Christmas Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

It's hard to pick our favorite morning activity during the holidays: tearing into the presents or settling in for a comfort food brunch.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Marshall Troy ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Kate Mathis

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Kelsey Nixon ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Natalie Brasington ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Natalie Brasington ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Waffles with Buttermilk-Rum Caramel Syrup

These waffles combine the best of celebratory fall and winter flavors: spiced pumpkin and gingerbread. The dark, salty rum caramel sauce ties the flavors together, making this the ultimate dessert for breakfast.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Pumpkin Waffles with Buttermilk-Rum Caramel Syrup

Caramelized Onion, Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Strata With Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes

While the sauteed cherry tomatoes offer a nice acidic balance to the bread, they're not a deal breaker. If you can't find fresh tomatoes, there's still plenty to enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Caramelized Onion, Spinach and Gruyere Cheese Strata with Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes

Blueberry Blintzes

The key to this recipe is all in the assembly: Set up your station in advance and make the blintzes as you would a burrito. Once they're prepped, a quick pan-fry and trip to the oven finishes them off.

Get the Recipe: Blueberry Blintzes

"Before Breakfast" Sausage Casserole

Combine all the best parts of breakfast into one cheesy, meaty casserole.

Get the Recipe: "Before Breakfast" Sausage Casserole

Spice Raisin Pancakes with Rum-Raisin Cream Cheese Glaze

Raisin haters, beware: These flapjacks are filled with 'em. Bobby Flay rehydrates the dried grapes by simmering them with orange juice and rum before adding them to the pancake mixture, then he uses that soaking liquid to make a spiked cream cheese glaze.

Get the Recipe: Spice Raisin Pancakes with Rum-Raisin Cream Cheese Glaze

Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches With Homemade Maple Sausage, Egg and Cheese

No need to run out for drive-thru Christmas morning — this hearty sandwich delivers. Though the homemade maple sausage is divine, use any type of sausage you prefer.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches with Homemade Maple Sausage, Egg and Cheese

Pumpkin French Toast Stuffed with Blackberry-Caramel Mascarpone 

Classic French toast gets dressed up for the holidays with a tangy mascarpone stuffing and a drizzle of berry-caramel sauce. Bobby soaks challah in a pumpkin-sugar blend before frying it in butter to give it a hint of spice and an even sweeter flavor.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin French Toast Stuffed with Blackberry-Caramel Mascarpone

Spinach, Bacon and Goat Cheese Frittata

Don't stress over Christmas breakfast — this rich eggy dish is full of flavor and ready in just 30 minutes (or less if you broil it!).

Get the Recipe: Spinach, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Pecan Pie Monkey Bread

Bobby amps up already sinful monkey bread by covering the cinnamon-and-sugar-coated balls of dough with a caramel-pecan mixture. The result? This delightfully gooey pull-apart bread that tastes like the favorite fall pie.

Get the Recipe: Pecan Pie Monkey Bread

Baked Eggs in Creamy Polenta and Pepperoni Tomato Sauce

Baking these eggs in individual dishes provides instant polish to your presentation. Plus, since the eggs are finished in the oven, they don't require last-minute attention or fussing to get them perfectly cooked.

Get the Recipe: Baked Eggs in Creamy Polenta and Pepperoni Tomato Sauce

Silver Dollar Buttermilk-Pecan Pancakes with Bourbon Molasses Butter and Maple Syrup

Don't let these pancakes' petite size fool you: The pecans in the buttermilk batter ensure nutty flavor and substantial texture in every bite. Smear your heaping pile of flapjacks with the dark, spicy bourbon-molasses butter and even more toasted pecans.

Get the Recipe: Silver Dollar Buttermilk-Pecan Pancakes with Bourbon Molasses Butter and Maple Syrup

Oatmeal-Yogurt Pancakes with Blackberry Crush

Oats add great flavor, texture and a little nutritional boost to almost any baked good. Here, oats add texture to create perfectly plump, tender pancakes. When blackberries are out of season, replace them with another favorite juicy berry.

Get the Recipe: Oatmeal-Yogurt Pancakes with Blackberry Crush

Ranchero Breakfast Tostadas

Make these festive tostadas as shown, or set up a topping station — stocked with avocados, cheese, cilantro, limes and hot sauce — and let guests pile on what they like.

Get the Recipe: Ranchero Breakfast Tostadas

Cinnamon Swirl Scones

The title says it all: scone dough that's filled, rolled and sliced like a cinnamon bun. They're just as delicious as traditional rolls but require a fraction of the time.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Swirl Scones

Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

Hosting guests? Opt for this no-fuss bread-pudding-style casserole, which can be prepped the night before and baked off while everyone tears into the presents.

Get the Recipe: Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

Spinach Salad With Fried Egg, Bacon and Mushrooms

It's time for this classic to get an upgrade! Gone are the bacon bits, hard-boiled eggs and ketchup-based dressing. In their place: crispy pan-fried bacon, fried egg and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Spinach Salad with Fried Egg, Bacon and Mushrooms

Fried Chicken and Wild Rice Waffles With Pink Peppercorn Sauce

Not sure what to get your family this year? Skip the presents and give the gift of this ambitious dish: Buttermilk-based waffles topped with kicky fried chicken and drizzled with honey-pink peppercorn sauce.

Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken and Wild Rice Waffles with Pink Peppercorn Sauce

Stuffed Potato Skin Skillet Hash With Fried Eggs

Hearty appetites will appreciate this Southwestern-tinged dish that's loaded with goodies — including a hidden layer of thick chive sour cream underneath the homemade maple sausage.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Potato Skin Skillet Hash with Fried Eggs

Alton's Granola

Why buy it at the store when homemade granola is easy, affordable and far more wholeseome? Serve it over yogurt for a simple yet filling Christmas breakfast.

Get the Recipe: Granola

Egg White, Caramelized Onion and Fig Jam Sandwich

Piment d'espelette, used here to flavor the egg whites, is an artisanal paprika from the Basque region of Southwestern France. Though its zestiness is superb, feel free to use any store-bought paprika.

Savory Mushroom and Bacon Bread Pudding

As if the thick-cut bacon and spongy challah bread weren't amazing enough, what kicks this recipe into overdrive is the warm sage butter that's drizzled over everything right before serving.

Get the Recipe: Savory Mushroom and Bacon Bread Pudding

Souffléd Spinach Omelet

The secret to this fluffier-than-fluffy omelet: Separate the eggs then fold them back together once the whites are whipped stiff and the yolks whisked into a froth.

Get the Recipe: Souffleed Spinach Omelet

Yogurt-Fruit Muffins With Bran-Crumb Topping

Holiday splurging catching up with you? Keep it lean Christmas morning with Bobby Flay's muffins made with thick Greek yogurt and a lightly sweetened bran crumble.

Get the Recipe: Yogurt-Fruit Muffins with Bran Crumb Topping

Poached Eggs With Crab Salad and English Muffins

For perfectly poached eggs, be sure to add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water and use a large spoon to gently place the eggs into the pan — take care to not crack or drop them.

Get the Recipe: Poached Eggs with Crab Salad and English Muffins

Rev's Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate with Mix-ins

Homemade hot chocolate takes just a few minutes to make, and then kids of all ages can dress it up with crushed candy, more chocolate or classic marshmallows.

Get the Recipe: Rev's Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate with Mix-ins

Alton's French Toast

Though this recipe requires active time at the stove, it's a cinch to whip up with just six ingredients. Make it even easier by prepping the batter the night before.

Get the Recipe: French Toast

Quinoa Hash Browns and Turkish Eggs

What gives this recipe its Turkish flavor? Medium-hot Aleppo chile flakes, which hail from Syria and offer a slightly fruitier, more dynamic taste than standard red pepper flakes.

Get the Recipe: Quinoa Hash Browns and Turkish Eggs

"Carrot Cake" Cream Cheese

Take waffles, pancakes — just about any bready or baked good — to the extreme with this decadent mix of walnuts, carrots, raisins, cinnamon and cloves.

Get the Recipe: "Carrot Cake" Cream Cheese

Croque Madame

Give holiday guests a breakfast they'll never forget: Bobby Flay's monster Croque Madames drenched in a nutmeg-flecked bechamel sauce that's thickened with gruyere and Parmesan cheeses.

Get the Recipe: Croque Madame

Silver Dollar Buttermilk-Pecan Pancakes With Bourbon Molasses Butter and Syrup

Silver dollar pancakes take a decidedly adult turn with boozy butter and a traditional buttermilk batter spiked with vanilla bean, sea salt and toasted pecans.

Get the Recipe: Silver Dollar Buttermilk-Pecan Pancakes with Bourbon Molasses Butter and Maple Syrup

Mustard-Glazed Baked Ham and Pimento Cheese Biscuits

Although prepping your own ham produces the best results for this thoroughly Southern dish, a readymade ham is still a worthy companion for the fluffy biscuits and sharp pimento cheese spread.

Get the Recipe: Mustard Glazed Baked Ham and Pimento Cheese Biscuits

Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Wake up the house with a sweet holiday surprise: Kelsey Nixon's heavenly cream-cheese-topped cinnamon rolls, which use active dry yeast to make prep snappy.

Get the Recipe: Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

Arugula and Fruit Salad With Panettone Croutons

This unique Italian salad strikes just the right balance of sweet and savory with peppery arugula, creamy lemon dressing and tender butter-glazed roasted fruit.

Get the Recipe: Arugula and Roasted Fruit Salad with Panettone Croutons

Cheesy Hash Browns

Hosting a big group for Christmas? Minimize stress by making batch-style dishes. This Cheddar-topped hash brown cooks up whole and is then sliced into wedges for effortless serving.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hash Browns

Savory Swiss Chard Tart

This earthy, flavorful tart does double duty on a busy holiday morning: It requires just 15 minutes of prep and is served at room temperature, allowing for some flexibility between prep and mealtime.

Get the Recipe: Savoury Swiss Chard Tart

French Toast With Salted Caramel and Creme Fraiche

Rich in minerals and light in flavor, fleur de sel is an artisanal French salt that gives this caramel sauce a special touch. However, any high-grade sea salt will work.

Get the Recipe: French Toast with Salted Caramel and Creme Fraiche

Bacon and Egg Rolls With Spicy Tomato Relish

Spicy isn't an overstatement — this sauce packs a nice punch thanks to three types of chile peppers and a dash of cayenne. Feeling like a little more fire? Don't completely de-seed the peppers before using them.

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Egg Rolls with Spicy Tomato Relish

Homemade Mango-Agave Granola With Greek Yogurt

While it's not quite low calorie, this fuss-free granola — ideal for brunch or a post-gift opening snack — is full of good fats and nutrition thanks to almonds, wheat germ and several types of seeds.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Mango-Agave Granola with Greek Yogurt

Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Worried about food intolerances? Opt for this bread made with millet. Popular in Asia, the delicate, fiber-rich grain creates a deliciously dense bread. It just needs help from a binder (here it's xanthan gum) to get the right effect.

Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Quiche Lorraine

Getting low on holiday rations? Try this basic yet brilliant quiche that requires only four ingredients and a few simple pantry spices.

Get the Recipe: Quiche Lorraine

Fried Potatoes With Spicy Aioli

What to do with all that glorious bacon fat you have left over from holiday feasting? Heat it up to fry — and then douse — these over-the-top smashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Fried Potatoes with Spicy Aioli

Cornmeal Pancakes with Orange-Infused Maple Syrup*

Though hearty in texture, these pancakes rise into tender puffs on the griddle thanks to a cup of buttermilk. Don't stack them until serving though, as they'll compact and lose their fluffiness. Whipped butter and orange-anise maple syrup are perfect pancake smothering agents. 

Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Pancakes with Whipped Butter and Zesty Orange-Infused Maple Syrup

Festive Fruit Salad

With its orange-maple-vanilla syrup, this fruit salad is almost as good as pancakes. Pile it on top of a stack or serve it as a colorful side dish with your Christmas spread.

Get the Recipe: Festive Fruit Salad with Orange-Maple-Vanilla Syrup