Aspiring Morning People—These 13 Recipes Will Finally Make You Jump Out Of Bed

babka french toast
13 Recipes That Will Make You A Morning Person PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

It’s the start of a new year, and with it comes new resolutions with varying success rates. Many of us declare each new year as the year of getting into a healthier groove—whether through filling the gym to capacity for the first two weeks of the year, selecting the perfect yoga mat to act as room decor, rolled up in the corner of the room, or sipping on mocktails for dry January—but for me, the most deceptively simple goal that I struggle with each year is becoming a morning person.

Sunrises, birdsong, and increased productivity are nice and all, but hitting that snooze button just one more time is so alluring. Finally though, I’ve found a solution that has me beating my alarm out of bed: Breakfast. The most important meal of the day is far too often overlooked, I mean, who has the time for anything more than dry toast and a cup of coffee? You do! At least, once you try these 13 recipes, you’ll make sure you do.

This list is all about taking breakfast to a level that changes your first meal of the day from a necessary chore to desired treat. It’s no surprise that the idea of having to scramble eggs might not have anyone leaping out of bed to start the day, but our egg-filled breakfast strata or our make-ahead breakfast bombs just might. I love a savory breakfast, but I’ll never turn down a chance to satisfy my sweet tooth with our babka French toast, our crème brûlée banana bread, or our blueberry muffins.

Don’t just take my word for it. Find your new favorite breakfast dish that will help flip you from a morning-miser to an early-riser.


Brownie Batter Croissants

Inspired by the viral cookie dough-stuffed croissant, we have arrived at our newest croissant creation: the brownie batter croissant. It's made like an almond croissant—pastry plus delicious filing—and its flavor is almost like a pain au chocolat, but even richer. 😍

Get the Brownie Batter Croissants recipe.

croissants with chocolate
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Overnight Oats

On busy mornings, nothing beats overnight oats for breakfast. They’re an easy, no-bake version of classic oatmeal that only takes a few minutes to prepare. Prep them the night before, tuck them into your fridge to soak, and you’ll have a chilled, creamy, on-the-go breakfast waiting for you in the morning.

Get the Overnight Oats recipe.

overnight oats
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Babka French Toast

French toast has become my top priority at breakfast. I love the classic, but when I'm looking for something extra special, this babka French toast is out of this world. It may sound intimidating, but the best part is that you’re not making it from scratch. You can purchase one right from the store, a loaf that’s already enriched with chocolate, cinnamon, and sugar syrup.

Get the Babka French Toast recipe.

babka french toast
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE


Breakfast Crunchwraps

You don't have to be a Taco Bell fan to appreciate the beauty of a crunchwrap supreme—it's the perfect marriage between crispy quesadilla and crunchy tostada. In this breakfast version, there's no tostada shell. Instead the crunch comes from hash browns. SO. GOOD.

Get the Breakfast Crunchwraps recipe.

crunchwrap layered with eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins are a quintessential breakfast treat, so for our tried-and-true favorite, we’ve channeled that small-town bakery vibe to create a muffin that hits every nostalgic note. Light, fluffy, and absolutely bursting with blueberries, these muffins will delight everyone who tastes one.

Get the Blueberry Muffins recipe.

blueberry muffins topped with sugar
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON


Crème Brûlée Banana Bread

Why have just a classic banana bread when you can have one with caramelized sugar on top? This quick bread gets frosted with a simple cream cheese frosting to slightly mimic the custard of a crème brûlée, then topped with sugar so that it can be torched into a beautiful crackly top.

Get the Crème Brûlée Banana Bread recipe.

banana bread with a bruleed sugar topping
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Chorizo Breakfast Chili

Are you looking to shake up your current breakfast repertoire? Tired of the same old eggs and toast? Give your mornings a spicy twist with chorizo breakfast chili. It’s a delicious way to turn the classic comfort food into a satisfying breakfast packed with flavor.

Get the Chorizo Breakfast Chili recipe.

leftover breakfast chili
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Crème Brûlée French Toast

This custard-soaked breakfast staple, often grouped in a trio of carby favorites—waffles and pancakes—has so many iterations and I've unlocked another: crème brûlée French toast. Allowing the bread to soak in the custard mixture—inspired by my own take on crème brûlée—will lead to a softer creamier pudding-like texture.

Get the Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe.

sheet pan creme brûlée french toast
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER


Breakfast Bombs

These easy-to-make biscuit bombs are stuffed with all your favorite breakfast foods—scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and cheese. Pro tip: You can heat these up in the air fryer too.

Get the Breakfast Bombs recipe.

air fryer breakfast bombs
Parker Feierbach


Breakfast Strata

If you ask us, breakfast casseroles are the best way to serve a brunch crowd. If you’re looking for the ultimate—loaded with Italian sausage, cheese, veggies, and bread—then this breakfast strata is it. It’s hearty enough to keep everyone satisfied, and is endlessly versatile—just like the classic frittata, a breakfast strata shines as an adaptable breakfast dish.

Get the Breakfast Strata recipe.

eggy breakfast strata featuring sausage, tomatoes, bread, and mushrooms, and topped with basil
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Apple, Sausage, Cheddar, Hash Brown Breakfast Bake

Many American continental breakfasts consist of hash browns, sausage, and cheesy eggs, often served overlapping on a chunky off-white ceramic oval dish. Consider this apple, sausage, cheddar hash brown breakfast bake the cousin of a simplistic weekend morning meal, a condensed version where hash browns are layered with sausage, soft apples, and a quiche-like egg mixture.

Get the Apple, Sausage, Cheddar, Hash Brown Breakfast Bake recipe.

apple, sausage, cheddar hash brown breakfast bake
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON


Rum Crumb Cake

Coffee cake meets rum cake in this decadent homemade crumb cake. Dark rum goes into both the cake and the glaze for a warm, complex flavor that goes beyond your classic coffee cake. There are a few components to this recipe, but each one is simple to make—nothing overcomplicated here. The result is a rich and tender cake with a perfectly crunchy topping.

Get the Rum Crumb Cake recipe.

rum crumb cake drizzled with icing
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE


Sheet-Pan Apple Cinnamon Roll Bites

Imagine the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filling your kitchen, but with a delightful twist—miniature versions bursting with the sweet, spiced flavor of apples. These mini apple cinnamon rolls are a perfect blend of comfort and indulgence, crafted to impress at any gathering or to elevate your cozy morning routine.

Get the Sheet-Pan Apple Cinnamon Roll Bites.

apple cinnamon roll bites on a sheet pan with icing
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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