32 Rise-And-Shine Southern Breakfast Recipes

Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

You'll never hear complaints when you serve a slice of this breakfast casserole, a blend packed with savory hash browns, sausage, and egg.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade doesn't always mean that a recipe is complicated. These cinnamon buns are relatively hassle-free and straightforward to start any day on a sweet note. Allowing enough time for the cinnamon rolls to rise makes them moist and fluffy.

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole

Few things in life are better than the combination of ham and cheese, but add egg, flaky croissants, and a little extra flavor to that infamous duo, and you have a breakfast that will never disappoint. This breakfast dish feeds a crowd but is also great to keep in the fridge and heat up on busy mornings. Customize the dish to your preferences using sausage instead of ham or American or Cheddar cheese instead of Swiss.

Roasted Tomato Quiche

Quiche always makes for a quick and easy breakfast, and this one packs incredible flavor in a small space thanks to roasted tomatoes, red onion, cheese, and onion.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Frozen tater tots offer an ultra-convenient shortcut when making this breakfast casserole, a slice of which your family will always crave after they try their first bite.

Sausage Balls

Some say sausage balls are a before-dinner appetizer, others say they're the tastiest morning treat. In any case, these sausage-and-cheese creations are as Southern as they come, and they're tasty to boot.

Big-Batch Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes

One huge benefit of this recipe? It's a big-batch preparation, so you don't have to spend all morning flipping pancakes over the stove. It's also packed with apples, which is perfect for fall or any time of year.

Deviled Grits

An essential part of a big Southern breakfast, grits are a creamy, dreamy side that's always welcome on the table. This recipe takes a classic grits recipe and spins it into an immensely flavorful breakfast casserole.

Sausage Gravy Casserole with Cheddar-Cornmeal Biscuits

Some would say that a Southern breakfast isn't complete without a small taste of sausage gravy. This casserole capitalizes on that idea, using that tasty base alongside showstopping cheddar-cornmeal biscuits.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole With Blueberry-Maple Syrup

French toast with fresh fruit is always delicious, but turn it into a casserole, and you have a Southern masterpiece on your hands! With homemade Blueberry-Maple Syrup, this breakfast is so sweet. A scoop of vanilla ice cream could turn it into the dessert of your dreams.

Bakeshop Blueberry Muffins

We love these muffins so much we recommend that you bake two batches, one to enjoy now and one to freeze for later. Then, you can heat one up whenever you want a bakery-fresh pastry, and who doesn't love that? This recipe even accommodates frozen blueberries making it the perfect year-round muffin. 

Praline Pull-Apart Bread

This indulgent bread tastes as good as it looks. Don't skip the quick step of whipping the cream before stirring in the brown sugar—that's the secret to the smooth texture of the caramel-flavored sauce. This recipe requires at least eight hours of chill time, so prepare it in advance if you are hosting guests.

Deep-Dish Loaded Hash Brown Casserole

This recipe is so good you might make it every weekend. Easily adaptable to your family's tastes and preferences, this casserole will quickly become the only thing you want to see on your plate first thing in the morning. Start with bacon and Cheddar cheese, and add garnishes ranging from cherry tomatoes to chopped scallions.

Easy Homemade Pancakes

Everyone loves something easy! These pancakes are always a people pleaser, and this recipe is so simple even your kiddos can pitch in and flip a few. Load up the pancakes with all your favorite mix-ins like blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips, and create a new version of this dish every time you make it. 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

It's always nice to have a little bit of pumpkin and spice. Yes, we usually associate the flavors with fall, but this recipe is perfect year-round. Pair your cinnamon rolls with fresh fruit for a more balanced breakfast.

Cream Cheese-Banana-Nut Bread

We always say, "Yes, please!" regarding cream cheese. In this recipe, an entire block of cream cheese gives this batter a delicious flavor. Mix it up by slightly changing the toppings to deliver a stand-out flavor.

Apple-Spice Muffins with Oat Streusel

With baked-in apples, a spiced streusel, and a drizzle of icing, this recipe has something everyone is bound to love. With the apple pieces, this pastry is hardy enough to be a significant part of a complete breakfast but also sweet enough that it doesn't taste like it. Substitute Gala or Pink Lady apples if Fuji apples are unavailable.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This recipe is a signature Southern Living breakfast dish that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. With layers of sour cream batter and a pecan crumble mixture, every bite is bliss. Let it cool for at least two hours before serving.

French Toast Dippers

Dare to dip with these oh-so-delicious French Toast Dippers. Three different dipping sauces provide something sweet for every Southerner at your table. Choose from Vanilla Bean-Cream Cheese, Strawberry-Ginger, or Maple-Pecan Dipping Sauce (or perhaps all three!)

Cinnamon-Raisin Biscuits

Southerners love biscuits, and the only flavors that could make us love them more are packed into this recipe for Cinnamon-Raisin Biscuits. Add an icing drizzle to take them over the top.

Baked Oatmeal

Believe us when we say that some things are better when baked. Oatmeal is the perfect example of this truth. Even the pickiest of eaters, who usually refrain from a hot bowl of oatmeal, won't be able to get enough of this hearty breakfast dish full of apples, brown sugar, and pecans. Customize this dish with seasonal fruits and your choice of nuts.

Praline-Pecan French Toast

Yes, we did. We blended one of the South's most cherished desserts, Pecan Praline, with one of its favorite breakfast foods—French Toast. Try it with French bread, challah, or sweet Italian bread for texture variety.

Try using pumpkin bread in the fall for some flavor variety. And although it will taste fresh from the stove, this short-order breakfast special gets an easy hands-off finish in the oven. One online reviewer claims this Praline-Pecan French Toast recipe is "sinfully delicious." While eating it may be decadent, it sure isn't sinful. Your guests will be asking for the recipe before they can even clean their plates.

Mini Cheese Grits Casseroles

You cannot go wrong with the combination of eggs, cheese, and grits. It's unassuming but absolutely delicious and a true Southern favorite. It blends classic Southerners' ingredients—milk, butter, grits, eggs, and cheese. Add a sprinkle of crumbled breakfast sausage or diced baked ham for added bulk. Don't limit this crowd-pleaser to breakfast or brunch. Serve it on the side of protein, such as shrimp or brisket, for a classic, rich, comforting Southern supper.

Eggs Benedict Casserole

Eggs Benedict is always great, but this recipe is fool-proof and perfect for a crowd. Made with English muffins and all the traditional flavors of Eggs Bennie that we all love, the casserole format prepares this dish for a group. Garnish with finely chopped green scallions and paprika. Serve with the remaining hollandaise.

Breakfast Enchiladas

Prepare your dream breakfast the night before. Make these Breakfast Enchiladas and refrigerate them overnight so all you need to do the following day is bake them in the oven. Add your favorite enchilada toppings and customize them based on your family's preferences.

Pancake Casserole

The Southern Living Test Kitchen recommends pairing this delicious pancake-y casserole with good butter, fresh berries like blueberries or strawberries, and powdered sugar for an indulgent breakfast.

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Deliciously classic, these citrusy muffins taste brighter than a ray of morning sunshine.

Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes

With a hint of lemon, these fluffy silver dollar pancakes are a sweet way to start the day.

Butter Pecan Scones

These buttery, crumbly cousins of biscuits get a sweet drizzle and a decadent sprinkle of toasty pecans.

Sheet Pan Quiche

Packed with tender vegetables, this sheet pan quiche is the perfect way to feed a big breakfast crowd.

Texas Breakfast Tacos

To make these tacos super-easy for busy weekday mornings, make them using leftover brisket from your favorite barbecue spot.

Waffle Hash Browns

Use your waffle iron to make the best hash brown breakfast you've ever tasted.