The 21 Best Brunch Recipes

savory bacon and cheese dutch baby — The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

These crave-able and effortless brunch recipes will quickly become essentials in your kitchen. Whether it's brunch for one on the comfort of your sofa, or a larger, hosted gathering, brunch is one of the key marks of a relaxing weekend. Eggs and bacon or a bowl of oatmeal are all weekday breakfast fodder; it fills the void quickly and gets you to lunch. Brunch fair needs to level-up and be a bit more flashy and fun, but also easy-breezy to make -- the hallmarks of weekend energy.

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I love hosting a brunch, because the occasion feels a lot more relaxed and casual than a full blown dinner party, and the timing of it all means guests are out the door and my kitchen is clean all before the sun sets.

01 of 21

Cherry Puffy Pancake

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Everyone needs to know a foolproof easy pancake recipe, but no one wants to stand over the stove being a short-order cook making pancakes for a crowd. Enter the Dutch Baby. This one pan wonder puffs and browns all on it's own in the oven, while you tend to other important things-- like that steaming mug of coffee.
02 of 21

Boursin and Peas Savory Dutch Baby

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

A dutch baby's soufflé like presence makes it a great centerpiece on any brunch table. This variation goes savory adding creamy, herb filled Boursin cheese and the fresh snap of green peas and lemon zest.
03 of 21

Çilbir

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Move over eggs benedict. This Turkish egg dish is still poached-egg based, but with a tangy yogurt sauce and flavorful brown butter drizzle that's markedly easier to pull together than a homemade hollandaise. Serve with warm pita or crusty bread, this dish is as easy to make for one as it is for 21.
04 of 21

Bacon and Cheese Dutch Baby

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

This Dutch baby also leans savory with breakfast classics of crispy bacon and creamy fontina cheese. Easier and more interesting than an omelette, if you can't tell, we really have a thing for these babies.

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05 of 21

Birria Tacos

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Considered a hangover cure in parts of Mexico, birria tacos are a savory and slow-braised beef taco. If you're planning on hosting a gathering, these are the ideal brunch item to braise a day or two before, allowing the meat and sauce to deepen in flavor before a simple reheat and serve on brunch day.
06 of 21

The Ultimate Avocado Toast

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Avocado toast has evolved from a trend to brunch mainstay. The combination of flavors and textures in the ultimate avocado toast is fantastic with crispy whole grain bread, and creamy mashed avocado tweaked with lemon juice, sea salt, and optional red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha.
07 of 21

One-Egg Banana Bread

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

If you have some ripe bananas, and just a single egg, you can probably bake up this easy, delicious loaf of banana bread. Don't let the simple list of ingredients fool you—the flavors are well-balanced and the bread is wonderfully moist. Add nuts if you like, or semi-sweet chocolate chips for a bit of extra sweetness.
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Coffee Cake

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

This streusel studded cinnamon coffee cake is the ideal companion to a cup of coffee and the perfect make-ahead brunch item. Add a side of perfectly scrambled eggs and brunch is served.

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09 of 21

French Toast Casserole

The Spruce Eats / Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

French toast for a crowd is easier than ever with this casserole adaptation. Soak bread cubes overnight so that when you plan to brunch all you need to do is pull the prepared casserole from the fridge and bake in your pre-heated oven.
10 of 21

Bananas Foster French Toast Casserole

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Letting the oven do the work for you is exactly the move when cooking brunch. This French toast casserole, inspired by the flavors of the New Orleans classic dessert is a big hit. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, mascarpone, or ice cream. It's brunch-- there are no rules.
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Cap'n Crunch French Toast

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Yes, basic French toast is lovely. But it's also...basic. This riff incorporates a crispy coating of a childhood favorite and tops it with a cereal milk whipped cream. Make it the main event or serve it as a brunch dessert.
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Babka French Toast

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Why let regular old bread have all the fun? Get an immediate flavor punch in your French toast by subbing in chocolate or cinnamon babka. A zest of orange in the egg custard makes the babka shine.

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13 of 21

Oven Baked Egg Bites

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Cute little egg cups look adorable on your table and make a great hand-held breakfast option for a casual brunch. They're easily baked in muffin tins and the mix-in options are endless.
14 of 21

Savory Herb Pancakes and Lox

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

These scallion pancakes become even more verdant with a choose-your-own-adventure addition of herbs like dill, parsley, or chives. When you're looking for a change from the classic bagel and lox, get these warm and flavorful pancakes into the mix.
15 of 21

Quiche

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Quiche is yet another quintessential brunch dish that's easy to customize. It makes a winning light entree and is a handy way to use up vegetables from the fridge. It travels well if you are gathering for a brunch potluck, and if you don't want to fuss with pastry dough, in the words of Ina Garten, "store bought will do just fine."
16 of 21

Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Savory Breakfast Muffins

The Spruce / Christine Ma

Savory breakfast muffins are time-savers for busy folks because you can make them ahead for a quick breakfast on the go or for serving at weekend brunch. These savory snacks with sausage, egg, spinach, and cheddar cheese have all the flavors you crave, and will freeze well.

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17 of 21

Tapsilog

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Steak and eggs, but make it Filipino. Steak is marinated in garlic, brown sugar, and soy sauce then served over piping hot rice with a fried egg. Don't skimp on the spicy vinegar sauce (or do, if spice isn't your thing).
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Quesadilla Breakfast Taco

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Why have a breakfast taco when you can wrap your fluffy scramble inside of a cheesy quesadilla instead? If you're cooking for a group, hold the pre-made quesadilla's warm in a low oven and keep the scrambled eggs warm over very low heat on the stove. Everyone can build their own with whatever toppings, salsas, and hot sauces they like.
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Biscuits

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Buttermilk biscuits are flaky, soft, buttery, and perfect. Serve with jam and butter; alongside a mountain of soft scrambled eggs; with creamy sausage gravy or with a platter of pre-made grocery store crispy fried chicken and hot honey for brunch perfection.
20 of 21

Torta

The Spruce Eats / Bahareh Niati

This potato and egg frittata is a staple on many Spanish and South American tables. What makes it ideal for brunch is that it is just as good when served at room temperature, meaning you can whip it up in advance and not be standing stove-side when you're guests arrive.

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21 of 21

Breakfast Pizza

The Spruce Eats / Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Pre-made pizza dough makes this bacon, egg, and cheese take on pizza perfect for your next brunch. Consider the dough a blank canvass, swapping in feta cheese, veggie or pork sausage crumbles, and other ingredients you love.