Thanksgiving morning can be a bit chaotic—there’s a turkey to roast, pies to bake, and a whole lot of prep to do. But before you dive headfirst into all that delicious madness, a solid breakfast is key to keeping your energy up (and your mood intact). These breakfast ideas are perfect for fueling up without filling you up too much, leaving plenty of room for the big meal ahead. Whether you’re looking for something light, something to make use of what’s already in your kitchen, or just something to nibble on while the coffee brews, the list has it all.
Thanksgiving Breakfast Frittata
Start the holiday off right with this Thanksgiving breakfast frittata filled with mushrooms, butternut squash, shallots, and herbs. It’s a great savory breakfast to balance out the indulgence later on.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Breakfast Frittata
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
These pumpkin protein pancakes bring the flavors of fall with an added protein boost. They’re perfect for fueling up before a long day of cooking and enjoying the Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Sweet Potato Waffles
Sweet potato waffles are a hearty, comforting breakfast to start Thanksgiving off right. They’re warm, seasonal, and pair well with your morning coffee or a light syrup drizzle.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Waffles
Pear Smoothie
This pear smoothie is a light, healthy way to begin Thanksgiving morning. It’s quick to whip up, giving you a boost of energy without making you feel too full for the big meal ahead.
Get the Recipe: Pear Smoothie
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
A classic choice for the holiday morning. The apples and cinnamon pair perfectly with Thanksgiving flavors, giving you a warm, comforting start to the day.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Spiced Pear Oatmeal
Spiced pear oatmeal brings cozy fall flavors right to your breakfast table. It’s a warm, filling dish that leaves plenty of room for the indulgent food to come later.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Pear Oatmeal
Spinach Frittata
A spinach frittata is a quick, healthy breakfast that’s easy to prepare and full of fresh flavors. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving when you want something light and flavorful to start your day.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Frittata
Bacon Egg Cups
Bacon egg cups are perfect for Thanksgiving morning when you want something that’s easy to grab and go. They’re savory and packed with protein to keep you going all day.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Cups
Kale and Feta Egg Bake
These kale and feta egg bakes are easy to prepare and a great way to start your day. It’s a simple breakfast that won’t leave you feeling weighed down before the big meal.
Get the Recipe: Kale and Feta Egg Bake
Ground Chicken Sausage Patties
These ground chicken sausage patties are incredibly easy to make and a great addition to your Thanksgiving breakfast spread. They are flavorful and nutritious without being too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Ground Chicken Sausage Patties
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Steel Cut Oats
These cozy sweet potato steel cut oats are full of warming spices and golden raisins. Set them the night before, and wake up to a comforting breakfast to kick off Thanksgiving day.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Sweet Potato Steel Cut Oats
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Perfect for a Thanksgiving morning when you want something sweet but not too heavy. The cinnamon swirl adds a cozy touch without overdoing it, making it a great way to balance the carbs to come later in the day.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Fried Potatoes and Onions
This hearty side makes use of simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. It’s perfect for adding a savory contrast to the sweet dishes at Thanksgiving breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Fried Potatoes and Onions
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
These pancakes bring the pumpkin flavors to breakfast without going overboard. They’re a great way to sneak in some autumn vibes before the main event.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Cute Turkey Donuts
These fun turkey donuts are an easy and playful way to get kids involved in the kitchen. They’re light and easy, and they won’t fill you up too much before the big meal.
Get the Recipe: Cute Turkey Donuts
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls are a game changer. You can make them the night before and let them bake up fresh in the morning—perfect for the busy Thanksgiving morning routine.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
French Toast Casserole
This great make-ahead option lets you enjoy a hearty breakfast without the stress. The casserole is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal before the holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: French Toast Casserole
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts
With a soft, fluffy texture and a cinnamon-sugar coating, these apple donuts are perfect for a Thanksgiving breakfast that won’t take too much time but still feels like a treat.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apple Donuts
Acai Bowl
This quick Acai bowl is a refreshing and light way to start the day. It’s packed with antioxidants and will keep you feeling energized for the busy Thanksgiving ahead.
Get the Recipe: Acai Bowl
Fluffy Brown Sugar Pancakes
Brown sugar pancakes are the kind of thing that’ll get you excited about breakfast. They’re a quick, sweet start to the morning to help fuel you up before the heavier Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Brown Sugar Pancakes
Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
These homemade brioche cinnamon rolls will definitely impress your guests. They’re a delicious, buttery way to start Thanksgiving morning while you prep for the big feast.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Cinnamon Rolls
Eggs Norwegian
Eggs Norwegian takes the classic eggs benedict up a notch. It’s fresh, light, and feels fancy, making it a perfect way to start Thanksgiving day without being too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Eggs Norwegian
The Royal Pancake
A royal pancake that’ll make you feel like royalty. It’s easy to make, but the results are impressive—perfect for a low-maintenance breakfast on Thanksgiving morning.
Get the Recipe: The Royal Pancake
Waffle Board
A waffle board is a fun way to let everyone pick what they want for breakfast. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing option for the family to enjoy while prepping for the big meal.
Get the Recipe: Waffle Board
Best Dried Fig Cake
This dried fig cake is a delightful treat to serve alongside your Thanksgiving breakfast. It’s rich and sweet, making it a great way to balance out heavier dishes later in the day.
Get the Recipe: Best Dried Fig Cake
Pumpkin Biscotti
These pumpkin biscotti are perfect for a cozy Thanksgiving morning. Enjoy them with your morning coffee while you get ready for the rest of the day’s celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Biscotti
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Bright and citrusy, these cranberry orange muffins will add a burst of flavor to your Thanksgiving breakfast. They’re light and easy to whip up, helping keep the focus on the meal ahead.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Muffins
Apricot Galette with Puff Pastry
A simple but satisfying pastry that can be served warm on Thanksgiving morning. It’s a quick way to enjoy seasonal fruit flavors before moving on to the main event.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Galette with Puff Pastry
Cranberry Orange Bread
This cranberry orange bread is perfect for breakfast or brunch. It’s festive and easy to make, so you can get a quick start on your Thanksgiving day without too much hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Bread
Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Apple pie meets cinnamon rolls in this crowd-pleasing bake. It’s a fantastic choice for Thanksgiving breakfast that combines sweet and tart flavors without filling you up too much.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls with Apple Pie Filling
Swiss & Spinach Quiche
This quiche is a savory delight that’s light enough to leave room for the turkey later on. It’s easy to throw together and makes use of ingredients that work well for a Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Swiss & Spinach Quiche
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
