Gluten-Free Christmas Breakfast Ideas: 13 Make-Ahead Recipes!

Looking for gluten-free Christmas breakfast ideas you can prep the night before and bake in the morning? This roundup includes everything from easy make-ahead casseroles, danishes, and biscuits, to more complex (yet drool-worthy) cinnamon rolls and sweet breads. Whether you're feeding a crowd of holiday guests or just your family, you'll find plenty of options for a stress-free morning!

Make-ahead Gluten-free biscuits, cinnamon rolls, wreath bread, and jam-filled pastry with icing.

After my celiac diagnosis, I had to reimagine our family's Christmas breakfast traditions. Below are the gluten-free recipes that have become our new favorites. I hope they inspire your own holiday traditions too!

How to Make These Recipes Ahead

For cinnamon rolls and yeast bread recipes: Mix and shape the dough as directed in the recipe, then cover tightly and place directly in the refrigerator. On Christmas morning, bring the pan to room temperature for 1 hour before baking as directed. You may need to add a few minutes to the bake time, so keep an eye out for visual cues, like browning, or check the internal temperature, which should read 205°F.
For casseroles: Prepare the casseroles as directed in the recipe. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Allow the pan to sit at room temperature for 1 hour before baking to reduce the risk of thermal shock (especially important for glass pans when placed in a hot oven).
For biscuits and pastries: Prepare the recipe as directed and place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Instead of baking, cover the pan and refrigerate. Then bake straight from the fridge the next morning.

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Cinnamon Rolls & Sweet Breads

It should be noted that most of my yeast bread recipes are made with Caputo Fioreglut, a specialty Italian flour blend that contains gluten-free wheat starch. While it is a gluten-free product, it is not recommended for someone with a wheat allergy.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls

These traditional yeast-raised cinnamon rolls are soft, fluffy, and topped with cream cheese frosting. They're everything a classic cinnamon roll should be.

Cross section of a gluten free cinnamon roll on a plate with the rest of the rolls in the background.

Gluten-Free Swedish Tea Ring

This gluten-free Swedish tea ring is my take on a holiday morning coffee cake! It uses my soft and fluffy gluten-free crescent roll dough, which is then filled with cinnamon-sugar, raisins, and walnuts! Make it for breakfast and enjoy the leftovers all throughout the day, perfect with a cup of coffee!

slices of swedish tea ring on plate, sprinkled with raisins and walnuts.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin lovers, this one's for you. Soft, fluffy, and loaded with pumpkin spice flavor, these gluten-free pumpkin cinnamon rolls feature pumpkin puree in both the dough and the filling.

Gluten free pumpkin cinnamon roll on a plate with fork, icing drizzling down side.

Gluten-Free Prune Sticky Buns

This is another variation of my original cinnamon rolls, this time filled with a sticky prune filling and topped with a pecan caramel. They are absolutely heavenly!

A plate full of gluten free sticky buns with gooey pecan caramel topping, some flipped over to show swirl of prune filling.

Gluten-free pumpkin cinnamon roll on a plate, with icing drizzle.

Make-Ahead Casseroles

These hearty casseroles are perfect for feeding a crowd on Christmas morning. Choose from sweet or savory options.

Gluten-free French Toast Casserole

This is my gluten-free take on that classic French toast casserole I made for my family many years ago. It's topped with blueberries and a streusel topping, feel free to drizzle with syrup or use whatever berries you like! My gluten-free brioche bread is a great homemade bread option for this recipe.

Gluten-free Everything Bagel Breakfast Strata

If you want a savory option, try this bagel breakfast strata filled with cheese, eggs, and breakfast sausage. My homemade gluten-free bagels would work wonderfully in this recipe!

Crusty baked everything bagel strata in white baking dish with spoon resting in pan.

Semi-Homemade Pastry Recipes

These recipes are made with the help of store-bought gluten-free puff pastry dough. Make sure you buy the Sweet Loren's Puff Pastry, it's better than other products I've tried.

Gluten-Free Cheese Danish

This easy gluten-free danish recipe is ready in about 30 minutes! Gluten-free puff pastry is topped with a sweet cream cheese filling, and drizzled with icing.

Gluten-Free Sugar Plum Danish

Recreate Starbucks' seasonal favorite at home with this easy gluten-free sugar plum danish. It uses my cheese danish recipe as a base, with an added layer of spiced plum filling.

Three Starbucks copycat sugar plum danish o a small plate next to a fork and coarse sugar.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cheese Danish

If you'd rather have pumpkin spice and all things nice, try these gluten-free pumpkin danish! Another variation on my easy cheese danish recipe.

Close-up of a single pumpkin danish on a white speckled plate. The flaky crust and pumpkin filling are topped with a neat drizzle of icing.

Golden brown sugar plum danish on wire rack topped with coarse sugar.

Biscuits

All of my biscuits are made with Cup4Cup brand flour, if you don't have any, you can make my homemade Cup4Cup blend.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits

These gluten-free cinnamon raisin biscuits are soft and fluffy and taste just like a cinnamon roll! They are so easy to make and will quickly be devoured!

Gluten-Free Apple Biscuits (Small Batch)

These apple pie biscuits are another tasty hit! Filled with soft cinnamon apples, these biscuits are taste like an apple fritter, but are easier to make and no frying! They are good enough to pass as dessert!

Spoon drizzling glaze over a warm gluten-free apple biscuit on a baking sheet with more biscuits in the background.

Gluten-Free Buttermilk Biscuits

Serving up biscuits and gravy at your holiday brunch? My gluten-free buttermilk biscuits are the perfect vessel for a spoonful of gravy!

Round gluten free biscuits in bowl next to honey butter.

Gluten-Free Drop Biscuits

For another biscuit option, try these fluffy gluten-free drop biscuits! They pair equally well with sausage gravy, honey, or jam but are even easier to make!

Icing dripping from spoon onto top of gluten-free cinnamon raisin biscuits.

Tips for Hosting Gluten-Free Guests

Read ingredient labels on every product. You'd be surprised where gluten can be found! Do not use any ingredient that contains wheat, barley, rye, or oats. Other sources of gluten are malt, and various forms of wheat such as farro, spelt, durum, graham, and semolina.
Keep it clean! If you are cooking for a gluten-free guest, make sure you are using fresh ingredients (that haven't been contaminated with flour or crumbs), and that you're using clean pots, pans, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils that don't have any cooking residue left on them.
Keep gluten items separate. If you're serving gluten items, be sure to keep them separate from the gluten-free dishes and remind guests not to double dip or cross-contaminate your delicious gluten-free offerings!

Make-Ahead Gluten-Free Breakfast FAQs

Can I freeze these Christmas breakfast recipes?

Yes! Most of these recipes freeze well. Cinnamon rolls, biscuits, and casseroles can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

How far in advance can I prep these recipes?

The yeast breads, biscuits, and danishes are best if prepped the afternoon or evening before. The casseroles can be assembled 1-2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Are these recipes safe for celiac disease?

Yes, all recipes in this roundup are gluten-free and tested in my celiac-safe kitchen. Note that some yeast bread recipes use Caputo Fioreglut, which contains gluten-free wheat starch and is not suitable for those with wheat allergies.

So, What Will You Make?

I hope these gluten-free Christmas breakfast ideas help make your holiday morning special and stress-free! Whether you're making cinnamon rolls from scratch or keeping it simple with a casserole, there's something here for everyone. Which recipe are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!

If you need more recipe inspiration for the rest of the day, check out my gluten-free Christmas dinner ideas!