Craving pancakes at 7 PM? You’re not alone! Breakfast for dinner (or ‘brinner’ as fans lovingly call it) flips mealtime traditions upside down with delicious results.
These morning favorites actually make perfect evening meals – they’re quick to prepare, use ingredients you likely have on hand, and satisfy those comfort food cravings like nothing else.
1. Savory French Toast Stacks
Forget the syrup! These French toast stacks take a savory twist that’ll make your dinner taste buds dance. Thick-cut bread soaked in an egg mixture with herbs and parmesan creates the perfect foundation.
Layer with crispy bacon, sliced avocado, and a perfectly runny fried egg on top. The combination of textures—crispy edges, creamy avocado, and that golden yolk cascade—transforms this breakfast classic into dinner material.
2. Loaded Breakfast Burritos
Massive, handheld, and bursting with goodies—breakfast burritos might be the perfect dinner solution for busy weeknights. Start with scrambled eggs, then go wild with add-ins: crispy potatoes, black beans, chorizo, cheese, and whatever veggies are lurking in your fridge.
The beauty lies in preparation options. Make them fresh in 15 minutes or batch-cook and freeze for emergency meals. A quick zap in the microwave resurrects them perfectly.
3. Eggs Benedict Pizza
Holy mash-up madness! This culinary creation combines the elegance of eggs Benedict with the casual joy of pizza. Start with a pre-made crust (no judgment here) and spread it with a thin layer of hollandaise sauce instead of marinara.
Top with Canadian bacon or ham, spinach, and mozzarella before baking until golden. The magic happens after baking—add poached eggs on top and drizzle with more hollandaise.
4. Pancake Lasagna
Buckle up for this mind-bending creation! Pancake lasagna swaps pasta sheets for fluffy pancakes, creating layers of breakfast-dinner fusion that’ll knock your slippers off. Make savory pancakes with herbs and cheese folded into the batter.
Between each pancake layer, add scrambled eggs, sausage crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, and spinach. Don’t forget cheese—lots of it—between every layer. The whole masterpiece gets baked until melty and magnificent.
5. Waffle Iron Hash Browns
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—waffle iron hash browns will revolutionize your dinner game! Shred potatoes, squeeze out excess moisture (crucial step!), then mix with a beaten egg, grated onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Press the mixture into a preheated, greased waffle iron and cook until golden brown and audibly crunchy. The waffle pattern creates maximum crispy surface area while the inside stays perfectly tender.
6. Breakfast Fried Rice
Last night’s forgotten rice transforms into tonight’s star dish! Breakfast fried rice brings morning flavors to this Asian-inspired classic. Start by crisping up breakfast sausage or bacon in a wok or large skillet.
Add cold leftover rice (fresh rice gets too mushy), then toss in scrambled eggs, green onions, and any quick-cooking veggies you have on hand. The secret weapon? A drizzle of maple syrup along with soy sauce for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
7. Shakshuka Mac And Cheese
Hold onto your forks, folks! This Mediterranean-meets-American mashup breaks all the rules in the best possible way. Start with a spicy tomato sauce spiked with cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes—the foundation of traditional shakshuka.
Fold in cooked macaroni and plenty of cheese, creating a spicy mac and cheese base. The magic happens when you create wells in the mixture and crack eggs directly into them, then bake until the whites set but yolks remain runny.
8. Breakfast Tacos Al Pastor
Taco Tuesday meets breakfast-for-dinner in this mind-blowing fusion! Marinate thinly sliced pork (or chicken) in pineapple juice, achiote paste, and spices—the classic al pastor treatment. Cook it hot and fast for those crispy, caramelized edges that make al pastor irresistible.
Load corn tortillas with the meat, then add scrambled eggs, diced pineapple, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The sweet-savory-tangy combination creates flavor fireworks in every bite.
9. Monte Cristo Casserole
Imagine the legendary Monte Cristo sandwich—ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, battered and fried—reimagined as a crowd-pleasing casserole! Layer cubed bread, sliced ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese in a baking dish, creating the foundation for this sweet-savory masterpiece.
Pour over a mixture of eggs, milk, mustard, and a hint of nutmeg, then let it soak overnight for maximum flavor infusion. Bake until puffed and golden, creating a texture that’s crispy on top and custardy inside.
10. Breakfast Poutine
Sorry, Canada—we’re remixing your national treasure! Breakfast poutine starts with a base of crispy french fries, just like the original. But instead of gravy, we’re smothering those potatoes in velvety sausage gravy loaded with black pepper and herbs.
Replace the cheese curds with chunks of scrambled eggs and shredded cheddar that melt into the hot gravy. Crown this masterpiece with crumbled bacon, chopped green onions, and hot sauce for those who dare.
11. Huevos Rancheros Casserole
Fiesta night gets a breakfast twist with this layered masterpiece! Start with a base of crispy tortilla chips, slightly crushed but not pulverized. Cover with black beans, corn, and a zesty homemade ranchero sauce that brings serious flavor punch.
Crack whole eggs directly onto the surface, spacing them evenly throughout the casserole. Sprinkle generously with cheese and bake until the egg whites set but yolks remain deliciously runny.
12. Bacon And Egg Risotto
Risotto gets a breakfast makeover in this creamy, dreamy dinner that’ll make your spoon very happy! The technique stays traditional—patient stirring as you gradually add warm stock to arborio rice. But the flavors? Pure breakfast bliss.
Crisp bacon bits and sautéed onions form the flavor foundation. Finish the creamy rice with Parmesan cheese, then top each serving with a perfectly poached egg. When broken, the yolk creates a rich sauce that takes this dish to another level.
13. Breakfast Pizza Bagels
Pizza bagels aren’t just for after-school snacks anymore! Split bagels (everything bagels work magic here) and toast them lightly. Spread each half with a layer of cream cheese instead of tomato sauce—trust me on this one.
Top with scrambled eggs, crumbled breakfast sausage or bacon, sautéed peppers and onions, and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Broil until bubbly and golden, creating mini breakfast pizzas that are perfectly portable.
14. Waffled Omelette Sandwiches
Break free from boring bread with these revolutionary sandwiches! Create savory waffles using hash browns or tater tots pressed in a waffle iron until golden and crispy. These potato waffles become your sandwich “bread” for a gluten-free twist.
Between these crispy potato waffles, layer a perfectly folded omelette filled with cheese, spinach, and mushrooms. Add avocado slices, tomato, and a schmear of sriracha mayo for good measure.
15. Maple-Bacon Bread Pudding
Sweet meets savory in this mind-blowing bread pudding that defies categorization! Tear day-old bread into chunks and toss with crispy bacon pieces and diced apples. The combination might sound strange, but trust the process—magic is coming.
Pour over a custard mixture of eggs, milk, maple syrup, and a hint of cinnamon. Let it soak, then bake until puffed and golden. The bread soaks up all that maple-bacon goodness, creating pockets of sweet and savory in every bite.
16. Breakfast Ramen Bowls
Ramen gets a morning makeover in this fusion bowl that’ll rock your dinner table! Start with good quality ramen noodles (ditch the flavor packet) cooked in chicken or vegetable broth enhanced with ginger and garlic.
Now for the breakfast twist: top your noodles with a soft-boiled egg, crispy bacon, sautéed spinach, and sliced green onions. The piece de resistance? A drizzle of maple-soy sauce that creates the perfect sweet-salty balance.
17. Breakfast Nachos Supreme
Nacho average dinner! These loaded breakfast nachos start with a base of tortilla chips arranged for maximum topping coverage. Layer with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, black beans, and corn for a hearty foundation.
Shower with two types of cheese (because why not?) and broil until melty and magical. The finishing touches make these truly supreme: avocado chunks, pico de gallo, jalapeños, sour cream, and cilantro.
18. Frittata Muffins With Potato Crust
Individual-sized frittatas with a crispy potato crust? Yes please! Press shredded potatoes into muffin tins and bake until golden to create edible cups. These potato nests become the perfect vessels for your egg mixture.
Fill with a combination of beaten eggs, cheese, spinach, bell peppers, and your protein of choice—ham, bacon, or keep it vegetarian. Bake until puffed and set, creating portable egg cups with built-in crispy hash brown bases.
19. Breakfast Enchiladas
Who says enchiladas need chicken or beef? These breakfast-inspired versions wrap scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sautéed peppers, and cheese in flour tortillas. Line them up in a baking dish like soldiers ready for sauce duty.
The game-changer: instead of traditional enchilada sauce, these get smothered in creamy country gravy with a kick of green chilies mixed in. Top with more cheese (always more cheese!) and bake until bubbly and golden.
20. Cereal Milk French Toast
Childhood nostalgia gets an upgrade with this dessert-for-dinner creation! Soak your favorite cereal (Cinnamon Toast Crunch works magic here) in milk overnight, then strain, reserving that gloriously flavored milk. This cereal milk becomes the base for your French toast batter, infusing every bite with sweet, nostalgic flavor.
Dip thick slices of brioche or challah into the batter, then coat with crushed cereal for added crunch. Cook until golden and crispy on the outside, custardy on the inside.