Last-Minute, Mama-Approved Christmas Brunch Recipes

By Anna Aguillard
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Since its conception, Christmas brunch has been a meal full of rich and decadent dishes. So it’s no surprise that Southerners make some of the best Christmas brunch dishes around. But with the hectic holiday rush, it can be hard to find time for all the make-ahead stratas, overnight French toasts, and breads that need to rise for hours. So we’ve combed through our holiday breakfast recipes for our favorite dishes that come together in less than an hour and a half, no overnight chilling required, so you can spend your Christmas Eve relaxing. Over-the-top pancakes, savory casseroles, and bite-size finger foods prove that quick doesn’t have to mean boring. And the best part? These easy breakfast recipes just happen to be some of our best brunch recipes, too.

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Homemade Orange Rolls

Tender, buttery spirals with a hint of cinnamon and a perfectly gooey sweet orange marmalade center make this recipe irresistible.

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Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

Pancakes that don't require any flipping? Now you've got our attention. This bread pudding-like casserole with cinnamon streusel can be prepared the night before. 

Active Time: 45 minutes (make ahead and chill for 8 hours) 

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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

These pancakes are packed with all the cinnamon roll flavor you could ever want, with none of the cinnamon roll mess. 

Total Time: 35 minutes

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Buttermilk Biscuits

Joseph De Sciose

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Every Southern brunch needs buttermilk biscuits. This versatile recipe comes together from only 5 ingredients, and can be doctored up for plenty of delicious variations.

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Red Velvet Pancakes

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Velvet Pancakes

It couldn’t possibly get more festive than these Red Velvet Pancakes coated in tangy cream cheese butter. Because on Christmas, you are expected to eat cake for breakfast.

Total Time: 50 minutes; Active Time: 35

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Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This croissant casserole is the perfect way to put your leftover bread to work. Made with day-old mini croissants, caramelized onions, and a rich and cheesy egg custard, you can assemble this dish in the evening and store it, unbaked, in the refrigerator overnight. 

Total Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes; Active Time: 40 minutes

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Baked Oatmeal

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

This baked oatmeal recipe really hits the spot and is full of healthy ingredients, like apples, pecans, and raisins.

Total Time: 1 hour

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Chicks in a Blanket

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket

This high-brow version of pigs in a blanket uses mini smoked chicken-and-apple sausage instead of pork links.

Total Time: 1 hour

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Country Ham Hash

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Country Ham Hash

Sleepy morning guests are sure to wake right up when the inviting aromas of this country ham recipe start wafting their way. 

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche

This crustless quiche recipe filled with cheese grits and sausage is guaranteed to be a new family favorite this Christmas.

Active Time: 30 minutes (make ahead and chill for 8 hours) 

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Pecan Pancakes with Caramel Apple Topping

Luca Trovato

Recipe: Pecan Pancakes with Caramel Apple Topping

Instead of making individual pancakes, whip up this pan-baked pecan pancake. While it’s baking, stir together the caramel apple topping.

Total Time: 1 hour

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Gingerbread Pancakes

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Gingerbread Pancakes

Grab a mixing bowl and start pouring out some pancakes. With this easy recipe, you can flip the script on your normal Christmas routine and serve a stack of fluffy gingerbread pancakes instead. 

Total Time: 30 minutes

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Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

These made-from-scratch biscuits coated in cinnamon, butter, sugar, and a cream cheese glaze taste like you got them straight from the local bakery. While the rolls are baking, whip up the cream cheese glaze.

Total Time: 1 hour

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Easy Orange Rolls

John O'Hagan

Recipe: Easy Orange Rolls

The quick secret to these sweet bread rolls? Refrigerated French bread dough, doctored up with cream cheese, sugar, and a sweet orange-juice glaze.

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches

Serve this Texas favorite alongside a cup of coffee and fruit salad for a simple yet satisfying breakfast. 

Total Time: 3 hours; Active Time: 30 minutes

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Caramel Cake Pancakes

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel Cake Pancakes

Christmas and caramel go together like Santa and his reindeer. That’s why we created these over-the-top pancakes drizzled with caramel syrup for the perfect Christmas morning brunch.

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon

It isn't a proper Christmas brunch without a plate filled with bacon, and this sheet pan bacon recipe packs on the flavor. 

Active Time: 15 minutes (make the night before and chill 8 hours) 

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Cornbread Omelets

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Cornbread Omelets

We replaced the eggs with a feather-light cornbread batter, because why not?

Total Time: 40 minutes

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Best-Ever Sticky Buns

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Best-Ever Sticky Buns

Spoil Christmas morning guests with this sticky and sweet pecan-topped treat. 

Active Time: 30 minutes (make in advance and chill for 8 hours) 

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Breakfast Enchiladas

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

This go-to brunch recipe can be made ahead, but it doesn’t have to be. The savory sausage, onions, and cheese will bake together just find the morning of.
Total time: 1 hour

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Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Jennifer R. Davick

Recipe: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Upgrade plain bacon with a crispy coating of cornbread and brown sugar, minus the messy stovetop pan.

Total Time: 1 hour

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Cheesy Grits Soufflé

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Grits Soufflé

Simple, buttery grits and corn made into a light, fluffy soufflé.

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

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Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Who says hash browns have to stay to the side? Bring these crispy potatoes to center stage with a reader-favorite breakfast casserole you can prepare in advance. 

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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Fewer dishes and an easier clean-up practically makes this recipe a win-win in our book.

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Tomato-Herb Mini Frittatas

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tomato-Herb Mini Frittatas

This 30-minute recipe makes ideal individual servings, but that doesn't mean sharing (or seconds) aren't allowed. 

Total Time: 30 minutes

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Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole

This comfort food casserole is breakfast food deluxe. For heat-lovers, go with spicy sausage, or for something more family-friendly, a mild breakfast sausage.

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

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Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole

This savory breakfast dish comes together with crumbly smoked sausage, quick-cooking grits, and sharp cheddar cheese.

Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.

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Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Who says you have to leave the house for a pretty plate of pancakes? This restaurant-worthy blueberry pancake bake is sure to be your new Christmas morning classic. 

Active Time: 30 minutes (make in advance and chill 8 hours) 

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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Start your Christmas Day on a sweet note with these classic, homemade cinnamon rolls.

Total Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes; Active Time: 30 Minutes

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