27 Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas That Will Have You Jumping Out of Bed

Elevate your toaster waffle game with these savory stuffed waffles. Each square is hiding crispy bacon and ooey-gooey cheddar, plus fresh basil and tomato. For a quick morning meal or a party-worthy breakfast buffet idea, make a big batch during weekend meal prep, then freeze up to 3 months. When you’re ready to dive in, toast until warm, then set out bowls to garnish as desired with extra basil, tomato, and bacon.

Put baguettes to brilliant use in this French toast-breakfast casserole mash-up. Each slice gets layered with sweetened berry-studded mascarpone cheese then coated in a cinnamon-y custard. Chill the make-ahead breakfast casserole overnight to allow all the flavors to meld, then bake for about an hour as you get ready for the day ahead.

Pop one or two of the hash brown, turkey sausage, and egg bakes into separate parchment paper packages so you can reheat and eat throughout the week. If you’re craving more carbs, stuff one between a toasted English muffin or sandwich thin for a make-ahead breakfast sandwich. Or try these as a make-ahead breakfast burrito, by tucking a halved egg bake inside a warm tortilla.

The day before you're hosting a gathering, prep these gourmet cinnamon rolls. The next morning, they are as easy as baking the store-bought kind. But they taste better and are remarkably light and tender. Everyone will beg for the secret. Psst...it’s mashed potatoes.

How cute are these bite-size quiches?! This shortcut make-ahead breakfast idea can be adjusted for vegetarians (skip the meat), Mediterranean diet followers (add shrimp), or picky eaters (toss in bacon). The night before, make the pastry cups and egg filling. In the morning fill the cups and bake for 15 minutes.

This savory-sweet make-ahead breakfast casserole chills overnight in the fridge. Assemble it the night before and you’ll have more time in the morning for beauty sleep and mixing mimosas. For the final flourish, dust on powdered sugar at the table.

The freezer aisle is packed with products like this. But with only seven ingredients, you can devour homemade make-ahead breakfast sandwiches from your freezer. No weird additives or foreign-sounding ingredients, just a scrambled egg mixture on a sandwich thin with cheese and Canadian bacon. For a quick-fix meal, prep a batch ahead, wrap well, and freeze in individual zip-top bags for up to a month.

Calling all Nutella fans! Here’s a ridiculously rich make-ahead breakfast casserole that will satisfy while supplying a serving of fruit. All you need is 20 minutes of prep time, then cover and chill the casserole overnight. Pop it into the oven in the morning for warm chocolate-hazelnut goodness.

If you think your vegan diet breakfast options stop at granola, oatmeal, or avocado toast, this make-ahead vegan breakfast recipe will expand your horizons. Each hotcake tastes like banana bread yet is completely plant-based, thanks to a flax egg replacement, almond or coconut milk in lieu of dairy milk, and vegetable oil as a butter substitute. Griddle, flip, cool, and freeze (for up to 2 months) a batch of 16 at a time, then reheat in the toaster for a delightful diner-style meal.

Rather than wasting the extra tortilla chips in the restaurant basket, tote them home as the foundation of this make-ahead breakfast for a group. (Or try our oil-brushed corn tortilla variation.) All of the chilaquiles-layers can get piled on top of the tortillas before chilling except for the eggs that should be cracked in immediately before it goes into the oven.

Related: Get Cracking with These Tasty Egg Recipes for Breakfast

Don't settle for cold cereal when you're craving a warm bowl of oatmeal. With a little planning, these individually portioned oatmeal cups (complete with toppings) will be ready to microwave whenever the craving hits. These heat-and-eat treats give a new definition to make-ahead breakfast muffins!

Rather than fussing over a skillet playing short-order cook, turn to this serves-12 make-ahead egg breakfast. Build and bake the sheet pan recipe the night before, allow the quiche to cool for 30 minutes, then chill it overnight. Come breakfast time, all that’s left to do is reheat the whole pan (or as many servings as you need) for 15 minutes.

Overnight oats are a nutritious and simple choice on busy mornings. Prepare and chill the island-inspired make-ahead breakfast bowls or jars the night before. In the morning, add your favorite toppers. (We recommend strawberries, coconut, and orange zest.) Ready, set, go about your day!

Pancakes at breakfast is practically a guaranteed recipe for a.m. success, but making them one at a time on your griddle can be time consuming. That's where these do-ahead double-chocolate pancakes come in. You can freeze them for up to 2 months, so you'll never be without a short stack (or a full breakfast for a crowd if you make a batch or two ahead) when cravings strike.

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Ideal for grabbing on your way out the door, this make-ahead breakfast recipe lets you have dessert first (in a healthy-ish way). We promise you won't notice the shredded carrots and zucchini, especially once you mix in cranberries, pecans, and brown sugar. Feeling decadent? Drizzle the breakfast cookies with honey-sweetened yogurt.

Elvis would approve of this easy make-ahead breakfast idea. Peanut butter, banana, bacon—the gang’s all here—alongside nutrition superstars such as yogurt, oats, and flax. Layer them in a Mason jar and chill overnight for one of the most satisfying grab-and go meals ever. See ya, snack bar.

Simple scissor work is all it takes to give this gorgeous tea ring its unique look. The make-ahead breakfast idea for large groups is even more irresistible after a drizzle of orange-flecked icing and when you know that it uses frozen sweet roll dough for a no-sweat recipe. Get it oven-ready on a pan and allow it to rise as guests stream in. Once fully puffed, bake for 20 minutes, drizzle, and devour.

Related: Quick Fix-Ups for Frozen Bread Dough

Not only are these peanut butter bites simple to make, but they're also a cinch to grab on the go. They'll keep you full for a while, too, because rolled oats and PB are in the mix. Painlessly adapt this easy make-ahead breakfast for gluten-free diners by opting for GF vanilla and oats.

Caramel apples are A-OK to eat at times other than fall—and as courses besides dessert! This make-ahead breakfast for a crowd combines our marvelous mashed potato cinnamon roll recipe with caramel rolls and brown butter-laced apples. Our mouths are already watering. Form and chill the rolls up to 24 hours, thaw at room temp for 30 minutes, then bake for half an hour.

This might be the ultimate make-ahead egg breakfast. Decadent Gruyère cheese and bacon combine with fresh mushrooms and thyme to create a full-flavor filling in a flaky piecrust. Assemble and parcook the quiche 2 to 24 hours before brunch, then cook for the final 10 minutes as guests start their first cup of coffee.

Hosting a brunch? Build this colorful and craveable casserole the night before. Sourdough bread and crumbled bacon will entice guests to eat the make-ahead breakfast idea the moment it’s finished its 40-minute appointment in the oven.

This breakfast for a crowd offers a one-two punch of make-ahead benefits. Not only does it come together on low in the slow cooker as you finish the rest of brunch prep, but it also can be assembled up to 24 hours before you’re ready to set and forget. (Just store the slow cooker crock in the refrigerator in the meantime.) Dig in to this make-ahead breakfast and you’ll be treated to a sweet and savory egg strata that—with pears, honey, cheese, and prosciutto in the mix—tastes a bit like a charcuterie board-egg casserole mash-up.

Upgrade a sit-down or grab-and-go meal with these make-ahead breakfast muffins. Savor the flavor of summer with sweet peaches, which complement the salty-savory prosciutto beautifully. The pair add a distinct sweet and salty twist to the classic cornmeal muffin. For added sweetness, serve them with honey or peach preserves; if you prefer a saltier flavor, spread with butter.

Shredded apple, spices, and a dusting of cinnamon-sugar give these baked donuts fabulous fall flavor. This make-ahead breakfast gives you permission to eat apple pie before noon! And because they’re baked and sneak in yogurt and whole-wheat flour, they’re surprisingly well-balanced nutritionally. Don your apron after dinner to prepare a batch. Then in the morning, simply slip into your slippers to pop them into the oven.

Now you’re on a roll. The soufflé is spread in a shallow pan and baked, then topped with ham and cheese and rolled into a spiral. The result is an elegant make-ahead breakfast for a crowd that’s sure to impress. It looks tricky—and admittedly, does take some time—but everything besides the final bake can occur well before anyone knocks at the door.

Layer upon rich, decadent layer of sausage, cheese, pasta, potatoes, and creamy Alfredo sauce will satisfy even the largest appetite. If you have any chives or green onion around, sprinkle them on top for a fresh garnish and a pop of color. You can prepare this entire make-ahead breakfast casserole in advance (yes, oven time too), then cover and refrigerate until it’s time to reheat it—all at once or slice by slice.

Chocolate croissants are a staple at any bakery. And for good reason: chocolate + buttery dough = bliss. You'll quickly discover you can create an equally delicious treat at home in a jiffy with this shortcut make-ahead breakfast recipe. Bake and store in an airtight container up to three days. When you’re ready to indulge, reheat in the oven for 5 minutes.