25 Christmas Breakfast Ideas That You Haven’t Seen Before
Christmas morning deserves a breakfast that’s just as special as the day itself. Think warm cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, fluffy pancakes dusted with icing sugar, golden breakfast casseroles and festive little treats that make everyone want to gather around the table.
Whether you’re hosting the whole family, making memories with little ones or simply looking for an excuse to make something delicious, these Christmas breakfast ideas are guaranteed to make the morning feel a little more magical.
And because nobody wants to spend the entire morning cooking while everyone else is enjoying the festivities, I’ve included plenty of make-ahead options, too!
Here are 25 delicious Christmas breakfast ideas that are almost as exciting as what’s waiting underneath the tree.
The Sweet Christmas Breakfasts
1. Christmas Cinnamon Rolls That Smell Like Christmas Morning
Is it even Christmas morning without the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the house? These soft, buttery spirals filled with cinnamon sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting are practically a Christmas tradition. Make them the night before, then bake them fresh for a breakfast that will have everyone wandering into the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Homemade Overnight Cinnamon Rolls – Sally’s Baking Addiction
2. Gingerbread Waffles With All the Christmas Flavours
If gingerbread cookies and waffles had a Christmas baby, this would be it! These festive waffles are packed with warming spices, ginger and molasses, making them the perfect excuse to bring a little Christmas bakery magic to your breakfast table. Serve with maple syrup, whipped cream and fresh berries.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Waffles – Food Network
3. Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
This is French toast dressed up for Christmas! Imagine thick slices of bread soaked in a sweet, cinnamon-spiced custard, with the bright, tangy flavours of cranberry and orange. The best part? A breakfast casserole can be assembled ahead of time, leaving you with very little to do on Christmas morning.
Get the recipe: French Toast Casserole – Love and Lemons
4. Christmas Morning Waffles With Berries and Cream
Sometimes the simplest breakfasts are the most memorable. A stack of golden waffles topped with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and a generous dollop of whipped cream looks beautiful on a Christmas breakfast table. Add a drizzle of maple syrup and you’ve got a breakfast everyone will happily get out of bed for.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Waffles With Spiced Whipped Cream – The Kitchn
5. Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart Monkey Bread
This is the kind of breakfast that disappears before you’ve even had a chance to sit down! Soft little dough balls coated in cinnamon sugar and baked together in a gooey, buttery caramel sauce make this a deliciously fun breakfast to share. Put it in the middle of the table and let everyone pull off their own little piece.
Get the recipe: Overnight Monkey Bread – Food Network
The Savoury Christmas Breakfasts
6. The Ultimate Christmas Breakfast Casserole
For those who prefer something savoury before diving into the Christmas treats, this breakfast casserole is a winner. Eggs, sausage, cheese and hearty breakfast ingredients come together in one delicious bake. It’s filling, family-friendly and can be prepared ahead so you aren’t juggling frying pans while the presents are being opened.
Get the recipe: Ultimate Breakfast Casserole – Downshiftology
7. Mini Christmas Breakfast Quiches
How adorable are mini quiches for a Christmas breakfast spread? These little savoury bites are easy to serve, look lovely on a platter and can be filled with all sorts of delicious ingredients. Think spinach, cheese, bacon and herbs. They’re also a wonderful option if you’re feeding a crowd.
Get the recipe: Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Puff Pastry Quiche – Ambitious Kitchen
8. Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Strata
This is one of those breakfasts that looks like you’ve made a tremendous effort, even though most of the work can be done the night before. Layers of bread, eggs, cheese and bacon bake together into a golden, savoury breakfast casserole. It’s hearty, comforting and perfect for a slow Christmas morning.
Get the recipe: Make-Ahead Breakfast Strata – Parade
9. The Christmas Morning Bagel Board
Forget making individual breakfasts! A Christmas morning bagel board is a fun way to feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen. Arrange toasted bagels alongside cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumber, tomatoes, sliced avocado and fresh herbs. Everyone can build their own breakfast, and the finished board looks absolutely beautiful.
Get the inspiration: Christmas Bagel Board – So Much Food
10. Loaded Breakfast Hash With Crispy Potatoes
If your family loves a hearty breakfast, this one deserves a place on the Christmas menu. Crispy golden potatoes, colourful vegetables and perfectly cooked eggs make a delicious combination. Serve it straight from the skillet with fresh herbs and perhaps a side of crispy bacon.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash – Downshiftology
The Christmas Breakfasts That Look Almost Too Pretty to Eat
11. A Christmas Tree Fruit Platter
Who says healthy breakfasts have to be boring? Arrange colourful strawberries, green grapes, kiwi, blueberries and other favourite fruits into the shape of a Christmas tree. Add a little star-shaped piece of fruit at the top and you’ve got a festive breakfast centrepiece that children will love.
Get the inspiration: Christmas Tree Platter – Munchkin Time
12. Christmas Wreath Pastry With Sweet Fillings
This one is practically made for Pinterest! A beautiful wreath-shaped pastry filled with sweet cream cheese, fruit or cinnamon filling makes a stunning centrepiece for the breakfast table. Finish with fresh berries, a dusting of icing sugar and a few sprigs of rosemary for that festive finishing touch.
Get the recipe inspiration: Cranberry Orange Rolls – King Arthur Baking
13. Santa Hat Strawberry Pancakes
These are almost too cute to eat! Stack little fluffy pancakes and top them with fresh strawberries and a swirl of whipped cream to create adorable Santa hats. They’re simple enough to make with everyday pancake ingredients but look like something straight out of a Christmas breakfast party.
Get the recipe inspiration: Santa Hat Pancakes – Little Healthy Bites
14. The Ultimate Christmas Breakfast Grazing Board
Why choose one breakfast when you can have a little bit of everything? A breakfast grazing board filled with mini pancakes, croissants, muffins, fresh berries, cheeses, pastries and little bowls of jam is a beautiful way to feed a family. Arrange everything on a large wooden board and let everyone help themselves.
Get the inspiration: Christmas Grazing Board – Half Baked Harvest
15. Festive Red Velvet Waffles
If there was ever a time to make breakfast a little more extravagant, Christmas is it! These gorgeous red velvet waffles bring a pop of festive colour to the table and taste delicious with cream cheese frosting, fresh strawberries and a little drizzle of chocolate. They’re particularly lovely for a Christmas brunch.
Get the recipe inspiration: Red Velvet Waffles – Kevin Is Cooking
The Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfasts (For Moms Who Want to Enjoy Christmas Too!)
16. Overnight Cinnamon Roll French Toast
This is what Christmas morning dreams are made of! Imagine all the delicious flavours of cinnamon rolls combined with the custardy goodness of French toast. Prepare everything the night before, refrigerate it and bake it in the morning. Your kitchen will smell like a little Christmas bakery.
Get the recipe: Cinnamon Roll Casserole – The Kitchn
17. Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Bake
A savoury breakfast bake is a lifesaver when you’re feeding a hungry family on Christmas morning. Sausage, eggs, cheese and bread are combined into one hearty dish that can be assembled the night before. Simply bake it in the morning and enjoy a delicious breakfast without standing over the stove.
Get the recipe inspiration: Make-Ahead Sausage and Egg Bake – Sally’s Baking Addiction
18. Cranberry White Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
For something a little different, try a warm baked oatmeal with festive cranberry and white chocolate flavours. It’s a lovely combination of tart fruit and creamy sweetness, and makes a delicious alternative to the usual Christmas pastries. Serve warm with a splash of milk or a spoonful of yoghurt.
Get the recipe inspiration: Make-Ahead Baked Oatmeal – The Kitchn
19. Christmas Morning Cranberry Muffins
A batch of homemade cranberry orange muffins is a lovely addition to any Christmas breakfast table. They’re buttery, tender and bursting with tart cranberries and fresh orange flavour. Bake them in advance, freeze them and simply thaw or warm them before serving.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Orange Muffins – Sally’s Baking Addiction
20. Breakfast Croissant Casserole
Buttery croissants, crispy bacon, eggs and fresh herbs baked into one delicious breakfast casserole? Yes, please! This is a wonderful way to feed a hungry crowd, and you can prepare it ahead of time so Christmas morning feels a whole lot easier.
Get the recipe: Croissant Breakfast Casserole – Food Network
The Little Christmas Breakfast Extras
21. Christmas Hot Chocolate With All the Toppings
Okay, technically this isn’t breakfast, but no Christmas morning spread is complete without a little hot chocolate! Set up a hot chocolate station with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes and festive sprinkles. It’s a lovely little treat for children and grown-ups alike.
Get the inspiration: Christmas Hot Chocolate Bar – Little Spice Jar
22. Star-Shaped Cinnamon French Toast
Sometimes it’s the little details that make Christmas feel magical. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut slices of bread before dipping them into your favourite French toast mixture. Cook until golden, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve with fresh berries and maple syrup.
Get the recipe: French Toast Casserole – The Kitchn
23. Mini Pancake Christmas Skewers
These little pancake skewers are such a fun breakfast idea for children! Thread mini pancakes onto wooden skewers with strawberries, banana slices and blueberries. Finish with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of icing sugar. They’re easy to grab, easy to eat and look adorable on a Christmas breakfast platter.
Get the inspiration: Mini Pancake Skewers – the Worktop
24. Peppermint Mocha Coffee
The grown-ups deserve a little Christmas magic, too! A homemade peppermint mocha combines rich coffee, chocolate, milk and a hint of peppermint for a delicious festive drink. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for a coffee-shop-worthy treat at home.
Get the recipe inspiration: Peppermint Mocha – The Recipe Rebel
25. Christmas Breakfast Charcuterie Cups
If you’re looking for something a little different, individual breakfast cups are a lovely idea for Christmas morning. Fill small cups with mini croissants, fresh berries, cheese cubes, grapes and little breakfast treats. They’re especially handy if everyone is grazing between opening presents and enjoying the festivities.
Get the inspiration: Charcuterie Cups from Inspired By Charm
A Little Christmas Morning Breakfast Planning Tip
If there’s one thing I’d recommend, it’s choosing at least one make-ahead breakfast for Christmas morning. Prepare your cinnamon rolls, breakfast casserole or French toast bake on Christmas Eve, then save the fresh fruit, coffee and little finishing touches for the morning itself.
That way, you can enjoy the best part of Christmas: gathering around the table, watching the children get excited and making memories with the people you love.
After all, the magic of Christmas isn’t about creating a picture-perfect breakfast. It’s about making the morning feel special.
Which of these Christmas breakfast ideas would your family love most? I’d love to know what makes it onto your Christmas morning menu!
