Start smart with these make-ahead breakfast ideas for guests.
They take next to no effort in the morning, and each is a crowd-pleaser, or a favorite to satisfy a family with big appetites. We're sharing our best overnight oat recipes, make-ahead egg casseroles, and more.
Stuffed Waffles
Elevate your toaster-oven game with these savory stuffed waffles. Each square is hiding crispy bacon and cheddar, along with fresh basil and tomato. For a quick morning meal or a party-worthy buffet dish, make a big batch, then freeze up to three months. When you're ready to serve, toast the waffles until they're warm and set out bowls with extra basil, tomato, and bacon.
Blueberry and Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast Casserole
Put baguettes to brilliant use in this mash-up of French toast and a breakfast casserole. Each slice is layered with sweetened berry-studded mascarpone cheese, then coated in a cinnamon-spiced custard. Chill the casserole overnight to allow the flavors to meld, then let in bake for about an hour, while you get ready for the guests.
Sausage and Potato Mini Egg Bakes
Pop one or two of these hash-brown, turkey sausage, and egg bakes into separate parchment paper packages so you can reheat them throughout the week. If you're craving more carbs, stuff one inside a toasted English muffin for a breakfast sandwich. You might also try these as a breakfast burrito, tucking half an egg bake into a warm tortilla.
Mini Quiches
How cute are these bite-size quiches?! This shortcut, make-ahead breakfast 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, simply fill the cups and bake for 15 minutes.
Potato Cinnamon Rolls
The day before you're hosting a gathering, prep these gourmet cinnamon rolls. The next morning, they're as easy as baking the store-bought kind, but they're remarkably light and tender, and taste much better. Everyone will beg for the secret. Psst...it's mashed potatoes.
Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole
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, bring it to the table and dust it with powdered sugar.
Freezer Egg Sandwiches
The freezer aisle is packed with products like this—but with only seven ingredients, you can have make-ahead breakfast sandwiches waiting in your freezer, with no weird additives or foreign-sounding ingredients, just a scrambled egg mixture on a sandwich 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.
Chocolate-Banana French Toast Bake
Calling all Nutella fans, here's a ridiculously rich make-ahead breakfast casserole that will not only satisfy, but supply 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.
Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole
Rather than wasting those extra tortilla chips in the restaurant basket, tote them home as the foundation for this make-ahead breakfast—or try our oil-brushed corn tortilla variation. All of the chilaquiles-style ingredients can be layered on the tortillas before chilling, with the exception of the eggs, which should be added just before it goes into the oven.
Fruit, Nut, and Brown Sugar Freezer Oatmeal Cups
Don't settle for cold flakes 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.
Spinach and Sweet Potato Sheet-Pan Quiche
Rather than fussing over a skillet playing short-order cook, turn to this make-ahead breakfast that serves 12. Build and bake the sheet pan recipe the night before, allow the quiche to cool for 30 minutes, then chill it overnight. In the morning, all that's left to do is reheat the pan (or as many servings as you need) for 15 minutes.
Orange-Honey Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a nutritious and simple choice on busy mornings. Prepare and chill the island-inspired make-ahead 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.
Peanut Butter-Banana Refrigerator Oatmeal
Elvis would approve of this easy make-ahead breakfast idea. Peanut butter, banana, bacon—the gang's all here—alongside nutrition superstars, including yogurt, oats, and flax. Layer them in a Mason jar and chill overnight for one of the most satisfying grab-and go meals ever.
Cranberry-Orange Tea Ring
Simple scissor-work is all it takes to give this professional-looking tea ring its unique look. This breakfast for large groups is even more irresistible after a drizzle of orange-flecked icing—especially for you, once you realize it uses frozen sweet-roll dough. Get it oven-ready on a pan and allow the dough to rise as the guests stream in. Once it's fully puffed, bake for 20 minutes, drizzle, and it's ready to devour.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bites
Not only are these peanut-butter bites simple to make, but they're a cinch to grab on the go. They'll keep you full for a while, too, thanks to the rolled oats and peanut butter. Painlessly adapt this easy make-ahead breakfast for gluten-free diners by opting for gluten-free vanilla and oats.
Caramelized Onion Breakfast Casserole
If you're hosting a brunch, build this colorful casserole the night before. Sourdough bread and crumbled bacon will entice guests the moment it's finished its 40-minute appointment in the oven.
Peach-Prosciutto Cornmeal Muffins
Upgrade a meal with these make-ahead breakfast muffins. Savor the flavor of summer through 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, or if you prefer a saltier flavor, simply spread them with butter.
Baked Apple-Spice Donuts
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, not fried, 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 pop them into the oven.
Ham Soufflé Roll
Now you're on a roll. This soufflé is baked in a shallow pan, then topped with ham and cheese and rolled into a spiral. The result is an elegant make-ahead breakfast that's sure to impress the guests. It looks tricky—and admittedly, does take some time—but everything save the final bake can occur well before anyone knocks at the door.
Spicy Brunch Lasagna
Layer upon rich, decadent layer of sausage, cheese, pasta, potatoes, and creamy Alfredo sauce will satisfy even the largest appetites. If you have any chives or green onion around, use them as a fresh garnish and a pop of color. You can prepare this entire casserole in advance (yes, oven time too), then cover and refrigerate until it's time to reheat—all at once or slice by slice.
Easy Chocolate-Almond Croissants
Chocolate croissants are a staple at bakeries, and for good reason: chocolate + buttery dough = bliss. You'll quickly discover you can create an equally delicious treat at home with this shortcut, make-ahead recipe. You can bake and store them up to three days in an airtight container, and when you're ready to indulge, just stick them in the oven for five minutes.
Almond Butter, Fruit, and Oat Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? Yes, please! These make-ahead breakfast cookies are loaded with applesauce, almond butter, rolled oats, and dried fruit. Make a batch and freeze for up to one month before serving.
Ham & Egg Breakfast Sandwich
It's easy to make breakfast sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them! This savory version is layered with ham, basil pesto, spinach, and melty gouda cheese. Freeze them for up to 1 month and reheat in the microwave on busy weekday mornings.
Bacon-Spinach Egg Bites
Bring your favorite coffeeshop breakfast home! This make-ahead breakfast idea starts with a creamy egg mixture that's cooked in individual jars. Make a batch on Sunday and eat them throughout the week.
Seeds and Fruit Muesli
This make-ahead cereal mix can be served hot or cold. It's versatile enough that you'll find yourself sprinkling it on yogurt, mixing it into oatmeal, or eating it all on its own with milk.
Sausage-Asparagus Stuffed French Toast Breakfast Bake
This savory spin on French toast is stuffed with melty Swiss cheese and pork sausage. Mushrooms and asparagus add a fresh note to this easy make-ahead breakfast casserole idea.