11 Holiday Breakfast Bakes You Can Prep the Night Before

Christmas morning moves fast. There are stockings to open, wrapping paper everywhere and hungry people asking what is for breakfast. The answer: a holiday breakfast that mostly made itself the night before. These cozy bakes go from fridge to oven while you sip coffee, and they feed a crowd without anyone stuck at the stove. Sweet or savory, there is something here for every family..

Holiday Breakfast Starts With a Sausage and Egg Casserole

That table is the dream: a golden French toast bake, a cheesy sausage casserole, warm muffins and crispy bacon. Our anchor recipe is the savory one, because a good egg casserole is the backbone of any holiday breakfast. Assemble it on Christmas Eve, cover it, and bake it in the morning. The bread soaks up the eggs overnight and bakes up fluffy and rich. Sweet breakfast or savory breakfast person?

You will need: 1 pound breakfast sausage, 6 cups cubed bread, 2 cups shredded cheddar, 8 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 tsp dry mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 2 green onions (sliced).

How to make it: 1. Brown the sausage in a skillet and drain. 2. Butter a 9×13 dish and spread the bread cubes inside. 3. Top with the sausage and cheese. 4. Whisk eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper and pour over the top. 5. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 6. Bake at 350°F for 45 to 55 minutes until puffed and set, then top with green onions.

Biscuits and Gravy Bake for a Hearty Holiday Breakfast

Southern comfort on a plate. Flaky biscuits get smothered in a rich sausage gravy with plenty of black pepper. This bake version puts the gravy in a skillet and tops it with biscuits, so everything cooks together and you skip standing over the stove. It is the breakfast that keeps everyone full until the big dinner. Who in your family would go back for seconds?

You will need: 1 pound breakfast sausage, 1/3 cup flour, 3 cups milk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuits or 8 homemade biscuits, 2 tbsp melted butter.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. 2. Brown the sausage in an oven safe skillet. 3. Sprinkle the flour over it and cook 1 minute. 4. Slowly stir in the milk and simmer until thick, then season with salt and pepper. 5. Arrange the biscuits on top of the gravy and brush with butter. 6. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until the biscuits are golden.

Moist Banana Bread With a Crackly Top

Banana bread is the friendliest bake in the world. It uses the spotty bananas on your counter, it makes the house smell amazing, and it tastes even better the next day. Bake it on Christmas Eve, slice it in the morning and serve it with butter and coffee. Add chocolate chips or walnuts if you like. Do you have three overripe bananas right now?

You will need: 3 very ripe bananas, 1/3 cup melted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup walnuts or chocolate chips (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and butter a 9×5 loaf pan. 2. Mash the bananas in a bowl. 3. Stir in the melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. 4. Mix in the baking soda, salt and cinnamon, then the flour. 5. Fold in walnuts or chips and pour into the pan. 6. Bake 55 to 65 minutes and cool 15 minutes before slicing.

Cranberry Orange Muffins for a Holiday Breakfast Basket

These muffins taste like the holidays: tart cranberries, bright orange zest and a sugary crunchy top. They come together in one bowl and bake in twenty minutes, so you can make them while the kids open stockings. Fresh or frozen cranberries both work. Put a basket of these on the table and watch them vanish. Would you add a drizzle of orange glaze?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, zest of 1 orange, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 cup oil, 1 egg, 1 1/2 cups cranberries, coarse sugar for topping.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a 12 cup muffin pan. 2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and zest. 3. Whisk the orange juice, milk, oil and egg. 4. Stir wet into dry until just mixed, then fold in the cranberries. 5. Fill the cups and sprinkle with coarse sugar. 6. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden.

Tender Blueberry Scones

Scones sound fancy, but they are really just a sweet biscuit. Cold butter makes them flaky and tender, and a little cream on top makes them golden. Blueberries add pops of juicy color, but dried cranberries or chocolate chips work too. Serve them with jam and butter for a slow, cozy morning. Are you a jam person or a butter person?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter (cubed), 1/2 cup heavy cream plus more for brushing, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup blueberries (frozen work best).

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet. 2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. 4. Mix the cream, egg and vanilla and stir them in, then fold in the blueberries. 5. Pat into an 8 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges. 6. Brush with cream and bake 18 to 20 minutes.

Croissant Breakfast Bake With Ham and Cheese

Store bought croissants turn into something special in this easy bake. Tear them into pieces, layer them with ham and cheese, and soak them in an egg custard overnight. In the morning they bake into a buttery, golden casserole that tastes like a fancy bakery sandwich. It is one of the easiest holiday breakfast ideas for impressing guests. Ham and cheese or a sweet berry version?

You will need: 6 large croissants (torn into pieces), 1 1/2 cups diced ham, 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese, 7 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, chopped chives.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 dish. 2. Layer half the croissants, ham and cheese, then repeat. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper. 4. Pour over the croissants and press down gently. 5. Cover and chill overnight. 6. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes and sprinkle with chives.

Cozy Oat Stuffed Baked Apples

Baked apples are like apple pie without the crust, and they are a lighter choice for a holiday breakfast. Core the apples, fill them with oats, nuts, cinnamon and a bit of butter, and bake until soft and juicy. Serve warm with a spoon of yogurt or a drizzle of maple syrup. The kitchen will smell incredible. Yogurt or a small scoop of ice cream on top?

You will need: 4 firm apples (like Honeycrisp), 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, 3 tbsp soft butter, 1/2 cup water or apple cider.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. 2. Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact. 3. Mix the oats, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and butter. 4. Stuff the filling into the apples. 5. Set them in a baking dish and pour the water around them. 6. Bake 35 to 45 minutes until tender.

Baked Eggs in Tomato Sauce

This skillet breakfast, inspired by shakshuka, is bright, warm and full of flavor. Eggs gently cook in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Bring the whole pan to the table with crusty bread for dipping. It is a nice savory change from all the holiday sweets. How do you like your yolks: runny or firm?

You will need: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion (diced), 1 red bell pepper (diced), 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper, 6 eggs, chopped parsley, crusty bread.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. 2. Cook the onion and pepper in oil in an oven safe skillet for 6 minutes. 3. Add the garlic, cumin and paprika for 1 minute. 4. Pour in the tomatoes, season and simmer 10 minutes. 5. Make 6 wells and crack an egg into each. 6. Bake 8 to 12 minutes until the whites set, then top with parsley.

Egg and Cheese Breakfast Pastries

Puff pastry makes breakfast feel like a celebration. Each square gets a ring of cheese and an egg cracked into the center, then bakes until golden and flaky. They look like something from a cafe display case but take only a few minutes to put together. Make a tray for brunch guests and add bacon, spinach or herbs. Which topping would you add?

You will need: 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed), 1 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyere, 4 eggs, 1 egg beaten for brushing, salt and pepper, chopped herbs, cooked bacon bits (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet. 2. Cut the pastry into 4 squares and score a border 1/2 inch from each edge. 3. Bake 10 minutes, then press down the centers. 4. Add cheese and bacon to each center, then crack in an egg. 5. Brush the edges with beaten egg. 6. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the whites set, then season with salt, pepper and herbs.

Cheesy Baked Grits With Bacon

Creamy grits loaded with sharp cheddar and baked until bubbly are pure Southern comfort and a holiday breakfast favorite across the South. Baked in a dish, they turn custardy inside with a golden top, perfect next to eggs and ham. Crumble crispy bacon on top and add a pat of butter. They can be assembled the night before too. Have you ever had grits?

You will need: 4 cups water or broth, 1 cup quick grits, 1 tsp salt, 4 tbsp butter, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1/2 cup milk, 2 eggs (beaten), 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 6 slices cooked bacon.

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 350°F and butter an 8 inch dish. 2. Bring the water and salt to a boil and whisk in the grits. 3. Cook 5 minutes until thick, then stir in the butter and most of the cheese. 4. Cool 5 minutes and stir in the milk, eggs and garlic powder. 5. Pour into the dish and top with the rest of the cheese. 6. Bake 40 minutes and crumble bacon on top.

Overnight Baked French Toast, the Sweetest Holiday Breakfast

We saved the crowd favorite for last. Thick slices of bread soak overnight in a cinnamon vanilla custard, then bake into a puffy, golden French toast that tastes like bread pudding. Pile on strawberries, powdered sugar and maple syrup and the table will go quiet. For more morning favorites, see our classic diner breakfasts we still crave. Which holiday breakfast will you make this year? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: 1 loaf brioche or challah (cut into thick slices), 6 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, strawberries, powdered sugar and maple syrup to serve.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 dish and arrange the bread slices so they overlap. 2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. 3. Pour over the bread and press down. 4. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 5. Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes until puffed and golden. 6. Top with strawberries, powdered sugar and syrup.