15 Christmas Breakfast Charcuterie Board Ideas

A Christmas breakfast charcuterie board lets everyone graze while presents get opened, instead of one person cooking plates to order. Pancakes, bacon, pastries and fruit go on one big board, most of it can be made ahead, and it looks festive with red strawberries, green grapes and a sprinkle of powdered-sugar "snow."

Below are 15 Christmas breakfast charcuterie board ideas, from a pancake board and a waffle bar to a bagel board, a cinnamon roll board, a brunch charcuterie board with mini quiches and a make-ahead breakfast sandwich board. Every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

How to make Christmas breakfast easy

1. Bake or cook ahead. Cinnamon rolls, muffins, egg bites and bacon can all be made the day before and warmed in the oven.
2. Keep hot food hot. Heat frozen pancakes and waffles as the box directs, then hold them (and cooked eggs) on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven and add them to the board in batches.
3. Prep fruit the night before (except bananas and apples, which brown) and keep it covered in the fridge.
4. Set out the board right before everyone sits down, and refill from the oven and fridge.

More holiday boards: see our charcuterie wreath ideas for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Pancake, waffle and French toast boards

1. Christmas Pancake Board

Mini pancakes with bacon, berries and three toppings for Christmas morning. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 34 mini pancakes (frozen, warmed, or homemade)
• 6 strips cooked bacon
• 6 oz raspberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 7 strawberries, halved
• 1 banana, sliced
• 8 oz purple grapes (a small bunch)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup whipped cream, in a small bowl
• 2 oz mini chocolate chips, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Heat the frozen mini pancakes on a sheet pan at 375°F, loosely covered with foil, for about 6 minutes (or as the box directs), then keep them warm in a 200°F oven.
2. Set the three small bowls on the board first.
3. Stack the pancakes in two overlapping rows and lay the bacon beside them.
4. Fill in with the berries, grapes and banana slices; slice the banana right before serving.

Where to get it

Frozen mini pancakes are in the freezer breakfast aisle.

2. Waffle Bar Board

Whole, halved and quartered waffles with every topping, so everyone builds their own. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 frozen round waffles, toasted: 5 left whole, 2 cut in half and 1 cut into quarters (3 halves and 4 quarters on the board, the extra half to refill)
• 12 oz strawberries, sliced
• 6 oz blueberries
• 1/2 cup whipped cream, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting
• 2 oz pecan halves, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Toast the waffles. Leave 5 whole, cut 2 in half and cut 1 into quarters, so there are pieces for big and small appetites.
2. Set the small bowls across the board.
3. Overlap the whole waffles and quarters along the back and the front of the board, fan the halves down one side, and fill the gaps with the strawberries and blueberries.
4. Dust the waffles with powdered sugar right before serving so it looks like snow.

Where to get it

Frozen waffles are in the freezer breakfast aisle; toast them in a toaster or a 400°F oven for 5 minutes.

3. French Toast Sticks Board

Baked French toast sticks with cinnamon sugar, syrup and fruit. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• For 24 French toast sticks (15 on the board, the rest to refill): 6 thick slices brioche or Texas toast, 4 eggs, 2/3 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz green grapes (a small bunch)

How to make it

1. Cut. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment brushed with the melted butter. Cut each bread slice into 4 sticks.
2. Dip. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Dip each stick for 2 to 3 seconds per side (don't soak) and lay it on the pan.
3. Bake 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden.
4. Finish. Toss the hot sticks in cinnamon sugar and pile them on the board with the syrup, strawberries and grapes.

Where to get it

Brioche and Texas toast are in the bread aisle; day-old bread soaks up the egg better.

4. Crepe Board

Folded crepes with sweet fillings: berries, chocolate spread, bananas and whipped cream. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 12 ready-made crepes (or homemade), folded into quarters
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup whipped cream, in a small bowl
• 12 oz strawberries, sliced
• 6 oz raspberries
• 1 banana, sliced
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

How to make it

1. Warm the crepes in a skillet for 20 seconds per side if you like, then fold each into quarters.
2. Fan the folded crepes in a long row.
3. Set the two bowls on the board and add the fruit around them.
4. Dust the crepes with powdered sugar right before serving.

Where to get it

Ready-made crepes are often in the produce section near the berries.

Pastry, bagel and muffin boards

5. Cinnamon Roll Board

Warm frosted cinnamon rolls with bacon and fruit, made from a tube in 20 minutes. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 30 inches
• 3 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (24 rolls: 19 on the board, the rest to refill)
• 8 strips cooked bacon
• 9 strawberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 5 clementines, peeled (some left whole, some in segments)

How to make it

1. Bake the cinnamon rolls following the cans (for Pillsbury rolls, 375°F, or 350°F in a nonstick pan, for 13 to 18 minutes), and spread the icing on while they are warm.
2. Set the rolls in two groups on the board.
3. Add the bacon, strawberries, grapes and clementines around them.

Where to get it

Refrigerated cinnamon rolls are in the dairy case near the biscuits.

6. Christmas Bagel Board

Bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon and fruit, a no-cook option for a busy morning. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 4 bagels (1 plain, 1 everything, 2 cinnamon raisin), sliced (7 halves on the board, 1 to refill)
• 1/2 cup plain cream cheese, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup strawberry cream cheese, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup smoked salmon cream cheese, in a small bowl
• 4 oz smoked salmon
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp capers
• 9 strawberries
• 12 oz green grapes

How to make it

1. Set the three cream cheese bowls on the board.
2. Arrange the sliced bagels in a long overlapping row.
3. Group the smoked salmon, cucumber, red onion and capers on one side.
4. Add the strawberries and grapes on the other side.

Where to get it

Smoked salmon is in the refrigerated seafood case.

7. Muffin and Fruit Board

Mini muffins in three flavors with yogurt and fresh fruit. Make the muffins the day before. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 12 mini blueberry muffins
• 12 mini chocolate chip muffins
• 12 mini banana muffins
• 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, in a bowl
• 7 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 12 oz green grapes

How to make it

1. Group each muffin flavor together on the board.
2. Set the yogurt bowl in the middle.
3. Fill in with the strawberries, raspberries and grapes.

Where to get it

Mini muffins come in tubs in the bakery section, or bake them from boxed mixes in a mini muffin tin, following the box directions for mini muffins.

8. Christmas Donut Board

Mini donuts with red and green sprinkles, powdered sugar and chocolate glaze, with fruit. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 12 mini powdered sugar donuts
• 12 mini chocolate-glazed donuts
• 12 mini donuts with white icing and red and green sprinkles
• 12 strawberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 clementines, peeled and segmented

How to make it

1. Group each kind of donut in its own cluster.
2. Fill the gaps with strawberries, grapes and clementine segments.
3. Set the board out right before serving so the donuts stay soft.

Where to get it

Mini donuts are in the bakery section; plain ones can be dipped in white icing and topped with sprinkles at home.

9. Croissant and Jam Board

Mini croissants with butter, three jams, cheese and fruit, a simple European-style breakfast. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 mini croissants
• 1/4 cup softened butter, in a small dish
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup apricot jam, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup whole-berry strawberry preserves, in a small bowl
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel), with one wedge cut
• 3 oz sliced ham (about 4 slices), folded
• 12 oz red grapes
• 2 clementines, peeled and segmented

How to make it

1. Warm the croissants at 350°F for 5 minutes.
2. Set the butter and jam dishes on the board.
3. Pile the croissants in one group and add the brie and folded ham.
4. Fill in with the grapes and clementines.

Where to get it

Mini croissants are sold in clamshell packs in the bakery section.

Savory and make-ahead breakfast boards

10. Egg Bites and Bacon Board

Make-ahead baked egg bites with cheese and peppers, served with bacon and toast. Makes 12.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• For 12 egg bites (9 on the board, the rest to refill): 8 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 3 oz shredded cheddar, 1/2 red bell pepper (finely diced), 2 green onions (sliced), 1/4 tsp salt, cooking spray, a 12-cup muffin tin
• 10 strips cooked bacon
• 3 slices toast, cut into 6 triangles
• 12 oz red grapes
• 1/4 cup salsa, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and spray a 12-cup muffin tin well.
2. Mix. Whisk the eggs, milk and salt, then stir in the cheese, pepper and green onions.
3. Bake. Fill each cup about three quarters full and bake 18 to 22 minutes, until puffed and set in the center.
4. Cool 5 minutes, then run a knife around each and lift it out. They keep 3 days in the fridge; rewarm at 350°F for 8 minutes.
5. Build the board with the egg bites, bacon, toast triangles, grapes and the salsa bowl.

Where to get it

Use a well-greased metal muffin tin or silicone cups so the eggs release cleanly.

11. Breakfast Slider Board

Make-ahead breakfast sliders with egg, cheese and sausage on Hawaiian rolls. Makes 12.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls (one 12-count pack)
• 8 eggs, scrambled
• 6 slices American cheese, halved
• 12 cooked sausage patties (frozen, warmed)
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 12 oz red grapes
• 10 strawberries

How to make it

1. Assemble. Heat the oven to 350°F. Slice the whole pack of rolls in half horizontally without separating them. Layer the bottom half with scrambled eggs, sausage patties and cheese, then add the top.
2. Bake. Brush the tops with melted butter, cover with foil and bake 15 minutes, then uncover and bake 5 more minutes until golden.
3. Slice into 12 sliders and arrange them on the board with grapes and strawberries.
4. Make ahead: assemble the night before, cover and refrigerate, and add 5 minutes to the covered bake time.

Where to get it

Hawaiian sweet rolls are in the bread aisle; frozen cooked sausage patties are in the freezer breakfast aisle.

12. Savory Breakfast Charcuterie Board

Boiled eggs, cheese, prosciutto, toast and fruit for a lighter, protein-packed Christmas breakfast. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 6 large eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and halved
• 6 oz sharp white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 3 slices whole-grain toast, cut into 6 triangles
• 1/4 cucumber, sliced (about 6 slices)
• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 12 oz red grapes
• 1/4 tsp everything bagel seasoning

How to make it

1. Boil the eggs. Cover the eggs with cold water by 1 inch, bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover and let sit 12 minutes, then cool in ice water for 10 minutes. Peel and halve.
2. Season. Sprinkle the egg halves with everything bagel seasoning.
3. Build. Arrange the eggs, cheddar, prosciutto and toast in groups, then fill in with cucumber, tomatoes and grapes.
4. Boil the eggs the day before to save time on Christmas morning.

Where to get it

Everything bagel seasoning is in the spice aisle.

13. Brunch Charcuterie Board with Mini Quiches

A classic meat and cheese board made for Christmas morning, with warm mini quiches, fruit, jam and honey. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 12 frozen mini quiches, baked as the package directs
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 4 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 10 large slices), folded
• 8 oz brie (a small wheel), with one wedge cut
• 6 oz aged white cheddar (a block), sliced and fanned in two groups
• 6 oz gouda, cubed
• 12 oz red grapes
• 9 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 2 oz pecan halves
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl
• 20 round butter crackers

How to make it

1. Bake the quiches as the package directs, while you build the rest of the board.
2. Anchor the board. Set the brie, the fig jam bowl and the honey bowl in a loose triangle.
3. Add the meats. Fold the salami into ribbons and drape the prosciutto in loose folds between the cheeses.
4. Add the cheeses and fruit. Fan the cheddar slices, pile the gouda cubes, then fill in with grapes, strawberries, raspberries, pecans and crackers.
5. Finish warm. Add the hot quiches in a row or two right before serving. Keep the quiches, meat and cheese out no more than 2 hours.

Where to get it

Frozen mini quiches are in the freezer section with the appetizers, especially from November.

14. Kids' Christmas Breakfast Board

Mini pancakes, fruit cut into stars and a little chocolate for Christmas morning fun. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 17 mini pancakes
• about 10 cantaloupe stars and 10 watermelon stars, cut with a 2-inch star cutter from 1-inch-thick slices of 1/2 small cantaloupe and 1 large round watermelon slice
• 7 strawberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 6 oz green grapes
• 4 oz mini chocolate chips, in two small bowls
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut stars from the melon slices with a star cookie cutter.
2. Stack the pancakes and set the syrup and chocolate chip bowls on the board.
3. Add the fruit stars, strawberries, blueberries and grapes around them.

Where to get it

Star cookie cutters are in the baking aisle in December.

15. Christmas Brunch Grazing Board

One extra-large board with pastries, bacon, eggs, fruit and cheese for a crowd on Christmas morning. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 18 x 30 inches
• 10 mini croissants
• 8 cinnamon rolls (6 on the board, the rest to refill)
• 12 egg bites (7 on the board, the rest to refill)
• 16 strips cooked bacon (6 on the board, the rest to refill)
• 8 oz sharp white cheddar (a block), sliced
• 1 lb strawberries (about 15)
• 12 oz blueberries
• 1 lb green grapes
• 6 clementines, peeled (5 left whole, 1 in segments)
• 4 oz mixed nuts (almonds, pecans and cashews)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl
• 1 cup strawberry jam, split between 2 small bowls

How to make it

1. Set the syrup and jam bowls on the board.
2. Add the croissants, cinnamon rolls and egg bites in large groups.
3. Lay the bacon in long rows and fan the cheddar slices.
4. Fill every gap with the fruit and nuts, and refill from the oven as needed.

Where to get it

Make the egg bites and cinnamon rolls using the recipes above, the day before or that morning.

Christmas breakfast board FAQ

What goes on a Christmas breakfast charcuterie board?

Pick one or two warm items (mini pancakes, waffles, cinnamon rolls or egg bites), a breakfast meat like bacon or sausage, fresh fruit in Christmas colors (strawberries, raspberries, green grapes, clementines), and toppings like syrup, whipped cream and jam.

How do you keep a breakfast board warm?

Keep pancakes, waffles and eggs in a 200°F oven on a sheet pan and bring them out in small batches, refilling the board as it empties. Pastries are fine at room temperature; bacon, like other cooked meat, should not sit out more than 2 hours.

Can I make a Christmas breakfast board the night before?

Yes. Bake the cinnamon rolls, egg bites and muffins, cook the bacon and wash the fruit the night before. In the morning, warm the hot items and build the board in about 15 minutes.

How long can a breakfast board sit out?

Eggs, meat, yogurt and cut fruit are perishable. USDA guidance is no more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA FSIS).