There’s just something about a warm, flaky braid stuffed with savory breakfast sausage, eggs, and melty cheese that makes mornings feel a little more special. This Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe is a fantastic way to treat yourself and your loved ones to a cozy, delicious start that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this sausage braid on rushed weekend mornings and leisurely holiday brunches, and it never fails to impress. Its golden crust and hearty filling bring all the breakfast favorites into one neat, beautiful package—plus, the aroma while baking is just irresistible.
- Effortlessly impressive: It looks fancy, but comes together so easily with store-bought pizza dough.
- Flavor-packed: Savory sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, and a touch of red pepper for a pop of freshness.
- Great for any occasion: Whether a weekday breakfast or a brunch centerpiece, it fits right in.
- Portable and shareable: Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic in this Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe lives in simple, reliable ingredients that delight every bite. Using refrigerated pizza dough keeps things hands-off on the prep, while the combination of sausage, eggs, cheddar, and red pepper creates layers of texture and flavor that you’ll crave again and again.
- Refrigerated pizza dough: Convenient and already perfectly pliable for braiding, no yeast worries here.
- Ground breakfast sausage: I prefer spicy or maple-flavored for a little extra kick or sweetness.
- Eggs: Scrambled and fluffy, they add richness and help bind the filling.
- Milk: Just enough to keep the scrambled eggs tender and moist.
- Black pepper: A subtle spice that wakes up the egg mixture.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet crunch and a burst of color.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully, giving a sharp, creamy finish.
- Butter: Brushed on top for that gorgeous golden sheen and buttery flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe is how easily it bends to your preferences. I love swapping in different cheeses or adding fresh herbs right into the egg mixture. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Vegetable variation: I’ve tossed in sautéed mushrooms or spinach before, and it totally lifts the flavors while adding nutrition.
- Cheese options: Mozzarella or pepper jack bring a mellow or spicy twist, respectively.
- Spice it up: Add crushed red pepper flakes into the eggs for a subtle heat that wakes up every bite.
- Meat-free: Swap sausage for cooked seasoned tofu or a mix of sautéed veggies to make it vegetarian-friendly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Shape the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. I like to unroll the refrigerated pizza dough directly onto the parchment—it makes transferring it to the oven a breeze. Then, gently press it into a nice even rectangle, about 12x8 inches. This base will cradle all the delicious fillings in the braid.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage and Prepare the Egg Mixture
Before assembling, cook the ground breakfast sausage in a skillet until nicely browned and crumbly—this keeps the filling flavorful and moist. Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, milk, black pepper, and diced red bell pepper in a bowl. Pour this into a hot skillet and scramble gently—watch for soft curds and tender texture rather than overcooked rubbery eggs.
Step 3: Layer the Filling
Spread the cooked sausage down the center third of your dough rectangle, making a neat line. Then, sprinkle the scrambled eggs over the sausage evenly. Finally, scatter shredded cheddar cheese on top—don’t be shy here, it melts into gooey perfection!
Step 4: Cut and Braid the Dough
This is the fun part! Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut parallel strips approximately 12-15 on each side of your filling, about 1-inch wide. Then, gently fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides like weaving a basket. This creates those beautiful braids that look so impressive but are so easy to do.
Step 5: Bake and Finish
Pop the braid into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and puffed. As soon as it’s out of the oven, brush with melted butter for that luxurious shine and extra flavor. Serve warm and watch everyone go back for seconds.
Top Tip
After making this Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe several times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keep things smooth and tasty. These tips can really help you get a beautiful, fuss-free result every time.
- Don’t over-scramble the eggs: Cook just until set but still moist. They’ll finish cooking in the oven and stay tender nestled inside the braid.
- Use a pizza cutter for neat strips: This makes cutting faster and ensures even strips that braid nicely without tearing.
- Brush dough edges with water if needed: If your dough feels dry at the edges, a quick water brush helps seals the braid securely.
- Try a light egg wash: For an ultra-glossy crust, you can brush the braid with beaten egg before baking, then finish with butter afterwards.
How to Serve Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives on top—it adds a pop of color and a fresh note that brightens up the richness. A little hot sauce or salsa on the side also pairs wonderfully if you like a bit of heat.
Side Dishes
I love serving this with simple mixed greens or a fruit salad to balance the indulgence. Roasted potatoes or crispy hash browns make a perfect hearty complement, especially for weekend brunches.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve made mini breakfast braids in muffin tins using biscuit dough—bite-sized and adorable. You could also dress up a large braid with different colored peppers for a festive look or add little dollops of cream cheese inside for extra creaminess.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually slice into individual portions before storing — that way reheating is quick and even.
Freezing
This braid freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven to refresh the crust.
Reheating
I find reheating in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes does the trick—crispy edges and melty cheese come right back to life. Microwaving is okay for a quick fix but the crust won’t stay as crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully. Just make sure it’s rolled out into a rectangle about the same thickness and size as the store-bought dough to maintain the baking time and braid structure.
You can use any kind of ground breakfast sausage you like—pork, turkey, or chicken. If you prefer, spicy varieties or maple-flavored sausage add extra dimension. Just make sure it’s fully cooked and crumbled before assembling.
Yes! You can assemble the braid and cover it tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge overnight. Then bake it fresh the next morning. This makes busy mornings much easier and ensures fresh-out-of-the-oven goodness.
Definitely. Use gluten-free pizza dough as your base, which you can find at many grocery stores or make from scratch. Just keep in mind that baking times might vary slightly, and the texture may be a tiny bit different depending on the dough brand.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe has become one of my go-to meals when I want something hearty, homemade, and a little show-stopping without hours in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—feel free to make it your own, share it with family, and savor those cozy breakfast moments! You’re going to love how easy and delicious this braid turns out.
Print
Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A savory Breakfast Braid featuring a flaky pizza dough filled with seasoned cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, red bell peppers, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a hearty breakfast or brunch that's easy to prepare and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Dough and Filling
- 1 10-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough
- 12 ounce ground breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough Base: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough onto the parchment paper and press it gently into a rectangle shape.
- Add Sausage Layer: Sprinkle the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage evenly down the center third of the dough rectangle.
- Make Scrambled Eggs: In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, black pepper, and diced red bell pepper. Pour this mixture into a hot skillet and scramble until fully cooked.
- Assemble Filling: Spread the scrambled eggs evenly over the sausage layer on the dough, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the eggs.
- Create Braid Strips: Use a pizza cutter to cut strips about 12-15 pieces on each side of the dough, leaving the center intact to hold the filling.
- Braid the Dough: Fold the dough strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braided appearance.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the braid is golden brown on top.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from oven, brush the braid with melted butter to add shine and flavor, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use cooked sausage to ensure the filling is fully cooked before baking.
- Feel free to substitute cheddar cheese with your favorite cheese like mozzarella or pepper jack for variation.
- You can add additional veggies such as sautéed onions or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Make sure to seal the braid strips well to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- This braid can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to make clean-up easier and prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 478 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 940 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 173 mg
Leave a Reply