The word brunch conveys relaxation and leisure. It's a meal that encourages you to slow down and enjoy your food just a bit more while soaking up the presence of friends or family. Weekend mornings are prime brunch times precisely because everyone in the house can sleep in a bit longer, start slower, and spend a few extra minutes relaxing before the day's events begin.
So, when you have that extra span on the clock, make the most of it with a meal that's extra special. Our favorite brunch recipes are easy, delicious, and timeless. Whether you prefer food that is savory or sweet, this list has something for everyone.
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Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
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Brunch casseroles are an especially great option because they can be made ahead (the night before) and baked later, or they come together in one big mixing bowl, then dumped into a pan, and baked while you finish the other elements of the meal. This potato tot dish is a fun brunch pick because you replace the standard hash browns or bread cubes with bite-size bits of fried potatoes. Brunch eaters of all ages will be ready to dig in when this hits the table.
Get the recipe: Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole
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Skillet-Poached Huevos Rancheros
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You don't need to make a reservation at your favorite brunch spot for a serving of huevos rancheros. This homemade version is deeply flavorful and ready in just 15 minutes, thanks to convenience foods like jarred salsa and canned black beans. Kick things up with a little hot sauce if you dare.
Get the recipe: Skillet-Poached Huevos Rancheros
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Italian Baked Eggs
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Hardy recipes like baked eggs are a creative way to change up the savory portion of your brunch menu. Instead of basic fried or scrambled eggs, offer this tomatoey dish with spicy Italian sausage, gooey mozzarella, and a crunchy baguette for dipping. Though it's fast and ready in just 25 minutes, this easy brunch recipe manages to be deeply flavored and supremely satisfying. Serve with a side of fruit to finish off the meal.
Get the recipe: Italian Baked Eggs
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Sunny-Side-Up Sheet Pan Breakfast
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Sheet pan recipes aren't just for dinner. Try this one out for your next brunch. Eggs are nestled in a pan full of spinach, potatoes, prosciutto, and other flavor-packed ingredients. The best part? Everything cooks in one pan for less than one hour.
Get the recipe: Sunny-Side- Up Sheet Pan Breakfast
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Hearty Corn Frittata
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Hashes and frittatas have something in common: they're great recipes for leftovers. You can use just about any ingredient as long as you know the secret to making a perfect frittata. In this brunch recipe, a can of cream corn lends a bit of luscious, custardy texture to the frittata, while smoky bacon and tangy Parmesan cheese add a boost of flavor.
Get the recipe: Hearty Corn Frittata
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Salmon and Sweet Potato Frittata
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Start your brunch off right with a light and fluffy frittata. Salty salmon pairs together with savory sweet potato for a dish that will have guests going back for seconds.
Get the recipe: Salmon and Sweet Potato Frittata
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Breakfast Strata
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This layered breakfast dish is packed with breakfast favorites plus wholesome veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and asparagus. Make it the night before to save yourself some time in the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Breakfast Strata
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Spanish Omelete With Potatoes and Chorizo
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Bring a little flare to the breakfast table with this Spanish omelet packed with potatoes, chorizo, and cheese. This easy-to-follow recipe is a riff on Spain's tortilla española or tortilla de patatas.
Get the recipe: Spanish Omelet with Chorizo and Potatoes
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Skillet Eggs in Enchilada Sauce
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This saucy skillet meal takes inspiration from the Middle Eastern shakshuka (eggs poached in tomato sauce) and is a tasty and easy vegetarian breakfast to make for a weekend brunch.
Get the recipe: Skillet Eggs in Enchilada Sauce
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Brown Rice Congee With Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs
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Congee is a creamy, savory porridge usually made with white rice. This recipe, however, uses brown rice for added nutrients and fiber. Fresh kimchee adds a spicy tang that compliments the whole dish.
Get the recipe: Brown Rice Congee With Kimchee, Scallions, and 7-Minute Eggs
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Scrambled Egg Tacos
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Soft scrambled eggs are wrapped in warm corn tortillas for the perfect breakfast taco. If you like things spicy, try adding diced chilis to the eggs or using pepper jack instead of regular jack.
Get the recipe: Scrambled Egg Breakfast Tacos
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Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Muffin Strata
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If you thought the only way to enjoy muffin breakfast sandwiches was by driving to your local fast-food restaurant, think again. This elevated version brings all the flavors of your favorite sandwich and combines them in casserole form to feed a large crowd.
Get the recipe: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Muffin Strata
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Beet Tahini Muffins
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Blueberry muffins might be the most beloved (we adore them, too), but there's always room for new options in the bread basket. Veggies like carrots and zucchini get most of the baked goods love, but the beets in these muffins add a lot of moisture and flavor. Nutty tahini blunts the sweetness of pure maple syrup for an all-around delightful muffin that no one will know is hiding a secret (healthy) ingredient.
Get the recipe: Beet Tahini Muffins
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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Scones
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If you're looking for out-of-the-box brunch ideas, scones are sure to fit the bill. These fluffy baked goods resemble a large biscuit, but they may be sweet or savory and incorporate any number of flavorful ingredients. Here, white chocolate and macadamia nuts combine to make a scone that can be the sweet treat to balance a plate of eggs and sausage. For the best bite, wait to prepare and spoon the glaze over the scones until just before serving.
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Scones
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French Toast
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Classic French toast is welcome in any list of brunch food ideas. In fact, it should be mandatory. You can use up the remaining challah or brioche you picked up at last week's farmers' market. The now-dry slices are preferred for French toast because they retain a bit of toothsome chew even after they're soaked in the egg custard. Top with berries, syrup, or a smear of preserves.
Get the recipe: French Toast
9 Delicious French Toast Recipes That Will Make You Look Forward to Morning
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French Toast Soufflé
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You may have few opportunities to experiment and have fun in the kitchen during a typical week, so take the opportunity with your next brunch to try your hand at soufflé. While savory soufflés would be a fine brunch treat, we like this sweet one because it's inspired by one of our all-time favorite brunch foods, French toast.
Get the recipe: French Toast Soufflé
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Healthy Banana Bread
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Quick breads are an easy make-ahead brunch recipe. Whip up the banana bread the night before your meal so it can cool completely. Then, slice the bread, and smear butter or cream cheese over each slice. Finish with a drizzle of honey or a dusting of cinnamon. For a full brunch menu, serve with fruit and a slice or two of crispy bacon.
Get the recipe: Healthy Banana Bread
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Brown Butter Waffles
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Kick your waffle game into high gear with the addition of brown butter. These are bound to go quickly, so think about making a double batch. Serve them with butter, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.
Get the recipe: Brown Butter Waffles
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Strawberry Buckle With Pecan Streusel
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Buckles take their name from the way their buttery yellow cake “buckles” when baked under the weight of juicy berries and crunchy streusel. This one makes the perfectaccompaniment to savory brunch offerings.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Buckle with Pecan Streusel
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Cherry Breakfast Custard
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This jam-packed berry breakfast treat takes cues from the French clafoutis—a custard-like dish that rises around juicy fruit. It's sweet enough to satisfy a morning craving but won't leave you crashing mid-morning—plus, it's easy to make on a lazy Sunday morning but also beautiful for impressing guests.
Get the recipe: Cherry Berry Breakfast Custard
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Breakfast Wreath
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Not only is this baked wreath delicious, but it will also look great on your brunch buffet table. No one needs to know easy it was to make. Just go ahead and let guests think you spent hours in the kitchen.
Get the recipe: Breakfast Wreath
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Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
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There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. The recipe calls for a bit of work, but it is definitely worth it. Serve them warm while the icing is still melty, and the cinnamon filling is gooey.
Get the recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
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Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
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This decadent chocolate bread pudding couldn't be easier: Combine all the ingredients and bake for 30 minutes. It's rich and creamy and goes perfectly with a fresh cup of coffee.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
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Big Batch Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal
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Big-batch cooking is great for crowds, and this recipe is no exception. Baking the oats allows them to soak up the flavors of the fresh fruit and spices. The result is a sweet baked treat with a crunchy top crust.
Get the recipe: Big Batch Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal
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Jojo's Biscuits
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Does it get any more comforting than a homemade, fresh-from-the-oven biscuit? Joanna Gaines doesn't think so, and her namesake biscuit recipe is so popular it landed on the menu at her Waco, Texas, restaurant, Magnolia Table. These fluffy, buttery biscuits are ideal to set in a basket during a weekend brunch. Serve with a side jam, if you like.
Get the recipe: Jojo's Biscuits
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Skillet Spanako"pea"ta
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As one reviewer writes, "it was delicious, SO fresh tasting, and an absolute hit."
Get the recipe: Skillet Spanako"pea"ta
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Chard and Herb Frittata With Cherry Tomatoes
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Get your daily dose of greens with this frittata. Bonus: It tastes great leftover on toast topped with spicy mayo, too.
Get the recipe: Chard and Herb Frittata With Cherry Tomatoes
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Pesto Egg Salad Toasts
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Walnut pesto is the star of this dish, giving the toast that fresh flavor. Plus, using yogurt instead of mayo, the dish gets a punch of extra protein to keep you and your brunch guests full and satisfied.
Get the recipe: Pesto Egg Salad Toasts
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Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pancakes
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Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, meaning you're getting a dose of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants with every bite of these fluffy pancakes. And the nutmeg and cinnamon spices make these pancakes a go-to brunch dish for fall, winter, or anytime you're in the mood for something comforting.
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Buttermilk Pancakes
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French Toast Casserole With Pecans and Raisins
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With just 20 minutes of hands-on time, this scrumptious brunch dish will give you more time to spend the morning with loved ones, rather than cooking. As one reader says, "This was easy and delicious! I would make it for guests (and myself) any time."
Get the recipe: French Toast Casserole With Pecans and Raisins
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Roasted Potato and Egg Sheet Pan
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It doesn't get easier than this brunch recipe. It's perfect for feeding a crowd, plus the veggie and egg mixture is a healthy way to start the day.
Get the recipe: Roasted Potato and Egg Sheet Pan
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Jelly Sufganiyot
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Sufganiyots are a type of jelly doughnut typically served for Hanukkah celebrations, but they're just as delicious any time of year. These fluffy, fruit-filled treats can be customized to your tastes using your favorite type of smooth jam as the filling.
Get the recipe: Jelly Sufganiyot Doughnuts
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German Pancakes
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Forget the maple syrup. German pancakes are best eaten with fruit jam and powdered sugar. Plus, there's no flipping involved with this pancake—the batter cooks in a large cast iron skillet inside the oven.
Get the recipe: German Pancakes
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Apple Spice Donut Pudding
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Sweet and full of warm spices, this comforting brunch idea will delight a crowd, especially since it's considered dessert! This twist on on bread pudding uses glazed donuts instead of bread for added sweet flavor. Caramelized apples and fall-inspired spices like cinnamon and nutmeg round out the mix.
Get the recipe: Apple Spice Donut Pudding
