These Christmas brunch ideas will be the best gift to give your family! With strawberry crepes, gingerbread waffles and even a blueberry crunch breakfast bake, making a special holiday meal doesn't have to be complicated.
40 Christmas Brunch Ideas
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
In this case, Christmas doesn’t have to mean complicated. With eight ingredients you probably already have and only 10 minutes of prep time, this dish screams low-stress.
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
When you’re opening presents from Santa, who has time to cook breakfast? Opt for these homemade cinnamon rolls, which rise overnight so they’ll be ready to bake and serve immediately in the morning.
Eggs Benedict Casserole
You’ll get major bonus points if you whip up eggs Benedict on Christmas morning, but all that egg poaching and sauce stirring can be tricky to pull off. This low-fuss recipe has all the flavor and none of the hassle. If your hollandaise sauce is too thick, add an extra splash of water or a squeeze of lemon juice. If it’s too thin, add a bit of butter to help thicken the sauce.
Gingerbread Belgian Waffles
Transform your favorite cookie into a festive brunch showstopper. Top the waffles with homemade hazelnut whipped cream to really take things over the top.
Italian Brunch Torte
This dazzling layered pastry is a time investment, but with help from store-bought crescent roll dough, it’s simpler to put together than it looks. The result is a colorful treat that’s fit for Christmas brunch.
Pumpkin-Pecan Baked Oatmeal
If you’re looking for something a bit more nutritious on Christmas Day, this filling high-fiber breakfast with a hint of sweetness will hit the spot.
Smoked Salmon
Serve this smoked salmon with a side of bagels, cream cheese and capers. It’ll be the ultimate bagel board!
Chocolate Crepes
Your morning just got more magnifique with this sweet French-inspired treat. Top them with fresh berries, shredded coconut or whipped cream for an extra-festive touch.
Prosciutto, Egg and Spinach Strata
A strata is a layered casserole, often made for brunch with eggs, cheese and bread. This version includes prosciutto, Brie, spinach and thinly sliced apples.
Gingerbread Syrup
You’ll want to slather this spiced syrup on everything all winter long. Whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, nutmeg, honey and whole peppercorns give this syrup that familiar gingerbread taste.
Pumpkin and Oat Pancakes
Host an unforgettable brunch by inviting your guests to customize their own pancakes. Here, festive fall toppings like sugared cranberries and pepitas adorn vibrant pumpkin pancakes.
Leek Tart
Take advantage of the in-season leeks you found at the farmers market. Here’s an easier-than-it-looks leek tart, featuring a quick homemade crust and lots of salty bacon. If you have extra leeks, make leek soup.
French Toast Casserole
Thanks to our handy air fryer, brunch will be ready and plated in 40 minutes. Oh, and if you don’t have an air fryer, here’s the oven-baked version.
Blueberry Turnovers
You don’t even need to thaw the frozen berries before starting this low-maintenance pastry. To prevent the filling from leaking out of the crust, limit each turnover to 3 tablespoons of filling.
Breakfast Enchiladas
Warm, saucy and cheesy is always a win on a cold winter’s morning. Even better, you can make these egg-and-sausage enchiladas the night before, then cover the baking dish and store them in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, just pop them in the oven. Check out more make-ahead breakfast recipes if you’re serving a bigger crowd.
Apple Butter Bread Pudding
Thanks to store-bought croissants, this impressive-looking breakfast (or dessert) couldn’t be easier to pull off. Your family won’t be able to get enough of the addictive streusel topping.
Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns
Sheet-Pan Eggs and Bacon Breakfast
If you thought sheet pans were just for cookies, think again. Bacon, frozen shredded hash browns, eggs, onions, cheese and spices combine forces to become a hearty dish. The whole table will be eating seconds and thirds.
Sunshine Crepes
While it’s a nice touch to make crepes from scratch, you can also try this recipe with ready-to-eat crepes if there’s no time on Christmas morning. The filling is homemade, so your guests will be none the wiser.
Pressure-Cooker French Toast
This ooey-gooey masterpiece is almost as if French toast and monkey bread had a baby. If you need any more convincing, there’s also bacon.
Creamy Baked Eggs
For the most part, there are two types of people in the world: People who like their eggs hard and people who want their eggs soft and creamy. If the latter is you and your family, give this cheesy soft egg dish a try. It serves eight and is ready in just 25 minutes.
Buttermilk Waffles
Winter Fruit Salad
Prep the kiwi, bananas, pears, pineapples, tangerines, apples and pomegranate seeds the night before, then store the fruit salad in an airtight container overnight. The sugar, fruit juice and zest will marinate the fruit overnight, making it extra-juicy and sweet the next morning.
Sausage and Pancake Casserole
Your family loves sausage. Your family loves pancakes. Get the best of both worlds with this sweet-and-savory casserole that’s bound to be a hit. Apples, maple syrup and cinnamon give this casserole a seasonal appeal.
Shakshuka Breakfast Pizza
Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern breakfast dish that features eggs poached in tomatoes, olive oil, peppers and spices. This twist takes things up a notch by using the ingredients as delicious toppings for a pizza.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Blueberry Crunch Breakfast Bake
Repurpose the French bread from yesterday’s charcuterie board to create a brunch masterpiece. Old-fashioned oats and chopped walnuts add a satisfying crunch, while frozen blueberries and brown sugar provide the sweetness.
Country Brunch Skillet
If quick, hearty and filling is the ticket, look no further. With only eight ingredients and one skillet, you can whip up breakfast for six in about half an hour.
Bananas Foster French Toast
We’ve never met a French toast recipe we didn’t like, but it doesn’t get more over-the-top than this version made with challah bread, bananas, brown sugar, spices and chopped pecans. Top it with homemade whipped cream (or ice cream!) to transform it into dessert.
Hash Brown Egg Brunch
If you’re short on time, let your trusty slow cooker do most of the work. Layer in potatoes, bacon, onions, green pepper and cheese, then pour eggs on top. Cook on high for 30 minutes, then turn it to low for four hours. That’s it!
Sunny-Side Up Herbed Tart
Transform your kitchen into a French bakery with this easier-than-it-looks savory tart. Thanks to a sheet of store-bought puff pastry, the finished product will be ready to eat in less than an hour. Our readers suggest customizing the ingredients based on what you have on hand, such as goat cheese, chopped spinach and thyme.
Sweet Ham Steak
Serve alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, toast and hash browns. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, making sure to include the pan juices to keep the meat tender and moist.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, then refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. Have fun adding whatever veggies you have on hand, like broccoli, mushrooms or tomatoes, into the egg mixture.
Pecan Coffee Cake
Thanks to store-bought cake mix and a package of vanilla pudding mix, this quick recipe is ready in a flash, which is exactly what you need on a busy Christmas morning. A bit of orange juice adds extra flavor and sweetness.
Vegetable Strata
When you’re cooking for a crowd, keep a few recipes on hand for guests with dietary restrictions. This veggie-packed strata serves 12 and is fantastic for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
Cheddar-Butternut Squash Clafoutis
A clafoutis is a baked French dessert that typically includes fruit, but we’re mixing things up with a savory version that tastes as fantastic as it looks. Serve it alongside one of our favorite French recipes.
Colorful Vegetable Frittata
Corned Beef Hash and Eggs
Even if you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, you can still make this recipe. Instead of transferring the pan to the oven and cracking the eggs into the hash, keep it on the stovetop. Put on the lid and cook until the egg whites set and the yolk is cooked to your liking.
Broccoli Ham Quiche
It’s a fact: Quiche makes everything more fancy, and this winning recipe is a must-try. Use an unbaked deep-dish pie crust to make things quick and easy.
Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes
Note that this recipe calls for canned pumpkin instead of fresh. While it might be tempting to use fresh pumpkin, the flavor is actually more balanced when you use the canned stuff!
Christmas Brunch Ideas FAQ
What do you serve at a Christmas brunch?
A simple but hearty Christmas brunch includes cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, and some fruit like grapes, apples or a fruit salad. If your family has more of a sweet tooth in the morning, pancakes, waffles and French toast are all great additions to a spread or served on their own.
Whichever Christmas breakfast ideas you go with, don’t forget the drinks! Orange or apple juice are perfect for little ones, while the grown-ups can indulge in a banana bread latte or a holiday mimosa.
What is a good menu for Christmas brunch?
A good holiday brunch menu contains sweet and savory dishes likes eggs, a breakfast meat, pancakes or waffles, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, and fresh fruit and veggies. If you’re hosting your whole family for Christmas brunch, your chic menu could consist of quiches, a green salad, yogurt parfaits and a few pastries.
Those who are having a more casual Christmas morning can serve sheet-pan pancakes, some sunny-side up eggs, bacon and stuffed hash browns.
What can I make ahead for Christmas brunch?
There are a ton of easy brunch recipes you can make ahead for Christmas, like overnight breakfast casseroles, baked goods and slow-cooker recipes. Some of my favorite make-ahead Christmas breakfast ideas include baked French toast, muffins, mini egg cups, chia pudding, and baked oatmeal topped with berries and maple syrup.
Pancakes, waffles and slices of French toast can also be cooked a few days in advance, then warmed on Christmas morning for a minimal-effort meal that’s still homemade. You could even make ahead some gingerbread or butter pecan syrup for an extra-special touch.







































