30 Mother s Day Brunch Recipes That Are Perfect for Every Type of Celebration

The perfect partner for Cornflake Fried Chicken, these hearty waffles are even more delectable when doused in syrup.

Our 21 Best Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

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Whether it’s built around Julia Child’s Quiche Lorraine, a savory Ham and Cheese Danish inspired by a pastry created by two of our Best New Chefs, or colorful Strawberry-Pistachio Sweet Rolls, cooking up a homemade brunch for Mother’s Day is always an option. Impress the mother figures in your life with tartines, baked eggs, and rich breakfast pizzas. Need something sweeter? Go for this Lemony Crêpe Casserole, which is finished with lemon sauce and a dusting of powdered sugar. You can pick and choose a recipe or two from this collection, or build your whole menu from it — the gesture will be appreciated all the same. Read on for even more Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

Wild Mushroom-and-Swiss Dutch Baby

This puffy pancake gets an extra-savory touch from grated Swiss cheese and a hint of Dijon mustard, while a combination of mixed wild mushrooms, shallot, and arugula tops it off. Use room temperature milk and eggs to give the Dutch baby a higher rise than you’ll get from fridge-cold ingredients. This dish makes a next-level breakfast or brunch. Make sure to reserve a lemon wedge for serving.

Breakfast Egg Cups with Parsley Gremolata and Mushrooms

These elegant, savory herb-topped eggs bake up in a muffin pan, so it’s easy to make breakfast or brunch for a few days—or for more than a few people. Serve any leftover breakfast egg cups sandwiched between buttered, toasted English muffins or brioche slices.

Smoky Breakfast Pizzas

Chef Justin Bazdarich makes his Kind Brother pizza at Speedy Romeo in Brooklyn extra rich with a combination of béchamel and smoked mozzarella. This easy version also gets a kick from smoked mozzarella, plus a drizzle of fresh basil oil for a pop of freshness.

Pohorje Omelet (Slovenian Sweet Omelet)

This baked, sweet omelet from Slovenian cookbook author Alma Rekić is stuffed with cranberry jam, whipped mascarpone, and fresh berries. The omelet has a fluffy texture, similar to chiffon cake, and a rich eggy flavor. The mascarpone whipped cream adds a subtle sweetness and mild tang, making this dreamy omelet the ultimate light dessert or elegant brunch treat.

Strawberry-Pistachio Sweet Rolls

A yeast dough enriched with milk and eggs is essential for bakery-worthy breakfast pastries. While both sweet and savory fillings are numerous, we love the combination of fresh strawberry preserves and chopped pistachios. Be sure to roll up the filled dough tightly to get a defined spiral throughout.

Basil and Corn Cornmeal Waffles

These loaded cornmeal waffles are your next brunch showstopper, balancing savory, salty, and sweet flavors all in one dish. Fresh corn kernels and honey lend their sweetness to the waffles, while cornmeal gives them a pleasant bite. Basil and chives are then blended into both the waffle batter and the silky crème fraîche topping, which gets piled on each waffle along with rich, salty smoked salmon and perfectly cooked poached eggs. A sprinkle of chives adds a final pop of brightness.

Lemony Crêpe Casserole

Reminiscent of a classic bread pudding, this sweet-tart crêpe casserole has a beautiful lacy top and tender-but-sliceable center. Using store-bought lemon curd and crêpes saves time, resulting in an impressive dish that’s ready in just under an hour.

Asparagus and Fava Bean Tart with Herbed Ricotta

Lemon zest and thyme add subtle fragrance to this show-stopping tart’s ricotta filling, balancing the savory Parmesan and prosciutto. Gently pressing on the par-baked pastry while spreading the filling is key to creating a crisp crust.

Basted Egg Tartines with Creamed Mustard

Sour cream adds milky richness to both Dijon and whole-grain mustards with a splash of lemon juice for brightness. This simple, creamy sauce pairs with lightly bitter greens and rich, runny egg yolks for a beautiful breakfast.

Rhubarb Coffee Cake

This streusel-topped rhubarb coffee cake is a standout celebration of spring. With a tender, springy crumb, the cake is the perfect match for the rosy, tart rhubarb on top. The addition of buttermilk lends tanginess and richness to the cake batter, while the rhubarb is marinated in sugar before baking, softening the fibrous stalks to result in a deliciously jammy texture.

Croque Madame

The French croque madame sandwich is a lesson in extravagance, made with white bread, butter, cheese, ham, Mornay sauce, and a fried egg. It’s a luxurious, deeply comforting dish. If you like, turn it into a croque monsieur by simply skipping the fried egg. Serve the croque madames with cornichons and a green salad tossed with a bright vinaigrette to offset the richness of the sandwiches.

Quiche Lorraine

Crisp bacon bits and grated Gruyère flavor Julia Child’s rich and creamy classic quiche. The secret to the super-silky texture of this quiche is simple: it’s the heavy cream whisked into the eggs for the filling. A flaky tart dough gives it a buttery flavor base that marries with the tender bacon egg custard.

Chilaquiles Rojos with Fried Eggs and Cotija

Here, charring the tomato and onion before adding them to the red chile sauce is a quick way to create rich, slow-cooked flavor. Thick-cut fresh tortilla chips soak up the sauce and runny egg yolks without getting soggy.

Savory Granola

If you’re looking to start your day on a savory note, here’s a great recipe to try. Store-bought granola is often packed with lots of sugar, and while there are sweet notes to this granola, with its maple syrup, orange zest, and cardamom, it leans much more savory with smoked almonds, buttery pine nuts, millet, and tahini. Try this granola with yogurt or kefir and fresh fruit.

Earl Grey Tea Bread

Strong Earl Grey tea tea is used to make a silky, only lightly sweet cake batter, often with spices, which is then baked into a hearty loaf with dried fruit. In this cake, the addition of a little orange zest, brings a welcome aromatic edge. There’s no fat in this recipe, which means that the crumb will be springier and more robust, and so able to withstand being sliced, toasted, and — wait for it — spread with a perfect, thick layer of butter before serving.

Za’atar Baked Eggs

“In my teens, I spent a summer on a kibbutz in Israel working in my first professional kitchen,” cookbook author and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons says. “I was assigned to breakfast duty and fell in love with scrambling, poaching, and frying eggs by the dozens. Today, one of my go-to brunches is baked eggs in a cherry tomato–pepper mix seasoned with the Mediterranean spice blend za’atar. It never fails to conjure happy memories of that magical time.”

Khaliat Al Nahl (Honeycomb Buns)

A traditional Yemeni pastry, khaliat al nahl are sweet, cloudlike balls of dough that are filled with cream cheese and drenched in cardamom-infused honey before they are topped with crunchy white sesame seeds and black nigella seeds. Pair these Yemeni honeycomb buns with a strong cup of Yemeni coffee for a sweet breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.

Ham and Cheese Danish

This buttery ham and cheese pastry was inspired by one of the most popular offerings at Chicago’s Kasama, 2022 Best New Chefs Genie Kwon and Tim Flores’ bakery by day and fine dining restaurant at night. The flaky pastry balances sweet and savory flavors from the nutty Gruyère cheese sauce, salty ham, and crunchy turbinado sugar. It’s lovely as a brunch offering, or serve it with Champagne for a party. At Kasama, they finish it off with a drizzle of black pepper caramel, but to make this at home, warm honey seasoned with black pepper creates a similar effect.

Quinoa Pancakes with Ricotta and Lemon

Nutty whole wheat flour, fluffy ricotta, and tender cooked quinoa add flavor and texture to these light pancakes, due to the clever addition of whipped egg whites. Lemon zest, vanilla, and maple syrup add just enough sweetness to balance the slightly bitter quinoa. Choose a creamy, whole-milk ricotta here — the finer curd incorporates best into this batter, adding moisture and richness without a grainy texture.

Monte Cristo

A hybrid of a ham and cheese sandwich and French toast, this breakfast and brunch sandwich is both sweet and savory, with raspberry jam and spicy mustard. Powdered sugar gives this knife-and-fork sandwich the right special touch it deserves. Serve it with more raspberry jam on the side if you like.

Strawberry Crème Fraîche Biscuits

Abigail Quinn laces these buttery, tender, crisp biscuits with fresh strawberries and serves them with sweet and tangy strawberry-swirled crème fraîche.

30 Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes That Are Perfect for Every Type of Celebration

Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

Set her day off to a delicious start with our Mother’s Day brunch ideas. (And yes, these recipes can be served for breakfast if you and she prefer.) Delight her with quiche, a Dutch baby, or eggs Benedict with crab and avocado. If she prefers sweet, serve scones, French toast, or baked cake donuts. So you can round out your menu, we’ve included salad and seasonal vegetables—plus a tropical fruit salad in case that’s more her jam. Gather her loved ones around the table—and whatever you do, don’t forget the fresh-brewed coffee or a pot of tea.

Strawberry-and-Toasted-Sesame-Scones

What could be better for a Mother’s Day brunch than these simple scones packed with sunny strawberry flavor? Make them ahead of time and freeze, baked or unbaked, so you can focus on other dishes that morning.

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Baked French Toast

Wow your mom with this brunch mashup that’s a mix of the world’s best breakfast sandwich and a classic egg-and-cheese strata. Prep it up to a day in advance, then slide it into the oven and watch it puff up into this dramatic, delicious, easy-to-slice feast.

Easy Cheese-and-Jam Danishes

These cream-cheese-filled, fruit jam-swirled beauties aren’t technically Danish pastries, because they aren’t made with a yeasted dough. Using store-bought puff pastry brings the ease and creates a super flaky base. You can make them a day ahead if you like.

Favorite Buttermilk Pancakes

A stack of pancakes makes a stellar Mother’s Day brunch dish, especially when you serve them with whipped cream, strawberries, and maple syrup—it’s like having strawberry shortcake for breakfast!

Smoked-Salmon Flatbread with Pickled Beet

If Mom loves bagels and smoked salmon, make her this brunch appetizer that takes the cream cheese and salmon combo to new heights. Use store-bought pizza dough for the flatbread and Boursin in place of cream cheese; it’s packed with flavorful garlic and herbs. Whatever you do, don’t change anything about the salmon. It’s good just the way it is.

Asparagus Custard Tart

Plan to bake this eggy tart for your special brunch, then keep on scrolling for more ideas. That’s right: This one is so easy to make that you’ll want to whip up something else, too. The filling, a spectacular combination of Gruyère, goat cheese, and cream is studded with spring’s most sought-after vegetable: asparagus. What’s more, it’s made with store-bought puff pastry, which makes it easy on the cook and gives the finished tart a more impressive look.

One-Bowl Buttermilk Waffles

Get ahead on your Mother’s Day brunch by making these freezer-friendly one-bowl waffles. As easy to prepare as they are to clean-up, the sweet breakfast can be served hot off your waffle iron or reheated from frozen.

Roasted Radish Tart

Skip the bouquet of flowers and present Mom with blooming radishes atop a creamy cauliflower tart instead.

Pear-and-Raspberry Baked French Toast

Thick slices of challah soak up the custard in this casserole, while Bosc pears and fresh raspberries add just the right amount of sweetness. The best part? You can prep the whole thing in advance and bake it just before brunch.

Watercress, Strawberry, and Toasted Sesame Salad

Need proof that opposites attract? This salad, with peppery watercress and honeyed strawberries, is it. Plus, this bright, beautiful salad—which includes feta, toasted sesame seeds, and roasted tamari almonds—comes together in a snap. It’s the perfect side dish for your Mother’s Day brunch.

Asparagus with Blender Hollandaise

Bring some green to brunch with this easy take on the classic pairing of asparagus and Hollandaise sauce. Made in the blender, the sauce comes together in seconds but tastes just as good as the original.

Tropical Fruit with Coconut-Pistachio Crunch

The sweet granola-like mixture of pistachios and toasted coconut sets this colorful fruit salad apart. Serve with a dollop of sour cream for richness—Mom deserves it.

Dutch Baby with Ham and Chives

This easy but impressive eggy pancake puffs up like a soufflé when it bakes and will delight Mom (she doesn’t have to know it’s more hands off than basic pancakes!).

Peekaboo Avocado Toast

Don’t make Mom choose between avocado toast and eggs-in-a-hole on her day; whip up both for brunch!

Baked Cake Donuts

Donuts in a rainbow of festive hues are just the thing for Mother’s Day brunch. Let Mom have her pick from powdered, glazed, or smothered in toasted coconut.

Cinnamon Toast

Tell Mom you love her by spelling it out with cinnamon sugar on toast. Bonus points if you pair it with a fruit-on-the-bottom, hearts-on-the-top yogurt parfait.

Zucchini Waffle with Smoked Salmon and Greens

These savory waffles call for grated zucchini, Gruyère, scallions, and fresh dill in the batter. Serve them with sautéed spinach, crème fraîche, and smoked salmon for a super-sophisticated brunch.

Buttermilk Oat Waffles

The perfect partner for Cornflake Fried Chicken, these hearty waffles are even more delectable when doused in syrup.

Swiss-Chard Frittata with Rye Berries

Rye berries give this healthy egg dish a satisfying chewy texture, while garlicky sautéed chard, fresh herbs, and dollops of ricotta add bright bursts of flavor.

Scrambled-Egg and Sausage Pocket Pastries

Start Mom’s day off right with this savory, grown-up take on pop tarts. They’re filled with a tasty mixture of scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage and can be made ahead and frozen. Use our step-by-step guide to get them just right.

Potato-Crusted Herb Quiche

A quiche is always a good idea for brunch, especially when it’s this beautiful! Mom is sure to ooh and ahh over the gratin-like potato crust and artfully arranged herb filling.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Buttermilk Biscuits

Lemon zest and poppy seeds amp up these fluffy, light-as-air biscuits. Lightly sweetened whipped cream and sliced strawberries take them over the top.

Crab-and-Avocado Eggs Benedict

In this luxe Mother’s Day brunch dish, nutty brown butter adds dimension to a combination of crabmeat, avocado, and poached eggs.

Whole-Wheat Brown-Sugar Sticky Buns

Celebrate Mom with these irresistible sticky-sweet cinnamon buns studded with buttery pecans.

Ham and Egg Crepe Squares

Breakfast never looked so elegant. These crepes are lined with Black Forest ham—there’s also a sunny-side-up egg peeking out of each.

Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberries and Granola

Make ordinary Greek yogurt brunch-worthy by turning it into a luscious vanilla panna cotta. Top with strawberries and Mom’s favorite granola.

Chocolate-Almond Pastries

These decadent pastries will transport Mom straight to Paris. They’re reminiscent of pain au chocolat but so much easier to make.

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

A fun twist on a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, these cups are a guaranteed Mom-pleaser. The recipe is super versatile: Use crumbled sausage or spinach instead of bacon, or sprinkle with Parmesan or Mom’s favorite cheese.

Glazed Lemon-Ginger Scones

These lively buttermilk scones have three kinds of ginger (fresh, dried, and crystallized) and are finished with a lemon glaze. Pair them with coffee, tea, or a glass of Champagne to toast Mom with.

Pansy Pancakes

Pancakes and flowers are hallmarks of Mother’s Day, so why not combine them for the ultimate brunch dish? These buttermilk flapjacks burst with edible blossoms, thanks to a quick cooking time that preserves their vivid colors.