Festive Gluten-Free Brunch Ideas: Elevate Your Holiday Morning Gatherings

The holidays are a time for family, festivities, and feasting. When your home becomes the holiday hub for hungry guests, having a versatile brunch menu up your sleeve is invaluable. While classics like scrambled eggs are a reliable go-to, the festive season deserves a touch of culinary flair.

Fortunately, “special” doesn't necessarily mean “complex.” You can craft a memorable and delicious holiday brunch that caters to gluten-free preferences with surprising ease. From sweet treats to savory delights, this guide will provide you with an array of ideas and recipes to ensure your holiday menu is not just inclusive but impressive. Let's dive into the world of gluten-free gastronomy and transform your holiday mornings into a celebration of taste.

Tips for an Unforgettable Holiday Brunch

The essence of the holiday season is found in the joyful gatherings around the dining table, sharing laughter and stories with loved ones—and of course, savoring delicious food. For a stress-free holiday brunch that allows you to relish these moments, a little foresight can go a long way.

Start by curating a selection of favorite recipes well before your guests arrive. Drafting a flexible menu will alleviate the pressure of last-minute decisions, giving you more time to enjoy the company of your extended family. While it's not necessary to detail every meal, consider the rhythm of your gatherings: which days might benefit from a laid-back buffet and which are suited for a more structured sit-down meal?

With a house full of guests, appetites will vary, and impromptu meals will be a common theme. To accommodate this, keep a variety of gluten-free snacks and the building blocks for simple sandwiches readily available. These quick bites will satisfy the spontaneous hunger pangs without any fuss.

For the brunches you plan to serve, lean on the convenience of make-ahead dishes. These are a brunch host's secret weapon, allowing you to savor those extra moments of morning peace. Instead of an early rise to start cooking, you'll have the luxury of presenting a pre-prepared, delectable meal with the simple action of warming it in the oven. This approach ensures that your holiday brunch is not only unforgettable for your guests but also thoroughly enjoyable for you, the host.

3 Festive Gluten-Free Brunch Recipes

Speaking of make-ahead meals, we’ve assembled a list of delicious gluten-free brunch recipes, all of which can be prepped the night before. With these recipes, you don’t have to worry if holiday festivities keep you up late. You can sleep in and pop the dish in the oven once people start stirring. The smell of a hot breakfast will bring the stragglers to the table!

1. Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 10 slices Schär Artisan Baker White Bread
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
• 8 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ cups frozen blueberries
• 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions:

1. Grease a 8x11-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cut the bread into cubes and sprinkle half of them along the bottom of the prepared dish.
3. Spread the fresh blueberries over the bread cubes and sprinkle with cubed cream cheese.
4. Add the remaining bread cubes then set aside.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
6. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes then cover with plastic and chill overnight.
7. In the morning, take the casserole from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F then remove the plastic from the casserole and cover with foil.
9. Bake the casserole for 40 minutes, covered, then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes.
10. Meanwhile, prepare the blueberry sauce.
11. Combine the sugar, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
12. Whisk until the cornstarch dissolves then bring to a simmer.
13. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
14. Stir in the frozen blueberries and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
15. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter then set aside.
16. When the casserole is set and browned, remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
17. Serve the casserole warm, drizzled with blueberry sauce.

2. Tomato and Cheddar Egg Bake

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Schär Artisan Baker Multigrain Bread, cut into cubes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound bacon, chopped
• 1 large sweet onion, sliced thin
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
• ½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 ½ cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 large eggs

Instructions:

1. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Toss the bread cubes with olive oil in a large bowl then spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until golden brown and crisp.
4. In a large skillet, cook the bacon on medium-high heat until crisp then return them to the bowl.
5. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the fat.
6. Reheat the skillet and add the onion, cooking over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the tomatoes and crushed red pepper then cook for 3 minutes to evaporated the liquid.
8. Add the mixture to the bowl with the bread cubes along with the bacon, cheese, chives, and chicken broth.
9. Stir gently until the bread is moistened then season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Spread the mixture in the prepared dish then cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
11. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F and let the dish come to room temperature.
12. Bake the dish for 30 minutes then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the top is crispy.
13. Take the dish out of the oven and make 8 indentations using a ladle—crack an egg into each one.
14. Return the dish to the oven for another 12-15 minutes until the egg whites are just set. Serve hot.

3. Spiced Sticky Buns

Servings: 12

Dough Ingredients:

• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 (1/4 ounce) packet active dry yeast
• 4 ¼ cups Schär Mix It! Universal all-purpose blend
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup cold butter, cubed
• 4 large eggs, whisked
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons fresh orange zest
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Warm the milk in a saucepan on medium-low heat until just steaming.
2. Remove from heat then whisk in the honey and yeast.
3. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy, then stir to remove lumps.
4. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the Schär Mix It! Universal, sugar, and salt on low speed for 30 seconds.
5. Add the butter a little at a time, beating between additions, until it forms a crumbled mixture.
6. Switch out the paddle for the dough hook attachment.
7. Running the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the milk mixture along with the eggs and vanilla extract.
8. Beat until well combined, about 1 minute.
9. Increase the mixing speed to medium and beat into a smooth, shiny dough—about 10-15 minutes.
10. Turn the dough out onto a flat surface dusted with Schär Mix It! Universal and shape into a ball.
11. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap to chill overnight.
12. In the morning, combine the filling ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
13. Stir until the butter is melted, about 3 minutes, then remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.
14. Grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and take the dough from the fridge.
15. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll into a rectangle about 16x12 inches.
16. Spread half the filling over the dough then, working along one of the long edges, roll it into a log.
17. Cut the dough into 12 even slices and move them to the prepared dish.
18. Cover the dish with plastic and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
19. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
20. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the sticky buns for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
21. Immediately after removing them from the oven, spread the rest of the filling over top.
22. Let the buns cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Looking for more gluten-free recipes to add to your holiday repertoire? From breakfast and brunch to entrees, side dishes, and desserts, Schär has it all. Check out the collection here.