80 Make-Ahead Brunch Recipes

Easy Breakfast Strata

We start this breakfast casserole the night before so it’s ready for the oven the next day. That way, we don’t have to deal with the prep and dirty dishes first thing in the morning! —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

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Apple Butter Biscuit Breakfast Bake

My grandmother created this recipe to use up the leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner. By combining leftover ham and biscuits with milk, eggs and her homemade apple butter, she served us all a warm, delicious breakfast and still was able to spend with her grandchildren. —Marty Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina

Slow-Cooker Breakfast Burritos

Prep these tasty, hearty burritos the night before for a quick breakfast in the morning or let them cook while you are away on a weekend afternoon for an easy supper. —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa

Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

On a busy morning, these freezer breakfast sandwiches save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Senior Editor

Fruity Croissant Puff

I got this recipe from a good friend. Sweet, tart, tender and light, it tastes like a Danish.—Myra Aimer, Tuttle, North Dakota

Prosciutto, Egg and Spinach Strata

This egg spinach strata recipe is one of my favorite things to make for Mother's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas morning! It's a wonderful savory dish that incorporates elements of the cuisine I grew up enjoying. Plus, you can prepare it the night before and just throw it in the oven in the morning. —Danielle Pfanstiehl, Andover, Connecticut

Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Talk about wholesome and quick! You'll be satisfied right up until lunchtime with these peanut butter banana overnight oats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Reuben and Rye Strata

This make-ahead dish is so easy to prepare. It's wonderful for brunch, lunch or supper, or as a potluck meal. If you prefer it, substitute turkey pastrami for the corned beef. —Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia

Ham & Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Easy and cheesy, my go-to casserole for action-packed mornings has made many appearances at holiday breakfasts, potlucks and even my daughter's college apartment to feed her hungry roommates. —Patty Bernhard, Greenville, Ohio

Air-Fryer Sausage Bacon Bites

Try surprising your family one Sunday morning by pulling these out of the air fryer as they head to breakfast and get ready for oohs and aahs. They're equally delicious as a party appetizer. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Cheddar and Chorizo Strata

Stratas are a wonderful way to use up bits and pieces of leftovers you have on hand. You can make them meatless or substitute the cheeses and the meats. This dish can be made a day before baking. If you like more heat, use pepper jack cheese. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California

Raspberry Coconut French Toast Slow-Cooker Style

I put the ingredients in the slow cooker crock the night before, refrigerate it, then pop the crock into the slow cooker in the morning. You can use regular milk or half-and-half, include your favorite jam, and substitute almond extract instead of vanilla. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Green Chile Brunch Bake

It's easy to make this ahead of time in a 13x9-inch pan. It is filling, is perfect for a crowd and helps out busy parents. —Trista Thinnes, Fort Worth, Texas

Strawberry Overnight Oats

These strawberry overnight oats will be ready and waiting for you in the morning. ThePB&J-inspired breakfast is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of the strawberries. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Soon after I learned about overnight oats I decided to create a recipe with my favorite sugary combination: chocolate peanut butter. Overnight oats are a perfect breakfast for busy mornings. —Anna Bentley, Swanzey, New Hampshire

Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict Toast Cups

When I was growing up, we had a family tradition of having eggs Benedict with champagne and orange juice for our Christmas breakfast. But now that I’m cooking, a fussy breakfast isn’t my style. I wanted to come up with a dish I could make ahead that would mimic the flavors of traditional eggs Benedict and would also freeze well. —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia

Roasted Vegetable Strata

With the abundance of zucchini my family has in the fall, this is the perfect dish to use some of what we have. Cheesy and rich, the warm, classic breakfast dish is sure to please! —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia

Overnight Oatmeal

Start this breakfast the night before so you can get some extra sleep in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana

Caramelized Bacon Twists

A friend gave me this recipe to use at a bridal shower brunch, and the sweet chewy bacon strips were a big hit. Lining the pan with foil before baking helps cut down on cleanup. —Jane Paschke, University Park, Florida

Slow-Cooker Doughnut Breakfast Bake

This extravagant dish will be the star of the brunch table. Try serving it with sausage, fresh berries and yogurt. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

This recipe for apple cinnamon overnight oats couldn't be easier to make. Prep takes only five minutes! —Sarah Farmer, Taste of Home Executive Culinary Director

Baked French Toast

Any day is special when Mom makes one of her French toast recipes, like this do-ahead baked version. —Jill Baughman, New York, New York

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sausage & Crescent Roll Casserole

I made this tasty breakfast casserole with crescent rolls for a baby shower. It saved me; preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas

Quiche Pastry Cups

My grandmother used to make “egg cup surprises” for family brunches on special occasions. The added fillings were always a surprise as she never seemed to use the same combination of ingredients twice. As children, we had a guessing game as to what we’d find in the tender crust which added an aspect of family fun to our meal. —Denalee Standart, Rancho Mureta, California

Vegetable Strata

We always serve food at our Sunday morning bunco games, and since one of us is a vegetarian we’re always coming up with fun meatless dishes we can all enjoy. This strata can easily be doubled and tastes fantastic hot or at room temperature. —Doris Mancini, Port Orchard, Washington

Baked Blueberry-Mascarpone French Toast

When I want something special to serve my guests for a Saturday or Sunday brunch, I turn to this recipe. It never fails. It's wonderful during the spring and early summer because the blueberries are particularly good this time of year. —Patricia C. Quinn, Omaha, Nebraska

Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal

This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hawaiian Bacon & Pineapple Breakfast Bake

Sweet meets savory in this fun twist on the typical breakfast casserole. It's great for parties and potlucks because you can make it the night before. —Katie Osborn, Toledo, Ohio

Pesto Chicken Strata

I like this rustic strata for its hearty flavor. It's also nice to have something savory along with sweeter brunch dishes like cinnamon rolls and doughnuts. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Fluffy Waffles

A friend shared this fluffy waffle recipe with me a few years ago. The cinnamon cream syrup is a nice change from maple syrup, and it keeps quite well in the fridge. Our two children also like it on toast. —Amy Gilles, Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Cool Summertime Oatmeal

Start this breakfast the night before so you can get a few extra z's in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana

Basil Vegetable Strata

I've been cooking this strata for years, and my family just can't get enough! Fresh basil gives the healthy brunch dish an added flavor boost. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin.

Orange Breakfast Souffle with Dried Cherries

Our family often took this decadent breakfast souffle to a local park on Father's Day. It's easy to make the night before, pop in the oven the next morning and go!—Sharon Ricci, Mendon, New York

Overnight Pancakes

Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana

Pumpkin-Pecan Baked Oatmeal

Here’s a yummy wintertime treat. My husband rarely eats in the morning, but when I make my baked oatmeal, he digs right in. —Alex Muehl, Austin, Texas

Ham & Gruyere Mini Quiches

When you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas

Slow-Cooked Blueberry French Toast

Your slow cooker can be your best friend on a busy morning. Just get this recipe going, run some errands and come back to the smell of French toast ready to eat. —Elizabeth Lorenz, Peru, Indiana

Brunch Burritos

I like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas

Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata

I'd never tried prosciutto before this recipe, and it instantly made me a die-hard fan! The layers of flavor in this dish are brilliant, making it well worth the time and a must for your recipe box. —Vicki Anderson, Farmington, Minnesota

Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast

My friend makes this French toast bake with blueberries, but I make mine with cranberry sauce. Either way, it’s divine. It makes a great brunch dish for Christmas morning. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

Chicken Taco Quiche

I wanted to make a quiche but didn't want the usual flavors, so I used ingredients I had in my pantry and refrigerator to come up with this recipe. I was surprised at the great taste and how well the flavors came together. My neighbor asked for the recipe and had the same success! —Tamie Bradford, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota

Elegant Smoked Salmon Strata

This fancy overnight egg bake is ideal for guests. In the morning, you can simply let it come to room temperature and whip up side dishes as it bakes. Then get ready for compliments! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

My family absolutely loves these oat pancakes. I make them every Saturday and Sunday. If I don't, they don't believe it's the weekend! My son's friends often spend the night, and I think it's because they like these oatmeal pancakes so much. They are especially delicious served with molasses and syrup. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

Veggie Sausage Strata

As a retired home economics teacher, I've made quite a few recipes through the years. This hearty casserole is a favorite in my family. —Dorothy Erickson, Blue Eye, Missouri

Chiles Rellenos Souffle

After we spent the night at our friends’ house in Arizona, we awoke to the tantalizing aroma of an egg souffle. It brings back wonderful memories. —Pat Coyne, Las Vegas, Nevada

Raisin Nut Oatmeal

There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California

Eggs Benedict Casserole

This eggs Benedict casserole is just as tasty as the classic but without all the hassle. Simply assemble the ingredients ahead, and bake it the next morning for an elegant breakfast or brunch. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

Upside-Down Orange French Toast

I like to serve this for breakfast when we have overnight guests or for a holiday brunch. It gives Florida visitors a taste of sunshine! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida

Sausage & Apple Cornbread Bake

I make a corn bread-style bake with sausage, maple syrup and apples when we want a hearty breakfast. It’s sweet, savory and easy to make. —Stevie Wilson, Fremont, Iowa

Pecan Chocolate Waffles

If you like waffles and chocolate, this recipe is for you. These tender but crunchy waffles are great for breakfast, brunch or an after-dinner dessert. Instead of chocolate topping, top with berries and whipped cream or simply sprinkle with powdered sugar. —Agnes Golian, Garfield Heights, Ohio

Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits

In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

This blueberry pancakes recipe is a favorite in our home. My kids don’t even realize how healthy it is! —Kelly Reinicke, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

Mediterranean Veggie Brunch Puff

I make breakfast casseroles with whatever I have, like spinach, sweet red pepper and cheddar. With this puff, we like a burst of flavor from Greek vinaigrette. —Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio

Sparkling Oranges

We were living in Texas when I found the recipe for this simple yet elegant salad. I was thrilled—we had a surplus of fresh oranges! Since it’s prepared ahead, there’s no last-minute fuss. —Janie Bush, Weskan, Kansas

Breakfast Egg Muffins

After enjoying scrambled egg muffins at a local restaurant, I came up with this breakfast egg muffins recipe that my husband likes even better. They're pretty, hearty and fun to serve, too. —Cathy Larkins, Marshfield, Missouri

Brunch Ham Enchiladas

When I'm expecting company for brunch, the menu often features this tried-and-true casserole. With ham, eggs and plenty of cheese, the enchiladas are flavorful, hearty and fun. And they're easy to assemble the day before. —Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Colorful Ham Strata

This make-ahead breakfast bake is a cinch, particularly with leftover ham. Chock-full of peppers, onions and cheese, this eye-opener makes an ideal contribution to brunch buffets and is a great way to start the day. —Marilou Robinson Portland, Oregon

Savory Asparagus Strata

Fresh asparagus and goat cheese combine to make a delectable strata. Assemble it a day ahead and let it chill overnight for an easy brunch! —Lynda Ruce, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Whole Wheat Pancakes

To fix a large batch of tender pancakes for my five children, I rely on this quick and wholesome recipe. It calls for whole wheat flour and buttermilk, which make the pancakes filling but also light. Serve them with hot chocolate for a breakfast that's sure to delight little ones. —Line Walter, Wayne, Pennsylvania

Breakfast Biscuit Cups

The first time I made these biscuit cups, my husband and his assistant basketball coach came in as I was pulling them out of the oven. They loved them! —Debra Carlson, Columbus Junction, Iowa

Spiced Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

What a sweet way to start your morning! It’s perfect for the holidays, but we enjoy it year-round. Prep the evening before, and in the morning you can pop this in the oven and have a delicious breakfast in no time! —Joanne Wessel, Greenwood, Indiana

Raisin Bread & Sausage Morning Casserole

When we used to have Sunday breakfasts with my grandparents, my mom often made this for grandpa because he enjoyed it so much. Pork sausage and cinnamon bread taste surprisingly good together. —Carolyn Levan, Dixon, Illinois

Spiced Apricot Baked Oatmeal

Eat these spiced oatmeal squares while they're still warm for a cozy morning treat. I freeze mine in single servings so I can grab, go and microwave when I get to work. I'm not too humble to say I have the best breakfast in the office. —Ellie Martin Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sausage and Egg Casserole

For the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona

Mushroom Asparagus Quiche

Loads of asparagus pieces add color and flavor to this hearty, creamy quiche. And its easy crescent roll crust means you'll have dinner ready in a snap! —Sharon A. Fujita, Fontana, California

Orange Marmalade Breakfast Bake

When I host brunch, I make something that can be prepared a day ahead so I can spend time making other recipes. Grapefruit or a mixed-fruit marmalade will work just as well as the orange. —Judy Wilson, Sun City West, Arizona

Hash Brown Bake with Prosciutto & Leeks

Emperor Nero thought leeks would improve his singing voice. At our house, we believe they add fresh flavor to this easy hash brown bake with prosciutto. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

Gingerbread Buttermilk Waffles

We wanted folks to be able to enjoy the flavor of gingerbread at breakfast, so we created this recipe. The waffles are so pretty with a sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Chorizo Breakfast Casserole

My kids ask for this hearty slow-cook casserole for breakfast and dinner. I’ve served it with white country gravy or salsa. It’s delightful either way. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

These easy apple-y oats let your family have a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Make-Ahead Biscuits & Gravy Bake

Biscuits and gravy are usually prepared separately but served together. I created a way to bake them all at once in this scrumptious casserole. —Nancy Mcinnis, Olympia, Washington

Peach French Toast

Let the aroma of baked peaches, brown sugar and cinnamon wake up your family. When you serve the tender slices of French toast, be sure to scoop up the golden syrup in the bottom of the pan and drizzle it over the top. —Geraldine Casey, Anderson, Indiana

Reuben Brunch Bake

I created this when I wanted something different for a graduation brunch for two of our sons. When I realized I had most of the ingredients on hand for the Reuben dip I usually make, I decided to use them in a brunch casserole instead! Everyone asked for the recipe. —Janelle Reed, Merriam, Kansas

Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Bread Pudding

I had this dish at a bridal brunch many years ago. It was so delicious that I created my own version, and this is the result. Now I make it all the time. Enjoy! —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Hash Brown Egg Brunch

Slow cookers aren't just for making dinner. I make this often if we're having company overnight. With just a little planning and not much work, I can prep it the night before and have a lovely breakfast waiting in the morning. —Barb Keith, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Farmer's Casserole

Between family and friends, we average 375 visitors a year! This casserole is handy—you can put it together the night before, let the flavors blend, then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado

Italian Apricot-Pancetta Strata

For me, the combination of sweet and savory along with easy preparation make this Italian-inspired strata a winning dish for home cooks everywhere! It can be served for breakfast, brunch, or as a late afternoon meal. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Overnight Vegetable & Egg Breakfast

My overnight eggs and veggies make a hearty breakfast for those who have to rush out the door. I use sliced potatoes, but frozen potatoes work, too. —Kimberly Clark-Thiry, Anchor Point, Alaska