40 Easy Southern Breakfast Ideas To Make Every Day Of The Week

From hashbrown casserole to slow-cooker grits.

By

Kaitlyn Yarborough

Updated on May 3, 2024

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole — Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

Nothing helps us start our morning right like a warm bakeshop-worthy blueberry muffin, bacon-studded scrambled eggs, or the ultimate Southern classic for when we're craving something comforting: warm, fluffy buttermilk biscuits smothered in sausage gravy.

You'll find everything on this list to satisfy your biggest breakfast daydreams with minimal effort, including perfect pancakes, egg-filled bakes, hearty oats, quick sweet bread, and—of course—all the biscuits. Here are 40 Southern breakfast and brunch ideas for you and your family to enjoy every morning.

01 of 40

Breakfast Quesadilla

Southern Living Breakfast Quesadilla cut into wedges on plates topped with salsa and sour cream — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Rebecca Cummins

Get this protein-packed breakfast on the table in 10 minutes tops. Besides cheese and tortillas, you can customize nearly every ingredient in this recipe depending on your taste preferences and what you have on hand. It's also make-ahead-able and freezer-friendly!

02 of 40

Best-Ever Scones

Best-Ever Scones — Beth Dreiling Hontzas, Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett, Food Styling: Rebecca Kracke Gordon

Low on time or ingredients? No problem. This 30-minute customizable recipe puts 8 melt-in-your-mouth scones on the table with minimal time and effort. Whether you're looking for savory or sweet, these scones are your answer.

03 of 40

Spinach and Mushroom Frittata

Vegetable and Goat Cheese Frittata — Photo: Jennifer Causey

A frittata is the best way to make eggs for a crowd that goes beyond scrambled. Frittatas are infinitely customizable, but the earthy flavors of spinach and mushroom bring this recipe stunning flavor.

04 of 40

Cinnamon-Raisin Biscuits

Southern Living Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits on a serving board — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Like if toast and biscuits had a baby — and a delicious one. Based on the Hardee's Cinnamon N' Raisin Biscuits retired 20 years ago, this recipe is a buttery balance of sweetness and tartness. Bonus — they're ready in 50 minutes, with only 25 minutes of active time.

05 of 40

Easy Buttermilk Waffles

Southern Living Easy Buttermilk Waffles on a plate to serve with berries, syrup, and butter — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

There's nothing like grandma's waffles in the morning. With this recipe, you can bring grandma's expertise to the table in 30 minutes. Tender on the inside but a bit crispy on the outside, these waffles are what you've been looking for in your quest for a quick, delicious breakfast.

06 of 40

Quick And Easy Cream Cheese Danish

Southern Living Quick and Easy Cream Cheese Danish on a board to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist Christine Keely

Eat art for breakfast with these impressively simple danishes — and with just 50 minutes of active time. Lemon drizzle and toasted almond slices add to the flavor and texture.

07 of 40

Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

We're starting with one of our most crowd-pleasing breakfast recipes of all time. A bag of frozen shredded hash browns can work wonders. Combine the hash browns and sausage with plenty of cheese, and top with fresh parsley, and you have a casserole everyone will enjoy.

08 of 40

Pancake Casserole

Pancake Casserole — Caitlin Bensel

Say hello to the easiest show-stopper of sweet breakfast foods. The playful twist on pancake bakes is this warm, buttery perfection that the whole family will love. Top with fresh berries and powdered sugar.

09 of 40

Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad — Jen Causey

Don't underestimate the power of a fruit salad when you're trying to start the morning off right. Packed with nutrients and easy to prepare and serve, this fruit salad is a quick fix for busy mornings. If you're anticipating a busy morning, you can prepare this fruit salad in advance.

10 of 40

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Cooking bacon on a sheet pan in the oven ensures ultimate crisp and mess-free prep, and this recipe takes things up a notch with a sweet-and-spicy kick á la brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Avoid spills and hot splatters by using this recipe. Season the bacon the day so it can absorb the rub.

11 of 40

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Any-Berry Muffins with Cornmeal Streusel — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling; Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Chop your berries them into small pieces to distribute them evenly through the muffin. The muffin's cornmeal crumble adds the ideal amount of texture and sweetness.

12 of 40

Crustless Ham and Collard Greens Quiche

Crustless Ham and Collard Green Quiche — Antonis Achilleos

Avoid the mess of making a pie crust with this recipe. This more straightforward take on a quiche skips the crust and will still fill you up for the day with ham and greens. Substitute your favorite cheese for the shredded pepper Jack if preferred.

13 of 40

No-Bake Granola Bars

No-Bake Granola Bars — Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You'll never go back to store-bought after making these no-bake breakfast bars that we also find ourselves doubling as an afternoon snack and dessert. Feel free to add anything you're craving, like coconut, nuts, or dark chocolate chips, or try out one of the three variations at the bottom of the recipe.

14 of 40

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Cinnamon Roll Waffles — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Everyone needs a dependable waffle recipe under their belt. This one starts with a tube of store-bought cinnamon rolls. Top with cream cheese and maple syrup glaze.

15 of 40

Fried Skillet Potatoes

Fried Skillet Potatoes — Caitlin Bensel

This quintessential recipe works from brunch to dinner. While we prefer to keep the spices around even when pairing them with fried eggs and bacon, you can omit them to opt for simpler crispy potatoes. Try using a spice combination of garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and chili powder.

16 of 40

Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins

Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins — Southern Living

Put the car keys down if you crave blueberry muffins from your local bakery or coffee shop. This berry-studded recipe is as good—no, better—than anything you can get out there. Using frozen blueberries means you can make this breakfast treat any time of the year.

17 of 40

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits — Southern Living

It'd be wrong to exclude this signature Southern dish. Not just because everyone loves it but also because sausage gravy is generally quick and easy to make with minimal ingredients. We won't tell if you pair it with frozen biscuits from time to time.

18 of 40

Baked Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal — Jennifer Causey

This hearty big-batch oatmeal recipe will feed you and your family many a breakfast. Pecans and apples add a nice crunch, while cinnamon and raisins give a touch of sweetness. Top each helping with options like more nuts, berries, dried cranberries, or sliced bananas if desired.

19 of 40

Buttermilk Biscuits

Plenty of Biscuits and Cornbread — Jennifer Davick

We couldn't leave this all-time best recipe off the list. Tender-soft and golden-topped, these buttermilk biscuits are Mama's secret weapon to happy campers. Each layer is buttery perfection.

20 of 40

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls

Spicy Bisquick Sausage Balls — Photography: Caitlin Bensel Food Styling: Ali Ramee Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland

Classic sausage balls get a slight kick from hot ground sausage and pepper jack cheese, which means it's not too spicy to please any crowd. These'll disappear quicker than you can say, Bisquick.

21 of 40

Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Cinnamon Roll Casserole — Antonis Achilleos

Get everything you love about cinnamon rolls and French toast without all the hassle. The simplicity of a casserole is a breakfast game-changer. Try the Orange-Apricot Bake for variety, including packaged orange yeast rolls and dried apricots.

22 of 40

Bacon-Hash Brown Quiche

Bacon-Hash Brown Quiche — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We like to keep things interesting, so we replaced the usual pastry shell with a golden crust made from shredded potatoes and bacon. And trust us. You won't regret it.

23 of 40

Bacon Pancakes

Bacon Pancakes — Antonis Achilleos

Salty and sweet is a combination we'll always enjoy. Pour simple pancake batter over cooked bacon pieces for the sweet and savory mash-up of your dreams. Serve with maple syrup.

24 of 40

Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal

Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal — Alison Miksch, Kay E. Clarke, Torie Cox

This hearty and healthy breakfast option is one of our favorites to take on the go, especially when berries are in season in the South. Stir all the ingredients into a Mason jar and add toppings in the morning, such as more berries, peanut butter, or sliced bananas.

25 of 40

Sausage-and-Egg Casserole

Sausage and Egg Casserole — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You can even slice this breakfast bake into a Sausage and Egg Casserole sandwich for a quick and super yummy homemade handheld breakfast. Create a rich and fluffy texture by incorporating sour cream or Greek yogurt into this dish. Customize with vegetables, including sweet peppers and onions, if preferred.

26 of 40

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

Upgrade your time-tested breakfast sandwich with this savory casserole version, including smoked ham slices, eggs, and Swiss cheese. Prepare this dish in advance and freeze it until ready to serve on a busy weekday or weekend. Let it warm to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

27 of 40

Baked Buttermilk French Toast

Baked Buttermilk French Toast — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You won't find a more decadent breakfast casserole to serve your brunch crew. It makes French toast feel super low maintenance, and we added just a hint of lemon zest and juice to offset the sweetness perfectly.

28 of 40

Biscuits-and-Gravy Casserole

Biscuits-and-Gravy Casserole — Alison Miksch, Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland, Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Made with warm biscuits and creamy sausage gravy, you might never go back to the country breakfast joint after trying this comforting casserole. Plus, store-bought frozen biscuits make it simple to make in a jiff.

29 of 40

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Coffee Cake — Antonis Achilleos

A little mixing, a little pouring, and a lot of butter are all you need to turn out a darn good coffee cake. This coffee cake features a cinnamon ripple that is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, afternoon snack, or dessert.

30 of 40

Homemade Orange Rolls

Homemade Orange Rolls — Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Using your muffin tin to make orange rolls is the smartest thing we've heard all day, especially for anyone who has struggled with making perfectly round rolls in a baking dish. Regarding ingredients, these melt-in-your-mouth rolls are simple to make. Use the zesty powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on top.

31 of 40

Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole

Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole — Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

We'll take anything and turn it into a casserole, and that goes for melty, cheesy grits. This brunch-worthy recipe pairs well with crispy, salty bacon, if we say so ourselves. Serve immediately after baking.

32 of 40

Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins

Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

It goes like this: Handy muffins with the cinnamony flavor of snickerdoodle cookies and the novelty of doughnut holes. These cinnamon-sugar treats are ready in 40 minutes.

33 of 40

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole — Alison Miksch

Everything you could want out of breakfast wrapped up into a single casserole dish that incorporates flaky, buttery croissants. The Gruyére cheese alone makes us swoon. Assemble and chill overnight to make morning preparations even more manageable.

34 of 40

Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas — Hector M Sanchez

These enchiladas beat your same old omelette every time. Make this big-batch Mexican casserole the night before and pop it in the oven to bake in the morning to feed a crowd. Garnish with halved grape tomatoes, sliced green onions, or fresh cilantro.

35 of 40

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Cornmeal and buttermilk ensure this breakfast cake is manageable to enjoy with your cup of coffee. From there, blueberries and lemon make it burst with freshness. Serve this cake warm or at room temperature.

36 of 40

Breakfast Chilaquiles Casserole

Breakfast Chilaquiles Casserole — Photographer: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Missie Neville Crawford

We've made this chilaquiles breakfast casserole perfect for a crowd, so the tostadas cook in the sauce during the oven bake instead of being fried beforehand. Leave the toppings off this casserole so people can add their own, including cilantro, fresh radishes, queso fresco, sour cream, and salsa (don't forget the hot sauce).

37 of 40

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole in a casserole dish and a scoop on a blue plate — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

Create this kid-friendly dish with only 15 minutes of active prep time. Assemble this casserole the night before, so all that's needed the following morning is to bake. Top with a sprinkle of crumbled bacon.

38 of 40

Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Croissant Breakfast Casserole — Victor Protasio

This casserole uses day-old mini croissants but is a crowd-pleasing and savory dish on any occasion. Combine the mini croissants with caramelized onions, cheesy egg custard, and a hint of Dijon mustard for the ideal breakfast bake. Assemble the night before and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

39 of 40

Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding

Spinach-and-Broccoli Breakfast Bread Pudding — Southern Living

Using your slow cooker for breakfast casseroles might be your new favorite way to prepare this meal. Create a light and cheesy bread pudding flavored with Dijon mustard and ground red pepper. Prepare your ingredients the night before to help make assembly easier the following morning.

40 of 40

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast — Beth Hontzas

Line a lightly greased baking dish with bread cubes. Top these bread cubes with a combination of cream cheese cubes and melted jam before adding a second layer of bread cubes. Sprinkle with a brown sugar mixture and keep the dish in the refrigerator for at least eight hours. Bake the following morning and top with whipped cream and maple syrup.

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