Easy Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast Recipes

Written by Emily Nickerson Published on September 18, 2024

Easy Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast Recipes

The holiday season is all about spending time with family and enjoying delicious food, and Christmas morning is no exception. But who wants to be stuck in the kitchen when the rest of the family is looking in their stockings, sipping coffee and cocoa, and peeking at the presents under the tree?? The key to a stress-free Christmas morning is to have a game plan. And that means finding a make-ahead Christmas breakfast recipe to make.

Growing up, our tradition was to make our Christmas coffee cake on Christmas Eve, so that it was ready to eat the next day without any need for someone to be in the kitchen Christmas morning! Sometimes we would pair it with a fruit salad, or some bacon or breakfast sausage. We always had our slice of coffee cake while we opened our stockings and sipped a warm drink. I still do that today with my own little family as our Christmas morning breakfast tradition. So fun! I love that I can pass down the tradition of having a delicious make-ahead Christmas breakfast recipe to my kids.

Whether you are looking for savory dishes, or a delicious casserole recipe, or a sweet fruit option for your holiday morning, here are some dishes to give you a head start on your holiday make-ahead Christmas breakfast plans :

Easy Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfast Recipes

Find the perfect recipe for your Christmas morning breakfast! Savory or sweet, these recipes are all so delicious and easy to make ahead.

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French Toast Casserole

This classic breakfast dish is perfect for Christmas morning. Imagine soaking hearty slices of thick bread in a rich, cinnamon-spiced custard the night before. In the morning, just pop it in the oven and let it bake to golden perfection. The result is a warm, indulgent dish that's perfect for Christmas breakfast. Drizzle a little maple syrup on top for even more deliciousness!

Photo Credit: 12tomatoes.com

Overnight Cinnamon Roll Casserole

For those who crave a sweet, gooey comforting breakfast recipe, this cinnamon roll bake is a must-try! Imagine if a bread pudding and a french toast casserole and cinnamon rolls all got together and partied in a baking dish . . . that's this easy breakfast casserole.

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Strata Recipe (Overnight Breakfast Casserole)

A breakfast strata combines eggs, cheese, vegetables, and your choice of meats, all baked together into a hearty, flavorful dish. Prep it on Christmas Eve and let those bread cubes soak up all the savory egg mixture. Then on Christmas morning, turn on some Christmas music and the coffee maker, pop that dish in the oven, and enjoy time with your whole family in the living room.

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Yogurt Bar Ideas

For a lighter, refreshing option, set up a parfait bar for a delicious breakfast option. You can prepare the yogurt, seasonal fruit (like berries, blood oranges, pomegranates), granola, and other toppings in advance by organizing everything on holiday-themed dishes, covering them, and placing them in the fridge or on the breakfast table overnight. On Christmas morning, get everything out for Christmas Day Brunch and create a beautiful festive yogurt bar! If your family or overnight guests need a savory option to go along with the yogurt bar, I suggest adding in a make-ahead sausage breakfast casserole as well. If you're feeling like being the hostess with the mostest, set up a hot cocoa bar, too!!

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Ham and Cheese Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This savory casserole combines flaky croissants, savory ham, and gruyere and Swiss cheese in a rich egg mixture. Assemble it the night before, and in the morning, just bake it to golden perfection. It’s a delightful twist on a classic Croque Monsieur, and is a perfect make-ahead option for your Christmas brunch menu. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar for added decadence.

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Overnight Oats

For a healthy and hassle-free option, prepare individual servings of overnight oats. Mix rolled oats with milk or yogurt and your choice of sweeteners and toppings—think fresh fruit, nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon (hello Christmas morning vibes!). Let them sit in the fridge overnight, and they’ll be ready to grab and go on Christmas morning. This would be such a fun way for your family to spend a little time together in the kitchen on Christmas Eve - each person can prepare their own creative overnight oats to enjoy on Christmas morning.

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Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This cozy dish combines the flavors of baked apples, cinnamon, and oats into a hearty breakfast bake. Prepare it the night before and simply reheat it in the morning for a warm, comforting start to your Christmas day. The best way to enjoy this Christmas breakfast casserole is with a drizzle of warm maple syrup, whipped topping, and fresh fruit!

Photo Credit: getinspiredeveryday.com

Sausage Egg Muffins

These breakfast muffins are a great breakfast recipe option to make ahead for Christmas morning. This savory recipe would pair perfectly with a beautiful fruit Christmas tree, or some sweet sticky buns, or coffee cake! These little nuggets are loaded with savory sausage, cheddar cheese, spinach, peppers, and eggs. You can bake them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a couple of days (or in the freezer if you want to make them way in advance). Just reheat them briefly before serving for a quick, tasty breakfast.

Photo Credit: www.onceuponachef.com

Classic French Quiche Lorraine

A classic quiche loaded with bacon, cheese, and a creamy custard is perfect for a festive breakfast. You can make it a day or two in advance and reheat it in the morning. This decadent recipe is the perfect addition to your Christmas morning festivities. It has thick-cut bacon pieces, heavy cream, shallots, and Gruyere cheese. Is there any more perfect way to start off Christmas morning??

Photo Credit: therecipecritic.com

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Pumpkin pie for breakfast, anyone? Prepare a dry pancake mix with all the spices and flour, and store it in an airtight container. On Christmas morning, just add the wet ingredients, cook up fluffy pumpkin spice pancakes in a large skillet, and serve with maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream for a festive breakfast treat!

Many of these make-ahead Christmas breakfast options can also be used for any holiday or any special occasion! I hope you can find something for your Christmas morning breakfast this year.

Spending time with family eating good food is truly one of the highlights of Christmas for me. I have so many holiday memories from my childhood and nearly all of them revolve around the delicious foods my Mom made us all growing up. Over the years, all of us sisters learned how to cook and bake our favorite holiday dishes, and we now have shared them with our own families. Good food is a great way to bring family and friends together during the often busy holiday season. Slow down and enjoy time with the family this Christmas season.