18 Make-Ahead Brunch Recipes for the Holidays

Hosting for the holidays? These make-ahead holiday brunch recipes take the pressure off so you can sip your coffee, enjoy your guests, and still pull off a crowd-pleasing meal.

Breakfast casserole in a baking dish.

Breakfast Casserole

This sausage and cheddar breakfast casserole is my go-to when the house is full. It’s cozy, cheesy, and so simple to throw together. Plus you can assemble it the night before and just bake it off in the morning. It feeds a crowd with zero stress (and always disappears fast).

baked apple french toast

Baked Apple French Toast

This baked apple French toast tastes like a cross between bread pudding and warm apple pie. You assemble it the night before, let it soak, and bake it in the morning until golden and custardy. It’s the kind of cozy, make-ahead breakfast everyone loves waking up to.

Slice of quiche Lorraine on a plate with a salad.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a true holiday-ready quiche: rich, cozy, and just special enough for festive brunches. The combination of smoky bacon, Gruyère, and a silky custard is always a hit, and since it’s delicious warm or at room temperature, it’s perfect for effortless holiday hosting.

Spinach and cheese strata in a baking dish.

Spinach & Cheese Strata

Spinach, cheese, and hearty bread come together in this cozy, make-ahead strata — ideal for stress-free holiday brunch (and good for vegetarians, too!).

Piece of crumb cake on a plate.

New York Crumb Cake

With an extra-thick crumb topping and a clever pastry-chef technique, this crumb cake is unbelievably tender and totally irresistible—perfect for brunch or anytime snacking.

sour cream coffee cake

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Cinnamon-Walnut Swirl

With its buttery crumb and heavenly cinnamon-nut swirl, this sour cream coffee cake from Zingerman’s Bakehouse is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any holiday brunch spread.

4 jars of overnight oats topped with a variety of fresh fruit and granola

Overnight Oats

These overnight oats are perfect for holiday mornings. Just prep them the night before and set out a few fun toppings for a relaxed, help-yourself brunch.

Spinach & Gruyere Quiche

Spinach Quiche

A classic French spinach quiche is always a hit on holiday mornings—elegant, comforting, and totally make-ahead friendly. Just warm and serve.

granola on baking sheet

Big-Cluster Granola Recipe

Homemade granola is a lifesaver during the holidays. Make a big batch, set it out with yogurt and fruit, and you’ve suddenly got a zero-stress brunch bar everyone loves. It keeps beautifully, so you can prep it days ahead and forget about it until guests wake up hungry.

pumpkin muffins

Pumpkin Muffins

These pumpkin muffins are peak cozy-holiday vibes. They’re quick to make, freeze well, and are great to have on hand for houseguests who wander into the kitchen looking for something sweet in the morning.

baked frittata garnished with basil

Best Basic Frittata Recipe

A good frittata is a holiday lifesaver. You can toss in whatever veggies, cheese, or leftover meats you have, and it always comes out looking like you planned it that way. Serve it warm or at room temp, make it ahead, and watch it disappear while you sip coffee and actually enjoy your morning.

Slices of Pumpkin Bread on a plate.

Pumpkin Bread

This pumpkin bread tastes like fall in loaf form—super moist, warmly spiced, and impossible to stop slicing “just one more” piece from. Make it a day or two ahead and keep it on the counter for easy breakfasts, snacking, or treating hungry houseguests before the big meal.

Double Chocolate Biscotti on a lined baking sheet.

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Chocolate biscotti is the perfect little treat to have around during the holidays—perfect for dunking into morning coffee or hot cocoa. They keep beautifully, so you can make them ahead and have a sweet something ready for every houseguest who wanders into the kitchen.

Muffin pan full of chocolate chip muffins.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

These bakery-style chocolate chip muffins are always a hit, especially with kids. They’re soft, fluffy, loaded with chocolate, and perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts when your house is full. Make a batch the day before and watch them vanish one little hand at a time.

crustless broccoli quiche

Crustless Broccoli Quiche

This crustless broccoli quiche is a lighter, easier take on classic quiche — no dough to fuss with, just a creamy, veggie-packed custard that bakes up beautifully. It’s perfect for holiday mornings when you want something savory and comforting without a lot of effort (and great for gluten-free guests, too!).

Cranberry Orange Bread on cutting board.

Cranberry Orange Bread

Bright, citrusy, and studded with tart cranberries, this quick bread tastes like pure holiday cheer. It’s even better made a day ahead, so it’s ideal for hosting. Slice it thick and serve with coffee, or set it out for guests to nibble on all morning.

Loaf of chocolate babka in a bread pan.

Chocolate Babka

Nothing says holiday morning quite like a loaf of homemade chocolate babka. This one is rich, indulgent, and swirled with ribbons of gooey chocolate — the kind of treat that makes everyone wander into the kitchen. It keeps beautifully, so you can make it a day or two ahead and still get that bakery-fresh deliciousness.

Spoon in a partially-served dish of baked oatmeal.

Ellie Krieger’s Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal

This morning glory baked oatmeal has all the cozy flavors of the classic muffin (think carrots, apples, coconut, raisins) baked into a warm, hearty casserole. It reheats like a dream, so you can make it the night before and enjoy a stress-free, wholesome breakfast while the house wakes up.

November 25, 2025