Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes for Valentine’s Day (or Just Because)

The only thing better than a special breakfast on Valentine’s Day morning? One that’s ready to go when you wake up. Luckily, this is not a dream: These make-ahead breakfast recipes require very little work other than preheating the oven and popping them in. 

1. Spinach and Mushroom Quiche from Low Carb Maven

The secret to this healthier quiche is the low-carb pie crust. It’s made with almond flour, so it’s also gluten-free, but it’s still remarkably flaky and delicious. The rest of the quiche is fairly straightforward: spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Feel free to riff on the recipe with your favorite veggies.

Pro Tip: You can make this up to 3 days before serving and reheat in a low oven or the microwave on Valentine’s Day morning. 

2. Breakfast Hot Dish from Cooking Light

If you’re familiar with food personality Molly Yeh, you also know that she loves a traditional hot dish. I was delighted to see that she developed a version for Cooking Light that swaps in fresh sweet potato for the traditional tater tots — because if anyone was going to make a healthier version of hot dish without sacrificing flavor, it’s Molly. To make this dish ahead of time, roast the potatoes, cook the sausage, and do any grating and measuring for the eggs. In the morning, whisk the eggs, toss with your pre-cooked potatoes and sausage, top with your pre-grated cheese, and bake. 

3. Marzipan and Orange Blossom Morning Buns from Love and Olive Oil

There’s certainly no shortage of make-ahead cinnamon roll and morning bun recipes on the internet. The one thing that nearly all of them have in common? Tons of sugar and a heavy layer of icing, which is why these are such an exception. They use marzipan and orange blossom water to add sweetness without sugar, and they’re glaze-free. Be sure to read the recipe in its entirety: you need to start making them two days before serving. 

4. Make-Ahead Shakshuka from The Almond Eater

Shakshuka is a perfect example of a gluten-free, vegetarian dish that everyone loves. Though this recipe calls for feta, the recipe gives other options, including ways to top this without dairy. To make this ahead of time, follow the recipe through step three on the night before. When you wake up, pick up at step four (don’t worry: it’s just cracking a few eggs and popping the pan in your oven). Twenty minutes later, breakfast will be ready!

5. Paleo Gingerbread Muffins from The Roasted Root

To anyone who thinks that enjoying grain- and refined sugar-free foods means skipping decadent muffins, we dedicate these paleo gingerbread muffins. This recipe should be followed exactly as written since the sweeteners are liquid and coconut flour can be finicky. Make these and whatever frosting you plan to use (Julia shares a recipe for vegan cream cheese frosting) a day ahead, and bring the two together right before serving. 

6. Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal from Eating Bird Food

We always love a tasty baked oatmeal, but this one feels especially festive! This recipe calls for bananas, but you can substitute apple sauce — and if you want some whole fruit, add chopped fresh apple too. To make this dish ahead of time, you can bake and reheat or do everything in advance up to the point of baking and then bake in the morning.