Food and Recipes Recipes Last-Minute, Mama-Approved Christmas Brunch Recipes By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 2, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Iain Bagwell 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. 01 of 31 Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith 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) 02 of 31 Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Caitlin Bensel Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Pancakes packed with all the cinnamon roll flavor you could ever want, with none of the cinnamon roll mess. Total Time: 35 minutes 03 of 31 Buttermilk Biscuits Jennifer Davick 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 04 of 31 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 05 of 31 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 06 of 31 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 07 of 31 Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith Recipe: Sausage-and-Cheese Grits Quiche A crustless quiche 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) 08 of 31 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 09 of 31 Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches 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 10 of 31 Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith 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) 11 of 31 Best-Ever Sticky Buns 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) 12 of 31 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. Total Time: 1 hour 13 of 31 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 14 of 31 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) 15 of 31 Mini Hash Brown Frittatas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Mini Hash Brown Frittatas A bit-sized treat with a ton of flavor thanks to the crispy hash browns packed into these mini frittatas. Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes 16 of 31 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 Fresh berry breakfasts hit the spot every time, especially when they're as easy to make as these sheet pan pancakes. Total Time: 45 minutes 17 of 31 Cranberry Eggnog Bread Photo: Jen Causey Recipe: Cranberry Eggnog Bread Creamy eggnog drizzle is poured over a dreamy bread made with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and orange zest. Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes 18 of 31 Bacon Cheddar Scones Joy Howard Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Scones These savory scones have a buttery flavor and texture that resemble buttermilk biscuits. Total Time: 40 minutes 19 of 31 Everything Bagel Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Prissy Lee Recipe: Everything Bagel Casserole This is the creamiest, cheesiest, and most sausage-packed casserole we know. Total Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes 20 of 31 Hummingbird Pancakes Southern Living Recipe: Hummingbird Pancakes This stack of pancakes brings Hummingbird Cake to breakfast. Total Time: 1 hour 21 of 31 Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns Iain Bagwell Recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns These sweet and savory rolls are packed with caramelized sausage melted together with honey and brown sugar. Total Time: 3 hours, 3 minutes; Active Time: 1 hour, 8 minutes 22 of 31 Chicks in a Blanket Hector 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 23 of 31 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 24 of 31 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 25 of 31 Cornbread Omelets Jennifer Davick Recipe: Cornbread Omelets We replaced the eggs with a feather-light cornbread batter, because why not? Total Time: 40 minutes 26 of 31 Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon Jennifer 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 27 of 31 Cheesy Grits Soufflé Hector Sanchez Recipe: Cheesy Grits Soufflé Simple, buttery grits and corn made into a light, fluffy soufflé. Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes 28 of 31 Tomato-Herb Mini Frittatas Photo: 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 29 of 31 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 30 of 31 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. 31 of 31 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 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit