33 Best Breakfast Side Dishes for a Complete Morning Meal
Even the best main dish needs a supporting cast!
For Ree Drummond and her crew, breakfast isn’t just a meal—it’s a whole event! Whether it’s a busy ranch morning, a lazy weekend at home, or one of those nights when breakfast-for-dinner just feels right (which happens often enough that The Mercantile decided to make it official), Ree believes a good morning spread can set the tone for the whole day. (Bonus points if it's served in bed!)
But even the best main dish needs a supporting cast. After all, what’s a plate of fluffy scrambled eggs without crispy bacon on the side? Or a big, cheesy breakfast casserole without a bowl of fresh fruit to balance it out? The right breakfast side dishes bring everything together, turning a simple meal into something special—whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning a cozy brunch, or just treating yourself.
Here, you'll find all the classics, including crispy bacon, juicy sausage, and homemade muffins galore! Plus, you can get creative with your breakfast sides by swapping out your typical breakfast potatoes for an extra crispy potato galette or sweet potato hash. Looking for a breakfast side that doubles as dessert? Try a slice of sour cream coffee cake or the easy doughnuts with caramel sauce. On the lighter side of things, you can make a refreshing bowl of fruit salad with mint syrup or a yogurt parfait layered with granola. Serve them up with your favorite egg dishes, pancakes, or waffles and a cup of coffee—and breakfast is served.
Air Fryer Bacon
Say hello to your new favorite way to cook bacon! This method results in less mess but just as much crispiness. And you can still save the rendered bacon fat for cooking eggs or spooning over potatoes.
Get the Air Fryer Bacon recipe.
Morning Glory Muffins
These muffins are chockfull of mix-ins like apples, raisins, carrots, coconut, and pecans. They're not just a tasty way to start your day, but they're also a good way to sneak in some fruits and veggies, too.
Get the Morning Glory Muffins recipe.
Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage
Ground chicken is lean and mild, but it stays extra juicy here thanks to the addition of grated apples. Serve 'em up with eggs and pancakes for a hearty morning meal.
Sweet Potato Hash
This breakfast hash is both smoky and sweet thanks to the bacon, sweet potatoes, cumin and paprika. If steak and eggs are your breakfast of choice, it would also make for the perfect side dish.
Get the Sweet Potato Hash recipe.
Sunrise Fruit Salad
Wake up to a refreshing breakfast with this sunny fruit salad on the side! The colorful mix of melon, mango, and pineapple will pair perfectly with the crunch from the toasted coconut.
Get Ree's Sunrise Fruit Salad recipe.
Cowboy Potatoes
These crispy skillet potatoes are hearty, flavorful, and fit for a ranch-sized appetite! Tossed with onions, bell peppers, and plenty of seasoning, they make the perfect companion to scrambled eggs or Ree's famous breakfast burritos.
Get Ree's Cowboy Potatoes recipe.
Buttermilk Biscuits
Flaky on the outside and soft in the center, these old-fashioned biscuits are a breakfast classic for a reason. Serve them warm from the oven with a pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or a spoonful of your favorite jam.
Get the Buttermilk Biscuits recipe.
Homemade Applesauce
Once you try homemade applesauce, you'll never go back to store-bought! This version simmers fresh apples with cinnamon and sugar until perfectly soft, creating a cozy side that pairs beautifully with pancakes or sausage.
Get Ree's Homemade Applesauce recipe.
Maple-Bacon Scones
Sweet, salty, and irresistibly tender, these scones are a breakfast dream. The combination of smoky bacon and maple glaze gives every bite the perfect balance of flavor. Serve 'em up alongside a cup of hot coffee!
Get Ree's Maple-Bacon Scones recipe.
Apple Butter Cheese Twists
A little sweet and a little savory, these puff pastry twists are filled with apple butter and sharp cheddar for a deliciously unique breakfast bite.
Get the Apple Butter Cheese Twists recipe.
Magnificent Granola
This homemade granola lives up to its name. Toasty oats, nuts, and coconut are coated in a hint of sweetness, perfect for layering over yogurt or enjoying by the handful. It keeps well, so you'll have an easy breakfast all week long.
Get the Magnificent Granola recipe.
Baked Apples
Nothing says comfort quite like warm, cinnamon-spiced baked apples. Filled with brown sugar and butter, they taste like a lighter version of apple pie and make a cozy companion to waffles or oatmeal.
Get the Baked Apples recipe.
Apple Butter
Smooth, spiced, and spreadable, apple butter turns any biscuit or piece of toast into something special. Ree's version cooks down slowly until it's thick and caramelized. It's the ultimate fall breakfast treat!
Get the Apple Butter recipe.
Skillet Biscuits with Cinnamon-Honey Butter
These biscuits are flaky and tender with a beautiful crust that comes from baking them in a cast iron skillet. All they need is the cinnamon-honey butter on the side!
Get Ree's Skillet Biscuits with Cinnamon-Honey Butter recipe.
Candied Bacon
This bacon has a sweet and spicy coating that's completely addictive. You'll want to serve it up as a side dish, a garnish for bloody marys, or even on a breakfast sandwich!
Get the Candied Bacon recipe.
Corn Muffins
There's something so simple yet perfectly classic about a basket of corn muffins. They can go with just about anything! Best of all, the salted honey butter makes them extra satisfying.
Get the Corn Muffins recipe.
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
The Drummond family loves cinnamon rolls but this twist is even easier to make! Just pop open a can of large cinnamon roll dough to get started. There's no need to wait while it rises since the whole thing takes only an hour to make.
Get the Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe.
Potato Galette
This recipe is like a giant crispy hash brown so you know it's going to be a hit alongside your favorite eggs. Try making it for a fun brunch party and everyone will be impressed.
Get the Potato Galette recipe.
Yogurt Parfait
With layers of vanilla yogurt, fresh fruit, and homemade granola crunch, these little cups are anything but boring. You can even get your family to help build their own with a yogurt parfait bar.
Get the Yogurt Parfait recipe.
Grit Cakes
While you can't go wrong with creamy grits, this recipe has the added bonus feature of those crispy, golden edges! Plus, you can make them in any shape like squares, rounds, or even hearts.
Get the Grit Cakes recipe.
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