How to Plan a Beautiful Brunch

Nothing conjures up thoughts of easy, breezy relaxation more than a leisurely brunch with family and friends—except when you’re the host and you have no clue how to actually put together that much-anticipated brunch menu. Here are some brunch ideas to help you organize and host an easy, but impressive late-morning meal, including recipes to get your brunch menu started. Because fabulous doesn’t have to be stressful.

Plan a Brunch

Will food be plated or set out buffet-style? We suggest the latter—no need to make it harder on yourself! Gather up your serving and entertaining pieces and figure out what you’ll serve in each, and where you’ll arrange your spread. If you use something like this glazed stoneware, you can cook and serve in the same beautiful dish—less for you to clean when all’s said and done.

Set the table the night before. Plates, napkins, silverware, tablecloth, placemats, glassware—arrange it all ahead of time so you’re not left fussing with place settings when guests arrive.

Prep as much food ahead of time as possible. Chop onions, beat eggs, squeeze juice, grind coffee—whatever you can do ahead of time, do it! Store your prepped ingredients in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to start cooking.

Add flowers. Pick them up from your grocery store or local florist and arrange them in a variety of jars or vases you have around the house for an easy and inexpensive decoration. Or get creative—prep bowls make adorable bud vases, for example.

Create Your Brunch Menu

Brunch combines the absolute best flavors of breakfast and lunch. We recommend choosing an egg dish, something hearty or savory, something sweet, something fresh, and something for dessert. Coffee, tea, and a signature cocktail or mocktail complete the brunch spread.

Don’t turn yourself into a short-order cook the day of your brunch. That means no pancakes and no eggs made to order. See our brunch menu ideas below.

Simple Ideas for Pancakes and Eggs

Eggs and pancakes are centerpieces at breakfast, but don’t always work and can be hard to keep warm at the table. Whip up a delicious and easy Artichoke Zucchini Frittata with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce or a Dutch Baby with Homemade Whipped Cream. Your guests won’t miss the fact that you didn’t fry up eggs or make pancakes to order.

Make-Ahead Baked Oatmeal

No brunch is complete without something sweet. This simple Baked Oatmeal with mixed berries provides sweet, comforting flavor with a little crunch. It’s an easy recipe to make ahead of time and reheat in the oven or microwave. Plus, it adds some healthy whole grains to the menu.

Choose Fresh Fruit

This part of your menu requires minimal effort but adds a lot of bright, seasonal flavor to complement all of your baked dishes. Something like this Summer Fruit & Spinach Salad can be pulled together in just a few minutes and pairs sweet and savory flavors together nicely—a must-have for an ideal brunch recipe.

A Let the Guests Make Their Own Mimosas Recipe

There’s something about a fizzy mimosa (or faux-mosa!) that makes brunch feel extra special. Have fun by offering a DIY mimosa and faux-mosa bar. Set out a selection of juices and champagne or ginger ale, plus plenty of fresh fruit to garnish. Then let everyone enjoy!

No-Fuss Petit Fours

A sweet dessert is the perfect way to cap off a brunch, plus it allows everyone to finish their coffee (or have a second…or third cup!). Look for something easy, but pretty and highlights fresh flavors—like these Orange-Raspberry Petit Fours.