Food Recipes Breakfast & Brunch 15 Ways to Host Thanksgiving Breakfast Keep breakfast light and mess-free for the big food holiday. By Ashley Day Ashley Day Ashley Day is Food & Wine's associate editorial director. She's edited and directed food and travel content at USA TODAY, the Institute of Culinary Education, and Chef & Restaurant magazine, and contributed to The Food Institute, The Daily Meal, and the recipe app meez. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 18, 2024 Close Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Tricia Manzanero / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle We have a breakfast recipe for every Thanksgiving day strategy, whether you're looking for a light kick off that won't fill you or your guests up, protein to fuel your cooking marathon, plants to balance the heavy dishes to come, or brunch stunners to please a crowd. Here's a balanced list of Thanksgiving breakfast ideas, from make-ahead dishes to smoothie bowls to a beautiful breakfast casserole, for your plan of action. 01 of 15 Basic Crêpes Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Kay Clarke Plate a stack of the classic light, crisp, and thin pancakes alongside sweet or savory ingredients, such as fruit, nuts, chocolate, ham, cheese, chicken, and leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, for guests to fill however they please. Get the Recipe 02 of 15 French Rolled Omelet Jennifer Causey Impress guests with a proper omelet for one of life's most elegant and simple pleasures, ready in 10 minutes. Get the Recipe 03 of 15 Breakfast Egg Cups with Parsley Gremolata and Mushrooms Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners Use a muffin pan to prep breakfast or brunch for a crowd days in advance with this recipe for a savory, protein-packed breakfast treat. Get the Recipe 04 of 15 Salmon and Arugula Frittata with Pesto Emily Kordovich Spinach-basil pesto, shallot, thyme, and crisp greens make for an earthy, fresh frittata made even better with smoked salmon added on top. Get the Recipe 05 of 15 Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Lemon Curd and Berries Food & Wine / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Tricia Manzanero / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle Fluffy croissants soak up the cardamom-laced custard, silky lemon curd, and creamy vanilla cream cheese in Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman's breakfast casserole, which is prepared like a bread pudding, Get the Recipe 06 of 15 Swiss Chard Frittata Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen The components for this elevated vegetable frittata can be prepared two days ahead. Earthy Swiss chard, cool mint, and sweet chopped onion are the combination we didn't know we needed. Get the Recipe 07 of 15 Açai Smoothie Bowl Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer Contrast the rich, heavy dishes to come with a bright, tropical breakfast bowl that's ready in 10 minutes. Get the Recipe 08 of 15 Green Smoothie Bowl Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer Go green with vibrant and fresh spinach, avocado, pineapple, and ginger for another 10-minute breakfast bowl. Get the Recipe 09 of 15 Pumpkin Pancakes Abby Hocking Impart subtle sweetness, festive color, and the fragrance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove with pumpkin butter in this recipe from former F&W food editor Kelsey Jane Youngman. Get the Recipe 10 of 15 Cinnamon-Apple Babka Cinnamon-Apple Babka. Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Lean into the season and start the day with a sweet treat. This autumnal brunch dish will please a crowd and pairs perfectly with coffee. Get the Recipe 11 of 15 Potato and Bacon Quiche Food & Wine / Photio by Brie Goldman / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Breanna Ghazali This quiche for a crowd combines a rich, eggy filling with smoky, crispy bacon, peppery bites of arugula, and nutty Fontina cheese. It can be made a day or two ahead and will hold everyone's appetite until dinner. Get the Recipe 12 of 15 Eggplant Shakshuka Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless You'll dirty just one large bowl and a skillet with this variation on earthy shakshuka featuring harissa-spiced tomato sauce topped with soft-cooked eggs. Get the Recipe 13 of 15 Light and Fluffy Baked Apple Pancake © Michael Turek Caramelize baking apples like Golden Delicious with sugar and maple syrup for this giant one-pan pancake that's on the table in 45 minutes. Get the Recipe 14 of 15 Oatmeal Soufflé © Con Poulos This vehicle for mixed blueberries and raspberries can be prepped up to three days ahead to blend and bake the morning of. Get the Recipe 15 of 15 Pomegranate-Banana Smoothie © Tina Rupp Blend tart pomegranates and creamy bananas with plain yogurt for a simple and satisfying, one-step start to the day. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit