35 Easy Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas Perfect for Turkey Day Morning
Fuel up with effortless casseroles, make ahead meals and more!
Thanksgiving dinner may get most of the glory, but long before the turkey and green beans are on the table, there's Thanksgiving breakfast to consider. In some families, a good holiday breakfast is just as important as the big feast. Ideally, you want something that will keep everyone full until it's time to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, and you'd probably prefer a quick and easy breakfast. After all, you've got Thanksgiving sides and Turkey Day desserts to tend to! Thankfully, these egg recipes, breakfast casseroles, healthy muffins, and other Thanksgiving breakfast ideas are easy to make. Plus, some of these dishes can even be prepped ahead of time, leaving your kitchen free for the big day.
These brunch recipes range from lighter options like healthy smoothies to decadent waffles that will satisfy a whole crowd. Plus, plenty of them are vegan, vegetarian, or keto-friendly, so everyone will be able to enjoy these breakfast recipes. And if you're finding it overwhelming to plan out Thanksgiving breakfast in addition to a full dinner, you can always pass these recipes along to another family member and put them in charge of making breakfast. After all, teamwork makes the dream work!
Whatever you do, don't skip breakfast altogether. You'll need your energy for a day full of cooking, spending time with family, and enjoying plenty of pie.
Quiche Lorraine
Pie crust isn't just for Thanksgiving dessert! You can also put it to use in this flavorful recipe that brings together crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and fluffy eggs.
Get the Quiche Lorraine recipe.
Chocolate Banana Cake
This sweet cake made with very ripe bananas and plenty of chocolate chips is a decadent start to Thanksgiving Day.
Get the Chocolate Banana Cake recipe.
Sausage and Egg Sandwiches
Homemade sausage patties and pickled peppers take a basic breakfast sandwich to the next level.
Get the Sausage and Egg Sandwiches recipe.
Blender Pancakes
Don't forget the maple syrup! These easy pancakes come together in less than 30 minutes, so you can get started on Thanksgiving dinner prep ASAP.
Get the Blender Pancakes recipe.
Waffles With Spicy Glazed Bacon and Pecans
These spicy, sweet, savory waffles are a perfect way to kick off a day full of delicious food.
Lemon-Almond Poppy Seed Muffins
Pro tip: Make these delicious crunchy muffins the day before Thanksgiving, so that your kitchen is free for the Thanksgiving Day prep. All you have to do is add the glaze to make them feel fresh.
Scotch Eggs
Start the day off with plenty of protein, thanks to this British-inspired dish made of flavorful ground beef wrapped around a soft-boiled egg.
Get the Scotch Eggs recipe.
Make-Ahead Smoothies
For a lighter start to the day, these healthy smoothies are the perfect thing. You can put everything together earlier in the week, so that on Thanksgiving morning it's as simple as tossing it all in the blender.
Get the Make-Ahead Smoothies recipe.
Raisin Walnut Coffee Cake
Another make-ahead meal that you can serve for Thanksgiving breakfast, this crumbly, sweet cake will keep everyone satisfied until it's time for turkey.
Get the Raisin Walnut Coffee Cake recipe.
Breakfast Shortcakes
You can top these fluffy shortcakes with berries, whipped cream, yogurt, or anything else you can dream up.
Get the Breakfast Shortcakes recipe.
Old Bay Scrambled Eggs
Make our Best-Ever Scrambled Eggs, but before scrambling, whisk 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning into eggs, then scramble as directed. Fold in 1 cooked diced russet potato and 4 oz thinly sliced kielbasa (both browned). Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Get the Best-Ever Scrambled Eggs recipe.
Raspberry Swirl Rolls
These citrusy raspberry rolls are best served warm — alongside plenty of frosting.
Get the Raspberry Swirl Rolls recipe.
Bacon Chive Waffle
If you usually cover your waffles in powdered sugar and maple syrup, you're missing out — savory waffles with bacon and (believe it or not) ranch dressing makes an amazing breakfast.
Get the Savory Bacon Chive Waffle recipe.
Pecan Sticky Buns
This stellar sweet, rolled in cinnamon, uses store-bought puff pastry so you don't have to deal with any dough.
Get the Pecan Sticky Buns recipe.
Raspberry Chia Jam
Start the holiday off on a healthy note with an easy fruit jam made from chia seeds.
Get the Raspberry Chia Jam recipe.
Smoky Red Pepper Crispy Egg Toast
Paprika and roasted red pepper hummus turn an average egg with toast breakfast into a savory morning treat.
Sweet and Salty Maple Granola Bark
With milk, yogurt or just on its own — there are so many ways to eat this sweet, maple granola.
Spinach and Cheese Breakfast Pockets
Think of these ricotta and sun-dried tomato pastries as a healthier (and tastier) homemade hot pocket.
Twice-Baked Citrus-Almond Brioche
Nutty sliced almonds with orange zest makes this the perfect salty and sweet breakfast.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Rule #1 of Thanksgiving: There can never be too much pumpkin. Start the day right with this deliciously sweet n' spicy loaf.
Get the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread recipe.
RELATED: 44 Sweet and Savory Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
Samantha (she/her) is an Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she writes about tasty recipes, must-try food products and top-tested secrets for home cooking success. She has taste-tasted hundreds of products and recipes since joining GH in 2020 (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.
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