30 Christmas Brunch Ideas That Will Wow Your Holiday Guests
Our go-to recipes for a cozy Christmas morning.
Jen Causey
On Christmas Day, it’s special to gather around the table for brunch, but it can be overwhelming to make something nice in the morning when there are a million other things going on. We compiled a list of 30 Christmas brunch ideas that will wow your guests while not asking too much of you before you’ve had your fill of coffee. And for anything that seems too complicated (cinnamon rolls, for example), go ahead and get your loved ones involved!
Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard
This recipe is inspired by clafoutis, a French dish with fruit baked into a flan-like batter. Use whatever frozen fruit you prefer, but we like using dark sweet cherries and mixed berries. Colorful and just sweet enough, this custard is the perfect centerpiece for Christmas brunch.
Spinach and Parmesan Dutch Baby
A Dutch baby is a big, puffy pancake baked in the oven that we’d happily eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This variation has Parmesan and black pepper in the batter, with wilted spinach on top. Serve with a side of bacon for a complete breakfast.
Gingerbread Pancakes With Pears and Yogurt
Elevate pancake mix with gingerbread flavors for a wintry breakfast that comes together quickly and tastes totally homemade. Sliced pears and vanilla yogurt are the perfect accompaniment to the warmly spiced pancakes.
Related: 8 Delicious Ways to Use Up All Those Extra Eggs in Your Fridge
French Toast Casserole With Pecans and Raisins
This comforting casserole can be prepped the night before by soaking the bread in advance. Jazz it up with cinnamon, vanilla, pecans, and raisins for flavor and crunch. Bring the whole baking dish to the table and set a pitcher of warm maple syrup alongside for a perfect brunch.
Italian Baked Eggs
Jen Causey
From start to finish, this baked egg dish takes around 25 minutes to cook, which makes it an easy brunch to whip up on Christmas morning. The tomato sauce gets its savory depth from sausage, onion, garlic, and oregano, and crispy, cheesy baguette slices are the best vessel to soak up every last bite.
Breakfast Wreath
Arrange crescent roll triangles in a circle to make a beautiful, festive wreath—perfect for the holidays. With bacon, egg, cheese, and vegetables, this wreath makes for a nourishing meal that will delight your guests.
Sunny-Side-Up Sheet Pan Breakfast
This hands-off breakfast seems too good to be true; on a single sheet pan, you can cook potatoes, sunny-side-up eggs, and spinach, along with crispy slices of prosciutto. Serve with a pile of toast for dipping into the jammy yolks and making open-faced sandwiches.
Hasselback Challah French Toast
You’ve probably heard of Hasselback potatoes, but have you heard of Hasselback French toast? In this recipe, we apply the same technique, which yields the most inviting pull-apart French toast. More like monkey bread than traditional French toast, go ahead and pull off a piece with your hands and dunk it into maple syrup—no silverware necessary!
Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
For this eggy, cheesy breakfast bake, start with a bag of frozen potato tots as your base. Sausage, onion, and bell pepper bring a flavor punch, while eggs bind everything together. Scatter thinly sliced jalapeño pieces and chives on top for a little bit of heat.
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
These homemade cinnamon rolls require some forethought and organization, but we promise they’re worth it; by the end, your house will smell like cinnamon, and you’ll have fluffy, tender buns for breakfast. Turn it into a fun group project by getting the troops involved in the baking process.
Breakfast Strata
This veggie-packed breakfast is made for the holidays; you can make it ahead, and in a few simple steps, you’ll have a big, nourishing meal for a crowd. For an hour or up to a day, cubed whole-grain bread and vegetables soak up a mustardy egg custard, which has the effect of a savory bread pudding.
Related: 25 Fast, Healthy (and Delicious!) Breakfast Ideas
Brown Butter Waffles
Use brown butter in your waffles for a nutty richness that’ll take your waffle game from good to great. This big-batch recipe will feed a group, and whatever you don’t eat can go straight into the freezer. Your future self will thank you!
Tomato and Ham Breakfast Casserole
Casseroles are the perfect solution for a hearty brunch, especially when serving a crowd. Especially this tomato and ham casserole. Roasted tomatoes burst with sweet flavor in the oven, while cheddar cheese and heavy cream add a creamy texture, and ham delivers protein.
Skillet-Poached Huevos Rancheros
This easy one pot meal only takes 15 minutes to whip up. Salsa, black beans, eggs, scallions, and cilantro blend together for the most delicious and warm holiday-time brunch. Serve with tortillas and sour cream.
Corn Frittata With Bacon and Parmesan
This corn frittata is sure to please your crew with its fluffy and creamy texture. Bacon and parmesan make their much-welcomed appearance. Pull the frittata out of the oven when it is just done because it will continue to cook as it cools.
Spanish Omelet With Potatoes and Chorizo
This riff on Spain's tortilla española or tortilla de patata adds Spanish chorizo, fresh parsley, and shredded Manchego cheese to make a hearty omelet. Serve with toast and fruit for a balanced brunch.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese English Muffin Strata
Craving bacon, egg, and cheese? Try this English muffin strata. First you'll cook the bacon until nice and crispy, then add the muffins to the pan and fry them in the bacon grease to add instant flavor. Topped with chives, this custardy egg strata can't be beat.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Scones
Drizzled with a caramel glaze, chocolate and macadamia nut pair immaculately in these flaky sea-salt topped scones. Extra crushed macadamia nuts are sprinkled on top for added crunch.
French Toast
There's nothing quite like classic French toast on a cozy holiday morning. White Pullman bread cut in thick slices and topped with true maple syrup makes for the best French toast. Serve with fresh fruit.
French Toast Soufflé
While it sounds and looks fancy, it's not too hard to make: and that's exactly why we love this brunch option. Use a clean mixing bowl for this recipe, as any dirt or grease can negatively impact how it turns out. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Strawberry Buckle With Pecan Streusel
Yellow cake "buckles" when baked underneath berries and yummy streusel. Serve with ice cream for the best delight!
Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding
Everybody loves something warm and sweet, and on Christmas day, this is no exception. It's nearly effortless to assemble: mix the ingredients and bake for 30 minutes.
Big Batch Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal
Oats, eggs, and coconut milk make for the most appetizing big batch of baked oatmeal. Oats take on the rich flavors of the added mix-ins, which is what makes this dish so delightful.
German Pancakes
Unlike most pancakes served classically with maple syrup, the thick and tasty German pancake is drizzled with lemon juice, served with jam, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. You'll need a cast iron skillet to make this mega pancake.
Joanna Gaines' Jojo's Biscuits From Magnolia Table
Also known as "magnolia biscuits," you can find these fluffy biscuits served at Waco's Magnolia Table restaurant. However, with this recipe, you can make them just as easily at home. Serve with your choice of sides.
Cinnamon Spiced Pumpkin Muffins
The desired flavors of the holidays like cinnamon and pumpkin make these moist muffins the perfect centerpiece to your Christmas brunch spread. Feel free to serve with a cinnamon-cream cheese spread for a little extra deliciousness.
Zucchini and Mozzarella Frittata
Zucchini, onion, mozzarella, and Espelette pepper make a flawless frittata. Serve with bread, and save the leftovers for tomorrow's breakfast sandwich.
Cinnamon-Spiced Apple Cider Donuts
These cinnamon-spiced apple cider donuts won't last for long. They are all we crave on a cool Christmas morning. If you are lacking a donut cutter, no worries! Just grab an upside-down water glass and a bottle cap for the hole to do the trick.
Sun-Dried Tomato Shakshuka
Victor Protasio
Made with a spicy tomato and red pepper sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and eggs, the Shakshuka, which is a North African and Middle Eastern dish, is an ideal brunch for a hungry crowd. Serve with pita bread.
Healthy Banana Bread
Whole-wheat flour, applesauce, and almond milk are the swap-in ingredients that make this banana bread a healthier alternative to normal banana bread. Serve with cream cheese, or drizzle with honey. Fruit and bacon make great side dishes to make this a complete meal.
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