Brunch Menu Ideas

Hosting a brunch for your book club, friends group, or close family doesn’t need to be a difficult endeavor. You should also consider how food will be served. If you have 12 or fewer people, you can pass dishes family-style. If your group will be larger, then consider setting up your brunch buffet-style. Consider the layout of your home when serving brunch if you opt for a buffet, and make sure there is ample room for guests to walk while balancing full plates of food. Make things a little bit easier for you to host the event by keeping condiments, salt and pepper, and extra napkins within easy reach of the guests, and set pitchers of fresh juice and ice water on the table so guests can quickly refill their glasses.

If you love both breakfast and lunch menu ideas, then brunch is the best of both worlds. When planning your menu, you want to strike the balance between savory and sweet options, as well as items that will work for breakfast or lunch. MarthaStewart.com suggests keeping it simple by serving two main dishes, a special drink, and a pastry or other sweet item. Feel free to add more sweet or savory dishes, too, to make the menu more robust, and to offer guests an assortment of choices. Although having a wide range of coffee cakes and pastries can be fun, some guests may want more savory options, too. 

What’s a brunch gathering without a delicious alcoholic beverage or two? You can serve an assortment of drinks in the late morning, including the mojito, the classic Bloody Mary, and the summertime favorite, the Bellini. Just keep in mind that many drinks need to be served immediately after mixing; if you’re already planning to put the finishing touches on your meal, then consider designating someone else to serve as the bartender at your brunch. In addition, your brunch should also include an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages, including smoothies, coffee, tea, and juice. To make the event even more special, consider serving all beverages in fun and unique glasses, including Mason jars and your favorite stemware.

For more info on how to make great mimosas for your next brunch, check out The Best Champagne for Mimosas from our friends at TheWineBuyingGuide.com, including a simple mimosa recipe that everyone will love. 

With summer comes an assortment of in-season produce! From just-picked berries to cucumbers, tomatoes, and more, summer provides a wealth of fruits and vegetables that are at the peak of freshness. Let your favorite farmers market or grocery store be your guide, and select an assortment of fruits and vegetables that are available throughout the summer. If it will be a scorcher on the day of your brunch, then keep things cool by including an assortment of no-bake items on your menu. From an easy Strawberry Parfait recipe (pictured above) to special dips, you can provide guests with a delicious meal that is filling, cool, and doesn't require the use of the oven. Remember to keep the beverages coming on a hot day, too, and serve up plenty of iced tea and fresh-squeezed juice.

When the weather turns cold and dreary, spending time with family and friends is a great way to lift your spirits. Whether you’re planning a brunch for the holidays or just to break up the dullness of winter, finding a few brunch menu ideas for winter can help. You’ll want to think comfort food for this time of the year, including delicious breakfast desserts, potato dishes, and omelets. We highly recommend Cinnamon-Pumpkin French Toast Casserole (pictured below). You can also add some creativity to your brunch by including a topping bar for waffles and pancakes, with BBC Good Food recommending blueberries, chocolate, and bananas, among other options. Shake things up with a more casual dress attire with a pajama brunch, too! Encourage your guests to wear their most comfortable pajamas or loungewear to your brunch for an event that is truly unique. 

Does your guest list include younger children? You don’t need to rearrange your entire brunch menu to accommodate small children. You just need to keep it simple! Fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, the ever-popular Breakfast Sandwich (pictured below), a hearty egg dish, and a sweet coffee cake will all be hits with the younger set. If you’d like to get creative, then consider skewering slices of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other ingredients. Older children (and maybe the adults, too!) will love eating the snack in a new and interesting way. If you’re serving special drinks for adults, then add a smoothie or fresh juice option for the kids, too. Consider adding a few small table games and coloring books to the brunch table so that kids can be entertained during the brunch. 

If you plan to host a brunch immediately following a religious service, then you might be wondering how to juggle cooking times in a short time frame. As you likely do not want to keep your oven or stove on while you are out of the house, you can opt to use your trusted slow cooker to keep ham, an omelet, or other dishes hot. If you want to cook your favorite go-to brunch recipe in a slow cooker, then this guide by Lifehacker can help. Plan to use an assortment of dishes that can be served at room temperature, too, including coffee cakes. 

Whether you're hosting a small group of friends or your entire extended family, there's nothing like have a few tried-and-true brunch recipes at your fingertips! With these recipes, you can create a delicious meal that is perfect for a leisurely and relaxing lunch at home. You'll want to keep these brunch recipes in mind the next time you host a get-together at home.

Buttermilk Pancakes (pictured below): You can't go wrong with the classic recipe of buttermilk pancakes. Light, fluffy, and so easy to make, these pancakes are crowd-pleasers. They are so versatile, too. Encourage guests to put fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, and so many other possibilities on top.

Quiche Lorraine: Wow your brunch crowd in a big way when you put this Quiche Lorraine on the table. Rich and cheesy, this recipe is actually pretty easy to make. Keep a frozen pie crust on hand so you can always make this quiche for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

Hashbrown Frittata Cups: The perfect menu addition to a casual brunch with friends, these frittata cups are hearty and satisfying–—and cute! Include a fresh salad and pastries on the side for a full meal, and you're set. This recipe doesn't take long to cook, either!

Homemade Waffles: Are you on Team Waffles? Then you must add this recipe to your bucket list! This waffle recipe is sure to be a hit with your family and friends at your next brunch, too. You'll love that this waffle recipe can be made either sweet or savory.

Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake: Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please! While serving a great breakfast casserole and an assortment of fresh fruit is always important, you can't forget about dessert. This coffee cake hits all the right notes and will be the perfect accompaniment to a cup of fresh-brewed coffee.