If your Christmas is anything like ours, then you know the whole day is a marathon, not a sprint. So you need a suitably festive breakfast that'll fill you up, start your day in a jolly mood, and sustain you through all the Christmas festivities. Since nobody wants to spend all Christmas day toiling away in the kitchen (unless that's your thing, of course — I actually think it sounds kind of lovely), we've come up with suitably festive Christmas breakfast ideas that you can make ahead or that won't take a ton of time and cleanup (or both).
Try a Christmas Quiche
Quiche is super festive and filling. With lots of protein from the eggs and some cheese to stick to your ribs, it'll keep you going all day long. And the best part is you can make it all the night before (or even a few days before), and then pop it in the oven on the day of while everyone is opening presents. We like this cheesy broccoli quiche, or go with something a little meatier, like this Christmas quiche from Howe We Live.
Related: Vegan Spinach Quiche Recipe That You Won't Know Is Eggless
Bake Up a Breakfast Casserole
We think it's high time the casserole made a comeback. They're usually filled with gooey, comforting goodness, and they're super easy to cook ahead and reheat in the morning or assemble, store uncooked, and pop in the oven the morning of. Here are nine of our absolute favorite breakfast casseroles, any of which would be amazing for Christmas morning.
Simmer Some Slow Cooker Oatmeal
When you put a few warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom) into the slow cooker with oatmeal, you not only wake up to your house smelling like Christmas, but you also have the perfect stick-to-your-ribs breakfast that everyone can eat once the initial excitement of opening presents has passed. We have all the ways you can make this tasty treat and personalize it for your family and the season.
Warm Yourself From the Inside With Slow Cooker Rice Pudding
Pudding? For Christmas breakfast? Um, yes, please! Since you do it in the slow cooker, you can take a basic rice pudding recipe and add all sorts of seasonal goodies — like dried cranberries, pecans, or warm spices. It's another way to make the house smell great all night long and wake up to a warming, comforting breakfast that's ready when you are.
Go Traditional With Coffee Cake & Wassail
You know, for years, I sang the whole "Here We Come a-Wassailing" song without the slightest clue of what it meant. I thought it was some combo of wailing and singing or sailing and singing or wailing and sailing and singing... who knows?
So color adult me shocked when I discovered wassail was a yummy, warm, spicy holiday punch, and wassailing was all about getting a little boozy and raising the roof at the holidays. Who wouldn't want that on Christmas morning? Wassailing is all about booze, which is great if everyone is an adult and you don't have to drive anywhere in questionable winter conditions. But we have the perfect solution for kids and people with places to be — nonalcoholic wassail. Mix it up a day or two before and warm it in the morning. Combine it with a gluten-free coffee cake that everyone can partake in (or buy coffee cake from your favorite bakery). You can bake it ahead of time and eat it cold or warm it up in the morning.
Whip Up Some Festive Deviled Eggs
Sure, anyone can do a quick egg scramble for breakfast, but who wants to do dishes on Christmas morning? Not it! And microwaving pre-cooked eggs? Meh. Not my favorite.
So naturally, deviled eggs are the perfect solution. They're eggs. They're festive. And they're tasty (and filling). One of the things I love about deviled eggs is how easy they are to customize to fit a theme or season, starting with a good basic deviled egg recipe and building in the variations as you go. Me? I'm all about sriracha, chopped green onions, and a little harissa powder for some color and spice. Yum.
Indulge in Breakfast Cookies and Milk
Okay — so maybe sugaring up already excited kids isn't the brightest idea, but can we all agree it's going to happen anyway? Fortunately, breakfast cookies have a lot less sugar and actually have some substance to them. You'll find a great breakfast cookie recipe among these other easy homemade breakfast recipes for busy mornings, and all the other recipes also make fast and easy (and yummy) Christmas morning meals.
Take a Bite of Breakfast Burritos
Is there ever a time that's inappropriate for burritos? Nah... didn't think so. You can keep it casual by cooking up some scrambled eggs, bacon, and veggies ahead of time, reheating them on Christmas morning, and then rolling them in some tortillas with a bit of cheese and some salsa. Pop 'em in the oven (350°F, 10-15 minutes) and boom — fast and easy meal with no recipe required. Or make it even easier on yourself by putting out fillings, having everyone fill and roll their own, and then popping them in the oven.
Related: Not into meat? Try one of our vegan breakfast burrito recipes.
Fill Your Belly Full of Muffins
Boy, do I love a muffin. And these blueberry muffins are extra-special. Plus, they're super easy to bake and store for up to five days (or even freeze). Want to give them the Christmas treatment? Replace the blueberries with dried cranberries and add a teaspoon of grated orange zest and a half teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
Stir Up Some Cranberry-Orange Chia Pudding
There's a lot to love about chia pudding. It's super easy to make, it's nutritious, it sticks to your ribs, and, best of all, it doesn't require cooking! Mix up a batch the night before, stick it in the fridge, and you have Christmas breakfast ready when you are. We love The Buzz Magazine's orange cranberry chia pudding because it's packed with holiday flavors. For an extra treat, add some cranberry sauce to the bottom of a cup, top with a few cranberries, sprinkle on some chopped nuts, and it'll be super Christmassy.
Set Out a Continental Breakfast Assortment
What's better than baking it ahead of time? Having somebody else bake it for you! Head to your favorite bakery on Christmas Eve and gather up some pretty pastries. Set them out with fruits, jams, jellies, yogurt, and whatever else your heart desires for the easiest breakfast ever.
Design a Charcuterie Board
Sure, we have an idea that breakfast needs to be eggy, or cerealy, or pancakey... but it doesn't have to be. In my opinion, a charcuterie board is never not a good idea. And these breakfast charcuterie board ideas are creative, they're fast and easy to lay out, and everyone can find something they love. Add your seasonal faves for a yummy and easy breakfast.
Dip Into a Fun Fruit Tray
Dipping is always fun! And dipping fruit? Heck yeah! So slice up some fruits (or buy them pre-cut. We won't judge), and add your favorite fruit dip. It's super easy to whisk some maple syrup or honey and spices into yogurt, or try something like this marshmallow fluff fruit dip for the perfect light breakfast.
Set Up a Breakfast Sandwich Station
What's better than making breakfast for everyone? Having them make their own! All you have to do is put out all the stuff to make sandwiches, and everyone can make their own whenever the fancy strikes them. Offer several bread options, sweet and savory fillings (don't forget the peanut butter and Nutella), and, of course, some sweet and savory spreads. Easy peasy.
Create a Parfait Bar
Even picky eaters won't turn their noses up at a parfait bar. Put out some pretty jars, cups, or bowls, and some plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt. Then give them all the options. Drizzly stuff like honey or syrup. Cranberry sauce. Dried fruits and nuts. Fresh fruits. Granola. Go wild. There will be something for everyone, and they'll be doing most of the work.
Give Them Smoothie Stuff and a Blender
If everyone gets hungry at a different time, they can totally head into the kitchen and blend up a smoothie. Just fill the fridge with smoothie ingredients like yogurt, milk, juice, fruit, and fun add-ins like crushed candy canes, honey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin puree, spices, and nut butter. Everyone can mix up exactly what they want when they want it.
Offer DIY Instant Mix Breakfast Bowls
Super busy morning? Instant oatmeal to the rescue. Put out packs of plain and flavored instant oatmeal, keep a supply of hot water at the ready, and then add stuff people can mix in — from sweet favorites like brown sugar and dried fruit to savory yummies like grated cheese, cooked bacon, and chopped chives.
Unwrap a Variety of Protein Bars
Get all kinds of protein bars (or make your own) and put them on a pretty platter. Maybe cut them in half so people can try different types. So easy, but it'll help everyone power through.
DIY Waffle Bar
Repeat after me: there's no shame in pre-made waffles. Whether you have a bunch of toaster waffles and a few toasters or you've purchased a big box of Belgian waffles from Costco, set them out along with toppings. Fruit, jam, syrup — and don't forget the whipped cream and fun seasonal garnishes like grated orange peel, dried cranberries, crushed peppermint candies, and chopped nuts. Everyone will be blissed out, and you'll be happy you didn't spend all morning in the kitchen.
Power Up With Christmas Breakfast
Sure, your family needs breakfast, even on Christmas morning. And because it's Christmas, you probably want it to feel at least a little special. That's why I love all these ideas. They make it special but don't wear you out. Because you've got a long day of festive Christmas fun ahead of you.
