As the year comes to a close, we tend to put our focus on elegant New Year’s Eve parties and watching the ball drop at Times Square. But that doesn’t mean we should forget about New Year’s Day—it’s the first day of 2022 and that should be reason enough to celebrate! In fact, enjoying a festive meal first thing in the morning is one of the best things to do on New Year’s Day. And this list of New Year’s brunch recipes will help you kick off the new year in the tastiest way possible.
Here, you’ll find tons of sweet and savory options including pastries, breakfast eggs, various types of pancakes, and breakfast casseroles that are easy to make ahead of time. Anyone looking to start the year off on the right foot will appreciate some of the healthy breakfast recipes like Ree Drummond’s resolution smoothie or the everything smoked salmon bites served on cucumber slices. Prefer something a little more indulgent? Try the cornbread waffles with spicy chicken or the cinnamon roll casserole covered in sour cream frosting. And who can forget a few New Year’s good luck foods to add to your brunch spread? The hoppin’ John is a great place to start.
Whether you’re keeping the party going with champagne for mimosas or sticking to a strong cup of coffee for your morning routine, preparing a delicious New Year’s Day brunch might just become your favorite New Year’s tradition.
1.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
If you plan on staying awake until midnight on New Year’s Eve, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend all morning in the kitchen. Luckily, this make-ahead casserole is easy to prep in advance so all you need to do on New Year’s Day is pop it in the oven.
2.
Hoppin’ John
This traditional New Year’s Day dish is said to bring good fortune in the coming year. Serve it with cornbread, fried eggs, and any other brunch recipes your family loves.
3.
Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole
If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls but don’t have time for all the rising and rolling of the dough, look no further than this casserole version! It tastes divine without all the hard work.
4.
Baked Feta Egg Casserole
Baked feta pasta was last year’s trending sensation. This year, make it baked feta eggs instead! It’s creamy, savory, and delicious when served with a crusty baguette.
5.
Bacon Brunch Ring
Serving a crowd this New Year’s Day? Look no further than a bacon brunch ring! The flaky pastry dough is filled with soft-scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese for an all-in-one breakfast dish.
6.
Giant Dutch Baby Pancake
Along with the bubbly champagne and sparkly dresses, your elegant New Year’s wouldn’t be complete without some decadent dishes too—and this giant pancake is sure to impress!
7.
Petite Orange-Vanilla Scones
You don’t have to be a professional baker to make these citrusy glazed scones. They come together in just under an hour so they’re great for beginners.
8.
Cowboy Coffee
After a night of staying up late and drinking champagne, coffee is key! And this coffee has a little something extra—a shot of espresso to really wake you up.
9.
Everything Bagel Casserole
If you’re a fan of everything bagel seasoning, you’ll love this easy make-ahead dish! It’s loaded with bacon, eggs, cheese, and—of course—everything bagels!
10.
Cinnamon Rolls
Ree’s famous cinnamon rolls are a classic during the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t extend them through New Year’s Day, too! In fact, you’ll want to make them throughout 2022.
11.
Ham and Cheese Frittata with Caramelized Onions
Whether you’re waking up early for breakfast or serving a brunch meal later in the day, you can’t go wrong with a make-ahead frittata. It can be served at room temperature so it’s perfect no matter how early you rise!
12.
Lemon-Poppy Seed Waffles
This is not your average waffle recipe—it’s loaded with bright lemony flavor and drizzled with an easy lemon-sugar glaze.
13.
Eggs Benedict Strata
Everything you love about eggs Benedict—including an easy hollandaise sauce and English muffins—in casserole form! It’s great for feeding a crowd.
14.
Sour Cream Pancakes
We have to give credit to Ladd Drummond’s grandmother Enda Mae who came up with these light and crispy pancakes. They’re delicious on their own but also great with maple syrup and butter.
15.
Air Fryer Potatoes
Is there anything better than eggs (any style) with a side of crispy potatoes?! And since these spuds are made in an air fryer, you can still enjoy them even if your New Year’s resolution is to eat healthy.
16.
Classic Bloody Mary
You don’t have to pop open a bottle of champagne for this New Year’s drink. It’s a classic brunch cocktail that’s fun to drink and eat (thanks to the garnishes).
17.
Baked French Toast
What’s better than French toast in the morning? French toast casserole, of course! It’s comforting and easy to prep ahead, plus it can be topped with any fruit you like or just drizzled with syrup.
18.
Cornbread Waffles with Spicy Chicken
Cornbread is a symbol of good luck and good fortune on New Year’s Day. Instead of your typical cornbread recipe, try cornbread waffles instead! They’re delicious with hot honey.
19.
Skillet Biscuits with Cinnamon-Honey Butter
Make these biscuits in a cast iron skillet and you can bring it straight from the oven to the table—that means less clean up and more eating!
20.
Cowboy Quiche
Caramelized onions, bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese make this quiche tasty for everyone in the family. Serve it with a side of breakfast potatoes or fruit salad for a complete meal.
21.
Pesto Chicken Salad Croissants
You often see sandwiches at lunch and croissants at breakfast, but when it comes to brunch, a crois-sandwich is the way to go! It’s filled with chicken salad, pesto, and arugula for a bit of freshness.
22.
Hot Cocoa Pancakes
For many people, January is one of the coldest months of the year so it’s no surprise that hot cocoa is a top choice. These hot cocoa pancakes are even better when topped with mini marshmallows.
23.
Purple Resolution Smoothie
Kick off the New Year with a healthy smoothie that’s just as bright as the year ahead! It gets its purple color from blueberries and red cabbage.
24.
Chocolate Crepes with Orange Cream Cheese Filling
Try something new this New Year’s Day—like making homemade crepes! This version is light, delicate, and chocolate-y with the most delicious citrusy whipped cream filling.
