10+ Brunch Recipes to Brighten Your Weekend Mornings
Brunch is a fun and relaxed way to enjoy a meal that combines breakfast and lunch. It’s perfect for weekends, special occasions, or when you want to treat yourself and others.
You can find simple and tasty brunch recipes that fit any mood or schedule.
Whether you like sweet, savory, or a mix of both, there are many options to explore. You’ll learn how to create easy dishes that impress without needing a lot of time or skills.
1) Classic buttermilk pancakes
Classic buttermilk pancakes are a favorite for brunch. They are thick, soft, and have a slightly tangy flavor from the buttermilk.
You can make them from scratch in about 15 minutes. These pancakes cook quickly and taste great with butter and maple syrup.
Add fresh fruit or nuts to make them extra special. The key is to use real buttermilk and not overmix the batter.
Heat your pan to medium and cook each pancake until golden brown on both sides. Keep the cooked pancakes warm in the oven set at 325°F (165°C) while you finish cooking the rest.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined.
- Heat a lightly greased pan over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top, about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden.
- Keep pancakes warm in the oven until ready to serve.
2) Spinach and feta quiche
Spinach and feta quiche is a simple dish to make for brunch. It combines fresh spinach with tangy feta cheese inside a buttery pie crust.
You can add other cheeses like cheddar or mushrooms to change the flavor. Baking it until the eggs are set gives a smooth, creamy texture that’s easy to cut into slices.
This quiche works well warm or at room temperature. Serve it with a light salad or fresh fruit for a balanced brunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 pie crust
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish.
- Mix spinach, feta, and cheddar cheese; spread over crust.
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper; pour over filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until eggs are set.
- Let cool a few minutes before slicing.
3) Cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing
Cinnamon rolls are a classic brunch treat. They are soft, sweet, and filled with warm cinnamon flavor.
Topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese icing, they taste even better fresh from the oven. Many recipes let you skip kneading, which makes the process easier.
You can prepare the dough the night before and bake them fresh in the morning. The cream cheese icing adds a smooth, rich touch that melts into the warm rolls.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
For the filling:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup softened butter
For the cream cheese icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cooking Instructions
- Mix warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add melted butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix until combined.
- Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours until doubled.
- Roll dough into a rectangle. Spread the softened butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly.
- Roll the dough tightly and cut into rolls. Place rolls in a greased baking pan.
- Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla to make icing.
- Spread icing on warm rolls before serving.
For more tips and variations, check out easy no-knead cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing.
4) Savory breakfast strata
Savory breakfast strata is a layered egg casserole you can prepare the night before. Soak bread in a mixture of eggs and milk, then add veggies, cheese, and meat like bacon or sausage.
Customize your strata with ingredients like spinach, Gruyere cheese, or sausage for extra flavor. When you bake it, the dish puffs up golden and delicious.
Making strata ahead saves you time in the morning. Just put it in the oven and enjoy a fresh, hearty breakfast.
Ingredients
- 6 cups bread cubes (day-old or toasted)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cooked sausage or bacon
- 1 cup sautéed spinach or other vegetables
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
- Layer bread cubes, meat, veggies, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Pour egg mixture evenly over layers.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
5) Ham and cheese buckwheat crepes
Try ham and cheese buckwheat crepes for a tasty brunch. These crepes have a nutty flavor from the buckwheat and are filled with ham and cheese.
Top them with a fried egg for extra protein and a rich taste. The crepes are thin and fold easily around the fillings.
Use a good melting cheese like Gruyère to add creaminess. Buckwheat crepes are gluten-free, making them a good choice if you want a lighter meal.
Cooking them one at a time helps to keep them from tearing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup buckwheat flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 slices ham
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 4 eggs (for frying)
- Butter or oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions
- Whisk buckwheat flour, milk, and egg until smooth.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly butter it.
- Pour a small amount of batter into the pan, swirling to make a thin crepe.
- Cook 1-2 minutes until edges lift, then flip and cook 30 seconds more.
- Place a slice of ham and cheese on one side of the crepe.
- Fold the crepe edges over the fillings and add another sprinkle of cheese.
- In a separate pan, fry eggs until the whites are set but yolks are runny.
- Serve crepes topped with a fried egg on each.
6) Chocolate banana overnight oats
Chocolate banana overnight oats are a simple brunch option. You prepare it the night before, so it’s ready when you wake up.
The combination of banana and cocoa gives a natural sweetness and rich flavor. Mash half a banana and slice the other half for texture.
Mix the banana with oats, almond milk, cocoa powder, and a bit of maple syrup or vanilla. Let it sit in the fridge overnight to soften.
You can add peanut butter or chia seeds for extra nutrition.
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tbsp chia seeds
Cooking Instructions
- Mash half the banana in a bowl.
- Add oats, almond milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Stir until well mixed.
- Slice the remaining banana half.
- Add the slices on top or mix in.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, about 6-8 hours.
- Stir and enjoy cold or warmed up.
7) French toast with maple syrup
French toast is a simple brunch option you can make quickly. Soak thick slices of bread in a mix of eggs, milk, and a bit of vanilla for flavor.
Cook the bread in a warm pan until golden brown. Serve your French toast with real maple syrup.
It adds a sweet, natural taste that pairs well with the soft, fluffy bread. You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for extra flavor.
This recipe works best with thick bakery white bread. It soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart.
Maple syrup can be drizzled warm for the best experience.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices thick white bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Butter for cooking
Cooking Instructions:
- Crack eggs into a shallow dish.
- Add milk, vanilla, and cinnamon; whisk well.
- Dip each slice of bread in the mixture, soaking both sides.
- Heat butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Cook bread slices until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
- Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top.
For detailed ideas, check this French toast recipe.
8) Farmhouse frittata with herbs
The farmhouse frittata is a warm, tasty dish perfect for your brunch table. Fresh herbs add flavor, and you can include bacon or spinach for extra texture.
You can prepare it easily in one pan, which saves you time. Potatoes or cheese like white cheddar work well in this recipe.
Feel free to swap ingredients, but try to use fresh, good-quality produce for the best taste. This dish is great for a quick breakfast or a simple dinner.
Ingredients
- 5 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 medium potato, thinly sliced
- 1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or chives)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove and chop.
- Add olive oil to the skillet. Cook potato slices until tender.
- Whisk eggs and season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Add spinach, bacon, and cheese to the eggs and mix gently.
- Pour the mixture over potatoes in the skillet.
- Cook on the stove for 3-4 minutes until edges start to set.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until fully set.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
You can find a complete recipe for this farmhouse frittata.
9) Monte Cristo sandwich
The Monte Cristo sandwich mixes ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese. Dip the sandwich in a beaten egg mixture, then fry it until golden brown.
It’s like French toast with a savory twist. Serve it with powdered sugar and jam for a sweet contrast.
This sandwich makes a filling and different brunch option. Use thick, sturdy bread to hold the filling.
Cook it slowly in butter to get a crispy outside and melted cheese inside.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of white or egg bread
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 4 slices ham
- 4 slices turkey
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar and jam for serving (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla in a shallow dish.
- Assemble sandwiches with ham, turkey, and cheese between two bread slices.
- Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture, soaking both sides.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat (about 325°F / 160°C).
- Cook sandwiches until golden brown on both sides and cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve with powdered sugar and jam if you like.
10) Savory stuffed French toast
Savory stuffed French toast is a twist on a classic breakfast dish. You fill bread with cheese, meat, or veggies before dipping it into a custard mix.
The toast cooks up golden and crispy on the outside. Inside, it stays soft and flavorful.
Try bacon and cheese or prosciutto and mozzarella for rich flavors. For a lighter option, use spinach and feta with a balsamic drizzle.
This dish works well for easy brunches that feel a bit fancy. You can make it in about 20 minutes.
Serve it hot with a side salad or fresh fruit.
Ingredients:
- Bread (like ciabatta or sourdough)
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or feta)
- Bacon, ham, or prosciutto
- Optional: spinach, scallions, red pepper hummus
Cooking Instructions:
- Whisk eggs and milk to make the custard.
- Slice the bread thick and add your fillings between two slices.
- Dip the stuffed bread into the custard and soak both sides.
- Cook on medium heat in a buttered pan until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
For more ideas, check this savory stuffed French toast recipe.