Pancake Sausage Balls: The Make-Ahead Christmas Morning Breakfast Everyone Loves
If Christmas morning at your house looks anything like mine, it’s a beautiful mix of coffee brewing, wrapping paper flying, kids hollering, dogs underfoot, and someone asking, “What are we eating?” before you’ve even had your first sip of caffeine.
And listen — I love the magic of Christmas morning. I love the traditions, the memories, the slow moments. What I do not love is standing over the stove flipping pancakes while everyone else is in the living room soaking it all in.
That’s exactly why these Pancake Sausage Balls have earned a permanent spot in our holiday rotation. They’re warm, cozy, a little sweet, a little savory, and best of all — they can be made ahead. That alone makes them Christmas-morning gold.
These are the kind of bites that disappear fast. The kind people “just try one” and suddenly the platter is empty. And the kind of recipe that has friends and family texting you later asking for it.
So if you want a breakfast that feels special without feeling stressful, let me introduce you to one of our absolute favorites.
Why Pancake Sausage Balls Are a Christmas Morning Must
Let’s talk about why this recipe works so well — especially during the holidays.
First, they combine two breakfast classics everyone already loves: pancakes and sausage. There’s no convincing needed. No picky eaters to negotiate with. They’re familiar but fun.
Second, they’re handheld. No plates required if you don’t want them. People can grab one, dip it in syrup, and head back to the couch to watch the chaos unfold.
Third — and this is the big one — they’re make-ahead friendly. You can prep them the night before, store them in the fridge, and bake them fresh in the morning. Or bake them ahead and simply reheat. Either way, you’re not cooking from scratch at 7 a.m.
And finally, they feel festive without being fussy. These are cozy, comforting, and made for memories — not perfection.
The Secret to Stress-Free Holiday Mornings
Here’s something I’ve learned over the years: holiday food doesn’t need to be complicated to be memorable.
What people remember isn’t how fancy breakfast was. They remember laughing around the table, dipping food into syrup, and sneaking extra bites when they think no one is looking.
This recipe lets you be present, not stuck in the kitchen. And honestly, that’s what the holidays should be about.
Ingredients You Probably Already Have
Another reason I love this recipe? It’s simple. No special ingredients. No last-minute grocery runs.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Pancake Sausage Balls Ingredients
2½ cups pancake mix 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 pound breakfast sausage ¼ cup milk
That’s it. Four ingredients. Simple, affordable, and easy to keep on hand during the busy holiday season.
How to Make Pancake Sausage Balls
These come together fast, and there’s nothing fancy about the process — which is exactly how I like it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), combine the pancake mix, shredded cheddar cheese, breakfast sausage, and milk. Mix until everything is well combined. The mixture will be thick — that’s exactly what you want. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the mixture into evenly sized balls. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray. Place the sausage balls on the sheet pan, leaving a little space between each one. Bake at 350°F for 20–23 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden. Serve warm with syrup or jelly for dipping.
That’s it. No flipping. No standing over the stove. Just bake and enjoy.
Make-Ahead Tips (Because Christmas Morning Is Busy)
This is where this recipe really shines.
Option 1: Prep Ahead, Bake Fresh
You can mix and scoop the sausage balls the night before. Store them covered in the refrigerator, then bake them fresh Christmas morning.
Option 2: Bake Ahead and Reheat
Bake them completely, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through, or pop them in the microwave for quick bites.
Either way, you’re winning.
How to Serve Them
We love serving these with:
Warm maple syrup Grape or strawberry jelly Fresh fruit on the side A big pot of coffee
They’re also great alongside scrambled eggs or a simple fruit salad if you’re feeding a crowd.
And yes — people will dip them. Encourage it. That’s half the fun.
Perfect for More Than Just Christmas Morning
While these are a Christmas favorite, don’t limit them to one day a year.
They’re also perfect for:
Christmas Eve brunch New Year’s morning Weekend guests Baby showers Potlucks Busy school mornings (hello leftovers!)
Basically, anytime you need something easy that everyone loves.
Why This Recipe Always Gets Requested
There are recipes that are good… and then there are recipes that people ask you about again and again.
This is one of those.
It’s nostalgic. It’s comforting. It tastes like something you grew up eating, even if you didn’t. And it fits right into the kind of slow, cozy, family-centered mornings we all crave — especially during the holidays.
A Little Reminder From Me to You
You don’t have to do it all.
You don’t have to cook a five-course breakfast to make the morning special. You don’t have to exhaust yourself trying to make everything perfect.
Make something easy. Make something comforting. Make something that lets you sit down with your people and enjoy the moment.
That’s what these Pancake Sausage Balls are all about.
If you make them, I’d love to hear what you think — and I promise, once you try them, they’ll become part of your holiday tradition too.
Happy cooking, happy holidays, and enjoy every bite 💛
Tracy 💛
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