Thanks a Brunch

With sit-down dining still restricted by the pandemic, many would-be brunchers are longing for an indulgent weekend meal and a bottomless mimosa. You can still get it at home, where everything happens on your schedule for a lower cost. Here are 25 delicious brunch recipes to get you started, including some cocktails and some options for special diets.

Related: Best Brunch in Every State



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Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast with Peaches



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Breakfast Pizza

Pizza for breakfast? This recipe features bacon, eggs, cheese, and herbs, but can be easily customized — add some pesto, take off the bacon, add other kinds of cheeses, whatever you want.

Recipe: Smitten Kitchen



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Breakfast Burgers with Maple Aioli



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Cinnamon Roll Baked Doughnuts



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Fluffy Flourless Banana Smoothie Pancakes



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Best-Ever Bloody Mary

Based on their ubiquity, you’d think it’s easy to make a great bloody mary — it’s not. It’s not that most recipes are hard, but they require a balancing act between salty, sour, a bit of sweetness from the tomatoes, and umami. This recipe gets it right. One reviewer calls it “the best bloody mary I have ever had.”

Recipe: Food.com



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New Orleans Fizz

If you haven’t heard of a New Orleans fizz, perhaps you’ve heard of a Ramos gin fizz (its other name). It’s a classic cocktail, invented in New Orleans by Henry C. Ramos in the late 1800s. The shaken egg white makes it fluffy; you’ll know you’ve made it correctly if your straw can stand up in it.

Recipe: The Spruce Eats



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Crispy Rice Pancakes With Potatoes and Chickpeas



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Bacon Tart with Pumpkin and Maple

Bacon + pumpkin + maple = magic, as evidenced in this scrumptious autumnal tart. It calls for frozen puff pastry, cutting down vastly on prep time (only 10 minutes) and is a creative and tasty brunch option.

Recipe: RecipeTin Eats

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these Amazing Bacon Dishes Across America.



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Overnight Caramel French Toast

The genius of this recipe is what makes it very easy: The bread soaks up all the sweet saucy goodness overnight, and the next morning, all you have to do is bake. The inside is custardy, offset by crispy caramelized sugar on top. And, while it feels indulgent, it’s only 265 calories per slice. If you have brunchers with a gluten intolerance, simply use gluten-free bread.

Recipe: The Recipe Rebel



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Mixed Mushroom Egg Bake

The ingredients for this super savory egg bake are all fairly simple, and it doesn’t take much work to make. But it feels like a complicated restaurant dish — everyone will think you toiled over the stove for hours. Bonus: It reheats very well, assuming you have leftovers. (You won’t.)

Recipe: The Kitchn



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Sea Island Shrimp & Grits

Chef and TV personality Carla Hall’s grit recipe uses aromatics, vegetables, and herbs for extra oomph. But there’s no cream — which may sound surprising but is actually quite traditional, because the creaminess associated with grits is the product of plenty of stirring, similar to risotto.

Recipe: Garden & Gun



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Tater Tot Waffles with Smoked Salmon and Caviar



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Grandma’s Anything Goes Strata

A strata is essentially a savory bread pudding, a dish for using up leftovers. As such, it’s incredibly versatile and feels much fancier than it is. It will impress those at brunch and make room in your fridge.

Recipe: Food Network



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Brioche with Prosciutto, Gruyère, and Egg

Basically, this is just an elegant open-face sandwich. But because you’re using ingredients such as brioche, prosciutto, Gruyère, and frisée, it feels like something special. The recipe hails from award-winning chef Suzanne Goin, owner of A.O.C. wine bar, where it’s been a menu staple since 2003.

Recipe: Food & Wine

Related: Amazing Sandwiches From Around the World



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Strawberry Cheesecake Flapjacks



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Glazed Berry Breakfast Tarts



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Foolproof Shakshuka

Shakshuka, basically baked eggs in a spiced tomato sauce, is a popular Middle Eastern dish that can be enjoyed really any time of day. This recipe includes plenty of tips for nailing it, including avoiding a cast-iron skillet and adding tomato paste for richer flavor.

Recipe: Cookie and Kate



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Crepes with Strawberries and Lemon Curd

For a quick culinary trip to France, whip up these fruity crepes. You can even make the crepe batter ahead and keep it in your fridge for up to two days. Simply stir before using.

Recipe: Country Living



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Coffee Cake with Chocolate Streusel

This coffee cake is originally from Bon Appétit Test Kitchen contributor Jessie Damuck’s grandmother, Kathy, and is both a family favorite and one of Bon Appétit’s “essential” recipes. It also can be made up to three days ahead.

Recipe: Bon Appétit



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Dogwood Punch

This charming summery punch, with a base of sparkling rosé and strawberry lemonade, will likely be the first thing to go at your brunch. Make sure to put some aside for yourself before that happens.

Recipe: Country Living



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Pomegranate and Molasses Tahini Breakfast Bowl



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The Sabbath Cocktail

A cross between a White Russian and a Thai iced coffee, this recipe is based on John Goodman’s character in “The Big Lebowski.” Featuring blackstrap rum, cold brew coffee, chocolate bitters and more, this coffee cocktail will become a brunch favorite.

Recipe: Saveur

Related: 18 Best Rums Under $35 to Spice Up Your Home Bar



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Vegan Lox Bagel Sandwich

Instead of smoked salmon, this genius vegan “lox” sandwich features roasted and marinated carrots, vegan cream cheese, capers, and fresh dill. After the carrots are roasted, a vegetable peeler is used to make thin strips placed in a briny marinade. Leftover carrot lox can be stored in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container.

Recipe: My Darling Vegan

Related: 30 Vegetable Recipes for People Who Hate Vegetables



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