33 Incredible Brunch Recipes

Whoever invented brunch really must have been a genius. Combining all the best food of breakfast and lunch with a mid-morning meal that encourages laid-back enjoyment, brunch is the best way to start your day.

Brunch encompasses everything from baked granola to smoked salmon frittatas, and can be enjoyed with a hot coffee, a fresh juice, or a cheeky cocktail. Take a look at our best brunch recipes for ideas.

33 Incredible Brunch Recipes

Impress your guests (or yourself!) by putting together a varied and delicious brunch spread. Check out our recipes below for some amazing ideas. 

1. Healthy Banana Bread

Banana bread is a comfort food classic, and this healthy take is ideal for a brunch spread. Made using just one bowl and sweetened with natural flavors, this is an adaptable recipe that can be altered to suit your needs.

And it’s so easy to make! Even novice bakers will be able to whip up moist and light banana bread. Dress it up with cream and berries, or keep it simple and enjoy fresh from the oven.

2. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls might be a brunch staple, but they’re so tricky to make that many of us leave them off the spread. Well, not anymore! Slow cooker cinnamon rolls cut down the prep time, but don’t leave out any of the flavor

For even smoother prep, the dough can be made the night before, refrigerated overnight, and then cooked in the morning!

3. Strawberry And Cream Buttermilk Waffles

Light and fluffy, these buttermilk waffles combine golden brown batter with deliciously fresh strawberries and lightly sweetened whipped cream.

They’re a fantastic addition to any brunch table, but they’re absolutely perfect for a Valentine’s Day, breakfast in bed treat. Load them up with strawberries, and for extra indulgence, top with maple syrup and a sprinkling of confectioners sugar.

4. Carrot Cake Pancakes

Sneak some vegetables into your brunch with carrot cake pancakes! Deliciously spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, these pancakes are best served warm with a big dollop of cream cheese frosting.

Grate the carrots in advance, and keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to go. If you think that cake has no place on the breakfast table, we reckon this recipe will convince you otherwise!

5. Strawberry Jam French Toast

French toast is a massive crowd pleaser at brunch, and it’s so easy to put together. This strawberry jam French toast recipe sandwiches tart preserve between layers of stale challah or brioche, for a summer take on the classic.

Cook in buttermilk to cut through the sweetness, and top with homemade strawberry butter. Our quick tip: make extra strawberry butter, and serve it with your brunch pancakes and bagels! 

6. Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Make classic New York style bagels at home with this surprisingly easy recipe. Adding raisins and cinnamon to the basic bagel recipe elevates this brunch treat, without making the recipe any more complicated.

If you’ve never boiled bagels before, you might be surprised at just how easy and fun it is to do. Finish with a spread of butter, or a schmear of cream cheese.

7. Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Sheet Pan Pancakes

Running out of space on your stove as you try to put together the perfect brunch? Sheet pan pancakes are just as light and fluffy as the traditional version, and so easy to make — no flipping!

We love the combination of tart lemon and sweet blueberries in this recipe, but it’s also completely adaptable. Swap out blueberries for your favorite berries, or add chocolate chips for the kids!

8. Toasted Coconut Baked Oatmeal

Add a touch of the tropical to your oatmeal with this baked recipe that uses coconut three ways. This recipe is great for a big brunch because it’s so warming and comforting, and the light flavors are a counterpoint to heavier brunch dishes.

Serve warm from the oven with a splash of almond milk and a handful of your favorite fruits. You can even make it in advance, and reheat when needed.

9. Orange Cardamom Crumb Cake

This orange cardamom crumb cake has an innovative method for adding citrus to cake. By pulsing together orange zest and sugar, the orange flavor infuses throughout the batter, and can be tasted in every mouthful of the cake.

Juice the rest of the orange to serve as a brunch drink (or mix into a mimosa). The addition of cardamom brings fragrance to a sophisticated brunch treat.

10. Oatmeal Dutch Baby Pancake

If you haven’t experimented with Dutch baby pancakes yet, then what are you waiting for! These puffed-up pancakes are made by mixing a simple batter, and letting it bake in the oven for around 15 minutes.

It’s so easy to do, and the results are delicious every time. We love how this recipe uses oat flour for a nutritious take on the pancake that works with sweet and savory toppings.

11. Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler With Orange And Ginger

This dessert/breakfast treat is sure to be the star of any brunch table.

Combining rhubarb, strawberry, and orange for a fresh and vibrant base, the masa corn flour topping adds a slight earthiness that brings depth to the sweet and sharp flavors.

Serve with a big spoonful of Greek yogurt, and introduce some unusual flavors to brunch. 

12. Healthy Breakfast Berry Crumble

Packed full of berries and loaded with a crumble topping, this brunch recipe comes together easily and is best served warm from the oven.

A dairy free and vegan recipe, this breakfast berry crumble tastes indulgent, but uses wholesome ingredients for a healthy boost. Experiment with whichever berries and fruits are in season, for a brunch item you can enjoy through the year.

13. Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Pumpkin Butter Bread

Pumpkin doesn’t just have to be for Fall! This deliciously moist pumpkin bread is perfect for any time of the year, with a cream cheese swirl and a cinnamon sugar topping.

Even better, it can all be made in just one bowl. The key to the rich flavoring of this bread is the pumpkin butter, which you can buy in store, or try making at home.

14. Chai Spiced Baked Oatmeal With Pecan Crumble

Baked oatmeal is a healthy brunch option that tastes so good you’ll think it’s bad for you.

By using chai tea bags to add flavor to the milk used in baking the oatmeal, a sweet fragrant flavor is able to permeate the dish. Serve it with a big dollop of yogurt, sliced bananas, and a drizzle of maple syrup, or cut it into bars to enjoy with a coffee.

15. Youtiao Chinese Donut

Sweet donuts are a classic breakfast food, but why not shake up brunch with a savory Chinese-inspired Youtiao donut? The simple recipe does take some time to come together, so plan in advance and make the dough the night before.

The dough is then cut into strips, and fried in oil. Serve with a big bowl of savory soy milk. Fresh from the oil, the dough absorbs the soy milk for a chewy texture.

16. Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Scone

A lightly sweet take on the traditional cinnamon roll, cinnamon sugar pumpkin scones are perfect for fall, and still pretty delicious year round. Keep things traditional, and serve with clotted cream and your favorite preserve.

Or whip together your leftover cinnamon sugar with some butter, for a quick topping that works just as well. Surprisingly light and not too sweet, enjoy these scones fresh from the oven on a chilly morning.

17. Sourdough English Muffins 

Break out your sourdough starter (see also ‘26 Simple Sourdough Discard Recipes‘) for these English muffins, which taste best served warm with a thick spread of butter. Make the dough the night before, and leave overnight for the sourdough to get to work.

In the morning, knead in a few more ingredients, and leave the muffins to rest. They’re then cooked in a cast iron skillet, for a fluffy center and a crisp outside.

18. Best Zucchini Bread

Zucchini and chocolate chips might seem like an odd combination, but somehow, it just works. The zucchini makes everything light and moist, and this is an excellent way to sneak some vegetables into your brunch.

This zucchini bread recipe is foolproof, and once you’ve nailed the basics, you can experiment with some mix-ins. The finished loaf can also be frozen, and enjoyed at a later date.

19. Keto Breakfast Hash

There’s a secret to this breakfast potato hash — it doesn’t contain potatoes. Instead, turnips take their place, making this breakfast dish keto friendly.

By frying the diced turnips with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper – plus a hearty sprinkling of bacon – they take on new and exciting flavors. Picky eaters will never guess they’re enjoying turnips. Serve as is, or with an egg, sunny side up. 

20. Homemade Crispy Hash Browns

Restaurant quality hash browns are actually super easy to make at home. Simply grate your potatoes, squeeze out the moisture, stir in your flavorings, and fry.

We like them best with a heavy helping of hot sauce, and some fried eggs. They’re best made and served straight away.

21. Smoked Salmon Frittata

Smoked salmon and brunch just go so well together, and this frittata may be the best way to serve everyone’s favorite smoked fish. There are a few tips and tricks to make this frittata better than the others.

Mix yogurt with the eggs for extra creaminess, and swap cream cheese for goat cheese to up the flavor level. Cook everything low and slow, for a perfectly set frittata with no chewiness.

22. Easy Challah Bread

Enriched challah bread is a braided loaf that looks amazing, and tastes even better than it looks. Challah bread uses oil to bring a rich flavor to the dough, while the extra egg yolks add a big hit of flavor.

Enjoy with a drizzle of honey, your favorite compote, or dip it in olive oil. Any leftovers can be transformed into French toast.

23. Egg And Croissant Brunch Bake

This egg and croissant brunch bake is so good, and so simple. The hardest part of the cooking process is caramelizing onions, and they turn out best with minimal interference (and you can do this step the night before).

Quality ingredients can really elevate this dish from yum to incredible. Splurge on Swiss and Gruyère cheese.

24. Pepper, Spinach, And Goat Cheese Frittata

A frittata is a fantastic brunch choice (see also ‘16 Frittata Recipes For A Delicious Brunch‘), because it’s crowd pleasing, tastes great hot or cold, and can be made in no time at all.

We love the combination of textures in this recipe, with crunchy bell peppers and creamy goat cheese coming together in a fluffy egg base with a crisp top. Serve hot with buttered toast, or make in advance and enjoy cooled slices with a side salad.

25. Authentic Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros is an authentic Mexican breakfast dish, delivering a deep flavor with just a few ingredients. Make things easy for yourself by using your favorite store bought refried beans and salsa.

Or take things up a level by making your own from scratch! This is a hearty brunch dish that can be quickly adapted to meet everyone’s tastes.

26. Crispy Smashed Potatoes

The hardest part of making these crispy smashed potatoes is resisting the urge to eat them fresh from the pan. They use a two-step cooking process. First, the potatoes are boiled, to give them that soft and fluffy interior.

Then they’re smashed (gently!) and baked, slathered in olive oil. Enjoy with your favorite sauce. We like a traditional pesto, or sour cream with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

27. Easy Quiche With Bacon And Spinach

Quiche combines the delicious creamy eggs of a frittata with a flaky and fantastic crust. It might just be the perfect breakfast food.

The combination of eggs and cream gives the filling a custard like texture, which is silky smooth and luxurious. Use a blend of cheeses for a layered flavor, and keep the fillings simple with bacon and spinach.

28. Breakfast Taquitos

Not quite as iconic as the breakfast burrito, breakfast taquitos are a fun finger food that add something new to the brunch table (see also ‘25 Tasty Breakfast Finger Food‘).

Really easy to make, particularly if you have an air fryer, they can be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. Serve with your favorite salsa, and experiment with fillings.

29. Easy Shakshuka

Shakshuka is made by poaching eggs in a tomato and bell pepper sauce. Popular in North Africa and the Middle East, warming spices such as cumin and paprika add rich flavor to the sauce.

A healthy pinch of red pepper flakes also works well. Serve with crispy bread, a sprinkling of feta, and a big handful of freshly chopped parsley.

30. Creamy Cold Brew Coffee Smoothie

Smoothies and coffee are both iconic breakfast foods, so why not combine them both? This creamy cold brew coffee smoothie recipe needs just five ingredients: cold brew coffee, a ripe banana, coconut milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup.

Mixed together, it tastes similar to a coffee and chocolate milkshake, with some secret fruit and a cream texture.

31. Blended Berry Bellini

Shake up your brunch smoothie with this blended berry Bellini recipe. Combining frozen fruits with chilled prosecco and a splash of elderflower liqueur, this is a fresh take on a classic brunch drink.

Mix and match your favorite berries, to adjust the flavors to your tastes. You can enjoy this cocktail throughout the day, but the creamy texture and bright flavors are perfect for brunch on a warm morning. 

32. Classic Mimosa Recipe

There is no drink that goes better with brunch than the classic mimosa — this is just a fact. Not only are mimosas delicious, they’re also incredibly easy. All you need is sparkling wine and orange juice!

Keep both ingredients chilled before serving, so you don’t have to break out the ice cubes. The big bubbles of prosecco are perfect for mimosas, but if you’re celebrating, make things decadent with a bottle of champagne.

33. Bloody Mary

Need a big brunch to shake off the night before? A Bloody Mary is the perfect accompaniment. This vintage cocktail combines vodka (see also ‘The 26 Classic Vodka Cocktails You Must Try‘) and tomato juice with a dash of hot sauce and plenty of spices, providing a delicious wake-up call.

Even non-Bloody Mary lovers will want to try this recipe, which is incredibly fresh, and extra refreshing when enjoyed with a glass of water. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Typical Brunch Menu?

A typical brunch menu combines sweet and savory foods with fresh ingredients and free-flowing drinks. Pancakes, waffles, muffins, and scones are popular baked choices.

Egg fishes such as frittata and quiche are also fantastic, and adaptable to different tastes. Serve alongside fresh fruits, hot coffee, yogurt, granola, and orange juice. For a boozy brunch, add a splash of prosecco to the orange juice for a mimosa.

What Dish Should I Bring To Brunch?

The best dishes to bring to brunch are crowd pleasers that won’t need to take up space in the oven. Baked goods such as muffins and cinnamon rolls are easy choices, or try sheet pan pancakes for something different.

Pumpkin or zucchini bread are also good options. Fruit salad and yogurt are good low-effort options that appeal to big audiences.

How Do You Host A Brunch?

A group brunch can seem intimidating, but with pre-planning it doesn’t have to be difficult. Plan your dishes in advance, including a range of sweet and savory options.

Choose some which can be cooked ahead of time, and others that need to be finished on the day. Stock up on drinks, and don’t forget the toppings like fresh fruit, yogurt, and chocolate chips.

Brunch is fantastic for hosts because they allow for so much freedom and variety.

Classic brunch choices can be prepared in advance, saving you stress on the day, and time to try some new dishes. We hope our best brunch recipes will inspire you!