20 of the Best Sunday Brunch Recipes to Start the Day With

Whether you’re brunching to celebrate, entertain guests, or gather friends at the table, brunch can be everything from a simple hash using leftover meat and veggies to a phantasmagoric four-course feast.

Many breakfast staples like French toast, yogurt parfaits, and various egg dishes are usually part of a brunch spread, but just about anything can work for brunch time: pasta and fruit salads, lightened favorites like breakfast pizza, and protein-packed plates like steak and eggs.

If you plan it right, and these 20 recipes will help, you can enjoy the meal again as leftovers on Monday morning.

Enjoy! 

Appetizers 

Roasted Strawberry Coconut Yogurt Parfaits

Picture courtesy of ÁLE BY ALESSANDRA

It doesn’t take much effort to put together a parfait, but the payoff is a healthy snack that’s every bit as sweet as dessert. But for a brunch, you can take it to the next level by roasting the fresh fruit.

It’ll also impress guests at the table if you make granola from scratch – which you can luckily do way ahead of time. For a low-sugar vanilla almond granola that will taste great in this recipe, try this one from Sally’s Baking Addiction (used to calculate the nutrition facts below).

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) non-fat plain Greek yogurt, divided

6 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut

1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved

1/2 Tbsp. pure honey

1 cup low-sugar granola

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 359

Protein: 14 grams

Carbs: 38 grams

Fat: 18 grams

 

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Smoked Salmon with Cucumbers & Caper Yogurt

Picture courtesy of Cookin Canuck

It’s not a decadent brunch without lox in the lineup, whether you’re having it on plain bagels with cream cheese or on top of a quick appetizer.

To make these, you have to do little more than slice a cucumber. Then spread on some Greek yogurt, dill, and capers. Finish with smoked salmon, and you’ve got an incredible appetizer. Seriously, it’s so good you can eat the whole batch for a lazy Sunday brunch.

Serves 4 / Makes 24

Ingredients

1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp. capers, chopped

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill

24 English cucumber slices, about 1/4” thick

4 oz. smoked salmon, cut into 24 pieces

Dill for garnish

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 63

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 6 grams

Fat: 1 gram

 

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Irish Soda Bread with Salted Maple Butter

Picture courtesy of Emma Haberman

Impress everyone at the brunch table by baking bread from scratch. They don’t have to know how easy and foolproof soda bread is to mix together. It’s a homemade bread that requires no yeast and minimal kneading.

And the maple butter to slather on is takes even less work to make. Just mix maple syrup into the butter, and add coarse sea salt.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Soda Bread:

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Maple Butter:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 Tbsp. dark amber maple syrup

Pinch or two of coarse sea salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 242

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 28 grams

Fat: 12 grams

 

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Mini Wonton Egg Cups

Picture courtesy of The Recipe Rebel

Muffin tins aren’t just for muffins. You can actually make a variety of egg appetizers, which come out perfectly sized.

Using wonton wrappers as a kind of crust will bring you one step closer to tray-worthy appetizers These are filled with egg, mushrooms, tomatoes, mozzarella, and even tofu, but if all you have in the fridge are a couple ingredients, that will work just as well.

Makes 12

Ingredients

12 wonton wrappers

2 large eggs

2 egg whites

2 scallions, green parts only

1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped

10 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

3 oz. firm tofu

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 140

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 23 grams

Fat: 2 grams

 

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Polish Summer Salad

Picture courtesy of Sweet Potato Soul

This recipe is from Salad Samurai: 100 Cutting-Edge, Ultra-Hearty, Easy-to-Make Salads You Don’t Have to Be Vegan to Love by Terry Hope Romero. It uses ingredients you’d expect to find a salad from Poland, including beets, white beans, and fresh dill. But this Polish salad also has a surprise: soba noodles. Although they’re associated with Japan, soba noodles are simply made from buckwheat.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Soba Salad:

1/2 lb. uncooked beets, peeled and diced

1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1/4 tsp. celery seeds

Pinch of salt

Few twists of freshly ground black pepper

6 oz. soba noodles

2 scallions, green parts thinly sliced

1 English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup cooked white beans

3 Tbsp. chopped roasted walnuts

Dill Dressing:

1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill

3 Tbsp. rice vinegar

4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 501

Protein: 22 grams

Carbs: 78 grams

Fat: 14 grams

 

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Entrées

Bacon, Spinach & Egg Pizza

Picture courtesy of Taste and Tell

You can make a pizza with breakfast toppings, but why not turn a regular pizza into breakfast?

By adding an egg on top – soft yolk and all – it takes just a second to upgrade spinach pizza to breakfast pizza. And if that’s not enough, there’s also crispy turkey bacon. It pairs well with the mix of fontina and gruyere, although you can use about any cheese you have on hand with an equally delicious result.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Breakfast Pizza:

4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Handful of fresh baby spinach, chopped

8 slices turkey bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup Fontina cheese, grated

1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, grated

4 large eggs

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Honey Pizza Dough:

1 1/4 cups very warm water

1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast

2 3/4 cups bread flour

1 tsp .salt

1 tsp. dried dill

2 Tbsp. pure honey

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 629

Protein: 30 grams

Carbs: 76 grams

Fat: 23 grams

 

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Steak & Eggs Benedict

Picture courtesy of Closet Cooking

Treat yourself to an out-of-this-world brunch without trading protein for carbs.

This steak is slathered in bernaise sauce, which is basically a lot butter, egg yolks, and white wine. So you might want to opt for a smaller serving, or go with a light touch when drizzling on the sauce. Of course, you could also make breakfast dreams come true and double the steak.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Steak & Eggs:

6 oz. steak

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 Tbsp. oil

2 English muffins, lightly toasted

12 asparagus spears, trimmed and blanched

4 large eggs

Homemade Bernaise:

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. white wine

1 Tbsp. shallots, minced

1 Tbsp. fresh tarragon, chopped

3 egg yolks

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 520

Protein: 28 grams

Carbs: 17 grams

Fat: 38 grams

 

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Ham & Eggs Breakfast Burrito

Picture courtesy of Natasha’s Kitchen

Breakfast burritos are the easiest way to upgrade scrambled eggs into a complete breakfast. If you’re serving burritos for brunch, though, they’d better be off the charts. So don’t skimp on the fillings.

This one is stuffed with mushrooms, eggs, sour cream, ham, tomato, and mozzarella cheese. Serve with salsa, hot sauce, guacamole – or all three.

Serves 6

Ingredients

6 medium flour tortillas

1/2 lb. (about 8 medium) button mushrooms

1 Tbsp. butter

6 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 oz. ham, chopped

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella

1 medium tomato, diced

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 323

Protein: 17 grams

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 23 grams

 

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Savory Hummus Waffles with Sausage

Picture courtesy of Running to the Kitchen

You can enjoy waffles and not even miss the maple syrup and whipped cream. The trick is go to savory instead of sweet.

Not only does this breakfast favorite have the surprise ingredient of hummus, but the savory waffles are studded with Italian sausage and sun-dried tomatoes. Instead of pouring on the sugar, serve with more hummus, or top with a fried egg.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 link sweet Italian sausage

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

2 cups multigrain waffle mix (or pancake mix)

1/3 cup egg whites

1 cup milk

1/2 cup hummus

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 479

Protein: 27 grams

Carbs: 63 grams

Fat: 15 grams

 

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Turkey, Smashed Peas & Pesto Sandwiches

Picture courtesy of The Sweets Life

Not just any turkey sandwich will be at home on a brunch table. Dress it up with more than mustard and salad greens.

This recipe keeps it healthy with other types of greens: smashed peas and pesto. You can use any kind of herbs to make the pesto, like classic basil or fresh mint, or just use whatever you picked up from the grocery store.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1/4 small red onion, sliced

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. butter

2 cups (10 oz.) frozen peas

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup pesto

8 oz. roasted turkey, sliced

8 sliced whole-wheat bread

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 383

Protein: 27 grams

Carbs: 35 grams

Fat: 16 grams

 

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Side Dishes 

Raspberry Mint Lemonade Salad

Picture courtesy of Lunchbox Brunch

This easy fruit salad is a stunner. It both looks and tastes so amazing, nobody will notice you did little more than dice the avocados and toss all the ingredients in a bowl. Along with the fruit, there’s mint leaves, chopped walnuts, fresh lemon, and a spoonful of maple syrup. And add a pinch of cayenne for a little kick.

Serves 4

Ingredients

3 cups fresh organic raspberries

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

1/2 avocado, diced

1/3 cup raw walnuts, chopped

2 lemons, juiced

1/8 tsp. fresh lemon zest

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Pinch of cayenne and/or sea salt (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 184

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 19 grams

Fat: 12 grams

 

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Corned Beef Breakfast Hash

Picture courtesy of Camp Chef

Whether you have leftover corned beef from dinner, or picked some up from your neighborhood deli, it’ll be delicious in this hearty hash. It’s a classic breakfast with meat, potatoes, onions, garlic, and bell pepper.

And if you want eggs too, all you have to do is crack them right into the pan. Cook until the whites are firm but the yolks are runny, and then use a sturdy spatula to carefully slip them out of the pan.

Serves 5

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. butter

2 1/2 cups potatoes, small dice

3/4 cup onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red onion, sliced very thin

1/2 cup bell pepper, finely diced

1/4 tsp. salt

Pinch of black pepper

1 1/2 cups corned beef (about 5 oz.), chopped

5 large eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 254

Protein: 12 grams

Carbs: 17 grams

Fat: 16 grams

 

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Cream Cheese Grits

Picture courtesy of Spicy Southern Kitchen

One Southern breakfast staple is cheesy grits, but chances are you’ve had them with a semisoft cheese like cheddar. Using cream cheese instead will be equally delicious. The result is a thick, stick-to-your-ribs version of grits.

And for those who don’t usually like the texture, the creaminess of these grits may sway them over to the other side.

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 cups water

2 1/2 cups milk

1 1/4 cups stone-ground grits

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce

3 Tbsp. cream cheese, room temp.

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 236

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 34 grams

Fat: 9 grams

 

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Grilled Tomato & Broccoli Pasta Salad

Picture courtesy of My California Roots

There’s nothing like pasta salad for a fantastic brunch. That’s because you can make it the day before!

To serve, just pull it out of the fridge, uncover the dish, and stick a big spoon inside so everyone can help themselves. The main prep requires hardly any work anyway – chop up the broccoli, and boil water on the stove. While you wait for the pasta to cook, you’ll have time to measure out the ingredients for homemade balsamic vinaigrette. And if you make extra, you’ll have some for weekday lunches too.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Pasta Salad:

1 1/2 lb. cherry tomatoes

2 lb. baby broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. whole-wheat pasta of choice

1/4 cup (1 oz.) grated Parmesan, for serving

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. Italian herbs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 456

Protein: 16 grams

Carbs: 70 grams

Fat: 15 grams

 

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Jicama Home Fries

Picture courtesy of Healthy Eton

It can be hard to imagine breakfast without potatoes, but thanks to a bit of paleo creativity, you can enjoy a healthy hash using jicama instead.

Pound for pound, jicama has half the calories and carb content of potatoes. That aside, the nutritional content is similar. Both potatoes and jicama are good sources of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and phytonutrients that act as antioxidants.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 medium jicama (about 2 1/2 cups), peeled and diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 onion, diced

4 baby portobello mushrooms, diced

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced

Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

1/2 avocado, to serve

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 116

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 16 grams

Fat: 5 grams

 

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Desserts 

Nutella Sandwich Cookies

Picture courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

After an amazing brunch of pasta salad, smoked salmon, and a savory hash, not everyone will have room for a big dessert. Rather than digging into a plate of crepes or a large scone, diners with less of a sweet tooth may prefer a small bite like this butter cookie sandwich with chocolate hazelnut filling.

On the other hand, it might be good to have double desserts if you’re having a no-holds-barred cheat meal brunch.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup Nutella (1 Tbsp. per cookie)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 325

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 46 grams

Fat: 14 grams

 

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Middle of the Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Picture courtesy of Framed Cooks

Cinnamon buns are tempting, but they’re also over 500 calories. Instead, cut to the chase by baking the best part: the soft, doughy center.

These muffins don’t skimp on the glaze, so they really capture the cinnamon roll experience. Yet, they slash the total calories in half so you can strike a balance between restraint and indulgence.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Cinnamon Muffins:

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 large egg

1 1/4 cups flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/8 cup finely chopped pecans

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2/3 cup milk

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 Tbsp. milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 233

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 41 grams

Fat: 7 grams

 

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Overnight Blueberry French Toast

Picture courtesy of The Food Charlatan

When you want dessert for breakfast, nothing beats French toast doused in syrup. And if that’s the way you prefer to brunch, it’s possible for French toast to be even more enjoyable by making it ahead of time

A few hours before baking, slice the bread (preferably on the stale side), and lay it out in a casserole dish. Pour the eggy mixture over the top, and leave it in the fridge. Then a half hour before brunch, mix together a cinnamon blueberry syrup, and pop it all in the oven.

Serves 6

Ingredients

8 oz. French bread

4 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 1/2 cups blueberries

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 tsp. cornstarch

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 337

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 57 grams

Fat: 9 grams

 

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Bacon Chocolate Chip Scones

Picture courtesy of Hello Creative Family

Everything you love about brunch is in this one maple-chocolate pastry. And yes, that means there’s really bacon in the mix too!

These aren’t going to be part of anyone’s diet plan, but they’re a good reason to forget about macros for just one meal. Having an indulgence every now and then is necessary for sustainable long-term healthy eating habits.

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. granulated sugar

6 Tbsp. butter, cold and cubed

1 cup milk

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/3 cup (4 thick slices) crumbled bacon

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 310

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 37 grams

Fat: 15 grams

 

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Paleo Crepes with Strawberries

Picture courtesy of Tea Biscuit

Flourless crepes? That sounds like an oxymoron since crepe batter is made from eggs, milk, butter, and flour. But it’s possible to make wheat-free, gluten-free crepes with a mix of flour alternatives.

If you used only coconut flour, the result would be too cakey to qualify as crepes. That’s where arrowroot flour comes in, creating a finer texture and adding a bit of fluffiness.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/3 cup coconut flour

1/3 cup arrowroot flour

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. pure honey

3 large eggs

1/2 cup coconut milk

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

1 can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight to separate the cream

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 175

Protein: 6 grams

Carbs: 14 grams

Fat: 12 grams

 

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What did you think of these Sunday brunch recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!