This year, like any other year, we are focusing on relieving the stress of the holidays. We say ‘yes’ to shortcuts and ‘no’ to things that drain our energy. The kitchen is undoubtedly the center of holiday activities, but we’re using all of the time-saving hacks so we can spend more time by the fire with friends and family. What is the secret to having a smooth Christmas? It depends on how much preparation you can handle in advance, starting with breakfast. We’re sharing some of our favorite Christmas breakfast ideas to give you some inspiration to help you get your to-do list out of the way. If you prepare hard in advance, you can have a much happier vacation.
There’s nothing better on Christmas morning than lounging around in your Christmas pajamas with a cup of coffee. I take it all in, while my younger self quickly jumps out of bed at 4 a.m. (I’m not kidding) and runs downstairs to bask in the magic of the sparkling, current cluster of trees. Mooooooooooooo Now that I’m an adult, I’m more relaxed. At Christmas time you can see me walking around in my slippers. You can happily move around the house at a snail’s pace. That is, slowly. Very slowly.
Image by: Anastasia Pudova.
20 Christmas Breakfast Ideas
If “make ahead recipes” has caught your eye, we think it will do the same for you. What’s the key to making your dream of a quiet Christmas morning a reality? It’s all about preparation. Whether you like it salty or sweet, meaty or meatless, healthy… Whether you like to be generous, I have options for you. We’ve put together a roundup of tickets so you can enjoy a delicious breakfast for the whole family while soaking in the magic of the morning. Wake up, put the dishes in the oven and get ready to cook. Here we go.
Yogurt and granola breakfast paddock
Yogurt and granola are a classic combination. But when you organize it on a beautiful board, there’s nothing better. Chop up some fruit and portion out yogurt, granola (store-bought or homemade), and other snacks into bowls the night before. Captivate your inner heart before serving artist Arrange all materials aesthetically on the board. Your guests will love creating their own bowls and choosing their ingredients.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
These delights are proof that crowd-pleasing cinnamon rolls can be easily made ahead of time. This classic Christmas spin surpasses the softness of almost every cinnamon roll I’ve tried. You can make them the night before or a few days in advance, or freeze them for cinnamon rolls whenever you want. And come Christmas morning, these gingerbread cinnamon rolls will be calling my name.
Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake
This Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake combines juicy blueberries with a sweet, crumbly topping for a light, fluffy delight. Perfect for brunch, this is the ultimate delight, adding fresh flavor to the heart of winter.
mini dutch baby
These mini Dutch babies are as adorable as they are delicious. It’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfect for topping with fresh fruit or syrup. Bonus: It’s dairy-free, making it a fun snack for your holiday brunch table, regardless of your dietary preferences.
Vegan Banana Muffins
They’re like the best coffee shop muffins, minus the dairy. Beyond being moist, they’re perfectly nutty and feature the most delicious crumble topping. I love making muffins for celebration meals (as is evident by the number of muffin recipes included in this roundup). You can bake and freeze them, or divide the batter into muffin tins and place them in the refrigerator the night before. Just pop them in the oven in the morning and your whole house will be filled with the smell of roasted bananas.
a bowl of morning glory muffins
These one-bowl morning glory muffins are packed with healthy ingredients like carrots, apples, and nuts for a healthy start to your holiday. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and offers the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition for a fresh start before the new year begins.
Gluten-free muffins filled with jam
Jam-filled gluten-free muffins are a sweet and satisfying addition to your Christmas breakfast. With a soft bread crumb center and festive fruit jam, it’s the perfect way to get some holiday cheer without the gluten. Start your magical day with a cozy cup of coffee or tea.
Sweet Laurel Cinnamon Roll
Sweet Laurel’s Grain-Free Cinnamon Rolls are a healthy twist on a beloved classic made with simple, nutritious ingredients. Topped with a cinnamon swirled cream glaze, this is perfect for cozy baking sessions. (Hello, it’s all about the Christmas season.)
Chai Spice Buckwheat Granola
Granola is the perfect, multidimensional breakfast. meaning? You can enjoy it any way you can think of. Enjoy it with milk, top yogurt, pancakes, waffles, or just throw a few handfuls back. I like to bake a few sheets of granola the day before, store it in an airtight container, and then serve it in a big bowl at the breakfast buffet for guests to serve themselves. From there, the possibilities are endless.
Whole Lotta Good Stuff Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Just when you thought you’d seen it all, along comes a healthier version of your favorite sweet breakfast. If pandemic-era baking has shown you just how comforting banana bread can be, there’s no better option for spending cozy time with loved ones on Christmas morning. I also love that this banana bread specifies “healthy,” which means we’re not cutting any corners here. There are still plenty of indulgences to be found.
Anti-inflammatory Berry + Turmeric Muffins
If you’re already making a New Year’s resolution to feel your best in 2025, these muffins will help you in your efforts. This product contains anti-inflammatory superstar turmeric, as well as nutrient-dense ingredients like walnuts, chia seeds, oats, raspberries, and blueberries. I don’t know about you, but I’m baking a double batch for the New Year and beyond.
Banana Walnut Bread with Espresso Mascarpone
This banana walnut bread takes a classic recipe to the next level with a rich, nutty flavor and perfectly moist texture. Topped with luxurious espresso mascarpone, it’s the perfect treat for a cozy Christmas morning.
Almond Kringle
Does your perfect Christmas breakfast involve warm, sweet treats served with a strong cup of coffee? So here’s how to make it. If, like me, you know and love the smell of almond filling wafting through your kitchen, you’ll be happy to know that this recipe calls for three times the amount of almond paste, sliced almonds, and almond extract. How could it go wrong?
Cranberry Orange Muffins
The night before Christmas, I would dream of muffins dancing in my head. I love the combination of bright, fresh orange and tart cranberry. These are great on their own, but for an extra treat, enjoy these muffins with a little butter and an orange-spiked glaze.
Chai Challah French Toast
Elevate your Christmas breakfast with rich and fluffy Challah French Toast. This hearty recipe is perfect for a festive morning with the family.
cardamom pear porridge
Easy, energizing and will keep you full for hours, porridge is a great choice for a healthy Christmas breakfast. For Christmas Eve, you can make the porridge base in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. On Christmas morning, reheat and set out bowls full of mix-ins and toppings (yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit are perfect) so people can mix and match as they like.
Banana Cashew Baked Oatmeal
If ordinary weekday overnight oats don’t seem special enough for your Christmas festivities, it’s time to make this recipe. Banana, cinnamon, maple syrup, peanut butter, and honey make the best oats. It’s a quick, healthy, creamy, dreamy dish. What’s not to love?
Creamy Pumpkin Overnight Oats
I love overnight oats here. It may not seem like something to celebrate at first, but I promise a spoonful of these oats will change your mood. As for the taste, these oats are similar to pumpkin pie for breakfast. As someone who famously enjoys pie breakfasts every holiday, this is like a dream come true.
Quiche filled with vegetables
Quiche has the ability to be light and pleasantly flavorful. Plus, this recipe brings healthy color and nutrition to your Christmas breakfast table. (With addictive flavor, who can argue with that?) This dish has everything we love: a crispy crust, a rich, creamy custard, and a rainbow of vegetables. To make ahead, follow the recipe all the way through, let cool and store in the refrigerator. You can complete all assembly ahead of time and bake when ready to serve.
Vegetarian Scramble Burrito
Burritos may not be your typical Christmas morning breakfast, but we’d say it’s time to make them a part of the tradition. Boil the tofu scramble in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat on the stovetop and have all your utensils ready. Guests can wait in line to assemble their burritos at their leisure. Bonus: It’s vegan, so anyone can enjoy it!
