30 Low Calorie Breakfast Ideas

Overnight Eggnog-French Toast Casserole

Overnight Eggnog-French Toast Casserole
CAITLIN BENSEL

This festive breakfast was made for Christmas morning, but it's also the perfect bite for any wintry day. Let it soak in all those holiday flavors overnight and just pop it in the oven in the morning for a fuss-free breakfast that'll feed the whole family.

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Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole

Cheesy Sausage-and-Croissant Casserole
ALISON MIKSCH

Trust us when we say croissant casseroles are life-changing. Two types of cheeses, hot pork sausage, and mini croissants combine in one casserole dish full of utter Brunch perfection. You might want to make two batches of this if you are expecting a big crowd.

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Pancake Casserole

Pancake Casserole
CAITLIN BENSEL

If you're looking for a big-batch way to serve pancakes, this recipe will be your new go-to. You can also make it in advance to ease the morning-of breakfast prep.

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Fried Skillet Potatoes

Fried Skillet Potatoes
CAITLIN BENSEL

Whip out the cast-iron skillet for this classic breakfast recipe. No breakfast spread is complete without some hash browns!

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Buttermilk Biscuits

Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits on a plate with butter and jam
WILL DICKEY

None of y'all should be surprised that biscuits are on this list. And yes, biscuit making is a bit of an art, but once you get the hang of it, churning out a dozen will become second nature.

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Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet Potato Muffins
MICAH A. LEAL

Packed with warm fall flavors but not overly sweet, your guests will adore these seasonal muffins. And they're fairly simple to make. The hardest thing you have to do is bake the sweet potatoes. We're serious, that's as hard as this recipe gets.

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Spiced Orange Rolls

Spiced orange rolls in green casserole dish
VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: RUTH BLACKBURN; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY

Something about an orange roll soothes our Southern hearts. The nostalgic orange flavor makes these rolls the definition of comfort. We'll take at least two.

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Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon

Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Bacon Recipe
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

Don't underestimate the power of a sheet pan! This easy crowd-friendly hack helps cook your bacon in a snap and gets it nice and crispy. A little brown sugar and black pepper make this bacon oh-so-good.

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Deep-Dish Loaded Hash Brown Casserole

Deep-Dish Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
PHOTOGRAPHER: JENNIFER CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD

No breakfast list is complete without a hash brown casserole, and this one is killer. One of our editors loved it so much, she made it two weekends in a row; it's that good.

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Waffle Casserole

Waffle Casserole
MICAH A. LEAL

Finally, we've discovered a new use for those boxed freezer waffles! Be sure to drizzle this big-batch waffle bake with lots of syrup.

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Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel

Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel
IAIN BAGWELL; PROP STYLING: MINDI SHAPIRO LEVINE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

Make the most of those fresh summer peaches and brighten up your coffee cake with this recipe—it's meant for warm days.

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Peach Scones

Peach Scones
MICAH A. LEAL

Nobody can resist homemade scones, and breakfast pastries packed with fresh peach bites are always perfection. The rest of your day will be peachy keen from the moment you bite into one of these delicately delicious scones.

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Cheese-and-Sausage Quiche

Cheese And Sausage Quiche in a pie plate on a green linen
WILL DICKEY

Each quiche feeds six people, so if you have a crowd, make an assembly line, and turn out several quiches to feed the masses. You can also make these in advance and freeze until the big day.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad
JEN CAUSEY

Lighten up the breakfast spread with a big bowl of fresh fruit salad. Feel free to use any varieties that are in season.

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Leek-and-Mushroom Grits Frittata

Leek-and-Mushroom Grits Frittata
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CLAIRE SPOLLEN; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

This frittata is an entire breakfast packed into one skillet. Just slice and serve—it doesn't get much easier than that.

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Sausage-Potato Frittata

Sausage-Potato Frittata

You've got your meat, potatoes, and eggs, all in one dish. What more could you want?

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Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins

Snickerdoodle Doughnut Hole Muffins
ALISON MIKSCH; PROP STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

Roll these two-bite muffins in cinnamon and sugar, and they'll be a perfect accompaniment to any breakfast casserole. The recipe makes 2 dozen, but these mini muffins are so delicious, you may want to double the batch.

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Herbed Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Herbed Sausage Breakfast Casserole
JENNIFER DAVICK

This breakfast casserole is easily sliceable, with distinct layers of sausage and egg. Plus, it can all be made in the slow cooker.

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Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns

Sausage-Stuffed Honey Buns
IAIN BAGWELL

Nobody can resist sweet cinnamon buns, but we think it's time to introduce their savory counterpart: the Sausage-Stuffed Honey Bun. With a sausage filling and a honey glaze, this little bun is essentially an entire meal.

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Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake

Blueberry-Cornmeal Cake
ALISON MIKSCH; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

This breakfast cake is the perfect way to round out a big-batch brunch full of eggs and bacon. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream and fresh blueberries! Yes, we did just say you can have ice cream for breakfast!

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Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel

Pancake Bake with Cinnamon Streusel Recipe
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ; PROP STYLING: KARIN OLSEN; FOOD STYLING: WILLIAM SMITH

Instead of portioning out individual pancakes, bake them all into a casserole for easy serving. A cinnamon streusel topping elevates this big-batch breakfast dish.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
ANTONIS ACHILLEO; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: TINA BELL STAMOS

The best way to capture any Southerner's heart is through a big batch of shrimp and grits. Served family-style, this casserole will be on the table in under an hour.

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Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

In addition to the savory ham and sweet corn, this casserole is packed with lots of Cheddar cheese. It serves eight and is just bursting with flavor.

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Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast Casserole
JENNIFER CAUSEY

Fresh blueberries bring pops of light, juicy flavor to this impressive pancake casserole. You'll be making this crowd-friendly dish again and again.

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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
JENNIFER CAUSEY

Biscuits and gravy may look intimidating, but this classic recipe is surprisingly easy to master. Stick to a great buttermilk biscuit recipe and you're bound to succeed.

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Baked Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal
BRITTANY CONERLY; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA BROCKMAN; FOOD STYLIST: KAREN RANKIN

If you're looking for a lighter option to add to the breakfast spread, this big-batch baked oatmeal is the best solution. Packed with fresh apples, pecans, and other warm flavors, this is a good-for-you breakfast that will help you start your day off right.

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Fried Chicken Biscuits with Rosemary Hot Honey

Fried Chicken Biscuits with Rosemary Hot Honey
SKYLER BURT

This recipe may look fancy, but the biscuits bake as a big batch, so all you have to do is slice them in half and add the fried chicken. Plus, the rosemary hot honey comes together in the microwave. It's like the fast food breakfast that you will love, in the comfort of your own home.

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Huevos Rancheros Bake

Huevos Rancheros Bake
ANTONIS ACHILLEO; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY; FOOD STYLING: TINA BELL STAMOS

Add a little flair to your brunch spread with this Huevos Rancheros Bake. With a base of corn tortillas and sunny-side eggs adorning the casserole, this breakfast dish is sure to please.

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Country Ham Hash

Country Ham Hash
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

No breakfast spread is complete without crispy potatoes and griddled meat, and this Country Ham Hash knocks both those items off the list. All you need is to fry up some eggs and you have a complete breakfast your whole family will love.

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Tater Tot Breakfast Bake

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

Who said tater tots are just for kids? These delightful potato puffs can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike—especially in this cheesy breakfast casserole.

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Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
CAITLIN BENSEL

Big-batch cinnamon rolls that you can make in the slow cooker? Sounds like a brunch dream. This recipe also starts with a can of refrigerated biscuits, so it doesn't get easier than this!

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Apple Bread

Apple Bread
MICAH A. LEAL

Whenever we're hosting breakfast for a crowd, we keep a loaf of this apple bread on the counter for our guests to snack on. With fresh apples and applesauce, this bread is just bursting with fresh apple flavor.

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Banana Bread

Banana Bread
SOUTHERN LIVING

You can never go wrong with a loaf of banana bread—serve slices as a breakfast "appetizer." If you have some left over, slice it up and broil the bread with a little bit of butter and thank us later.

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Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding

Cinnamon-Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding
SOUTHERN LIVING

Bread pudding doesn't have to be for dessert. We're making this sweet, nutty bread pudding on for all of our morning holiday celebrations.

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Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Cinnamon Coffee Cake
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS

No breakfast gathering is complete without a loaf of coffee cake. You'll want to bookmark this staple recipe.

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Buttermilk Breakfast Scones

Buttermilk Breakfast Scones
SOUTHERN LIVING

Make a few different scone flavors to offer a selection to your guests, and feel free to cut them into bite-sized triangles for a big-batch snack. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee and a variety of your favorite jams.

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Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
HECTOR SANCHEZ; STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK

In the fall, we're crazy for pumpkin spice, and these subtly sweet muffins are a great seasonal breakfast option. The streusel on top makes this recipe one of our absolute favorites.

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Caramel Apple Coffee Cake

Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
PHOTO: JENNIFER DAVICK

Dripping with golden caramel and stewed apples, this coffee cake is a great way to conclude your brunch for a crowd. Yes, this recipe needs both our streusel topping and caramel sauce to be totally and utterly unforgettable.

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Praline Pull-Apart Bread

Brunch for a Crowd Praline Pull-Apart Bread
BETH HONTZAS

Make this crowd-pleasing pull-apart bread to earn rave reviews at your next event.

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Savory Ham and Swiss Breakfast Pie

Brunch for a Crowd Savory Ham and Swiss Breakfast Pie
SOUTHERN LIVING

A breakfast pie made from a buttery grits crust topped with eggs, savory ham, green onions, and loads of cheese, is always a good idea. This easy-to-love dish is simple to make and it's an excellent breakfast-for-dinner option!

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Breakfast Enchiladas

Breakfast Enchiladas
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ

A reader-favorite breakfast casserole, this recipe can be prepared in advance, stored in the refrigerator overnight, and baked the next morning. In just an hour, you'll have a flavorful meal that feeds a hungry family.

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Praline-Pecan French Toast

Praline-Pecan French Toast
JENNIFER DAVICK

Yes, we did it. We combined pralines and French toast. And it's every bit as good as you think it would be.

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King Ranch Breakfast Strata

King Ranch Breakfast Strata
SOUTHERN LIVING

If you love it for dinner, you'll love it for breakfast. French bread, corn tortillas, chicken, cheese, and plenty of flavors combine to make reigning King Ranch Breakfast Strata the ultimate make-ahead breakfast casserole.

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Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche
ALISON MIKSCH

Every good plan needs a solid foundation. You can't go wrong with a base "crust" made from baked grits loaded with melted cheese and crispy bacon.

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Creamy Egg Strata

Brunch for a Crowd Creamy Egg Strata
IAIN BAGWELL

This is one of those mouthwatering breakfast dishes that's well worth the planning. Chill in your fridge so the French bread has time to soak up the butter, Parmesan, and Swiss cheese, chicken broth, white wine, and sour cream.

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Cheesy Grits SoufflƩ

Cheesy Grits Soufflƃ©
HECTOR SANCHEZ; STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER

Milk and fresh corn kernels turn this classic Southern dish into a light, fluffy, cheesy soufflƩ. As one reviewer says it's "definitely a keeper."

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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
CAITLIN BENSEL; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

It might take a little extra work to create a special treat, but these cinnamon rolls are certainly worth it. Covered in a dreamy glaze, you will never want to have a store-bought cinnamon roll ever again.

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Cream Cheese Pastries

Brunch for a Crowd Cream Cheese Pastries
ALISON MIKSCH

This one sweet recipe makes four loaves of creamy, crispy, buttery, flaky pastries. Customize them with in-season fruit or other toppings your guests love. It is also a great gift to bring to a brunch party with friends.

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Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Brunch for a Crowd Cornmeal and Brown Sugar Bacon
JENNIFER DAVICK

Dress up your bacon with this oh-so-Southern crispy coating. This bacon recipe is great for crowds; because you can stick it in the oven and free your hands up to prepare other parts of your meal.

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Blackberry French Toast

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast
BETH HONTZAS

Take the frying pan out of the French toast equation by popping this sweet breakfast bake into the oven. Just don't forget the whipped cream.

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Smoky Sausage and Grits Casserole

Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
ALISON MIKSCH

You can prepare this smoked sausage and grits casserole up to four days ahead, but your guests might gobble it up in four minutes—it's that good. It's made to serve a crowd, but take that serving suggestion with a grain of salt. You'll want more than just one helping.

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Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole

Stuffed Ham-and-Cheese Croissant Casserole
JENNIFER CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD

Ham and cheese is always bound to please, which is why we just love this casserole. The egg, the cheese, the ham, and the croissants all just combine to make the most delicious breakfast.

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Instant Pot Grits

Instant Pot Grits
WILL DICKEY

Yes, the most sacred of Southern dishes can be made in an Instant Pot. It's the perfect breakfast side to serve up with all of your other breakfast goodies.

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Breakfast Biscuit Sandwich with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese

Breakfast Biscuit Sandwich with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX

What's better than a biscuit to get everyone's day going? That's right, nothing can top it. That's why we love this biscuit sandwich which practically assembles itself. Pop open your favorite can of refrigerated biscuits, cook some eggs and you're basically done.

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