Essential Brunch Dishes

Everyone needs a foolproof pancake recipe in their wheelhouse. Make these simple pancakes for perfect pancakes every time, and add all the fruit, chocolate chips, syrups and spices your heart (and stomach) desire.

Thick, fluffy, with a perfectly crispy exterior, these quick and easy waffles deliver on everything we want in a classic homemade waffle. Bonus: they freeze beautifully for rushed mornings.

Lacy and delicate, classic French crêpes are incredibly versatile and easy to make. For sweet crêpes that beg for jelly or Nutella, add vanilla and sugar. For savory fillings, add fresh herbs to the batter. 

Delicious and basic French toast is a great way to use up stale bread, or go all out with brioche or challah. 

Perfecting scrambled eggs can take a lifetime of experimentation. Tiny tweaks here and there can make all the difference between lackluster breakfast and those perfectly fluffy, light-but-satisfying scrambled eggs that can make a morning truly amazing.

Banana bread is the universally acknowledged best way to salvage browning bananas. This quick bread comes together in no time, and works just as well for muffins. Chocolate chips and walnuts are optional, but always recommended.

While omelettes may be intimidating at first, they're really just as simple to make as a scrambled egg. Once you've mastered that technique, put your skills to the test for a versatile breakfast staple that's especially perfect for entertaining guests.

With a little practice, poaching eggs for eggs Benedict is a cinch. Factor in a perfectly-toasted English muffin and a classic Hollandaise sauce and you might be fighting off brunch guests every weekend.

Once you learn this secret to making bacon perfectly, you'll never go back to a messy skillet again.