A Christmas brunch buffet brings everyone together with colourful dishes, warm flavours, and easy self-serve options. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or a relaxed morning party, these ideas help you create a table that feels inviting without complicated steps. Each dish is simple, tasty, and easy to prepare ahead. You’ll also find plenty of low-cost ways to stretch ingredients and add festive touches without stress.
1. Cinnamon Roll Wreath
A cinnamon roll wreath brings a warm holiday touch to your buffet. You can use store-bought dough to save time. Shape the rolls into a circle and bake until golden. Add simple icing made with sugar and plant milk. Place it on a large board for easy serving. Guests can pull pieces apart without cutting. For a low-cost version, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar inside plain dough instead of using pre-made filling. Add a few cranberries or orange zest for colour. Make it ahead and warm it briefly before placing on the table.
2. Fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes
These pancakes add holiday flavour to your brunch without complicated prep. Mix flour, spices, plant milk, and a touch of molasses. Cook small pancakes so they stack neatly on the buffet. Serve with maple syrup or berry compote. Prepare the batter the night before to save time. For a budget-friendly twist, skip fancy toppings and use powdered sugar with sliced bananas. Guests can build their own stack, which makes serving simple.
3. Christmas Fruit Board
A fruit board adds colour and balance to heavier dishes. Slice kiwi into stars, add grapes, oranges, and berries, and arrange everything in simple sections. This works well because guests can pick what they want. Keep costs down by choosing seasonal fruit like oranges and apples. Add small bowls for dips like yogurt or melted chocolate. You can also pre-cut fruit the night before and store it in airtight containers.
4. Mini Quiche Bites
Mini quiche bites fit nicely on any buffet because they’re easy to grab. Use a muffin tin and fill each cup with vegetables and plant milk mixed with chickpea flour. Bake until firm. These can be served warm or room temperature. Choose simple fillings like spinach, mushrooms, or onions to keep the cost low. Prep them hours ahead, then reheat briefly. Place them in a shallow basket lined with parchment.
5. Holiday French Toast Bake
French toast bake is simple because everything cooks in one dish. Layer cubed bread in a tray, pour plant milk mixed with cinnamon on top, and bake until set. Serve warm with syrup or fruit. Use day-old bread for a cheaper option. Add a handful of nuts for texture if you like. This dish stays warm for a long time if you keep it covered with foil on the buffet.
6. Spinach & Tomato Breakfast Casserole
This casserole brings vegetables to the table in a simple way. Mix tofu or chickpea batter with tomatoes, spinach, onions, and spices. Bake until firm and slice into squares. Use frozen spinach to keep the cost down. This dish holds its shape well, making it easy for guests to serve themselves. Reheat lightly before placing on the buffet.
7. Crispy Breakfast Potatoes
Breakfast potatoes add comfort to your table. Dice potatoes, coat with oil and spices, and roast until crisp. Serve with ketchup or vegan sour cream on the side. This dish is inexpensive and stretches easily for large groups. Use whatever spices you already have. Roast a large batch at once and keep it warm in the oven until serving.
8. Maple Pecan Oatmeal Bar
An oatmeal bar allows guests to customize their bowl. Cook a large pot of oatmeal and offer toppings in small bowls. Keep toppings simple: bananas, raisins, seeds, and nuts. This idea is budget-friendly because oats are inexpensive and fill people up easily. For a festive touch, add cinnamon or chopped apples. Keep the oatmeal warm in a slow cooker or insulated pot.
9. Simple Breakfast Tofu Scramble
Tofu scramble works well for a brunch buffet because it stays soft and colourful. Crumble tofu and sauté with turmeric, garlic, onions, and peppers.
Serve warm in a large skillet. Use basic vegetables to keep costs down. Prep the vegetables ahead so cooking is quick. This dish pairs well with potatoes, toast, or wraps.
10. DIY Bagel Station
A bagel station offers guests many choices without much work. Slice bagels and set out spreads like hummus and vegan cream cheese. Add toppings such as sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. To save money, buy a bulk pack of bagels. Let guests build their own combination. Keep spreads chilled until serving.
11. Strawberry Cream Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are simple because you prep them the night before. Mix oats with plant milk and chia seeds. Add layers of strawberries. Serve in small jars for easy grabbing. This dish saves time and money. Frozen berries work well if fresh ones are pricey. Place the jars on the buffet with small spoons beside them.
12. Christmas Waffle Bar
A waffle bar becomes a fun centrepiece. Make waffles ahead and keep them warm in the oven. Offer toppings like whipped cream, berries, and chocolate chips. Use a basic waffle mixture to keep costs controlled. Provide tongs so guests can grab waffles easily. You can also serve mini waffles for quicker portions.
13. Sausage and Veggie Breakfast Skillet
This skillet brings savoury flavour to the buffet. Cook vegan sausage with peppers and onions until slightly crisp. Serve it warm straight from the skillet.
Skip pricey sausages and mix beans with spices if you want a budget version. This dish is filling and pairs well with bread or potatoes.
14. Blueberry Lemon Muffins
Muffins work well for buffets because they’re already portioned. Mix flour, sugar, plant milk, lemon zest, and blueberries. Bake until golden. Serve in a basket lined with a napkin. Use frozen blueberries to save money. These muffins keep well for hours, making them a great make-ahead option.
15. Breakfast Burrito Tray
Breakfast burritos are easy to prepare and serve. Fill tortillas with tofu scramble, potatoes, and peppers. Roll tightly. You can make them ahead and warm them in the oven. Use large tortillas to avoid tearing. Keep the fillings simple to stay within budget. Wrap each burrito in foil so people can grab and go.
16. Caramelised Apple Porridge
This porridge adds comfort to your buffet. Cook oats with plant milk until thick. Top with apples cooked in cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm with extra toppings on the side. Use regular oats instead of steel-cut to keep costs down. Prep the apples early and warm them just before serving.
17. Frittata-Style Chickpea Squares
These squares slice neatly and stay firm. Mix chickpea flour with water, spices, and vegetables. Bake until set. Cut into squares and arrange them on a platter. This idea is low-cost because chickpea flour is inexpensive. Add spinach or peppers for colour. Serve with a small dipping sauce if you like.
18. Holiday Yogurt Bar
A yogurt bar gives guests many choices. Offer plain or vanilla yogurt with bowls of toppings. Keep fruit simple: bananas, apples, berries, and dried fruit. Buy yogurt in large tubs to save money. Use small cups for easy serving. Let guests build their own parfaits.
19. Savoury Herb Biscuits
These biscuits add a savoury touch to the buffet. Mix flour, herbs, plant milk, and oil. Bake until golden. Serve warm with plant-based butter. Use dried herbs to save money. Make them small for easy grabbing. These pair nicely with casseroles and scrambles.
20. Pineapple Coconut Fruit Cups
These cups bring brightness to the table. Mix pineapple chunks with coconut and a little lime. Serve in small cups for neat portions. To keep costs low, use canned pineapple. Add mint for colour. Chill before serving for the best texture.
21. Hash Brown Casserole
This casserole is simple and comforting. Mix shredded potatoes with plant milk, onions, and spices, then bake until crisp. Slice into squares before serving. Use frozen shredded potatoes to save prep time. Add peppers or mushrooms if you want more colour. This dish stays warm if covered with foil.
22. Cranberry Orange Scones
Scones bring classic holiday flavour to your buffet. Mix flour, diced cranberries, orange zest, and plant milk. Bake until browned. Serve with jam or butter.
Use frozen cranberries to cut costs. These scones stay firm for hours and are easy to stack on a tray.
23. Maple Roasted Carrot Platter
Roasted carrots add colour and warmth. Slice carrots, coat with oil and maple, and roast until caramelised. Serve on a long board with herbs sprinkled on top. This dish is inexpensive and easy to scale. Use larger carrots and slice them evenly. Serve warm or room temperature.
24. Mini Berry Parfaits
Mini parfaits look festive and are simple to prepare. Layer yogurt with berries and granola in small cups. Chill them until serving. Use store-brand yogurt and frozen berries for a low-cost version. These cups work well for kids and adults.
25. Christmas Spiced Coffee Bar
A coffee bar keeps guests happy and warm. Brew a large pot of coffee and offer simple add-ins like cinnamon, cocoa powder, and flavoured syrups. Set out mugs, spoons, and a small bowl of sugar. Buy syrups in bulk to save money. Add a kettle with hot water for tea drinkers. This station becomes a natural gathering spot.
Conclusion
A Christmas brunch buffet feels special when the table is filled with colourful, warm, and simple dishes that guests can serve themselves. These ideas help you prepare food ahead, save money, and organise the morning without stress. Mix a few sweet dishes with savoury trays, keep toppings and sauces nearby, and enjoy hosting a gathering that feels relaxed and welcoming.
Hannah Collins is a passionate home cook and food storyteller who believes every recipe tells a little love story. At TastyWriter, she shares simple, delicious recipes made for real kitchens and busy days — from cozy comfort dishes to creative new favorites. When she’s not cooking, you’ll find her photographing food, testing family recipes, or sipping tea while dreaming up her next tasty idea.
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