Here's our master list of the best brunch ideas. From loaded frittatas to glorious cinnamon rolls, any of these dishes will create an epic brunch spread.

65 of Our Best Brunch Ideas and Recipes

French Toast Recipe
Does it get any more classic than French toast? This is our best French toast recipe, and when plated with fruit and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, it makes a great centerpiece for the brunch table.
Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles (pronounced chee-luh-kee-laiz) is one of my favorite brunch recipes. Corn tortillas are coated in homemade salsa, then topped with savory favorites like queso fresco, onions, refried beans, cilantro, sour cream or a sunny-side up egg.
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
The best cinnamon rolls are what you’d expect: soft and plush, with just the right amount of cinnamon filling, cream cheese frosting and coveted cinnamon roll nucleus. We made sure our best cinnamon rolls recipe ticked every single box. Here it is!
Frittata
Our frittata recipe was built to be customizable. While we suggest certain veggies, seasonings and cheeses, feel free to add or omit at your leisure. Frittatas are a great fridge clean-out recipe!
Bananas Foster French Toast
Is it a dessert or breakfast? It’s both, and it’s delicious! Setting up the French toast ahead of time gives the bread plenty of time to soak up the yummy spiced milk.
Rhubarb Muffins
When rhubarb time finally rolls around, it’s best to save the stalks for special recipes. Here, rhubarb is the star, along with a cinnamon-pecan streusel.
Buttermilk Pancakes
Buttermilk pancakes are a classic, but why? It’s all due to the fact that buttermilk’s acidity breaks down the gluten so the pancake’s texture is super tender. Plus, the acidity kickstarts the baking soda for a better rise and a fluffier pancake.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
This easy make-ahead French toast casserole is well-loved for a reason. A sweet mix of cream cheese and blueberries gets tossed with cubed bread in a trusty 13×9 pan. Left in the fridge overnight, the bread absorbs some of the liquid, becoming almost melty and custardy. Then it needs to bake only 30 minutes in the morning and breakfast is served.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
This recipe is just about as easy as tearing open a package of frozen hash browns! The savory, cheesy casserole is quick to put together. If you look for gluten-free hash browns, this recipe can be an easy gluten-free breakfast too!
Breakfast Enchiladas
These saucy, eggy enchiladas are filled with chorizo, cheese and veggies. Assemble the enchiladas the night before, and then they’re quick to bake in the morning.
Lemon-Blueberry Pound Cake
This stunning pound cake harmonizes blueberries and lemons together into such a pretty treat for breakfast time. Lemon yogurt, lemon zest and lemon juice ensure the zippy flavor is prominent.
Egg Muffins
While it’s easy to make scrambled eggs for one or two, it gets tricky when cooking for a crowd. These egg muffins are a perfect solution, serving up individual portions of egg and sausage from a muffin tin.
Breakfast Sliders
Breakfast sliders are so easy to put together. Best of all, they’re all done at the same time, so there’s no need to assemble and heat breakfast sandwiches one by one.
Coffee Cake
Set this coffee cake, still a bit warm from the oven, on the breakfast table and let people serve themselves. This cake is stunning to behold, and the cinnamon swirl ripple and cinnamon-pecan topping make this our very best coffee cake recipe.
Eggs Benedict
Try not to let the fear of hollandaise sauce and poached eggs stop you from making this brunch classic. Our recipe walks you through the techniques step-by-step so you can get it exactly right the first time.
Smoothie Bowl
To make smoothie bowls for a crowd, blend up one large batch of a single smoothie bowl flavor, then set up a topping station so everyone can decorate theirs as they please. Include fresh fruits, honey, nuts, seeds, shredded coconut and, my favorite, Nutella.
The Best Ever Pancakes
Ready for a brilliant trick? You can make any pancake batter ahead of time: Simply stir it together and leave it in the fridge overnight. In the morning, just preheat the skillet, give the batter a quick stir and fry up the ‘cakes.
Huevos Rancheros
Huevos rancheros start with a crispy corn tortilla base, then everything is built on top. Here, we add homemade refried black beans, fried eggs, salsa, avocados and pico de gallo.
Mimosas
You hardly need a recipe for mimosas, but we like to think ours is the perfect balance of the two ingredients. Serve each glass with an orange garnish for an elevated presentation.
Breakfast Biscuit Cups
These savory biscuit cups are easy-peasy to set up ahead of time. Make sure you have enough room in the fridge to store the muffin tray, or just refrigerate the prepped biscuit mix in the bowl and scoop the mix into the tray in the morning. Leftovers freeze nicely.
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is such a fun, easy dish to serve at brunch. Pita makes the perfect vessel for the spicy tomato sauce and poached eggs. This dish feeds two, but you could stretch it to four with other sides on the table.
Mushroom Asparagus Quiche
Quiche is the perfect brunch food: savory, rich and just as good served early in the morning as later in the day. Preparing the quiche ahead of time ensures a rich, savory flavor and a perfectly set filling. Serve it cold or gently warmed.
Easy Banana Muffins
These our are best-rated muffins for a reason. Three ripe bananas and simple pantry staples make one dozen tender, sweet muffins. I love adding streusel to mine.
Easy Biscuits and Gravy
Ah, biscuits and gravy, the ultimate southern comfort food! A tube of refrigerated biscuits makes quick work of this brunch idea, but feel free to make homemade biscuits if you’re a purist.
Can’t-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls
One of our favorite big breakfast bakes, these cinnamon rolls set up in a 13×9 pan ahead of time and bake quickly in the morning. Bake them alongside an egg casserole for a sweet and savory brunch.
Farmer’s Casserole
Feeding a crowd for brunch? Serve this delicious, hearty breakfast casserole—it’s one of our most popular breakfast recipes ever!
Whole Wheat Pancakes
Make baked goods a bit healthier (and more filling) by using whole wheat flour. These pancakes are a great way to get kids used to the stronger flavor of whole wheat (syrup is a great persuader too).
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
The warm, savory flavor of grits is the backbone of this hearty brunch casserole. While bacon and cheese add ample flavor to the dish, you can also add chopped peppers, corn, chives or spinach. This is another naturally gluten-free brunch recipe.
Baked Oatmeal
Baked with brown sugar and cinnamon, this oatmeal is the perfect base for loads of sweet toppings. Let guests serve themselves and set out maple syrup, fresh fruit, yogurt and nut butters.
Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Buttery croissants, pork sausage, Gruyere, Dijon mustard and eggs bake together in this French-inspired brunch casserole. It’s the perfect all-in-one dish that’s probably best served with a side of fruit salad for freshness.
Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich
Feeding a crowd? Find the longest baguette at the store, slice it open, and stuff it with all the inclusions. Pop it in the oven to warm everything up, then cut as many servings as needed.
Monkey Bread with Frozen Bread Dough
Prep this incredible pull-apart bread in advance—the dough will rise slowly in the fridge overnight, developing plenty of flavor. The cooked sauce is melty, sticky and fabulous. Add chopped nuts if you’d like.
Green Chile Brunch Bake
Smoky green chiles are a delicious southwestern food that’s perfect for those who love chile flavor but not necessarily a wallop of heat. Leftovers are great any time of day.
Roasted Vegetable Strata
Want to eat up a surplus of zucchini? Try this veggie-packed strata. It’s a great way to get more vegetables onto the breakfast table.
Baked French Toast
This perfect French toast recipe is easy to tweak to the season and to what’s in your pantry. Try it with French bread, brioche, challah or even cinnamon raisin bread. Any fruit works, from summer stone fruits to winter citrus.
Sausage & Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole
A tube of crescent rolls has a lot more uses than you might expect! Here, it transforms into a buttery, flaky casserole.
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Want a delicious vegan brunch that will appeal to everyone at the table? Make these easy, hearty banana pancakes with wholesome whole grain wheat and oats.
Bacon Pancakes
Sweet and savory come together in these fun, unexpected bacon pancakes. Plus, you’ll serve two brunch classics at once, and both are delicious with a big drizzle of maple syrup.
Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal
Channel the sun-baked fields of France with this slow-cooker brunch recipe. With notes of thyme, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s like summer on a plate.
Caramel Rolls
The very definition of finger-lickin’ good, these caramel rolls are a true treat. The caramel scent of the baking rolls will make all the prep totally worth it.
Overnight Pancakes
These yeasted pancakes are truly special. With an acidic bubbliness from buttermilk plus the lofty rise of yeast, they’re light, airy and absolutely delicious. Serve with syrup or a more creative pancake topping.
Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
Homemade blueberry jam takes cinnamon rolls to a whole new level. They’re made, assembled, baked and finished exactly like the typical cinnamon rolls recipe, but a blueberry jam filling bakes with the cinnamon and some of the jam is reserved for the vibrant cream cheese glaze. They’re picture-perfect.
Ham & Gruyere Mini Quiches
While some brunches are served family-style, prepping individual dishes feels extra-special. These mini quiches bake in muffin cups, making them simple to prepare. They’re just right for a picnic.
Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata
Looking for a fancy brunch recipe? This egg strata is packed with sophisticated flavors: salty prosciutto, smoky Gouda, dry white wine and garlicky pesto. Serve this strata with a mimosa.
Brunch Burritos
To make these meaty breakfast burritos, a melange of sausage, hash browns and eggs cooks low in the slow cooker overnight. In the morning, scoop the filling into tortillas and serve the burritos with chopped jalapeños and salsa.
Giant Cinnamon Roll
Glorious is the first word that comes to mind when I see this giant cinnamon roll covered in a shiny caramel glaze. It’s such a fun alternative to individual cinnamon rolls, but with all the gluttony and then some.
Elegant Smoked Salmon Strata
Traditional brunch delicacies, smoked salmon or lox taste fabulous in this upscale strata. Serve each piece with a dollop of creme fraiche, sour cream or Greek yogurt; the sour tang of dairy is the perfect balance for the rich dish.
Breakfast Tacos
The best way to upgrade vegetarian breakfast tacos is the way taquerias do in the Southwest: by adding strips of corn tortillas to the egg scramble! These tacos are called migas, and they have a bit more bite and substance.
Oatmeal Pancakes
A mix of quick-cooking oats, whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour gives these pancakes plenty of hearty flavor, but they’re still tender enough to taste like a treat. The pancakes are great with maple syrup or molasses.
Breakfast Burgers
Breakfast classics are served burger-style in this fun brunch recipe. English muffin “buns” sandwich sausage, bacon, eggs, avocado, cheese and Sriracha mayo.
Chicken Taco Quiche
Quiche, but make it southwestern! This brunch dish combines the ease of a baked quiche with the zip of spicy tacos.
Overnight Oats with Yogurt
Every brunch spread should offer something healthy, whether it’s a simple fruit platter or hearty oatmeal. These overnight oats are anything but boring thanks to the toasted walnuts and maple syrup.
Eggs Benedict Casserole
One of our most popular brunch recipes, this Benedict-inspired casserole calls for making homemade hollandaise sauce. One of the so-called mother sauces, hollandaise is a rich blend of egg yolks, cream and melted butter. It’s definitely worth mastering.
German Pancakes
If you’ve never made German pancakes (also known as Dutch babies) before, you’re in for such a fun brunch main! This eggy, custardy masterpiece puffs up in the oven, making tall peaks and shallow valleys that are perfect for holding pools of maple syrup, butter and fresh fruit.
Chocolate Pancakes
This chocolaty take on classic buttermilk pancakes is a dream for chocolate lovers. Cocoa powder, chocolate chips and chocolate syrup all find their way into or on top of these pancakes. Definitely serve them with a side of bacon or sausages.
Yeast Waffles
Whip up this waffle batter and let it sit overnight. In the morning, just preheat your waffle maker and get cookin’. You can also freeze cooked waffles for an even easier morning.
Million-Dollar Bacon
Million-dollar recipes get their name because they taste like a million bucks! Here, bacon gets a full sweet-and-spicy treatment in the oven with brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. It’s a nice elevation to the usual plate of bacon.
Liège Waffles
Liège (pronounced lee-edge) originated in its namesake city in Belgium, because where else? These yeasted waffles are made with pearl sugar that doesn’t completely dissolve during cooking, leaving little bites of crunch in the waffles with a super-caramelized outside.
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
For those autumnal mornings, break out this pumpkin French toast casserole to soak in all the yummy pumpkin flavor and fall spices. Of course, serve it with pumpkin spice lattes.
Green Chile Quiche Squares
Want quiche without all the work? This recipe uses salad croutons in place of a pie crust. Serve the quiche squares with fresh fruit and other brunch staples.
Blueberry Lemon Muffins
Juicy blueberries and the zest and juice of a lemon bake together in these tender, cakey muffins. They’re finished with a homemade lemon glaze so they’re extra-pretty for the brunch table.
Homemade Bagels
Everyone has their own personal bagel order. Appease the masses with a big batch of homemade bagels that can be toasted as requested, and set out a bagel topping bar to let guests finish their bagels exactly as they take ’em.
Peach French Toast
Ripe, juicy peaches are pretty hard to resist eating plain, but save a few for this brunch recipe! The fruit, sprinkled with brown sugar, creates a thick golden syrup that makes simple French toast truly excellent.
Strawberry Scones
Our strawberry scones combine fresh strawberries with a bit of cozy cinnamon and lemon zest for brightness. They’re gorgeous stacked on a plate, where everyone can help themselves. Set out butter, strawberry jam and homemade whipped cream so guests can pick and choose toppings as they may.
Banana Blueberry Pancakes
Mashed bananas add both sweetness and heft to these I-can’t-believe-they’re-healthy pancakes. Cook them with fresh or frozen blueberries. Leftovers freeze well too.
Brunch Ideas FAQs
What’s a good menu for brunch?
A good menu for brunch includes both sweet and savory options. Try to have some sort of frittata, breakfast casserole or quiche, or at least a bowl of scrambled eggs and a plate of bacon. I love any excuse to whip up breakfast pastries from scratch, like cinnamon rolls, coffee cake or scones, for a sweet component. Offer fresh options, too, like fruit salad or yogurt parfaits. It’s nice to have some sort of carb, like a plate of bagels and cream cheese on the side or buttery croissants. I prefer serving breakfast family-style, so I like to make sure everything is done at once so guests can load up their plates with whatever they want.
What should I bring to brunch?
Ask the host if you can bring anything in particular to brunch. Offer to bake pastries or a casserole, assemble parfaits, get drinks, or pick up any breakfast condiments like maple syrup, butter or hot sauce. If the host insists you don’t need to bring anything, surprise them with a vase of fresh flowers or a bottle of wine as a thank-you for hosting.
What are the best make-ahead brunch recipes?
The best make-ahead brunch recipes include overnight French toast bakes, breakfast casseroles, parfaits assembled in advance or brunch pastries baked the day before.