Thanksgiving morning I’m out the door early for a turkey trot, and I come back starving with a long day of cooking ahead. Breakfast has to hold me until a 4pm dinner without slowing me down in the kitchen. Most of these lean on eggs, Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese for that reason. A few are holiday treats.
Casseroles and egg bakes in the oven
Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole
Torn bagels, eggs, cream cheese, and everything seasoning bake into a savory casserole that feeds a crowd. Assemble it the night before and pop it in the oven Thanksgiving morning. Add in ham or smoked salmon for even more protein.
Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole
Sharp cheddar, eggs, bread cubes, and browned sausage come together in one savory baking dish that will keep your crew satiated until well into the afternoon. Make it the night before so that the bread can absorb the eggs. One square has about 20 grams of protein.
Egg Muffins
Eggs, vegetables, and cheese baked in a muffin tin make a great grab-and-go breakfast on the way out the door for your Thanksgiving Day turkey trot. Make a batch Wednesday and reheat Thursday morning. Each egg muffin has about 7 grams of protein.
Baked Eggs with Bread
There’s no need to flip eggs one at a time. Instead, bake a dozen or more at once! Crack the eggs into a skillet with warm tomato sauce or cream, season with herbs and cheese, and bake until the whites are just set. Serve with crusty bread for dipping. Makes 6 servings.
Breads and pastries from the oven
Dutch Baby Pancake
It looks complicated, but a Dutch baby is really just eggs, milk, and flour blended together, poured into a hot cast iron skillet, and baked in the oven for 20 minutes. It puffs up beautifully in the oven. Top with fresh berries, lemon, and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Frosted Cinnamon Rolls
Once a year I rise above mediocrity and make Thanksgiving morning cinnamon rolls from scratch. I prepare the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge, then in the morning all I have to do is bake them and frost with cream cheese frosting. (Pair with an egg dish for breakfast, lest you be running on sugar alone!)
Buttermilk Biscuits
Biscuits and gravy are a Thanksgiving morning tradition at my house—I top biscuits with scrambled eggs and sausage. These savory biscuits are split and filled with scrambled eggs and sausage. Make these and freeze the halved biscuits so that you can pop them right in the oven to reheat on Thanksgiving morning.
Pumpkin Bread
Swap in Greek yogurt for half of the oil called for in any quick bread recipe to boost the protein and keep the loaf extra moist. Bake Wednesday to cut down on Thanksgiving morning prep. Serve Thanksgiving morning with thick slices, toast, and peanut butter.
Blueberry Muffins
These bakery-style muffins have a crunchy sugar crust and the cutest little domed tops. Greek yogurt, berries, and nuts make an easy Thanksgiving morning breakfast that can be whipped up even on the busiest of days. Bursting out of the muffin tin with big domed tops and crunchy sugar crusts, these bakery-style muffins taste fresh out of the bakery and keep moist for days thanks to Greek yogurt in the batter. (Make these to bring to someone else’s house for Thanksgiving Day, as they travel well!) Here’s the secret to bakery-style muffins: pop them into a hot oven, then after just 5 minutes turn the heat down.
Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
This coffee cake is a Thanksgiving morning tradition at my house, and the kids request it every holiday. My family looks forward to this tender coffee cake with its thick, cinnamon streusel topping every Thanksgiving morning. I bake it Wednesday and serve it Thursday morning with coffee. (Pair with an egg dish for a more well-rounded breakfast!)
Eggs, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese carry most of the protein in these breakfasts, and their numbers come from USDA FoodData Central entries for hard-boiled egg, plain nonfat Greek yogurt and 2% cottage cheese; our page on how we calculate nutrition covers the details.
Griddle and waffle iron
French Toast
Thick slices of brioche bread are soaked in a custard made with eggs, milk, cinnamon, and even protein powder, then pan-fried until golden. Serve with a berry compote and maple syrup.
Crepes
Crepes are easier than you think—just expect the first one to be a flop. The batter chills overnight in the fridge. Serve with berries and sweetened Greek yogurt, rolled up with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Waffles with Strawberries
Strawberries and whipped cream elevate these protein-packed waffles. Keep cooked waffles warm in a low oven while you finish the rest. (I like to use a protein pancake mix to make waffles for extra protein, and you can also top waffles with Greek yogurt in place of whipped cream.)
Eggs, Pancakes, and Sausage
I run a 5K on Thanksgiving morning and then come home and make myself a full diner plate. I love to start Thanksgiving Day off with a 5K run followed by a big ol’ plate of scrambled eggs, a short stack of protein pancakes, and sausage links to refuel with protein and carbs all in one meal. (Use real maple syrup on your pancakes, please!)
Eggs on the stove or in the Instant Pot
Spinach Feta Omelet
This spinach and feta omelet is ready in just 5 minutes, and the 3 eggs provide nearly 20 grams of protein. This light Thanksgiving Day breakfast leaves room for the real deal later on!
Savory Oatmeal with a Fried Egg
Who says oatmeal has to be sweet? Made with broth and Parmesan and topped with greens and an egg, this savory oatmeal is hearty, satisfying, and high in protein. I love to enjoy this after my cold-morning Thanksgiving Day runs!
Poached Eggs with Bacon and Polenta
Creamy polenta, crispy bacon, and tender poached eggs make an easy and fast Thanksgiving Day brunch with plenty of protein.
Coddled Egg Jars
These Instant Pot Eggslut jars (inspired by the Los Angeles original) layer poached eggs atop rich, creamy mashed potatoes and cook them together until the yolks are just set. Make a whole batch of these at one time in the Instant Pot. Eat with a spoon and toasted baguette. Crumbled bacon in the potatoes ups the protein!
Breakfast Tacos
Scrambled eggs, chorizo, and melty cheddar come together in these savory breakfast tacos, my go-to pre-run breakfast before our Thanksgiving Day turkey trot! Topped with avocado and a spoonful of salsa, these flavorful tacos take only one skillet and 10 minutes to make. Count on eating at least 3! Tip: Serve these up in corn tortillas. Everything cooks in 1 skillet in about 10 minutes.
Avocado Toast with Poached Egg
Sometimes on Thanksgiving Day I like to keep breakfast light, though still satisfying, and this avocado toast with chili flakes and a runny poached egg does the trick. The combination of fats and protein from the egg will have you feeling full ’til well into the afternoon! Tip: For the best results, poach eggs in a wide, shallow pan so that they are not crowded.
Rolled Omelet with Chives
This fluffy, French omelet cooks up quick on the stovetop and packs 18 grams of protein (from 3 eggs), leaving room on your plate for later. The key to a tender, custardy French omelet: cook over low heat, stirring the eggs constantly.
Breakfast Burrito Bowl
This bowl has all the yummy fillings of a breakfast burrito minus the tortilla. Black beans, potatoes, eggs, and lots of toppings—these breakfast burrito bowls are bursting with protein, so they keep you full for hours on end. Tip: Cook beans and potatoes the night before to further streamline breakfast.
No stove or oven needed
Overnight Chia Pudding
Want an even easier make-ahead Thanksgiving breakfast? Mix chia seeds, Greek yogurt, and milk together the night before, and you’ll wake up to these no-effort chia puddings. Topped with fresh berries and honey, they’re a light, yet filling, way to start the day. Tip: Like parfaits, these are super easy to make ahead and portion out.
Yogurt Parfaits
Layer Greek yogurt, berries, and granola in a glass, and in just 2 minutes, you’ll have a quick, make-ahead Thanksgiving breakfast. Bonus: There’s almost 20 grams of protein from the Greek yogurt alone! Tip: I make these on Wednesday night so there are lots of parfaits lined up in the refrigerator, ready to go.
Smoked Salmon Bagels
These easy smoked salmon bagels are perfect when you don’t want to deal with dishes before you start Thanksgiving cooking. Packed with protein (hello, salmon!) and healthy fats, they’re also satisfying.
Cottage Cheese Bowl
Cottage cheese, fruit, and granola are a great combo for a fast Thanksgiving morning breakfast that will fuel you through hours of cooking and keep you going until the 4pm dinner. With as much as 25 grams of protein per cup, cottage cheese makes a high-protein Thanksgiving breakfast! For a sweeter dish, top with fruit, honey, and nuts. For savory, try tomatoes, cucumbers, and everything bagel seasoning. This breakfast staple can be whipped up in just a few minutes.
