44 Top-Rated Christmas Brunch Recipes for a Magical Morning

Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Photo: Victor Protasio

Christmas morning is one of the most magical moments of the entire year. With the excitement of going to sleep on Christmas Eve, and waking up to a Christmas tree filled with sparkling lights and surrounded by highly anticipated presents, why not keep the celebration going? Christmas Day brunch can either be a sleepy breakfast, with a few tasty treats and hot coffee, or a spread of a few of your favorite casseroles and frittatas for a sit-down affair. We've got Christmas brunch ideas for every type of Christmas morning.

If there's one thing we love most about Christmas, it's the opportunity to serve delicious meals on a whim, with minimal preparation time, so you can get back to enjoying this special day with your loved ones. With these Christmas brunch recipes, you will have a quick morning feast everyone will love. From sweet rolls to strata, we have all the best Christmas brunch ideas that will transform your lack-luster breakfast into a magical experience.

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Mini Hash Brown Frittatas

Mini Hash Brown Frittatas
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mini Hash Brown Frittatas

Few things can top poppable frittatas for the holiday brunch menu. Pile these on a pretty platter and we guarantee they'll disappear faster than that plate of cookies you left for Santa.

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Everything Bagel Casserole

Everything Bagel Casserole
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee

Recipe: Everything Bagel Casserole

We doubt you'll find a more savory, indulgent recipe. This casserole packs all the everything-bagel flavors you love, plus adds a hefty dose of cheesy, creamy goodness.

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Sheet Pan Berry Pancakes with Honey-Butter Syrup

Sheet Pan Berry Pancakes with Honey-Butter Syrup
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Sheet Pan Berry Pancakes with Honey-Butter Syrup

Who has time to sit and flip pancakes all morning when friends and family are gathered? Spend more time catching up and less time in the kitchen with this sheet pan pancake recipe fit for a crowd.

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Deviled Grits

Deviled Grits
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Deviled Grits

You can make this comforting breakfast recipe in a baking dish, or serve it up individually by cooking in ramekins or oven-safe mugs. Be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly.

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French Toast

three french toast stacked on a white plate
Jessica Furniss/Southern Living

Recipe: French Toast

Stacks of French toast are as exciting as stacks of gifts on Christmas morning. You can serve this classic French toast recipe with butter and syrup, but for the holidays consider a a sprinkle of warm and toasty pecans or a dollop of cranberry jam.

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Baked Oatmeal with Apple, Cranberries, and Pecans

Baked Oatmeal with Apple, Cranberries, and Pecans
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal with Apple, Cranberries, and Pecans

This recipe tastes like an oatmeal cookie in casserole form. Add in whatever fruits and flourishes you prefer to make it your own.

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Pecan Rosemary Candied Bacon

Pecan Rosemary Candied Bacon
Southern Living

Recipe: Pecan Rosemary Candied Bacon

Looking for an appetizer to get your brunch party started? Look no further than this crave-able finger food fit for the a.m. hours.

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Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Crustless Ham and Collard Green Quiche
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

If you have leftover ham from pre-holiday festivities, put it to good use in this warm and savory quiche that skips the crust.

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Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast

Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast

Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean you need to make every dish over the top. Our Oven-Baked Buttermilk French Toast brings a light and lemony dash of flavor to the table.

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Cranberry Eggnog Bread

Cranberry Eggnog Bread
Photo: Jen Causey

Recipe: Cranberry Eggnog Bread

The bread course just got a holiday makeover with a few of the seasonal ingredients we just can't get enough of this time of year.

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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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Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Waffles

If your holiday brunch party is a small one, opt for these individually cooked Cinnamon Roll Waffles. Instead of waffle mix, we press cinnamon roll dough between those irons. The result is absolutely decadent.

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Classic Baked Eggs

Classic Baked Eggs
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Classic Baked Eggs

You can dress this basic recipe up with our American, Mediterranean, and Italian riffs—each one is listed at the bottom of the recipe.

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Cinnamon Upside-Down Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Upside Down Coffee Cake
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cinnamon Upside-Down Coffee Cake

Brunch deserves dessert too. This sweet and spiced confection will earn a starring role on the sideboard.

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Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Who says pancakes have to be stacked vertically? This restaurant-worthy pancake casserole is full of blueberry flavor and is less than an hour bake away from your breakfast table.

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Hash Brown Frittata

Hash Brown Frittata
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Hash Brown Frittata

Bring two dishes in one to the table and you'll soon hear shouts of glee. Top our Hash Brown Frittata with chopped fresh dill and chives for an herby finish.

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Bacon Cheddar Scones

Bacon Cheddar Scones
Joy Howard

Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Scones

If you haven't jumped aboard the savory-scone trend yet, allow this recipe to make the introduction. It comes together with just 15 minutes of hands-on time.

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Our Best Ambrosia Recipe Ever

Our Best Ambrosia Ever
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Our Best Ambrosia Recipe Ever

Our ambrosia is pretty as a picture, and it tastes mighty fine too. Sprinkle with toasted, sweetened coconut chips before serving.

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Cream Cheese Pastries

Brunch for a Crowd Cream Cheese Pastries
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cream Cheese Pastries

Pam found this recipe in an old issue of Southern Living and was making this family favorite long before joining the staff in 2003.

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Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Packed with cinnamon roll flavor with none of the cinnamon roll mess, these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes pair perfectly with Christmas morning coffee or milk.

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Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chistmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Make sure your butter is very soft when you spread it on the rolled dough so the dough doesn't tear.

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Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Casserole

With only 20 minutes of hands-on time, this family-favorite cinnamon roll casserole will keep your hands out of the kitchen so they can open presents instead.

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Cheese-and-Sausage Quiche

Cheese And Sausage Quiche in a pie plate on a green linen
Will Dickey

Recipe: Cheese-and-Sausage Quiche

The great thing about this easy quiche recipe is that you can follow it precisely, or you can riff with the ingredients you have on hand.

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Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

Flip-less pancakes with a cinnamon streusel the whole family will flip for on Christmas Day.

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Baked Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

Reminiscent of bread pudding, your whole family will thank you for this hearty and healthy addition to your brunch spread.

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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Is it even breakfast without biscuits and gravy? Combine these classic brunch flavors in one skillet for easier prep work.

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Country Ham Hash

Country Ham Hash
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Country Ham Hash

You can get a head start on this breakfast side dish by chopping all of the vegetables a day in advance.

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Buttermilk Biscuits

Plenty of Biscuits and Cornbread
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

This no-fail biscuit recipe will make you look like a pro come Christmas Day.

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Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole

Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole

The key to this delicious brunch dish is in the smoked sausage. Salt, thyme, garlic powder, and cheddar cheese give depth to the casserole's savory flavor, but the most rich and filling flavor comes from the sausage. Choose local links for unique flavor. We love Conecuh Hickory Smoked Sausage, made in Evergreen, Alabama, since 1947. You can also opt for a breakfast sausage, flavored with sage and black pepper, for a classic breakfast dish. Low on time? You can assemble this up to four days ahead, and keep in the fridge; then let it stand at room temp for 30 minutes before baking.

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Orange Rolls

Orange Rolls
Southern Living

Recipe: Homemade Orange Rolls

Rise, shine, and dine (after digging into your Christmas present pile, of course), with these warm orange rolls.

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Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts

Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts
Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mini Chocolate Chess Tarts

If you make tarts often, Pam suggests investing in a tart tamper. It will make quick work of fitting dough rounds into the pan. Another quick-prep tip: Stack piecrusts to cut multiple rounds in one turn.

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One-Dish Blackberry French Toast

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast
Beth Hontzas

Recipe: One-Dish Blackberry French Toast

Our readers love this family friendly favorite, decadent French toast. Perfect for a holiday breakfast or a weekend brunch, this French toast recipe is loaded with tasty, sweet ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar, but the reduced fat cream cheese helps lighten the meal. Although this recipe calls for French bread, you can sub sweet Italian bread, a dense, crumbed white Pullman, challah, or brioche for varied density and flavor. This one-pan dish is great to make the night before for company, or for a family member's birthday breakfast. It is sweet on its own, but of course, you can always add a little extra sweetness with maple syrup or whipped cream for special occasions.

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Eggs Benedict Casserole

Eggs Benedict Casserole
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Eggs Benedict Casserole

Your holiday crowd won't believe you whipped up a big batch version of their brunch favorite. Just be sure to allow a total of nine hours to ensure it properly chills prior to baking.

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Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Biscuit Cinnamon Sweet Rolls

For a delicious variation, omit softened butter, sugars, and cinnamon, and spread with 1 cup of your favorite preserves. Roll up, and bake as directed.

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Chicks in a Blanket

Chicks in a Blanket
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket

Dough-wrapped chicken-apple sausages are best fresh from the oven, so bake one batch at a time and serve warm.

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Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Brunch Recipes: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Dress up your bacon with this oh-so-Southern crispy coating. Once you've prepared it for the pan, you can stick the bacon in the oven and free your hands up to prepare other parts of your meal.

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Cinnamon Roll Strata

Cinnamon Roll Strata
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Strata

Let's mix up your holiday cinnamon roll tradition with this strata that still packs up all the same flavor, but with an extra dose of rich and satisfying flavor.

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King Ranch Breakfast Strata

King Ranch Breakfast Strata
Southern Living

Recipe: King Ranch Breakfast Strata

This is the ultimate make-ahead breakfast casserole. For the best results, assemble it the night before. The next morning, pour the remaining milk over top, and knock off the chill by letting it stand 45 minutes before baking.

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Cheesy Grits Soufflé

Brunch for a Crowd Cheesy Grits Soufflé
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheesy Grits Soufflé

Turn a classic Southern dish into a light, fluffy soufflé for the ultimate holiday brunch.

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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits

Serve these from-scratch biscuits warm with butter, honey, and jam, along with two platters-one with seared slices of country ham and pepper jelly and another with deli ham and pimiento cheese.

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Praline Pull-Apart Bread

Brunch for a Crowd Praline Pull-Apart Bread
Beth Hontzas

Recipe: Praline Pull-Apart Bread

This indulgent bread tastes as good as it looks. Don't skip the quick step of whipping the cream before stirring in the brown sugar-that's the secret to the smooth texture of the caramel-flavored sauce.

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Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas

Recipe: Breakfast Enchiladas

Prepare the recipe, without baking, and refrigerate overnight. Tip: Make the Cheese Sauce before scrambling the eggs so the sauce will be ready to add at the proper time.

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Easy Orange Rolls

Easy Orange Rolls
John O'Hagan

Recipe: Easy Orange Rolls

Your family will definitely want to rise, shine, and dine when they smell these rolls baking in the oven.

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Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Victor Protasio

Recipe: Make-Ahead Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Put your leftover bread to work with this family favorite breakfast casserole. Made with day-old mini croissants, caramelized onions, and a rich and cheesy egg custard, this breakfast casserole can be assembled a day in advance assemble and refrigerated overnight.

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