Harper West
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but cooking for a crowd can be stressful. Planning and preparing a do-ahead breakfast will ensure you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen. From sweet treats to savoury delights, there are plenty of options to choose from that can be made the night before and simply reheated in the morning. Whether you're hosting a holiday brunch or a weekend breakfast get-together, these make-ahead recipes will be a hit with your guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of servings | 12 or more |
| Preparation time | Minimal |
| Ingredients | Simple, few |
| Type of food | Savory, sweet, vegetarian, gluten-free |
| Examples | Casseroles, quiches, muffins, biscuits, French toast, pancakes, waffles, pizza, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Breakfast casseroles
Sausage, Hash Brown, and Egg Casserole
This classic breakfast casserole is a crowd-pleaser. It can be made ahead of time and customised to your taste. Simply cook the hash browns, then assemble the casserole with your choice of sausage, eggs, and cheese. Bake it the next morning and enjoy!
Meat, Potato, and Cheese Casserole
This hearty casserole is a perfect breakfast option. It brings together unusual flavours like cottage cheese and green chillies. You can also add cooked chopped broccoli for a change of pace. This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning.
French Toast Casserole
For a sweet option, try a French toast casserole filled with fresh blueberries and smothered in a rich blueberry sauce. This casserole can be made with Italian bread and served with the blueberry sauce on the side. It's a decadent choice that's sure to impress your guests.
Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
This unique casserole is a fun twist on the classic everything bagel. It's made with bread to soak up moisture, but you can also use potatoes. It's customisable with your favourite toppings, such as salsa, pico de gallo, green onion, cilantro, and avocado. This casserole is a big hit and consistently receives rave reviews.
Breakfast Strata
A breakfast strata is a great make-ahead option. It can be assembled the day before and baked the next morning. You can use ham or bacon instead of sausage and add cooked chopped broccoli for a variation.
Best Breakfast Fast Food: Where to Go?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
French toast casseroles
Ingredients:
- Bread: Choose a good loaf of challah, brioche, French bread, or sourdough bread. Day-old bread works best, and make sure to avoid pre-sliced soft bread, which can become soggy.
- Eggs: A key French toast ingredient that adds richness and binds the bread cubes together.
- Milk: Use any type of milk you prefer, such as almond milk, whole milk, or oat milk.
- Brown sugar: Whisk some into the custard mixture and sprinkle more on top of the casserole for a sweet, caramelized crust.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract: These spices add a warm, cozy depth of flavor.
- Butter or coconut oil: Helps to crisp up the top of the casserole in the oven.
- Pecans: Add a rich, nutty crunch to the topping.
Method:
- Prep the bread: Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and layer them in a greased 9x13-inch pan.
- Make the custard mixture: Whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring even coverage. Let the bread soak up the custard—it's okay to have a few dry spots as they will crisp up in the oven.
- Assemble and chill: If making ahead, cover the casserole and refrigerate it overnight. If preparing it the same day, let it stand for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Bake: Drizzle melted butter over the casserole and sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until puffed and golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Serve: Cut into squares and serve hot. You can top it with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries for an extra touch.
Whataburger's Breakfast Burger: Gone for Good?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Breakfast pizzas
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, pepper jack, or a mix)
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Any other desired toppings (veggies, pepperoni, hash browns, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375-425°F.
- If using store-bought pizza dough, remove it from the refrigerator 15 minutes beforehand.
- Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the pizza dough onto the baking sheet, stretching it out to the edges.
- Brush the dough with olive oil and poke it with a fork to prevent puffing.
- Bake the crust for about 7 minutes until it is light brown.
- While the crust is baking, prepare your toppings. Scramble the eggs with milk, salt, and pepper. Cook the bacon and sausage, and prepare any other toppings.
- Remove the crust from the oven and top it with the scrambled eggs, meats, cheese, and any other desired toppings.
- Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and the toppings are heated through.
Serving and Storage:
Breakfast pizza can be served hot out of the oven. It is a great dish for a crowd, as it can be cut into squares to serve a large number of people. It can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake the pizza in the oven or warm up individual slices in the microwave until heated through.
Jack's Breakfast — All-Day Availability?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blueberry muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 pint of fresh blueberries
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of white sugar
- Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of melted butter
- Milk
- Vanilla
- ¼ cup of flour
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt
Instructions:
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Next, wash, drain, and prepare the blueberries by removing any stems, tossing any wrinkled or damaged berries, and cutting down any large berries. Then, in a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth, then add the melted butter, milk, and vanilla, whisking until combined. Now, add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until combined. The dough will be lumpy. Fold in the blueberries.
To make the streusel topping, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin and sprinkle with the topping. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool before serving or storing.
Storage:
Breakfast Hours at Sonic: When Does Morning End?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Crispy bacon
Stovetop Method
Using a skillet or a large cast iron pan, cook the bacon over medium heat. Start with a cold pan and lay the bacon strips evenly in the pan. Cook the first side until golden brown, which should take around 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the heat and the thickness of the bacon. Flip the bacon and continue cooking for about 3 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on the bacon to avoid overcooking or charring, especially if the slices are thin. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.
Oven Method
Line a sheet pan with tin foil or parchment paper and place the bacon strips on top. Cook in the oven at a temperature between 375°F to 425°F for 10 to 20 minutes, checking after 10 minutes to ensure your desired level of crispiness. Lower temperatures and slower cooking tend to produce better results. Remove the bacon from the oven and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain before serving.
Tips for Success
- Cut the bacon strips in half to make flipping and managing them easier.
- Use a series of chef's presses or tongs to press and flip the bacon for more even cooking.
- For a large quantity of bacon, try the "water method". Cut the rashers into thirds, put the fatty pieces at the bottom, and pour a cup of water over everything. The water will steam cook and transfer heat as the fat renders.
- For extra crispy bacon, cook for a longer period of time, but be mindful of the heat to avoid burning.
Dunkin's Breakfast Menu: All-Day Availability?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Here are some ideas for make-ahead breakfasts that serve a large group:
- French toast casserole
- Dutch baby pancake casserole
- Hash brown, turkey sausage, and egg bakes
- Ham & cheese sliders
- Quiches
- Peanut butter bites
- Blueberry muffins with a cream cheese centre
Here are some breakfast casseroles that can be made ahead of time:
- Shakshuka
- French toast
- Strawberries & cream French toast
- Breakfast pizza with salsa and sausage
- Enchiladas with ham, eggs and cheese
- Waffle BLTs
- Egg white-Greek yogurt casserole
- Sausage, cream cheese, and crescent roll casserole
- Sweet and savory casserole with Bisquick, shredded cheese, and maple syrup
Here are some make-ahead breakfast ideas that are easy to grab on the go:
- Overnight oats
- Peanut butter bites
- Blueberry muffins with a cream cheese centre
- Individual slices of banana bread
Here are some make-ahead breakfast ideas that can be frozen:
- Unbaked biscuits
- Blueberry muffins with a cream cheese centre
- Individual slices of banana bread
- Pancakes
Here are some make-ahead breakfast ideas that are kid-friendly:
- McDonald's copycat recipe (freezer-friendly)
- Pancakes
- Mountain man breakfast
- Cinnamon rolls
