Grandma's Best Breakfast Recipes (2024)

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Try our best breakfast recipes to start the day off right. We've rounded up hot and hearty classics like pancakes, biscuits and gravy, egg casseroles and other Grandma-approved favorites.

Old-World Puff Pancake

My mom told me her mother-in-law showed her how to make this dish, which became popular during the Depression, on their "get acquainted" visit in 1927. At that time, cooks measured ingredients in pinches, dashes and dibs. But through the years, accurate amounts were noted. My wife and I continue to enjoy this dish today, particularly for brunch. —Auton Miller, Piney Flats, Tennessee

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Apple Butter Biscuit Breakfast Bake

My grandmother created this recipe to use up the leftovers from Christmas Eve dinner. By combining leftover ham and biscuits with milk, eggs and her homemade apple butter, she served us all a warm, delicious breakfast and still was able to spend with her grandchildren. —Marty Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina. If you enjoyed this, then you must check out our collection of the best vintage breakfasts.

True Belgian Waffles

It was during a visit to my husband's relatives in Europe that I was given this Belgian waffle recipe. These homemade waffles are fantastic with any kind of topping: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, fried apples, powdered sugar or whipped topping. —Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan

Sweet 'N' Spicy Bacon

Chili powder, cayenne and curry add an unexpected flavor twist to the taste-tempting bacon. With a touch of cinnamon and maple syrup, the well-seasoned strips complement just about any breakfast, brunch or BLT. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Blueberry Crunch Breakfast Bake

Blueberries in season make this a very special breakfast, but I find that frozen berries can work just as well. My grandmother used to make this with strawberries and I always loved to eat it at her house.—Marsha Ketaner, Henderson, Nevada

Caramelized Mushroom and Onion Frittata

When I was young, my grandmother used to make me buttery sauteed mushrooms. Now I enjoy them in a hearty breakfast frittata. — Melissa D'Antonio, Poughkeepsie, New York

Quiche Pastry Cups

My grandmother used to make egg cup surprises for family brunches on special occasions. The added fillings were always a surprise since she never seemed to use the same combination of ingredients twice. As children, we took guesses as to what we'd find in the tender crust—the game always added fun to our meals. —Denalee Standart, Rancho Mureta, California

Grandmother's Toad in a Hole

I have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called The Boat. Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

My Grandma Dot used to make rhubarb compote and always had some in the freezer when I came to visit. This breakfast is a tribute to her. No two stalks of rhubarb are exactly alike, so make sure to taste the compote before you chill it. It should be tart, but sometimes it needs a little extra sugar. —Michael Hoffman, Brooklyn, New York

Mom's Potato Pancakes

These old-fashioned pancakes are fluffy inside and crispy outside. Onion adds nice flavor. Mom got this recipe from Grandma, so we've enjoyed it for years. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

This biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Country-Style Scrambled Eggs

I added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York

BLT Egg Bake

BLTs are a favorite at my house, so I created this recipe to combine those flavors into a warm, cozy casserole. It was such a hit, I served it to my church ladies group at a brunch I hosted. —Priscilla Detrick, Catoosa, Oklahoma

Very Vanilla French Toast

These French toast slices have creamy vanilla flavor from a convenient pudding mix, plus a hint of cinnamon. We like to top them with syrup or powdered sugar and fresh berries. —Linda Bernhagen, Plainfield, Illinois

Rainbow Quiche

With plenty of veggies and a creamy egg-cheese filling, this tasty quiche gets rave reviews every time I make it! —Lilith Fury, Adena, Ohio

Blueberry Kuchen

In the summer, we can get beautiful, plump blueberries, which I use in this easy-to-make coffee cake. I like to freeze extra blueberries so I have them available anytime I want this treat. —Anne Krueger, Richmond, British Columbia

Puffy Apple Omelet

With all the eggs our chickens produce, I could make this omelet every day! It's a pretty, festive-looking dish, but you could fix it anytime—including for a light supper. —Melissa Davenport, Campbell, Minnesota

Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet Roll

This brunch dish has easy ingredients and an impressive look all rolled into one! I love hosting brunch, and this special omelet roll is one of my very favorite items to prepare and share. A platter of these pretty swirled slices disappears fast. —Nancy Daugherty, Portland, Ohio

Fruit Cup with Citrus Sauce

This fruit salad is so elegant that I serve it in my prettiest crystal bowls. With its dressed-up flavor, it's perfect for a special event, but easy enough for every day. —Edna Lee, Greeley, Colorado

Gran's Granola Parfaits

When my mother-in-law (Gran to our kids) had us over for brunch, I especially enjoyed her yogurt parfaits. They were refreshing, light and wholesome. I made a few changes to her recipe and came up with this sweet, crunchy and nutty variation. Yum! —Angela Keller, Newburgh, Indiana

Savory Apple-Chicken Sausage

These easy, healthy sausages taste great, and they make an elegant brunch dish. The recipe is also very versatile: It can be doubled or tripled for a crowd, and the sausages freeze well either cooked or raw. —Angela Buchanan, Longmont, Colorado

Raisin Nut Oatmeal

There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California

Banana Oat Pancakes

I concocted these fluffy banana oatmeal pancakes using a muffin recipe. We love them topped with strawberry jam for breakfast, supper or even just snacking. They're delicious drizzled with maple syrup, too. —Janie Obermier, St. Joseph, Missouri

Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Farmers Breakfast

This hearty combination of sausage, hash browns and eggs is just right for any breakfast. &mdash:Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan

Chocolate Cherry Crepes

One of the reasons that we love this impressive-looking recipe is that it's easy to make. We prepare the crepes and filling in advance, and assemble them and add the topping just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Colorful Brunch Frittata

A friend called and asked me for a special recipe that he could serve at his daughter's wedding brunch. I created this brunch frittata recipe for the special day. —Kristin Arnett, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Sausage Johnnycake

Here’s a nice hearty breakfast with plenty of old-fashioned flavor. I serve it to my bed-and-breakfast guests. They love the cake’s savory middle and maple syrup topping. It’s a fine way to start the day! —Lorraine Guyn, Calgary, Alberta

Bacon Roll-Ups

This family recipe dates back to the 1930s, when my grandmother started making these hearty breakfast rolls. —Janet Abate, North Brunswick, New Jersey

Crunchy Apple Side Salad

With fiber-rich fruit, light dressing and crunchy walnuts, this is a great side dish or snack. Try it with low-fat granola. —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

Blueberry-Sausage Breakfast Cake

I fix this breakfast cake for my co-workers often. The blueberries and sausage are such a nice sweet-salty flavor combo. —Peggy Frazier, Indianapolis, Indiana

Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Ham

These may just be the creamiest, richest scrambled ham and eggs you've ever had. —Suzy Horvath, Gladstone, Oregon

Orange Dream Pull-Apart Bread

My baking therapy is to make treats for friends and co-workers. This pull-apart bread makes everyone smile as they face a busy day. —Vickie Friday Martin, Scroggins, Texas

Loaded Breakfast Potatoes

My kids love loaded potatoes in restaurants, so I modified them to make at home. Using the microwave for the potatoes will save you about 10 minutes. I also use thin-skinned red potatoes instead of russets to save on peeling time. —Tena Kropp, Aurora, Illinois

French Toast Sticks

Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Garden Cheddar Frittata

The potato crust on this pretty frittata is so easy to make, and everyone will love the taste. I’ve made it with goat cheese, too, and it’s delicious. You can also use other vegetables if you like. —Harbour House Inn B&B, Eva Amuso, Cheshire, Massachusetts

Creamy Strawberry Crepes

Wrap summer-ripe strawberries and creamy filling into these delicate crepes for an elegant brunch entree. —Kathy Kochiss, Huntington, Connecticut

Delectable Granola

Here's a great make-ahead recipe! Be sure to remove from the cookie sheets within 20 minutes after baking so the granola doesn't stick. —Lori Stevens, Riverton, Utah

I love quiche and wanted to make something that incorporates my southern roots. With eggs, cheese, ham and nutritious collard greens in a flaky crust, it’s a complete meal. —Billie Williams-Henderson, Bowie, Maryland

Apple Coffee Cake

Tart sour cream flavors this moist apple cinnamon coffee cake covered with brown sugar and crunchy nuts. The yield is two pans, so you can serve one and freeze the other for a busy morning or unexpected company. —Dawn fa*gerstrom, Warren, Minnesota

Broccoli Quiche Cups

Make this crustless quiche in muffin cups or in a regular-size pie tin. Either way, there's plenty of bacon-y, cheesy goodness to go around. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas

German Pancake

Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast, too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho

Pumpkin Cream of Wheat

This autumn-inspired breakfast tastes like pumpkin pie—without the guilt! Double the recipe if you feel like sharing. —Amy Bashtovoi, Sidney, Nebraska

Raspberry Crumble Coffee Cake

Don't be "intimidated" by the recipe directions for this coffee cake—it really isn't difficult to make. Try it sometime as a nice brunch item. Don't limit it to that, though...it's also a delicious dessert.—Shirley Boyken, Mesa, Arizona

Baked Eggs with Cheddar and Bacon

“These little treats are super-easy to make and perfect for a special breakfast. They’re also very nice for a casual dinner. The smoky cheese and bacon elevate eggs to another level!” Catherine Wilkinson — Dewey, Arizona

Golden Buttermilk Waffles

You won't get any complaints from family or friends when you stack up these golden waffles for breakfast! —Kim Branges, Grand Canyon, Arizona

Breakfast Apple Cake

Baked in a pretty tube pan and drizzled with icing, this breakfast cake will be a highlight of your holiday menu. I adapted the recipe from one of my grandmother's. —Shaunda Wenger, Nibley, Utah

Overnight Maple Oatmeal

I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania

BLT Brunch Pie

My boys can't wait to pick the first ripe tomatoes in our garden to be used in this terrific pie. It has a tempting filling and tomatoes layered in a melt-in-your-mouth crust. And the crust is so easy to make- you just pat the dough into the pan! —Shara Walvoort, Oostburg, Wisconsin

Cherry Danish

These ruby-studded pastries will be the first to disappear from your brunch table. I won an award when I first made them for a 4-H competition years ago. You can use apple pie filling with equally good results. —Christie Cochran, Canyon, Texas

Cheddar-Ham Oven Omelet

We had a family reunion for 50 relatives from the U.S. and Canada, and it took four pans of this hearty five-ingredient omelet to feed the crowd. Fresh fruit and an assortment of muffins helped round out our brunch menu. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

These easy apple-y oats let your family have a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Onion Tart

Onion lovers are sure to be asking for second helpings of this appetizing tart—it uses two kinds of onions! Parmesan and feta cheese, nutmeg and hot pepper sauce enhance the flavor nicely. With its quichelike filling, the dish is ideal for a brunch or buffet.-Christine Andreas, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

My grandpa made an awesome breakfast for us grandkids: French toast that started on the griddle as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. —Lindsey Folsom, Dorsey, Illinois

Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee Cake

Wake up the sleepyheads in your household with this moist, tender coffee cake that’s both sweet and savory. Bacon and nuts in the crumbly topping blend with flavors of maple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Yum! —Angela Spengler, Clovis, New Mexico

French Omelet

This cheesy omelet is modeled after the one I tasted and loved in a local restaurant. Mine is so hearty and rich tasting that no one will guess it's lower in fat. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri

Rich Fruit Kuchens

This German classic is such a part of our reunions, we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the "Kuchen Room" for this coffee cake. —Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota

Eggs Benedict Casserole

This eggs Benedict casserole is just as tasty as the classic but without all the hassle. Simply assemble the ingredients ahead, and bake it the next morning for an elegant breakfast or brunch. —Sandie Heindel, Liberty, Missouri

Upside-Down Orange French Toast

I like to serve this for breakfast when we have overnight guests or for a holiday brunch. It gives Florida visitors a taste of sunshine! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida

Sausage and Egg Casserole

For the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Holiday breakfasts would not be the same at our house without this delicious coffee cake. Whenever I take it anywhere, everyone raves about it and wants the recipe. —Susan Walschlager, Anderson, Indiana

Amy is a book editor at Taste of Home where she gets to pour her passions for food and storytelling into trade and series cookbooks. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her antiquing, cooking and baking from her favorite vintage cookbooks and exploring Milwaukee’s urban beauty with her digital SLR in hand.