75+ brunch recipes from quiches and frittatas to salads, tarts, scones, and of course, succulent salmon, these are the BEST brunch recipes!
A-list brunch recipes for your next buffet
Brunch is one of my favorite ways to entertain. It’s elegant but easy going, and I always serve it buffet style, which means I can relax and join the party. But brunch is a bear to menu plan ~ I mean, do you focus on breakfast, or lunch? Do you serve food hot, cold, or room temp? Should you serve dessert? Drinks?
One of the fun aspects of brunch is that it’s neither breakfast nor lunch, so you get to pick and choose from the best of both. Dessert, at least dessert with a breakfast-y twist, is a must. And alcohol in the middle of the day? Apparently that’s ok because it’s brunch.
brunch recipe tips
- Everything should be delicious, of course, but also pretty. This is the time to call upon your inner food stylist. Think bright colors and contrasting textures (I’ve got lots of inspiration for you here.)
- Choose recipes appropriate for either breakfast or lunch: no meatloaves or pot roasts allowed. Brunch food should be light overall, with maybe an anchor dish or two, like a casserole, spiral-sliced ham, or a poached salmon, to make it satisfying.
- Bonus points to food that can be served at room temperature.
- Make sure each dish is self serve. Cut quiches and tarts ahead of time, and pre-slice quick breads, etc. If you want to serve gazpacho, for instance, have it ready in small glasses, easy to grab.
- Limit messy, drippy foods. Finger foods are always a bonus.
QUICHE ~ IT’S THE ULTIMATE BRUNCH RECIPE!
Quiche really is the ultimate brunch recipe because it can be made ahead, and can be served hot, warm, or room temp. Plus, who doesn’t love a comforting, custardy egg pie?
- Eggs Benedict Quiche with Hollandaise Sauce ~ complete with little chunks of Canadian bacon and a quick and creamy hollandaise sauce! This clever (and easy!) riff on eggs Benedict is always a hit.
- Quiche Lorraine ~ restrained yet exuberantly luxe at the same time, (how do the French do it?) you canโt beat this classic quiche made with Gruyere cheese and bacon.
- Spinach and Artichoke Quiche ~ everybody’s favorite cheesy dip made into an uber comforting quiche. Better make two, this goes fast.
- Sweet Onion and Herb Quiche ~ a big handful of fresh herbs in whatever combination you love gives this quiche a real spring forward vibe.
- Vidalia Onion Pie ~ how convenient, Vidalia onion season coincides with brunch season! Perfect timing for this Southern inspired savory pie.
STUNNING SALADS ARE A FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES
Salads really shine at brunch, and it’s the perfect time to serve a composed salad. That’s where you arrange the ingredients pleasingly on the top of the salad, instead of tossing everything together. Talk about a visual feast! Here are my favorite salad brunch recipes…
- Salmon Cobb Salad ~ an elegant main course salad that could easily be the centerpiece of a brunch table.
- Spring Salad with Eggs and Creamy Tarragon Dressing ~ this salad doubles down on a light bright spring theme.
- How to Make the Perfect Niรงoise Salad ~ a classic Niรงoise salad is an example of a ‘composed’ salad, meaning all the ingredients for laid out for maximum for maximum eye-appeal.
- Great Island Curried Chicken Salad Plate ~ I love the kaleidoscope of colors in this healthy salad.
- Thai Chicken Salad ~ chicken salad is a brunch staple, but no one says it has to be boring!
- Avocado and Herb Salad ~ all those healthy fats make this luxe avocado salad a winner.
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing ~ delicate orzo makes a lightened up pasta salad perfect for a brunch buffet.
- Pansy Salad ~ nothing looks prettier on a spring brunch buffet than fresh flowers, so consider adding them to your food as well!
- Chicken Salad Summer Rolls ~ light and refreshing summer rolls with an unexpected chicken salad filling.
- Curried Chicken Waldorf Salad ~ a big bowl of this pretty (and chunky!) chicken salad can anchor a brunch table.
- Mediterranean Artichoke Salad ~ this brunch recipe is elegant and hearty at the same time, plus you can make it ahead of time.
TART IT UP!
Tarts make great brunch recipes because they’re so elegant and pretty. All these tart recipes can be served at room temperature ~ a brunch plus!
- Simple Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart ~ a simple asparagus puff pastry tart made in just a few minutes with frozen puff pastry, creme fraiche (or mascarpone, Boursin, cream cheeseโฆ) and asparagus.
- Beautiful Breakfast Tart (Gluten Free) ~ a gluten free granola crust filled with thick Greek yogurt, and topped with a colorful sunburst of fresh juicy fruit. Yes it looks too beautiful to eat, but dig in anyway ~ it may be beautiful, but itโs still breakfast!
- Sweet Onion Puff Pastry Tart ~ my sweet onion puff pastry tart is an easy peasy but oh-so-elegant tart for brunch.
- Mushroom & Boursin Puff Pastry Tart ~ it’s a multi-tasking dress-it-up or dress-it-down kind of dish that takes a couple of minutes to throw together and impresses everybody ~ I mean, puff pastry, Boursin cheese, and fresh mushrooms? Hello!
- Goat Cheese and Summer Squash Tart ~ call it a galette, a pizetta, or a flatbread pizza, this savory tart is elegant, crispy, and delicious.
- Tangerine Shortbread Tart with Fresh Rosemary ~ a store bought jam filling makes this tart easy to customize.
- Rhubarb Crumble Tart ~ a dessert tart with a buttery crumble topping with juicy pink rhubarb peeking through.
SCONES JAM AND CLOTTED CREAM
You can’t do brunch without scones and clotted cream, they’re a must. Of course you can go for classic cream scones, but the potential for variety here is huge!
- Fresh Strawberry Scones ~ stuffed with lots of juicy fresh strawberries tucked inside a flaky tender pastry and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. For Motherโs Day, Easter brunch, and lazy spring mornings.
- Darina Allenโs Irish Soda Scones ~ classic soda bread in the form of tender little scones ~ have them for breakfast, afternoon tea, or alongside your corned beef and cabbage.
- Raspberry Scones ~ berrylicious and elegant pastries that are quick and easy to make.
- Instant Pot Clotted Cream Recipe ~ whoโd a thunk you could use your Instant Pot to create the famously decadent spreadable cream thatโs the highlight of a classic British afternoon tea? And if you don’t have an IP, try my oven clotted cream, or my stovetop clotted cream.
- Easy French Apple Jam Recipe ~ this unique small batch jam is simple to make, has a gorgeous golden color, a fresh apple flavor, a chunky texture, and a surprise hint of spice from the cardamom.
- An Easy Blackberry Jam Recipe ~ if you’ve stashed a jar of homemade summer berry jam in the pantry or freezer now is a perfect time to show it off.
- Clementine Jam ~ a unique citrus jam made with everybody’s favorite winter fruit. The color is absolutely stunning.
PANCAKES AND DUTCH BABIES
Pancakes can be a brunch challenge, for sure. But I’ve got some delicious solutions.
- Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes ~ mini versions of German pancakes are a perfect brunch recipe. They can be garnished with seasonal fruit to suit any occasion.
- Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes ~ if you’re hosting a small sit down brunch, you can afford to do proper pancakes, and these are a unique choice.
- Sheet Pan Pancakes Recipe ~ sheet pan breakfasts are a fun way to feed pancakes to a crowd. Pull the pan out of the oven and slice it into squares. Serve with plenty of soft butter and maple syrup.
- Strawberry Sheet Pan Pancakes ~ a fruity version of the above. You can use blueberries, raspberries, or bananas, too.
- Blueberry Pancake Muffins ~ a clever way to serve ‘pancakes’ at brunch!
YOU CAN’T DO BRUNCH WITHOUT EGGS
These brunch recipes feature everybody’s favorite ~ eggs! I’ve got egg recipes in every shape and form, from baked to deviled.
- Sheet Pan Frittata with Spring Greens ~ no one wants to be stuck at the stove making eggs for a crowd, so I put my sheet pan to work ~ these frittatas are gorgeous and can be served right from the pan.
- Ottolenghiโs Red Pepper and Baked Egg Galettes ~ probably the prettiest way to serve eggs ever! They’re fine at room temperature, too.
- Asparagus Goat Cheese and Olive Frittata ~ as brunch recipes go, frittatas are one of the best.
- Guacamole Deviled Eggs ~ I could make a whole brunch menu out of deviled eggs alone, there are so many ways to do them. This spring green version is pretty on the table.
- Baked Eggs Florentine ~ the oven does all the work for these baked eggs, slide them in about 15 minutes before you want to serve.
- Mushroom Egg Breakfast Pastries ~ you can top these individual puff pastry tarts in a thousand ways, this is just one suggestion.
- Perfect Egg Tartines ~ for a casual brunch set up an egg tartine bar with toast, scrambled eggs, and all the toppings!
CASSEROLES AND SIDES
Casseroles and warm sides give your brunch menu some hearty gravitas.
- Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tot Crust ~ this casserole is a meal in itself if you ask me, with veggies, eggs, and the most irresistible golden tater to crust!
- Kedgeree ~ this vibrant, flavorful dish is a British classic and combines the brunch staples of eggs and smoked fish with rice and veggies for a hearty side.
- How to Make Perfect Latkes ~ latkes, like their cousin the hash brown, make a super delicious accompaniment to any egg dishes on a brunch spread. I love to serve them with a sour cream and chive dip.
- Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage ~ this recipe is incredibly easy and rewarding, with a lovely delicate sweet and savory flavor profile that plays so well with a range of different brunch dishes.
- Breakfast Pasta Carbonara ~ yes, pasta for breakfast! When it has scrambled eggs and bacon, this pasta is totally brunch-worthy and so easy to make.
- Eggnog Streusel French Toast Casserole ~ this decadent french toast in casserole form is sure to draw a crowd with its warm aroma and pretty crumble topping. The best part? It can be assembled ahead!
- Corned Beef Hash ~ a brunch-worthy version of an old favorite.
SALMON IS SO BRUNCH-Y
Salmon really is the ideal brunch main because it’s so versatile. Go all out with a salmon platter, or make little smoked salmon tea sandwiches, salmon is a guaranteed hit.
- Spring Salmon Salad Platter ~ no list of brunch recipes is complete without salmon, it’s healthy, beautiful, and elegant all at the same time. This salmon platter is instagram-worthy!
- Mediterranean Sheet Pan Salmon ~ another take on a pretty salmon platter.
- Smoked Salmon Salad ~ prep-ahead friendly and makes awesome little tea sandwiches.
- 7 Layer Smoked Salmon Dip Recipe ~ a conversation piece and healthy appetizer in one.
- Savory Smoked Salmon โCheesecakeโ ~ this is one brunch recipe I bet they haven’t had before. It’s a great opportunity to serve this unique savory ‘cheesecake’ dip, or spread. Just pull out the fancy crackers and watch it disappear.
- Greek Tomato Salad with Salmon ~ a light and spring-y take on salmon.
- Nordic Open Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwiches ~ brunch Scandi-style has to include healthy open faced sandwiches, or smรธrrebrรธd. Start with smoked salmon and build from there.
BREADS AND PASTRIES
Of course you’ve gotta provide carbs, and brunch demands the best of the best!
- Easy No-Yeast Cinnamon Rolls ~ this easy version of cinnamon rolls yields soft, tasty buns without all the heavy lifting of a yeast dough.
- Easy Apple Fritter Bread ~ an elegant quick bread that’s ideal for brunch. Pre-slice it and make sure there’s plenty of coffee nearby.
- Swedish Cardamom Buns (kardemummabullar) ~ for when you want to go all out for your guests these buns are fabulous. They’ll thank you for introducing them to their new favorite spice!
- Irresistible Bagel Toast (your new favorite snack!) ~ a casual brunch idea that always goes over big. If possible, make sure there’s a toaster nearby.
- How to Make Easy English Muffins ~ when you really want to impress, make your own. These big, puffy muffins are a meal in themselves.
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread ~ a show-stopping banana bread with a rich chocolate angle.
- Perfect Blueberry Muffins ~ nothing says ‘brunch’ like a basket of homemade muffins.
BRUNCH-WORTHY CEREAL
I think it’s super fun to serve granola and muesli on a brunch table. Serve with a variety of milks and lots of fruit.
- Toasted Muesli ~ put out small bowls or glasses, milk and/or yogurt, and an assortment of fruit for topping. Guests can create their own custom cereal.
- Strawberry Milk Muesli ~ perfect for a spring brunch, strawberry milk is easy to make and tastes incredible.
- Everything but the Kitchen Sink Granola ~ a classic granola can be set out in a bowl or jar for topping yogurt, or eating as cereal. The pretty colors of the dried fruit in this one are extra festive.
- Spiced Vanilla Pear Oatmeal ~ this can be served cold, overnight style, or kept warm in a crockpot.
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats with Whiskey Butter ~ pop it in the crock pot to serve warm for a winter brunch.
DAZZLING PLATTERS
Any one of these platters could be a brunch in itself! If you want to simplify your brunch menu, do a platter…the bigger the better.
- Grand Aioli ~ a delicious French tradition that serves up everything from veggies to seafood and hard cooked eggs, all deliciously dip-able in a garlic mayo.
- How to Make an Epic Cheese Board so your guests can graze to their heart’s content.
- My Holiday Appetizer Wreath can do double duty for a holiday brunch.
- Smoked Salmon Platter ~ perfect for a breakfast themed brunch, and it’s practically effortless.
- Whipped Basil Ricotta with Spring Cruditรฉ is ideal for wedding brunches, baby showers, or any time you want light, pretty food that’s still delicious. Remember: Cruditรฉ is the new charcuterie!
YOU KNOW THEY’RE GONNA WANT CAKE!
Give them what they’re craving ~ luckily brunch cake recipes tend to be quick and easy. From fabulous bundts to simple coffee cakes, they’re all delish.
- Mary Berryโs Lemon Drizzle Cake ~ a citrusy cake that everybody loves. Decorate with fresh flowers or berries in spring.
- Honeycrisp Apple Cardamom Cake ~ a fall themed coffee cake that can be made all year round with your favorite apples. The subtle hint of cardamom makes it extra special.
- Glazed Old Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnut Bundt Cake ~ this fun cake belongs on every brunch table, it’s like a giant (sliceable) old fashioned doughnut!
- Lemon Yogurt Breakfast Cake (Ciambella) ~ this is an elegant Mediterranean style cake that’s not too sweet and makes a perfect pairing with coffee or tea.
- Easy Rhubarb Breakfast Cake ~ it surprises everyone with those bursts of tart rhubarb in every bite. Make it in spring, or my Cranberry Breakfast Cake in winter.
- Strawberry Buttermilk Cake ~ a perennial favorite on the blog, this is a crowd pleaser. Serve with a bowl of whipped cream and fresh berries on the side.
- Carrot Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze ~ every Easter or spring themed brunch needs one of these.
- Sicilian Orange Cake ~ a golden bundt cake with tons of fresh citrus flavor that’s easy to slice and serve.
- Cardamom Coffee Cake ~ it commands attention on a pedestal…just add coffee.
SOMETHING TO WASH IT ALL DOWN
Don’t forget this essential detail!
- Blood Orange Spremuta (Italian orange juice) ~ fresh squeezed orange juice is a revelation, and this simple offering can make a brunch feel really special. Don’t stop at navel oranges, get creative with blood oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, etc.
- Blood Orange Margarita Cocktail ~ a signature cocktail takes the party to a new level.
- Gin and Jam Cocktail ~ this has ‘brunch’ written all over it. There are so many specialty jams out there to choose from, and you don’t need any bartending skills to master this cocktail.
- How to Make Bee Balm Tea ~ tea, iced or hot, is a brunch staple. This simple herbal tea is easily made with your garden bee balm.
- Honeysuckle Iced Tea ~ if you’re lucky enough to have honeysuckle growing nearby this is a fun and easy project, perfect for a spring brunch.
- Sweet Moroccan Mint Tea ~ fresh mint from the garden or grocery store makes a classic tea that can be served hot, or iced.
- Wild Violet Lemonade ~ wow your brunch crowd with this vibrant lemonade.
- Bloody Mary Gazpacho ~ this is the best way to serve “bloody Marys” to a crowd. It’s got amazing flavor and that unmistakeable bloody Mary punch!
Dear Sue:
Mouth is watering, grocery list starting!!!! VVVVRRRRRROOOOOOMMMMM right to the store!!!! Thanks!
Lol!
My goodness Sue, what a round-up! I am keeping this post close by to visit again and again. We always have brunch whenever my family gets together and this will be perfect for picking out the best brunch menu.
A great collection for brunch, thanks.