30 Festive Christmas Breakfast Ideas

These magical Christmas breakfast ideas are perfect for holiday mornings! From fluffy pancakes to savory casseroles, these festive brunch recipes make Christmas Day special.

There’s nothing better than the smell of coffee wafting and the cinnamon scent of baked goods to usher in the holiday festivities. I’ve learned that Christmas breakfast sets the tone for the entire day. After years of experimenting, I’ve collected recipes that never fail to deliver that cozy holiday magic.

Here’s my list of favorite Christmas breakfast ideas that balance impressive presentation with recipes you can actually pull off without stressing out. Many can be prepped the night before, which means less time in the kitchen and more time with your people!

Table of Contents

My Top Christmas Breakfast Ideas

Snowman Pancakes

Make your favorite pancakes into a snowman: perfect for a cozy Christmas breakfast! All you need is a carrot, raisins, pretzels and powdered sugar. Use your favorite pancake recipe, or try my applesauce pancakes! Applesauce makes the ideal soft and moist texture for flapjacks: perfectly fluffy and spiced with cinnamon.

Cozy Gingerbread Waffles

Another of my favorite Christmas breakfast traditions is making a batch of these gingerbread waffles. There’s nothing cozier than the smell of ginger and cloves wafting through the kitchen. Slather them in almond butter and top with a little powdered sugar and maple syrup as a deliciously cozy breakfast treat! (Better yet, top with Gingerbread Syrup.)

Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole

Here’s a cozy Christmas breakfast idea: Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole! It works cold, room temp or warm, so you can easily make it ahead. And leftovers stay good for days! It’s beautifully hearty, pairing cheesy hash browns with chili powder, garlic powder and cumin for massive savory flavor.

Make ahead tip: You can make it the night before and refrigerate until baking.

Cranberry Orange Muffins

The combination of zingy orange zest and tart cranberry bursts makes these muffins irresistible. They're soft, fluffy, and finished with a sweet orange icing glaze that balances the berries perfectly.

Crustless Quiche with Spinach

This crustless quiche is my favorite for entertaining: it’s savory and hearty, with lots of protein to keep bellies full all morning. Even better: it’s so easy to whip up! No need to bother with a quiche crust: just whisk together the filling and pop it in the oven.

Spiced Applesauce Bread

This quick bread is beautifully spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, studded with oats for texture. It's moist, lightly sweet, and tastes even better the next day, which makes it ideal for Christmas morning when you want something ready to slice and serve. Add an easy icing drizzle to make it look bakery-worthy.

French Toast

When done right, French toast is cinnamon-scented, crispy on the outside, and custardy on the inside. The secret is in the ingredients: use good bread, plenty of eggs, and real vanilla extract. It's basic, but it makes Christmas morning feel special when you serve it with warm maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Gingerbread Pancakes

These cozy spiced pancakes get their flavor from molasses and warming spices. Pour them into circular shapes or use a gingerbread cookie cutter mold for actual gingerbread men! Kids love these in their pajamas on Christmas morning, and they're hearty enough to fuel a morning of present-opening.

Christmas Mimosa

The combination of sweet-tart pomegranate, fresh orange juice, and airy bubbles is incredibly satisfying. It's the perfect festive drink for Christmas morning, and the red color looks gorgeous.

Cinnamon Muffins

Here’s an impressive Christmas breakfast recipe that no one can resist: these Cinnamon Streusel Muffins! These muffins are light, fluffy and moist, sparkling with a glittery streusel topping. Trendy cottage cheese stands in for a bit of the oil and adds protein to these moist muffins.

Raspberry Braided Bread

When you want to really impress, this braided bread filled with raspberry jam and cream cheese is a stunner. The braiding technique looks intricate but it's surprisingly straightforward, and the sweet-tart filling makes every slice feel special. I love serving this as the centerpiece of a Christmas brunch spread.

Veggie Mini Frittatas

Here's a fun breakfast trick: mini frittatas! They’re filled with colorful veggies and crunchy pecans for added protein and nutrients. These are great as a make-ahead option and look festive on a spread of Christmas brunch treats.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

When you're looking for something a bit lighter, these fluffy pancakes are the answer. Made with ricotta cheese and fresh lemon zest, they have half the flour of regular pancakes but double the protein. They taste fancy but come together quickly, making them perfect for Christmas morning.

Cranberry Orange Bread

This cozy quick bread is a Christmas classic for good reason: it's citrusy, studded with tangy cranberries, and drizzled with a sweet orange glaze. Every time I make this for brunch, it disappears within minutes. The flavors are quintessentially festive, and it pairs beautifully with hot coffee or tea.

Cinnamon French Toast

Here’s a recipe that stands out among all special breakfasts: this Cinnamon French Toast! This one has double the spice, featuring it both in the custard batter and in a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating. There’s really nothing better than French toast that tastes like cinnamon toast!

Christmas Coffee

This cozy-spiced Christmas coffee features a homemade gingerbread syrup with brown sugar and whole spices with hints of cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Top with whipped cream and festive sprinkles for a festive breakfast or brunch drink.

Christmas Biscuits & Cranberry Jam

These yogurt biscuits are light, fluffy, and just buttery enough, with a bit of Greek yogurt to keep them moist. They’ve got some whole wheat flour for some added flavor and depth. Cut them into Christmas shapes with cookie cutters and top with Cranberry Jam.

Gingerbread Syrup

No need to make special pancakes or waffles when you have Gingerbread Syrup! Just a drizzle of this cookie-inspired syrup is pure bliss, melding notes of cinnamon and allspice with ginger and molasses. The great thing about it? It’s endlessly versatile: use it for coffee, cocktails, oatmeal, pancakes or waffles to infuse them with a bit of holiday cheer.

Sweet Potato Muffins

These Sweet Potato Muffins are a delicious way to enjoy the season! Adding mashed sweet potato to baked goods makes them deliciously moist. These tall, fluffy muffins are perfectly cinnamon spiced and an ideal dish for a Christmas breakfast or brunch.

Easy Frittata Recipe

Looking for a hearty savory breakfast idea? Enter, The Frittata! A frittata is an Italian dish that’s best described as a crustless egg pie. It’s often served for breakfast or brunch. You can eat it at any temperature and it saves well. For Christmas, try adding sautéed spinach and diced red pepper for a red and green flair.

Cozy Baked Oatmeal

Here’s that perfect Christmas breakfast or brunch recipe you search for when you have house guests to impress. The combination of the cinnamon, allspice and maple makes magic. It’s got just the right cozy-spiced flavor, gooey but set texture, and the apple is the perfect fruit for baked oatmeal (in our opinion). Add a drizzle of Powdered Sugar Icing for a festive touch.

Gingerbread Latte

Why not cozy up to this Gingerbread Latte on Christmas morning? It’s sweetly spiced and full of flavor, with bold notes of ginger, cinnamon and allspice. Add to that creamy, foamy steamed milk and it’s the cozy drink of your dreams.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Cottage cheese pancakes? This protein-packed pancake uses half the flour as a regular pancake recipe, relying on eggs and cottage cheese instead. It’s tender, fluffy, and vanilla-scented: in fact, it tastes like a cross between pancakes and French toast!

Egg Muffins

Make up scrambled eggs in muffin tin cups with red and green veggies, and they're perfect for Christmas breakfast or brunch! They can be served warm or room temperature. The filling is packed with good stuff: loads of spinach, cottage cheese for healthy protein, and jarred red pepper.

Smoked Salmon Bagel

For a more sophisticated Christmas brunch, nothing beats a proper smoked salmon bagel with homemade herb cream cheese. The contrast of smoky salmon against tangy cream cheese, fresh dill, and briny capers on a perfectly toasted bagel feels luxurious but comes together in minutes.

Crumpets

These traditional English treats are like a mashup of an English muffin and a pancake: crispy outside, spongy inside. They're fun to make as a special Christmas project, and everyone loves topping them with butter or jam. You can find them frozen at the grocery store if you want to skip the homemade step.

Orange Scones with Cranberry Frosting

These golden scones are lightly sweet and scented with vanilla and orange zest. The bright pink cranberry frosting adds a festive pop of color and tart flavor. They're vegan-friendly, which I appreciate when hosting, and they look stunning arranged on a platter.

Maple Pecan Granola

A great make-ahead breakfast recipe is healthy granola! Serve it over yogurt, or with almond milk or oat milk. Our favorite maple pecan granola is low calorie and still nutrient dense…and full of toasty, cozy flavor. Try it in a Christmas Breakfast Parfait with cranberry jam or raspberry sauce.

Oven Hash Browns

A great savory side dish that's completely hands-off once it's in the oven. This method makes beautifully crispy potatoes salted to perfection, and you can make double the amount to feed a crowd. They're perfect alongside egg recipes like frittatas or quiche.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

This spinach mushroom quiche makes a delicious Christmas breakfast or brunch centerpiece! The buttery, flaky crust is packed with savory mushrooms and a cheesy custard, and it's easy to make ahead for a crowd.

Tips for Christmas Morning Success

After years of Christmas hosting and menu planning, here are a few things I’ve learned:

Make ahead as much as possible: One key to stress-free Christmas breakfast is doing as much as possible the night before. Casseroles like the hashbrown casserole can be assembled and refrigerated, and muffins and quick breads taste even better the next day.
Set out a buffet: Instead of plating individual breakfasts, I like to set everything out buffet-style so everyone can serve themselves. This keeps the morning relaxed and lets people eat when they’re ready.
Balance sweet with savory: I like to have at least one savory option alongside the sweets, like my favorite crustless quiche. A sugar-heavy breakfast can give everyone a crash afterwards, so having eggs, casseroles, or savory muffins is key.
Add simple sides: Add some “non-recipe” ideas like fresh fruit, yogurt, or good butter and jam. These elements round out the meal and give people lighter options.

Planning a Christmas Breakfast Menu

As noted above, I typically plan one sweet baked good, one savory main, a breakfast drink, and then some simple sides like fruit and yogurt.

For a smaller family breakfast, keep it simple with lemon ricotta pancakes or sourdough French toast and one special drink. The key is creating that festive feeling overcommitting.

Remember that Christmas breakfast is about gathering together, not perfection. Even additions like good coffee, nice juice, or quality butter can add dimension to a simple spread.

For more holiday inspiration, check out my Christmas Cocktails & Drinks, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Side Dishes, Healthy Christmas Cookies, and Christmas Desserts collections.

Christmas Breakfast Ideas: Snowman Pancakes & More

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Make a batch of snowman pancakes for Christmas morning! They’re tender and sweet, topped with powdered sugar snow.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 9 medium pancakes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Christmas
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

4 eggs
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ tablespoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Butter, for cooking
To make the snowman: pretzel sticks, raisins, carrot, and powdered sugar

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, ricotta, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
In another medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. Add it to the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth batter forms.
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium low heat, then add a bit of butter to coat. Scoop out ¼ cup portions of batter and cook the pancakes until golden brown on one side, adjusting the heat so it doesn’t brown too fast. Flip and cook until cooked through and no longer gooey at the edges (the batter may ooze out a bit at the sides; just keep cooking until it is fully cooked, adjusting the heat as necessary so it doesn’t brown too fast). Place the pancakes in a stack under an overturned bowl, and cook the second batch of pancakes.
To assemble the snowman: lay out three circle pancakes on a platter or plate. Dust with powdered sugar. Use raisins to make eyes and buttons, cut a carrot into a triangle for a nose, and use pretzel sticks for arms.

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