Name: Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 10-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough; 12 ounce ground breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled; 4 eggs; 2 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tablespoons butter, melted

There’s just something about a warm, golden braid packed with savory sausage and melty cheese that makes mornings better. This Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe is just that—a showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to pull off, perfect for anything from weekend brunches to busy weekday mornings.

The image shows a long braided bread loaf placed on crinkled white parchment paper on a white marbled surface. The bread has a golden-brown crust with thin braided strips wrapped diagonally over a creamy yellow filling that peeks through the gaps. The top is sprinkled with small green herbs, adding a fresh color contrast. To the side, there is a white egg carton holding several white eggs, partially visible. In the lower part of the image, a stack of white plates adds a clean touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this breakfast braid more times than I can count, and it never fails to impress friends and family. It’s that perfect blend of ease and wow factor—easy enough to whip up without stress but beautiful enough to make any morning feel special.

Simple Ingredients: Uses easy-to-find, everyday ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry.
Quick to Prepare: Takes less than 40 minutes start to finish, making it doable even on busy mornings.
Delicious Layers: The sausage, eggs, peppers, and cheese combo is packed with flavor and texture in every bite.
Beautiful Presentation: That braided dough topping looks fancy but is actually really easy to assemble.

The image shows four slices of a sandwich laid in a row on a white marbled surface. Each slice has three distinct layers: the top and bottom layers are light golden-brown bread with a soft texture, the middle layer is filled with fluffy yellow scrambled eggs mixed with small bits of cooked sausage meat that is grayish-brown in color, and small pieces of red bell pepper scattered throughout the egg mixture. The sandwich slices are placed close together, showing a clear cross-section of the filling inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays its part in making this Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe a winner. The dough wraps everything up so beautifully, while the sausage and eggs bring hearty flavor and the cheese adds just the right melty richness. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the best components for your braid.

Flat lay of a tube of smooth, pale pizza dough unrolled slightly, a small heap of cooked and crumbled golden-brown breakfast sausage, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy milk, a small white bowl filled with finely diced vibrant red bell pepper, a small white bowl of shredded bright orange cheddar cheese, a small white bowl containing melted golden butter, and a small white bowl with freshly ground black pepper, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Refrigerated pizza dough: This is your convenient, flexible base—and trust me, it really makes the braid look fabulous without extra fuss.
Ground breakfast sausage: I prefer a mildly spiced sausage, but feel free to go hot or sage-flavored depending on your taste.
Eggs: They’re what fluff up the filling and add that classic breakfast feel.
Milk: A splash keeps the eggs tender and creamy when scrambled.
Black pepper: Adds subtle kick—don’t skip it!
Diced red bell pepper: For color, slight sweetness, and a little crunch contrast.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Because what’s breakfast without melty cheese? Sharp cheddar works great here.
Butter (melted): Brushing this on top after baking gives a beautiful sheen and extra buttery flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with different cheeses and veggies—depending on what’s in season or what everyone’s craving. You should feel free to do the same. Cooking is way more fun when you make it your own!

Variation: I sometimes swap in spinach and mushrooms for the bell peppers, which adds a nice earthiness and color.
Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, try turkey sausage and part-skim cheese; it still tastes amazing!
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or use pepper jack cheese if you want some heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Base With the Pizza Dough

First up, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Then unroll the refrigerated pizza dough right onto the parchment and press it gently into a rectangle. This easy step sets the stage for the whole braid, and it’s less fiddly than trying to roll the dough out yourself.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage and Scramble the Eggs

Cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet until nicely browned and crumbled—this step builds flavor right from the start. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, black pepper, and diced red pepper. Pour this mixture into a hot skillet and scramble just until set; keeping them soft prevents the braid from drying out.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

Sprinkle the cooked sausage down the middle third of your dough rectangle. Then add the scrambled eggs over the sausage, and finally top with the shredded cheddar cheese. This layered combo is where all the magic happens, so don’t be shy with your filling!

Step 4: Braid the Dough Over the Filling

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice strips about 12-15 down each side of the dough (parallel to the filling). Carefully fold the strips over the filling in an alternating pattern, like weaving a basket—this gives the braid its signature look and locks the filling inside for a neat, tidy bake.

Step 5: Bake and Butter

Bake the braid for about 20 minutes or until it’s golden brown on top. The smell that fills your kitchen is incredible—I always find myself getting a bit impatient waiting! When it comes out of the oven, brush the top generously with melted butter for a glossy finish and extra flavor.

Top Tip

I’ve learned the hard way that dry dough is the enemy of a perfect breakfast braid. So keeping the scrape edges moist by folding firmly but gently is key. Also, don’t overcook the eggs before assembling—the residual oven heat finishes cooking them while keeping them tender.

Use a pizza cutter: It makes those dough strip cuts clean and even, which helps the braid look neat.
Don’t rush folding: Take your time folding strips over the filling so it won’t leak out during baking.
Brush with butter while hot: This really seals in moisture and after baking, gives a tempting shine.
Temper your sausage: Cook it crisp but not burnt to add ideal texture without bitterness.

How to Serve Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe

breakfast sausage braid - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh chives or parsley right on top—it adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that balances the richness perfectly. Sometimes a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce works wonders, especially if you like a little tang or heat.

Side Dishes

Pair your breakfast braid with fresh fruit salad for a sweet counterpoint, or some lightly dressed greens for a touch of brightness. For a hearty brunch, crispy hash browns or roasted potatoes are always a hit with this dish.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve brought this breakfast braid to brunch parties where I served it on a wooden board surrounded by colorful veggies and small bowls of jams and mustards. For a festive twist, try shaping it into a circle or heart for Valentine’s Day—it’s surprisingly easy and a real conversation starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sausage braid is a lifesaver for quick breakfasts. I wrap individual slices tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the fridge—they keep well for up to 3 days. Just reheat gently to keep the dough soft and flaky.

Freezing

I often make a double batch and freeze extra unbaked braids. Freeze them on parchment-lined trays first, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—it’s amazing how fresh it tastes.

Reheating

For reheating, I prefer the oven to maintain crispness—pop the slices into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave works in a pinch but can sometimes make the dough a bit chewy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade dough instead of refrigerated pizza dough?

Absolutely! Homemade dough gives you more control over flavor and texture. Just be sure it’s rolled evenly and isn’t too thick, so your braid bakes through nicely.

What’s the best way to cook the sausage for this braid?

Cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula until browned and just cooked through. Draining excess grease helps prevent the braid from becoming too oily.

Can I prepare this braid the night before?

Yes! You can assemble the braid and keep it covered in the fridge overnight. When ready, just bake it fresh the next morning for the best texture and flavor.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Definitely! You can freeze both unbaked assembled braids and baked leftovers. Just thaw properly before baking or reheating to keep the textures just right.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Breakfast Sausage Braid Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes for mornings when I want something comforting but impressive without hours in the kitchen. It’s a crowd-pleaser, a quick fix, and a way to brighten any breakfast table. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be folding dough over that filling again and again—with maybe even a little happy dance in between.