Brunch is the best way to enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends without having to wake up too early in the morning. Whether you're hosting a special occasion or just having brunch for two, these make-ahead and easy brunch ideas and recipes will make your gathering even more enjoyable.
From celebrating a birthday, baby shower, wedding or another special occasion, brunch is a great opportunity to get together with loved ones and catch up over a leisurely meal. Brunch is also a special way to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Brunch Ideas
(see below for some of our favorite brunch recipes)
Brunch can be as simple or extravagant as you'd like from a simple continental breakfast to a full course buffet with DIY food stations. Here are some ideas to get you started on your brunch plans.
- Eggs: Eggs (scrambled, fried, boiled, poached, etc.), frittatas, French toast, egg crepes or quiches are all popular choices for brunch. Try making a breakfast casserole, burrito, or sandwich with eggs, cheese, and your choice of meat and vegetables. Made-to-order crepe or omelet stations with a variety of cheeses, fresh vegetables and meats add a fun, interactive aspect to any brunch.
- Bacon or sausage: These are classic breakfast meats that are always a hit at brunch. Make it a healthier option by making chicken or turkey bacon or sausage.
- Toast or bagels: Toast with butter and jam is a simple but tasty option for brunch. You could also serve bagels with cream cheese, lox, and red onion or the ever popular avocado and toast.
- Granola & Oatmeal: An easy and popular option for a healthy brunch. Make a build-your-own bar with granola and oatmeal sweeteners, such as brown sugar or honey, or with savory ingredients, such as nuts, fruit and yogurt.
- Cereal Station: Creating a cereal station is a great no fuss, no muss option that kids (and adults) will surely love. Just pick out your childhood favorites like Lucky Charms, Cheerios, and Frosted Flakes to take your guests for a sweet walk down memory lane.
- Yogurt & Fruit: Fresh fruit is a healthy and refreshing addition to any brunch. Try slicing up a variety of seasonal fruits and serve them with a bowl of healthy yogurt.
- Parfait Bar: Kids and adults will love a breakfast parfait bar where they can layer yogurt, fruit, granola, cereal, nuts and other toppings in a cup or glass for their own custom parfait.
- Muffins or pastries: Muffins, scones, donuts, Danishes, cinnamon rolls, and croissants are all delicious baked goods that are perfect for brunch. Coffee cake or monkey bread are the most tasty options.
- Pancakes or Waffles: Serve a variety of flavors, such as blueberry, chocolate chip, or pumpkin. Make it a build-your-own waffle bar with toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, and maple syrup.
- Seafood Tower: Everybody loves a seafood brunch. Keep it simple with cocktail shrimp, crab legs or ahi tuna. Oysters, or even an oyster bar, are always a popular brunch item.
- Brunch Meats: A hearty brunch always includes meats whether it's a spiral ham, prime rib, leg of lamb, or turkey.
- Sandwiches: You have no brunch without lunch so it's a great time to serve up some sandwiches, whether they are sweet (like peanut butter and jelly) or savory (like a Reuben).
- Grazing Table: A charcuterie bar brimming with meats, cheeses, dips, and fruits are easy finger foods that everyone will enjoy.
- Asian Station: Excite your guests with stir fry stations, fried rice, sushi or other favorites like pot stickers and egg rolls.
- Cocktails & Mocktails: Don't forget the drinks! Bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, Champagne Cocktails, and Bloody Marys are popular choices for a brunch. Be sure to serve up some mocktails for non-alcoholic drink options.
- Coffee, Juice & More: Coffee and just plain old orange juice are an easy way to keep the brunch simple. For special occasions try adding tea, hot chocolate, additional juice options and decaf and specialty coffee selections. Cream and sugar and flavored liqueurs and creamers are always a treat. For the health conscious try adding smoothies.
Here are some simple yet delicious brunch recipes that you can whip up in no time.
Make-Ahead & Easy Brunch Ideas
Whether you’re hosting a special occasion or just having brunch for two, these make-ahead and easy brunch ideas and recipes will make your gathering even more enjoyable.
Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
This easy hashbrown casserole recipe can easily be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake! The perfect brunch dish for a crowd.
Banana Blueberry Muffins
These Banana Blueberry Muffins are ultra-moist yet light and flavorful! They take just 30 minutes from start to finish and can be frozen for an easy morning on-the-go breakfast or snack.
Avocado Baked Eggs
These delicious Avocado Baked Eggs are one of the easiest – and tastiest – quick brunch dishes you can make!
Easy Quiche | Hash Browns, Asparagus & Swiss
This easy quiche recipe has hash browns for both the crust and a crispy hash brown top. The ham, asparagus and swiss add wonderful flavor, it’s a must try.
Easy Oatmeal Pancakes
Pancakes are a brunch staple and these easy oatmeal pancakes are a perfect addition.
Easy Pull-Apart Monkey Bread Recipe
Monkey Bread is a Christmas morning tr+adition also an easy treat to add to any brunch. Kids will love it!
Easy Crescent Cinnamon Rolls
These super easy Crescent Cinnamon Rolls are baked with a cream cheese dip right in the center – then we topped it all with salted caramel and toasted pecans!
Crescent Roll Breakfast Recipes
It doesn't get any easier than using canned crescent roll dough for making a variety of fast, easy, and delectable breakfast dishes.
Make Ahead Breakfast Strata
If you’re looking for a make-ahead breakfast strata, this one is versatile and easy to make.
Easy Brunch Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is an easy addition to any brunch.
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits, originally called “Breakfast Shrimp," is a classic breakfast dish that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Make Ahead Quiche
Quiche is a perfect make ahead dish or you could just head to Costco and get a pre-made quiche.
Ahi Tuna Sashimi
Seafood brings all kinds of deliciousness to brunch and all you have to do is cut Ahi and serve with soy sauce and wasabi, if you prefer.
Easy Overnight Oats
This overnight oats recipe makes for an easy, healthy brunch item that as the name suggests can and has to be made ahead.
Lox Bagel - Ready in 5 Mins!
Bagels and lox are classic brunch fare and you can either serve prepared or setup a bagel and lox station and let guests build their own.
Easy Oatmeal Recipe
Oatmeal is an easy and healthy brunch option with endless sweet and savory flavor options.
Brunch Yogurt Parfait Bar
A make-your-own-parfait bar is a fun and easy brunch idea.
How To Set Up A Coffee Bar for Brunch
Every brunch needs coffee and this guide will show you everything you need for setting up a hot coffee station.
Champagne Cocktail Recipes
You won't disappoint with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary, or you can serve one of these fun and creative champagne cocktails.
More delicious breakfast recipes:
- Raspberry Almond Flour Pancakes
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Tropical Smoothie Recipe (3 ways)
- Overnight French Toast Bake
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- The Best Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon & Chipotle - July 9, 2025
- Smoked Pork Butt Recipe (Tender, Juicy & Full of Flavor!) - June 18, 2025
Blue says
Doh! I just saw another comment explaining the muffin adaptation - but still wondering about limes! 🙂
Blue says
This looks so good!
questions:
1) Would lime be an acceptable substitute for lemon, and if so, what do you think would be the conversion rate?
2) Would you adjust anything in the recipe for muffins, or would it be the same?
Thanks so much! This will be my first time making blueberry muffins, and I am so excited to try baking this! 🙂
Kristy Bernardo says
Hi Blue! Personally, I wouldn't sub limes for lemons for this recipe but only because lemon and blueberry are such a perfect flavor combo. Having said that, if they were all I had on hand and I wanted to make these, I would certainly give it a shot!
Sharon says
I made the lemon blueberry yogurt bread into muffins. Baked them at 375 for 22 minutes. I used organic plain nonfat yogurt, 1/2 cups
Stevia blend and a quarter cup oil. a quarter cup applesauce. The result was a beautiful soft, airy, light, lemony blueberry scrumptious muffin! I would have added a picture but I don't see a place to do so. Thanks so much!
the wicked noodle says
So happy to hear that, Sharon! I would be happy to add your photo if you'd like to email it to me: kristy@thewickednoodle.com.
ARCPoint Labs of Des Moines says
I like that you added... and a bloody mary, or two.. depending on how the week went.
the wicked noodle says
lol, thanks!!
Stephanie says
I love brunch (and brinner) too! This looks like a healthy but still delicious way to enjoy brunch. Your photos are gorgeous, Kristy!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Steph!!
Jenny @ BAKE says
this sounds like such a lovely morning, I bet all your guests had a brilliant time!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Jenny! We really did have a great time.
Emmy says
Will using Greek yogurt in the bread produce a similar result?
the wicked noodle says
It should be fine, although because there isn't quite as much liquid you may want to add a few tablespoons of water or milk to it before mixing it in. The bread is quite moist though, so I do think you'd be fine either way. Let me know what you decide and how it turns out!
Kati Mora, MS, RD, Kellogg's FiberPlus(R) Wellness Advocate says
The yogurt parfait is so cute! I love yogurt bars too. Fresh fruit, a variety of yogurts, and an array of toppings like granola, nuts, seeds, and high-fiber cereals can be a lot of fun and a great way to offer something nutritious to those who are eating with you.
the wicked noodle says
I've never made yogurt bars but they sound like a great idea! Thanks, Kati!
alyce culinary thymes says
wow. great pics.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, Alyce! It's taken me a long time to improve in food photography and it means a lot to hear that 🙂
Corina says
This bread is gorgeous. I love how it's falling apart - it just makes it look even more moist and delicious!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Corina! Yes, not a pretty picture but it sure was good bread 🙂
Choc Chip Uru says
I am bookmarking this page since it is so fantastic 😀
So many wonderful brunch ideas and recipes - I love blueberries!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Double Layered Nutella Cheesecake Brownies
the wicked noodle says
Thanks so much, CCU 🙂
pavithra says
Such an awesome post. Very beautiful and healthy indeed.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, pavithra 🙂
Monica Sotela says
Dannon is actually my favorite yogurt :). I didn't know you could make bread using it as an ingredient. Very cool :).
the wicked noodle says
It makes the bread super moist 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Now that's my kind of brunch! Love the menu!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Sylvie!
TheGameIsOn2011 says
That lemon-blueberry yogurt bread was to die for. We had a season's end breakfast potluck at work today and I made this. Surfed the web for recipes all through the night. This was the best I found 😀
the wicked noodle says
I'm so glad!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂 xoxo
twitter_CapoSCUSA says
There are just so many things one could do with raspberries. Oh the possibilities :).
the wicked noodle says
I'm with you - I LOVE raspberries!!
Alex Nmenski says
I am having a... how shall I say... "friend" over for brunch and I am not sure what to make. This post was really helpful! You see, we are going on a hike first and then coming back for brunch. I want to really impress him with my...culinary skills... lol. I already made cinnamon rolls that I can bake that morning and am planning on having mimosas. I think the fruit and the little eggs and pretzels would be a nice touch.
the wicked noodle says
Alex, that sounds like a great brunch! Your cinnamon rolls will surely impress him. Keep me posted on how it goes!
kaycemick says
Our family was invited to a brunch next Sunday and I needed ideas on what to bring. These are perfect! I really love how you substituted bacon for pretzels. It looks like bacon when you first glance at it 🙂
the wicked noodle says
Great! I hope you have a great time at your brunch!
EGLMRGRL says
I love the eggs and pretzels idea! That looks very nice! 🙂
the wicked noodle says
Thanks!!
Kay says
It is Yummy! cut myself a small slice, I hope there is some left for tonight!
the wicked noodle says
Whew!! I'm so glad it didn't turn out too sweet. Have a great weekend!!
Kay says
Nice crunch on the outside, soft and moist inside.
the wicked noodle says
That's how I like mine, too. Hopefully yours sliced better than mine 🙂
Kay says
oops too late i used 3/4 plus a little more! the batter tastes great , just waiting for it too bake!
the wicked noodle says
Darn, and here I thought I was so quick! I think it will still taste delicious. Let me know!!
Kay says
I couldn't wait but you were fast!
the wicked noodle says
🙂
Kay says
I would love confirmation on the amount of sugar needed for the Yogurt / blueberry bread. Ingredients say 3/4 cup but the method says 1 cup ????
the wicked noodle says
Sorry about that, Kay! I missed that in the directions when I retyped it. I reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup when I made it because I used vanilla yogurt and didn't want the bread to be too sweet (the original recipe uses plain, unflavored yogurt). Thanks for catching that!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Oh my...I need to try that bread!! And I need to take a little lesson on easy brunch planning, I have company coming for Easter! Great post, great photos!
the wicked noodle says
Thanks Brenda!!
Lala Montano says
I am always trying to get my family to eat more yogurt. What a perfect way to do so. I remember The Red Fox Inn--and the wonderful meal we shared.
the wicked noodle says
I remember it, too! Makes me miss you so much. Hopefully you & Suz can get back out here one of these days. xoxo
sweetlifebake says
ladies and I brunch, love it!! I bet this was a BLAST!! so not a hot mess... look amazing, warm straight from the oven.. mini dishes rock I have a TON. my girls are dippers, lol!!
the wicked noodle says
I have a ton, too! They're so versatile - love them!!
Ambika says
Gorgeous photos!
the wicked noodle says
Thank you so much, Ambika! I really appreciate you saying that 🙂
Sanjeeta kk says
With this platter on my table..I am sure I could be on right track to healthy-living! Love the fresh and nutritious foods here, Kristy.
the wicked noodle says
Thanks, Sanjeeta!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I was scrolling to see a photo of mimosas 😉
the wicked noodle says
I really wanted to take one! But I don't like taking time to photograph when friends are over and the mimosas were gone by the time they left! 😉
Joan Nova says
That bacon and eggs is a good April Fool's Day trick. You got me! After looking at the photo I thought 'ooh pretzels with eggs would be good' but the eggs looked so perfect so I followed the link to pinterest and then to the creator's blog. hahahaha Love the blueberry bread.
the wicked noodle says
I only wish I could make eggs that look that perfect! Thanks, Joan 🙂
Amy says
When my sister and I go out for brunch, I always pick the eggs benedict, too! I've seen those green eggs/ham pretzel chocolate concoctions floating around...really need to make them. As for the yogurt bread? I wouldn't have been able to wait for it to cool, either. Paleeeze.
the wicked noodle says
haha, I know right? Who could?
I didn't see the green version of the eggs!! That would have been great, especially since it was just Dr. Seuss' birthday 🙂