggies making it a great for healthy eating!
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Casserole is an easy to make, hearty breakfast! Perfect for weekends, holidays and a great start to a long busy day! Add this easy recipe to your Christmas brunch menu!
This cranberry and orange buttermilk breakfast cake is a great one to add to your holiday baking repertoire. It takes 10 minutes to prepare, and the batter can be stashed in the fridge and baked in the morning. What’s more, it serves 8 to 10 people (or even more if doubled), so it’s great for holiday entertaining.
Hope you found some of the best Christmas breakfast ideas! The variety of recipes from make-ahead casseroles to monkey bread to buttermilk pancakes and waffles to eggs benedict, we hope that you have found a recipe that is perfect for your family on Christmas morning! Whether you want to eat healthy or just indulge for the holidays, I think you will find a most delicious Christmas morning breakfast. Of course, the best way to have Christmas morning breakfast is with the family and friends you love!
If you’ve tried a new recipe, come back and tell us what you liked about it!
What’s better than eating Christmas morning breakfast in Christmas pajamas?
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