37 Easter Brunch Ideas for the Ultimate Spread

By
Lauryn Bodden
headshot for associate food editor Lauryn Bodden
Lauryn Bodden
Lauryn is Food Editor for The Spruce Eats, creating recipes and cooking guides for all palates and expertise.
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Updated on 03/23/22
Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Easter brunch traditionally features a ham at its center, but frittatas, quiches, savory bread puddings, waffles, and pancakes can also play a starring role. And there's no reason to stop there—mix and match several, especially if you have a crowd. You'll find lots of brunch ideas below, including a few spring salads, brunchy cocktails, and even fun egg-themed desserts to include in the mix.

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    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch

    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch

    S&C Design Studios 

    Brighten up your party with a sparkling punch that has a lovely floral accent. The cranberry elderflower Champagne punch is a simple recipe that comes together in just minutes and its flavor will fascinate all of your guests.

  • 02 of 37

    Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny cocktail

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    A sweet vodka cocktail, the Easter bunny is a fun drink that is sure to satisfy your springtime sweet tooth. It's a delicious treat and gives you an opportunity to practice a simple bartending skill to create a tempting layer of chocolate and cherry.

  • 03 of 37

    Bloody Mary

    Fresh Tomato Bloody Mary

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    If you're looking for a filling and lively brunch cocktail, then the bloody mary is your friend. The trick to the best bloody mary's ever is to use fresh tomatoes. This recipe walks you through how to make this brunch-staple with the freshest of seasonal ingredients.

  • 04 of 37

    Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

    Lavender Lemon Drop Martini

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

    The lavender lemon drop recipe was inspired by one from Tru Organic Vodka, the maker of a nice organic lemon vodka. It is a quick twist on the popular lemon drop martini and you'll love how the floral accent of lavender plays off the tart vodka base.

    Continue to 5 of 37 below.
  • 05 of 37

    Honey Butter Ham

    honey ham hero shot

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    Combine brown sugar, honey, and Dijon mustard for a perfect glaze atop a classic ham. You can add ingredients based upon your preferences, like sautéed onions, crushed garlic, or even herbs such as thyme or marjoram in place of the whole cloves. This simple baked ham is lovely with any of the eggs or baked goods below.

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    Baked Oatmeal

    Baked Oatmeal

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This baked oatmeal is lower in fat than traditional recipes and uses only agave nectar as a sweetener. Feel free to add any fruits and nuts you desire.

  • 07 of 37

    Kozunak: Bulgarian Easter Bread

    Bulgarian Easter bread recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    This Bulgarian Easter bread recipe known as kozunak is also served at Christmas and for other special occasions. Some cooks braid their bread, while others braid it and then form it into a round mold.

  • 08 of 37

    Spinach Frittata With Bacon and Cheddar

    Spinach Frittata With Bacon and Cheddar

    The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

    Besides the delicate spring flavor of spinach frittata, the advantage of this dish is that is it delicious warm or even at room temperature—something that's not true of most egg dishes.

    Continue to 9 of 37 below.
  • 09 of 37

    Quiche Lorraine With Bacon and Gruyere

    Quiche Lorraine With Bacon and Gruyere

    The Spruce / Tara Omidvar

    A super savory quiche like this quiche Lorraine is an especially welcome counterpoint if the rest of your menu is on the sweet side.

  • 10 of 37

    Classic Roasted Vegetable Quiche

    Classic Roasted Vegetable Quiche

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    This quiche recipe is the perfect vehicle for using roasted vegetables, whether they are last night's leftovers or a means to cleaning out the fridge. The vibrant colors and flavors of this delicious quiche make it an impressive centerpiece.

  • 11 of 37

    Classic Eggs Benedict

    Eggs Benedict

     Kristina Vanni

    The thing about eggs Benedict is that it's comfort food. As such, it's as much about the textures as it is the flavors. You don't want the English muffin to be too crispy, because you should be able to cut into it with a knife without it cracking or crumbling. Eating eggs Benedict should be like biting into a soft, fluffy, cloud.

  • 12 of 37

    Ham and Cheese Croissant

    Ham and Cheese Croissant

    Kristina Vanni

    A warm and flaky ham and cheese croissant is an elegant sandwich that can make you feel like you've been transported to a bistro. With only four ingredients, it is important to make each component the highest quality. This is the time to invest in the best sliced ham and cheese available at your deli counter, as well as a nice jar of Dijon mustard.

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  • 13 of 37

    Easter Deviled Eggs

    Easter Deviled Eggs

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    What could be more festive for a spring Easter celebration than these delightful Easter deviled eggs? Hard-boiled, pastel-tinted egg whites filled with the classic deviled egg filling are an adorable holiday snack that will please guests of all ages. All you need to make them is some liquid food coloring, and a few simple filling ingredients.

  • 14 of 37

    Dilly Deviled Eggs Recipe

    Dilly Deviled Eggs on a platter

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    These delicious dilly deviled eggs contain a dill trifecta: chopped dill pickle, dried dill, and dill pickle juice. Some mayonnaise and a little mustard bring the filling together perfectly. Top these eggs with some sweet paprika or a little more dill.

  • 15 of 37

    Easy Pineapple Casserole

    Easy Pineapple Casserole

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    This flavorful pineapple casserole is made with bread cubes, pineapple, a little sugar, and eggs. Use any spring green, such as pea greens or fava greens, if you like, for even more of a spring effect. Best of all, it can be completely assembled the day before and baked when you're ready to serve.

  • 16 of 37

    Classic Lox

    Classic Lox Recipe

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    It may not be a common Easter tradition, but for those who love cured fish for brunch, there is nothing better than gravlax. It's shockingly easy to make from scratch as well—you just need to plan a few days ahead of time so it has time to cure in the fridge.

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  • 17 of 37

    Sourdough Bagels

    Sourdough Bagels

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    These naturally leavened sourdough bagels are a nice change from the traditional recipe that uses yeast. They have a mild tang and chewy texture that can only come from old-world bread-making methods and are a fun way to use your sourdough starter.

  • 18 of 37

    Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns

    Bread Machine Hot Cross Buns

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    There may be no more traditional item on the Easter brunch table, than hot cross buns. And yes, while you can just buy them from a bakery, the homemade ones are much easier to make than you think.

  • 19 of 37

    Mini Blueberry Muffins

    Mini Blueberry Muffins

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Mini muffins are fabulous and miniature blueberry muffins are some of the best. They're also easy to make from scratch and irresistible in bite-size form. It takes just a few minutes to mix up and less than 30 minutes to bake.

  • 20 of 37

    Chocolate Banana Bread

    Chocolate Banana Bread

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

    Quick breads are a great make-ahead addition to brunch, and chocolate banana bread adds a delicious twist to a favorite recipe. Unsweetened cocoa powder gives it the chocolate flavor, which is a perfect pairing for bananas. Dress it up with a few chocolate chips and everyone will be very happy.

    Continue to 21 of 37 below.
  • 21 of 37

    Italian Easter Bread

    Traditional Italian Easter Bread

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    An enriched yeasted dough—plus some fancy braiding—makes this Italian Easter bread a special addition to brunch.

  • 22 of 37

    Dutch Baby Pancake

    Dutch Baby Pancakes

     Kristina Vanni

    The best kind of holiday recipe is one that is simple but impressive. This Dutch baby pancake requires just a few ingredients that are mixed together and poured into a hot buttered pan. The results are a puffed-up pancake with crispy edges and custardy center. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries, maple syrup, or jam.

  • 23 of 37

    Japanese Soufflé Pancakes

    Japanese Souffle Pancakes

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    A lemon-kissed egg white meringue and pastry rings are the secrets to making Japanese soufflé pancakes. These fluffy, tender cakes offer a bright base for fresh fruits, jam, maple syrup, or powdered sugar, and are sure to amaze everyone.

  • 24 of 37

    Perfect Jammy Eggs

    How to make perfect jammy eggs recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

    The trick to making the best-boiled eggs is a matter of hot dispute and personal pride. There are so many recipes out there that claim to be the one way to make rich, delectable soft-boiled eggs. Although all are similar and possibly on point, our verified, approved, and tried-many-times-over method will get you a perfect jammy egg every single time.

    Continue to 25 of 37 below.
  • 25 of 37

    Easy Classic British Cheese Scones

    British cheese scones recipe

    The Spruce / Ana Zelic

    Scones are the fancy person's muffins—a quick bread that requires just the teeniest bit more work. This recipe goes savory with cheese, which are the kings of the savory British scone and surprisingly quick and easy to make. Handle the dough as little as possible and don't over bake to make sure these scones are as tender as can be.

  • 26 of 37

    Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake

    Strawberry rhubarb cake recipe

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    If you can't decide between a strawberry coffee cake or a rhubarb one, this strawberry rhubarb crumb cake recipe is for you. Sweet and full of spring fruit, this sweet addition makes a well-rounded Easter menu.

  • 27 of 37

    Sour Cream Bundt Cake With Cinnamon and Walnut Streusel

    Sour Cream Bundt Cake With Cinnamon and Walnut Streusel

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Cakey and tender, this sour cream bundt cake is a classic that fits in on pretty much any brunch menu. The simple cinnamon and nut flavors aren't too polarizing, either.

  • 28 of 37

    Tender Homemade Pancakes

    Yogurt pancakes

    The Spruce 

    The secret to these delicious tender homemade pancakes is plain yogurt: it lets you make the batter in a flash and keeps the pancakes moist and tender. Add blueberries, as pictured, or serve with fresh spring strawberries.

    Continue to 29 of 37 below.
  • 29 of 37

    Easy Mochi Waffles

    mochi waffles

    Leah Maroney 

    Mochi waffles combine crunchy waffles and chewy mochi all in one bite. They may sound specialized, but they're actually easy to make and require just one unique ingredient—mochiko—everything else you probably have in your pantry.

  • 30 of 37

    Hash Brown Casserole With Sour Cream

    Hash Brown Casserole With Sour Cream

    The Spruce / Karen Hibbard

    This delicious hash brown casserole is perfect for a large brunch or dinner. It comes together by using sour cream and two types of soup: cream of celery and cream of chicken. Feel free to omit the green onion if you'd like, or use light sour cream and soups to make this dish a bit lower in fat.

  • 31 of 37

    Strawberry Shortcake French Toast Casserole

    Strawberry Shortcake French Toast Casserole

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    The strawberry syrup intensifies the flavor in this strawberry shortcake French toast casserole. This is an excellent Easter brunch treat to top off with a dollop of freshly whipped cream just before serving or use thawed frozen whipped topping.

  • 32 of 37

    Creamy Gluten-Free Scalloped Potatoes

    Creamy gluten free scalloped potatoes

    The Spruce

    Creamy gluten-free scalloped potatoes make an elegant side dish that everyone will love. It's also an easy, layered, and hearty dish that will feed a crowd, but won't break the bank. 

    Continue to 33 of 37 below.
  • 33 of 37

    Buttered Leeks

    Buttered leeks recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    Lovely alongside eggs, perfect next to ham, delightful with potatoes—these buttered leeks add a savory spring note to any Easter brunch menu.

  • 34 of 37

    Chocolate Eggs

    hollow chocolate easter egg hero

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Fill these beautiful, edible hollow chocolate eggs with candies, toys, love notes, or anything else you can think of. A homemade chocolate egg makes a wonderful, thoughtful Easter gift. You can use the excess chocolate to make other candies, or you can take a shortcut and use chocolate candy coating.

  • 35 of 37

    Zucchini Carrot Cake

    Zucchini Carrot Cake

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

    This zucchini carrot cake is a wonderful cake to bake for a summertime treat. It's hard to describe how carrots and zucchini enhance a cake—don't worry, it doesn’t taste like a vegetable. The shredded vegetables balance the sweetness of the cake, and the cake ends up with attractive flecks of orange and green throughout. 

  • 36 of 37

    Easter Egg Cake Pops

    Easter Cake Pops
    Elizabeth LaBau

    Make your Easter sweeter with these Easter egg cake pops! Moist bites of cake and frosting are formed into egg shapes, made into lollipops, and decorated to look like festive Easter eggs. We like to keep a spring theme by using lemon cake and frosting, but you can use any flavor of cake and frosting you'd like.

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  • 37 of 37

    Classic Easter Hot Cross Buns

    Hot Cross Buns hero

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    Hot cross buns have a long history as sweet breads made for offerings to ancient deities. As religions evolved and changed, Christians adopted hot cross buns as a special bread to be made and eaten every year on Good Friday.