20 Essential Brunch Recipes Everyone Should Know

Waffles, Eggs Benedict, and So Much More

Written by
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Cathy Jacobs
Updated 09/22/20
Basic French Toast

The Spruce

Making brunch can be a big, celebratory occasion or a simple family breakfast with hearty comfort food. Master these essential brunch ideas for a crowd and you'll be prepared for either, with delicious pancakes, waffles, foolproof bacon, eggs, quick-bread, and fancied-up toast recipes up your sleeve. These versatile recipes can easily be adapted, made in advance, and enhanced with the ideas included, whether you're feeding a crowd, or just want to make weekend breakfast more special.

  • 01 of 20

    Easy Pancake Recipe

    Simple pancakes

    The Spruce

    Everyone needs to know a foolproof easy pancake recipe. Follow this essential step-by-step guide for perfect flapjacks every time—no mix required—and add all the fruit, chocolate chips, syrups, and spices your heart (and stomach) desire.

  • 02 of 20

    Classic Eggs Benedict

    Homemade hollandaise sauce

    The Spruce

    Classic eggs Benedict is the ultimate bistro comfort food. This recipe walks you through how to perfectly poach eggs and build an irresistible hollandaise sauce for your bennies. Layered on toasted English muffins with salty ham, the ingredients combine into a fabulous brunch treat that's sure to earn you rave reviews.

  • 03 of 20

    Classic Belgian-Style Waffles

    Belgian Waffles recipe

    The Spruce 

    Thick, fluffy, and soft on the inside, with a perfectly crispy exterior, these quick and easy classic Belgian-style waffles deliver on everything we want in a traditional homemade breakfast. They also freeze well for reheating in the toaster on rushed mornings.

  • 04 of 20

    Perfect Scrambled Eggs

    Perfect scrambled eggs recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

    Want to know the secrets to make perfect scrambled eggs every time? Learn everything you need to know for a fluffy, light scramble—from what to add to the eggs to the best temperature for scrambling, plus tips on the proper cooking technique.

    Continue to 5 of 20 below.
  • 05 of 20

    Basic French Toast

    Basic French Toast

    The Spruce

    Classic and delicious basic French toast is a popular brunch treat and a great way to use up stale bread. Or go all out with eggy brioche or challah. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon for sweetness and spice if you like or replace the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream for extra richness.

  • 06 of 20

    5-Minute French Omelette

    Perfect quick omelet

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    With just a single recipe, you can become an omelet master. Find the essential ingredients and tips for cooking a perfect 5-minute French omelette. Once you get the hang of it, you can tweak this versatile brunch favorite with sautéed veggies, cheese, bacon or ham, to create gorgeous omelets for entertaining guests.

  • 07 of 20

    Everything Bagel Seasoning Blend

    Hard-boiled eggs with everything bagel seasoning.
    Diana Rattray

    Sometimes you're craving the bagel—without the bagel. This iconic seasoning blend has everything you love about a classic brunch bagel, condensed into a versatile form. Sprinkle it on scrambled eggs, braised leeks, pimento dip, or even a good slice of sourdough with butter. It captures that iconic breakfast experience with just six ingredients.

  • 08 of 20

    The Ultimate Avocado Toast

    The Ultimate Avocado Toast

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

    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.

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  • 09 of 20

    Sourdough Pancakes

    Sourdough Pancakes

    Leah Maroney

    There's no shortage of pancake ideas when it comes to brunch, but have you ever had sourdough pancakes? These sourdough pancakes offer just the right mix of sweetness and tang, all with a tender, chewy bite. They require overnight prep, but the final product is well worth it. After you try this recipe, we're betting you'll add it to your stable of favorites.

  • 10 of 20

    Dutch Baby Pancake

    Dutch Baby Pancakes

     Kristina Vanni

    Simple and impressive, this recipe for Dutch baby pancake requires just mixing a few ingredients together and baking the batter in one pan, but results in a dish you'll be proud to serve. The puffed-up pancake has a nice crispy edge with a creamy custard center, making the perfect landscape to dust with powdered sugar and fill with fresh berries.

  • 11 of 20

    Baked Ham and Egg Cups

    Baked Ham and Egg Cups

    The Spruce / Molly Watson

    Cute little baked ham and egg cups look adorable on your buffet table and make a popular hand-held breakfast bite for kids. They're easily baked in muffin tins with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and chopped green onion for extra flavor.

  • 12 of 20

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

    The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel
    Grilled Cheese Social

    Enjoy a deli-style weekend brunch without getting out of your pajamas with this easy recipe for everyone's favorite bagel and smoked salmon plate. This ultimate smoked salmon bagel dish delivers plenty of protein and salty capers take the flavor of smoked salmon over the top.

    Continue to 13 of 20 below.
  • 13 of 20

    Banana Bread

    banana bread with chocolate chips

    The Spruce / Katie Workman

    Banana bread is one of the best ways to use up overripe bananas and this is the banana bread recipe to beat all others, with or without added chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour it into cupcake tins and it becomes delicious banana muffins.

  • 14 of 20

    Oven-Cooked Bacon

    Oven cooked bacon

    The Spruce

    Everyone loves bacon, but do you know the best way to cook it? Learn the secret to making bacon perfectly at home (hint: it starts with a cold oven) and brunch suddenly gets that much better. With this oven-cooked bacon, you'll never go back to a messy skillet again.

  • 15 of 20

    Sweet Potato Hash

    Sweet potato hash recipe

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    Hash is an essential one-dish, one-pan breakfast and brunch dish. It's a classic diner dish that can be made with potatoes, veggies, meat like corned beef or sausage, and is often topped with eggs. This sweet potato hash is easy to make and can be a main dish or a hearty side.

  • 16 of 20

    Coffee Cake

    Coffee Cake

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Enjoy this brown sugar and cinnamon-spiced coffee cake with a crunchy streusel topping for brunch, holiday breakfasts, or anytime with your morning cup of joe. It comes together quickly with pantry ingredients and has a fabulously moist, dense texture.

    Continue to 17 of 20 below.
  • 17 of 20

    Sweet or Savory Basic French Crêpes

    Basic Crepe Recipe

    The Spruce

    Thin and delicate, classic French crêpes are incredibly versatile and surprisingly easy to make once you master the flip. For sweet crêpes that beg for jelly or Nutella, add vanilla and sugar. For savory fillings, add some chopped fresh herbs to the batter. Everyone will love these sweet or savory basic French crêpes.

  • 18 of 20

    Spinach Frittata

    Spanish Frittata

    The Spruce

    Once you learn the method for making a spinach frittata, you can load up this versatile Italian-style omelet with your favorite veggies, herbs, cheeses, and savory ingredients, to enjoy for brunch, everyday breakfast, or even a light lunch or dinner.

  • 19 of 20

    Cheese Quiche

    Easiest cheese quiche

    The Spruce

    Cheese 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 if you decide to add them.

  • 20 of 20

    Savory Breakfast Muffins

    Savory Breakfast Muffins

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

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