Our 14 best brunch recipes for leisurely weekends
Cinnamon rolls, coffee cake, and quiche make the best meal of the day even better.
Brunch is the best. It’s so good, in fact, that actor, writer, and director Dan Levy (of “Schitt’s Creek” fame) created a whole show about it.
But the greatest brunch is the one you enjoy at home, where you can skip the restaurant lines and eat in your pajamas if you want.
More than any other meal, brunch is the chance to customize the menu to whatever you like. Craving sweet breakfast foods? How about a hearty lunch? Or perhaps you’d like both? Brunch has you covered. Here are our favorite recipes.
1) Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby
Melissa Clark’s savory Dutch baby was inspired by gougères and features a salty, frico-like layer of baked Parmesan that gives way to a soft, cheesy interior. When it’s served straight from the oven, it has a dramatic, towering puff that will delight diners before slumping slightly into a craggy savory pancake that can be sliced and served with ease.
2) Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins
Even if you think blueberry muffins are basic, don’t overlook this recipe, which is so adored that it has over 550 perfect five-star reviews. The delicate, tender muffins come together with basic pantry staples, but their starring moment comes from the glittery sprinkle of sugar that adorns their tops.
3) Cinnamon-Crisp Coffee Cake
Our brand-new Recipe of the Year is the only coffee cake recipe you need. The cake is moist and tender (thanks to the reverse-creaming method), has a rich ribbon of cinnamon and cocoa at its midline, and is topped with extra-crispy streusel crumbs. (Watch how to make it in our recent YouTube video: Cinnamon-Crisp Coffee Cake - our 2023 Recipe of the Year!)
4) Breakfast Casserole
This casserole is an excellent way to use up any leftover bread you have lying around. Like a savory bread pudding, it’s made by combining cubed slightly stale bread, eggs, milk, vegetables, cheese, and meat. Helpfully, you can prep everything the day before and leave in the refrigerator overnight. About an hour and a half before you’re ready to eat, slide the pan into the oven and bake. A sparkling round of mimosas to accompany is optional but highly recommended.
5) Savory Rye Pancakes
For something elegant and unexpected, try making these savory little rye flour pancakes, similar to blini. The tender, dill-infused pancakes are topped with tangy crème fraiche, chives, and smoked salmon and garnished with lemon juice and capers. To serve, set out a full spread and let your brunch guests customize to their hearts’ delight.
6) Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls
These ultra-soft cinnamon rolls were our 2021 Recipe of the Year for one simple reason: They’re irresistibly delicious. The roll itself is decadently soft, while the swirls are filled with a thick layer of cinnamon sugar. Everything is crowned with sweet vanilla icing to finish.
7) Quiche Lorraine
I firmly believe that you can never go wrong with quiche. It’s always good — savory, hearty, creamy, and flaky. Plus, it’s a snap to make. This classic version features a custardy filling full of smoky bacon, sharp onion, fresh chives, and salty cheese. Bake ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to three days, then reheat before serving, if desired.
8) Savory Masa Harina Waffles
If you think waffles always need butter and maple syrup, these slightly spicy corn-based ones will change your mind. They’re accompanied by a colorful mango pico de gallo, but if you want to turn them into a breakfast sandwich stuffed with eggs, cheese, and bacon, that would also be an excellent idea.
9) Danish Pastry
If you really want to wow your brunch guests, make your own homemade Danishes. This is a laminated dough, so it does require a lot of time (and butter). But if you follow the instructions precisely, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, flaky, buttery pastry.
10) Sourdough Banana Bread
This cozy banana bread doubles as a sneaky way to use up your excess sourdough discard. The tang pairs nicely with the sweetness of the bananas and honey in this loaf, adding more complex flavor. The best thing about banana bread is that it’s nearly impossible to mess up, as the bananas mean it will always turn out soft and moist. So if you want a surefire recipe that everyone is all but guaranteed to love, you can’t go wrong here.
11) Stuffed Bagel Buns
These adorable buns feature a secret stuffing of cream cheese, cheddar, and fresh herbs and a crunchy garnish of Everything Bagel Topping. They’re the all-in-one bagel option your brunch table needs, nestled in a breadbasket and served alongside the main course.
12) Cinnamon Star Bread
This sweet pull-apart bread never fails to impress. With nearly 400 reviews, it’s one of the most popular recipes on our site, and for good reason: The shaping technique is as simple as it is stunning. And something about shareable cinnamon bread just screams celebration.
13) Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper) Scones
For savory scone inspiration, look to one of Italy’s classic pastas. Packed with cheese and a hearty dose of black pepper, these scones have a punch of umami flavor that’s perfect alongside your eggs and bacon. To save time, you can prepare the scones ahead of time and store them, unbaked, in the freezer for up to a month. Bake as directed (without thawing), adding a couple of extra minutes in the oven if needed.
14) Mallorcas
The recipe for this classic Puerto Rican pastry comes to us from baker Milena Pagán, who serves them at her Providence bakery, Little Sister. She splits the fluffy, buttery buns and stuffs them with ham, melted Swiss cheese, and a runny-yolked egg.
Find more brunch options in our recipe collection: Our Best Sunday Brunch Recipes.
Cover photo (Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls) by Kristen Teig; food styling by Liz Neily.
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