This collection of Valentine's Day breakfast recipes has everything from elegant egg dishes to decadent baked goods, plus plenty of red- and pink-hued options to start your day on a special note.
31 Valentine’s Day Breakfast Ideas for a Romantic Start To Your Day
Updated on Dec. 20, 2024
1/31
Springtime Beignets & Berries
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado
Homemade beignets are a special treat. Show your valentine how much you care by frying up a batch of these sweet pastries for them. Better yet—make them together as a fun morning activity.
2/31
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
These Valentine’s Day-themed cinnamon rolls start with red velvet cake mix, which takes most of the work out of making the semi-homemade dough. The rolls are topped with a simple butter and confectioners’ sugar icing, but you could swap in cream cheese frosting if that’s your favorite part of red velvet.
3/31
Strawberry Muffins
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Sunday suppers were always a little sweeter when my Nana served us these special spring muffins. Take them to a whole new level by topping them with toasted walnuts. —Becky Kummery, Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Muffins are always welcome at the breakfast table. There are many great muffin recipes to choose from, but these buttery muffins are perfect for Valentine’s Day breakfast. A generous amount of fresh strawberries are folded into the batter for a pop of red color and a beautiful berry taste.
4/31
Cinnamon Bagel Bread Pudding
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son works at a bagel shop and always brings home leftover cinnamon bagels. We hate to waste food since we are a large family with five kids, so I came up with this incredible-tasting bread pudding that everyone loves. —Rebecca Moreland, Bristol, Tennessee
Although this spiced bread pudding uses everyday breakfast staples like eggs, milk and bagels, it’s elevated enough to enjoy as a special breakfast with your loved ones. The custardy egg and milk base soaks into the bagel pieces, giving them a soft texture and rich flavor. You only need to let the bagels soak for about 15 minutes, but allowing them to sit longer will make the bread pudding even more pillowy.
5/31
Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Coffee Cakes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 coffee cakes (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy making this lovely coffee cake for anniversaries, Valentine's Day and other special occasions. I found the recipe more than 30 years ago, and I've been making it ever since. The delicious treat is a hit with family and friends. —Norma Hammond, Leland, Iowa
Nothing is more iconic on Valentine’s Day than a heart-shaped gift, so why not make a heart-shaped breakfast? The buttery, yeasted coffee cake is filled with walnuts and cinnamon before it’s rolled, folded, cut and twisted to form an adorable shape.
6/31
Small-Batch Pancakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 8 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These light and fluffy pancakes for two won’t leave you worrying about what to do with the leftover batter. For a special taste treat, I like to prepare them with blueberries. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen flipping pancake after pancake when you could be enjoying a Valentine’s Day breakfast? This recipe offers a winning solution by making just enough batter for two so you can sit down and enjoy pancakes with your loved one before your food gets cold.
7/31
Berry-Filled Doughnuts
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
10 doughnuts
From the Recipe Creator:
Four ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
This recipe calls for canned biscuit dough, a convenient shortcut for making easy homemade doughnuts. The recipe comes together so fast that you won’t even have to get out of your pajamas! We fill the doughnuts with strawberry jam to create a fruity, red filling, but any jam will work. You could even go all in for a Valentine’s Day indulgence and fill them with chocolate hazelnut spread.
8/31
Eggs Benedict
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico’s in New York. Here’s my take on this brunch classic, and don’t spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
There was a time when I only ate eggs Benedict at a restaurant—until I realized this impressive breakfast is surprisingly easy to make at home. To keep it stress-free, make the hollandaise sauce first and keep it warm while poaching the eggs. To add a subtle hit of spice to the rich sauce, add a pinch of cayenne.
9/31
Cinnamon French Toast
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon and nutmeg give French toast an extra tasty twist in this terrific recipe. Serve with fresh fruit, syrup and whipped cream, if you're feeling fancy! —Angela Sansom, New York, New York
Level up your French toast game with this cinnamon-spiked recipe. It has the perfect balance of butter, rich bread and sweet cinnamon flavor, but you can adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes. Feel free to swap in brioche for white bread or make the French toast batter with half-and-half cream for added decadence.
10/31
Rhubarb Sticky Buns
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Since I have seven rhubarb plants in my backyard, everything's coming up rosy about now. My husband and two teen sons are crazy about these sticky buns. I discovered the treat in an old recipe file I purchased at a rummage sale.
Rhubarb has a delightful sweet-tart flavor and a gorgeous pinkish-red hue, making it a fantastic choice for Valentine’s Day recipes. These sticky buns are assembled in muffin cups with the rhubarb on the bottom and the dough on top, similar to upside-down cakes. That means they don’t need a lot of shaping and will bake quickly.
11/31
Chocolate Chip Dutch Baby
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I modified a traditional Dutch baby recipe given to me by a friend and came up with this version that my family thinks is terrific. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make. —Mary Thompson, La Crosse, Wisconsin
A Dutch baby is one of the most dramatic breakfasts you can make! As the thin, crepe-like batter bakes in a buttered skillet, the edges rise to impressive heights, creating a cup-shaped giant pancake-esque breakfast. Appropriate for Valentine’s Day, this recipe adds chocolate chips to the batter, which become melty and gooey in the oven.
12/31
Creamy Strawberry Crepes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
50 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Wrap summer-ripe strawberries and creamy filling into these delicate crepes for an elegant brunch entree. —Kathy Kochiss, Huntington, Connecticut
Homemade crepes aren’t difficult to make, as the batter is similar to a thin pancake batter. However, ladling and flipping the thin crepes to delicate perfection takes some practice and attention, so try making them once or twice before Valentine’s morning. These crepes are filled with a tangy strawberry filling made with cream cheese, sugar and whipped cream, but any berry works if you don’t have strawberries on hand.
13/31
Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy cinnamon roll casserole recipe has a delectable icing glaze over top. The secret is to make a vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup mixture to pour over the rolls, as well as a crumbly brown sugar topping. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Canned cinnamon rolls are convenient and easy to prepare, but you can do more with them than just make a standard roll. This recipe gives the prepared dough a fun twist by dicing the rolls, soaking them in maple syrup-infused milk and placing them into a casserole dish. Topped with a pecan streusel topping, the breakfast casserole bakes to fluffy perfection.
14/31
Eggs Lorraine
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Super easy and elegant, this is one of my favorite special-occasion dishes. It’s absolutely delicious! —Sandra Woolard, DeLand, Florida
This baked egg breakfast is reminiscent of quiche Lorraine but comes together much more quickly. The eggs are layered on top of sliced Canadian bacon and laced with creamy dollops of sour cream. Baked in individual dishes, the perfectly cooked eggs are so tasty you’ll want to serve them with toast to sop up every bit of the soft eggs.
15/31
Halva and Nutella Babka Buns
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 buns
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is the result of many years of tweaking and perfecting. It is a favorite request when visitors come to my farm. —Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker, Machiasport, Maine
These beautiful twisted buns have a tender, soft dough thanks to the eggs, milk and butter that enrich it. But what really makes them unique is the Nutella, pistachio halva and chocolate chip filling. Make sure to factor in enough time for the dough to rise so the buns become fluffy instead of dense and tough.
16/31
German Pancakes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 cups syrup)
From the Recipe Creator:
Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast, too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
This large-format pancake has more eggs than a traditional pancake recipe and bakes in the oven instead of on the stovetop. As it cooks, the sides rise while the center stays custardy and tender. We serve it with buttermilk syrup, which can be prepared while the pancake bakes so that everything is ready to enjoy as soon as it comes out of the oven.
17/31
Strawberry Scones
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 scones
From the Recipe Creator:
This strawberry scones recipe is rich with cream and packed with berry goodness. If you are like me, you won't be able to eat just one! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Scones have the flaky tenderness of a biscuit but a softer, slightly cakier texture. They’re ideal for holding chunks of fresh strawberries that bake into bright red pockets of sweet, slightly jammy fruit. Double down on the berry flavor and pinky-red color theme of Valentine’s Day and serve them with homemade strawberry butter.
18/31
Air-Fryer French Toast Cups with Raspberries
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These air-fryer French toast cups make any morning special. I made this recipe for my mom on Mother's Day, and we both enjoyed it. —Sandi Tuttle, Hayward, Wisconsin
These individual French toast cups are filled with cubed bread, raspberries and cream cheese. Their smaller size means they bake in a fraction of the time of a large casserole, so you can whip them up on a busy morning (because even Valentine’s Day can be hectic). Instead of serving with maple syrup, top the French toast with a bright, lightly sweetened raspberry sauce that adds even more festive red color to the breakfast table.
19/31
Blueberry Lemon Muffins
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
55 min
Servings
11 muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
Bursting with berries and drizzled with a light lemony glaze, these muffins are moist, tender and truly something special. This is one recipe you simply must try for family and friends. —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri
Blueberry and lemon is a classic flavor combination that doesn’t have to be reserved for summertime. These muffins taste fantastic in the winter when frozen blueberries are used. A quick glaze made of confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice makes the muffins look fancy, so they’re perfect for a special breakfast.
20/31
Nutella Cinnamon Rolls
Skill Level
Advanced
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These jumbo Nutella cinnamon rolls will stand alone at your next brunch. Bursting with chocolate, hazelnut, espresso and cinnamon, they will please any palate and bring to mind your favorite coffee shop bakery. —Pam Ivbuls, Elkhorn, Nebraska
These decadent cinnamon rolls are made with Nutella, espresso powder and hazelnut syrup, creating a sophisticated twist on a breakfast classic. The shaped rolls rise overnight in the refrigerator, so all you have to do in the morning is bake and ice them.
21/31
Banana Beignets
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a little girl, my grandmother took me aside one day and taught me how to make her famous banana beignets. Although we made them during the holidays, they're pretty fantastic any time of the year. —Amy Downing, South Riding, Virginia
These bite-sized treats are flavored with mashed banana and rolled in cinnamon sugar hot out of the fryer. The secret to their light and fluffy texture is cake flour. If you need help figuring out what to do with the rest of the package, try making other cake flour recipes so nothing is wasted.
22/31
Cream-Filled Doughnuts
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 doughnuts
From the Recipe Creator:
These light, airy doughnuts with a sweet cream filling will please any doughnut lover. Score points with your colleagues by bringing a batch to work. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
These fluffy, yeasted doughnuts are doubly sweet: They’re filled with creamy vanilla pudding and rolled in sugar for a sugary exterior. To make them even more special for Valentine’s Day, try filling the doughnuts with another pudding flavor. Chocolate pudding is always a good choice, or you could use food coloring to tint the vanilla filling pink or red.
23/31
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This blueberry coffee cake is my go-to recipe for all of our holiday get-togethers because it's perfect for breakfast or dessert. It's easy to make, and it's the most delicious coffee cake I've ever had. —Susan Ober, Franconia, New Hampshire
I like to bake this blueberry-studded coffee cake in a Bundt pan. It creates a decorative design, so the cake looks elegant with nothing more than a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar. Fresh or frozen blueberries work in this recipe and complement the ribbon of spiced brown sugar that weaves through the cake.
24/31
Cheese Danishes
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
This tempting cheese Danish bakes to flaky perfection's shines with the simple gloss of an egg wash. It tastes just as decadent as any breakfast pastry you'd find in a bakery or coffee shop. —Josephine Triton, Lakewood, Ohio
If you like a pastry that’s sweet but not too sweet, try these cream cheese-filled danishes for Valentine’s Day breakfast. The homemade dough is soft and fluffy from the butter, milk and egg yolks, and it becomes even more flavorful if you have time to make it the day before. For stronger Valentine’s Day vibes, add a few raspberries on top of the cream cheese filling before baking.
25/31
Egg-Topped Avocado Toast
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We always have avocados on hand, so it's easy to make this quick breakfast toast for my husband and me. It's really tasty! —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Upgrade plain buttered toast with this hearty, savory avocado toast recipe. Poaching the eggs in the microwave is a time-saver. We top the toast with cheese and bacon, but they would taste just as fantastic if you topped them with smoked salmon instead.
26/31
Glazed Doughnut Holes
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a simple recipe to create a colorful and fun breakfast—or snack! For the glaze, use any type of juice you like. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
No baking or frying is needed to create these beautifully-colored, sweet doughnut holes. The glaze is made by combining thawed frozen juice concentrate with confectioners’ sugar, creating a vibrant, fruity coating that only needs a few minutes to set.
27/31
Egg-Free Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking to use up brown bananas, I swapped my usual banana bread for these chocolate banana muffins when my youngest developed an egg allergy. You’d never know they’re egg-free! —Danielle Siero, Wixom, Michigan
Ripe bananas and two kinds of chocolate come together in these soft, sweet muffins. They taste decadent but are surprisingly light. Use festive muffin liners for a decorative touch.
28/31
Savory Waffles with Asparagus, Gruyere and Onion
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I took one of our family’s favorite puff pastry recipes, which uses a similar mix of ingredients, and translated it to savory waffles. It’s a change of pace from sweeter fare. Served with a ham steak and fried eggs, it makes a fabulous meal. Feel free to add maple syrup or a spicy glaze. —Leslie Ponce, Miami, Florida
Few things are more impressive than taking an everyday breakfast staple like a waffle and giving it a surprising flavor makeover. This recipe does just that, pushing typical accompaniments like butter and maple syrup to the side and topping the cheesy, asparagus-and-onion-studded waffle with a fried egg and even more cheese.
29/31
Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts
Skill Level
Intermediate
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this classic treat from childhood! Homemade Pop-Tarts are, of course, awesome for breakfast, but they are also a satisfying dessert since they are really similar to hand pies. These pastries are worth the extra effort. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Sure, you can buy Pop-Tarts at the store, but making them from scratch is much more delicious—and fun! The from-scratch buttery pastry is flaky yet sturdy enough to hold the fruit filling inside the crimped edges. Use a red jam and Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles to make them extra festive.
30/31
Air-Fryer French Toast Sticks
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This quick recipe makes it easy to prepare air-fryer French toast sticks. Have them handy in the freezer for a hearty breakfast in an instant. They're also wonderful for buffets and eating on the go. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
These make-ahead French toast sticks are perfect for popping into the air fryer on Valentine’s Day morning. Thick Texas toast strips are soaked in custard and coated with cornflakes for a crunchy alternative to regular French toast. Serve with warm maple syrup for dipping, or even chocolate sauce for more decadence.
31/31
Strawberry Donuts
Skill Level
Beginner
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These doughnuts have pale pink interiors and a natural berry glaze on top. For a whimsical garnish, sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberry bits, pink jimmies or pearl sugar. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
These strawberry doughnuts are baked instead of fried and absolutely loaded with fresh berries, both in the doughnut batter and the glaze. The doughnuts will rise as they bake, so make sure you don’t overfill the doughnut pan. If it’s more than halfway full, the doughnuts rise could lose their center hole.
Valentine’s Day Breakfast FAQ
How can you create a romantic breakfast in bed?
Breakfast in bed is a wonderful treat any time of the year, but it’s worth adding a few extra touches to give it a romantic feel on Valentine’s Day. Lean into the day’s color scheme by topping your breakfast with a few edible flowers, making a fresh fruit bowl with red and pink berries, or using pink-colored strawberry cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese.
To add a festive beverage to the morning, mix cranberry or pomegranate juice with seltzer (or champagne) in a fluted glass to create a sparkling sipper. Drop in a few pomegranate seeds or a raspberry to give it the perfect finishing touch.
What’s the best way to make heart-shaped foods for Valentine’s Day breakfast?
There’s nothing more iconic than heart-shaped food on Valentine’s Day, so pick up a heart-shaped cookie cutter to add hearts to your breakfast table. Punch out a large heart from a slice of bread and then turn it into an egg in a hole. Smaller cutters are perfect for making hearts from larger pieces of fruit like melon or apple slices.
You can also make freeform hearts by topping a shallow bowl of yogurt or a smoothie bowl with berries and seeds in a heart shape. For pancakes, transfer the batter to a squeeze bottle or zip bag with the end snipped off. Then, pipe pancakes onto a griddle or skillet in a heart shape.
How can you create a breakfast board for Valentine’s Day?
A Valentine’s breakfast board is a fantastic way to serve a crowd and let people graze on an assortment of tasty nibbles. You can pick a theme (like a pancake or bagel board), or include a mix of breakfast classics. Either way, balance sweet and savory options for a good variety.
If there are hot items, don’t put them all out at once. Keep some in a warm oven and replenish the board periodically. Finally, remember that it’s Valentine’s Day, and add plenty of red and pink fruits, vegetables and jams.
