On Christmas morning, it might be tempting to allow the family to feast on the candy that Santa stowed in their stockings, in lieu of breakfast. This is especially the case if you typically serve your big Christmas meal on Christmas Day, whether for lunch or dinner. You don’t want to put a ton of work into breakfast, and then also a ton of work into the main holiday meal.
Luckily, this season, you don’t have to choose between convenience and health. You can throw together something delicious on Christmas morning after all the presents have been unwrapped and you’ve had time for a cup of coffee or two, and it can be something nutritious and healthful that will keep your family feeling great all day. (Because, if you have anyone under the age of 12 in the house, you know that Christmas candy for breakfast is only going to lead to tummy aches, sugar crashes, and overall grouchiness.)
Here are a few suggestions.
1. Make-Ahead Pancakes
While you might not think that pancakes are the most healthful breakfast in the world, consider that these family-pleasing pancakes contain no added sugar. Instead, they get all their sweetness from that overripe banana you’ve had sitting on your countertop for the past few days, with no time to turn it into banana bread.
The best part? You can put together pancake batter the night before you need it, and cover and refrigerate it so it’s ready to go whenever you are. Then, you’re only a few minutes away from breakfast.
Want to add more protein to fuel your family’s holiday shenanigans? Serve these banana pancakes with a side of Greek yogurt.
2. Make-Ahead Poached Eggs and Avocado Toast
One food you definitely don’t think of as “make ahead”? Poached eggs. Light, fluffy, piping hot, and runny; poached eggs are often made to order. However, on Christmas morning, you don’t have time for all that.
The good news? As America’s Test Kitchen has proven, you can poach eggs up to three days in advance, refrigerate them in water until you’re ready to use them, and then reheat them in water to 150 degrees on the stovetop, which only takes a few minutes.
From there, all you have to do to make these deceivingly fancy-looking toasts on Christmas morning is mash your avocado and toast the bread.
3. One-Pan Garden Veggie Frittata
You (and your dishwasher) likely can’t handle any more dirty dishes following your big holiday meal. Cut down on the dishes you need for Christmas morning breakfast with this one-pan garden veggie frittata. After you mix together your array of colorful chopped veggies, eggs, herbs, and seasonings, it all goes into one oven-safe skillet for a quick bake and then you’re done. The entire process takes just about half an hour.
4. Smoked Salmon Omelets
On Christmas, you might want to feel a little fancy — and what’s fancier for breakfast than a light, cloud-like omelet filled with smoked salmon and capers? Omelets also only take about 10 minutes to cook each, so if you’re not feeding a crowd, this could be your perfect healthful Christmas morning breakfast. Serve it with a bellini or mimosa (or two) and it’s an ideal start to your holiday morning.
