Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 60 Mother's Day Brunch Ideas That Celebrate Spring and Mom If you can't decide on your Mother's Day brunch menu, choose from these favorites. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 06, 2024 Close Photo: GREG DUPREE This year, we're honoring Mom with Mother's Day brunch ideas that she will love. She's likely spent quite some time cooking for you and your family over the years, so embrace the opportunity to return the favor. What's more, Mother's Day falls at the perfect time for incorporating the fresh produce spring has to offer. This roundup of simple Mother's Day brunch recipes will help you make Mom feel loved, appreciated, and seriously satisfied. After brunch, shower her with a fantastic Mother's Day gift and a thoughtful hand-written card, and then cue a Mom-worthy film; only the best for your number one! 01 of 60 Big Breakfast Salad Victor Protasio This hearty salad has all your favorite breakfast components, making it an impressive Mother's Day brunch candidate. It features roasted potatoes sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, crunchy bagel chips, sweet cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, and plenty of jammy eggs. A creamy avocado-basil dressing ties the whole dish together. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 60 Breakfast Strata Antonis Achilleos For a brunch dish that’s sure to delight Mom—and the rest of the family—give this breakfast strata a whirl. Featuring mushrooms, leeks, asparagus, spinach, and a Dijon-spiked egg custard, this recipe is healthy and delicious. Plus, you can prepare it the day before so it’s ready to wow Mom on Sunday morning. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 60 Pickle Juice Bloody Mary Victor Protasio Start Mom’s holiday off with a twist on the classic Bloody Mary. This version adds pickle juice (straight from that jar of pickles in your fridge!), which gives it a distinctly delicious, briny flavor. Trust us, it’s a total game-changer. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 60 Tuna, Chickpea and Cherry Tomato Salad Greg DuPree Chunks of oil-packed canned tuna and tender chickpeas mingle with buttery olives, briny feta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy pita chips, and peppery arugula for a protein-packed salad that Mom will love. Enlist little ones to help combine ingredients and break the pita chips into pieces. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 60 Farro Salad With Brown Butter Vinaigrette Victor Protasio Brown butter is the star of this fresh salad, which also includes hearty farro, chopped asparagus, and petit peas. Crunchy pistachios, juicy orange segments, and salty feta add texture and flavor, while the rich vinaigrette is so good you’ll want to smother it on just about everything. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 60 Ham and Egg Croissant Sandwiches Victor Protasio Transport mom to Paris with this luxe breakfast sandwich on a fresh croissant. Each has a fried egg (which you can cook a bunch of on a single sheet pan), baby arugula, a zesty mayo spread, and thinly sliced ham. At the deli counter, look for French bistro-style ham, which bumps these sandwiches up a notch. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 60 Crunchy Skillet Eggs With Herbs Jen Causey The secret to the crunch in this recipe is panko breadcrumbs, which coat the bottom of the pan to create an irresistible crust. Atop it are fried eggs showered in herbs and drizzled with white balsamic vinegar for an acidic punch. Serve this dish alongside sautéed fresh chorizo or wilted greens, whichever Mom prefers. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 60 Raspberry Smoothie Bowl Christopher Testani Make Mom feel like she’s at a five-star restaurant with this vibrant breakfast bowl that comes together in just 10 minutes. The smoothie base is a whirl of banana, almond milk, frozen raspberries, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon. Top each bowl with fresh kiwi, roasted almonds, chia seeds, and granola, and brunch is ready. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 60 Saucy Simmered Eggs Victor Protasio This quick take on shakshuka is perfect for a celebratory brunch. Italian spices and a jar of marinara help this dish come together quickly and, once you infuse the sauce with sautéed onion, you’re nearly done. Serve with crusty bread to dunk into those jammy poached egg yolks. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 60 Sunny-Side-Up Sheet Pan Breakfast Greg DuPree This brunch recipe cooks up a host of breakfast staples—prosciutto (or bacon), potatoes, and eggs—in a single sheet pan. Toss some spinach in the mix for extra color and nutrients, and you have a delectable brunch dish to enjoy and just one pan to clean. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 60 Berry Baked Oatmeal Victor Protasio Jazz up plain-old oats with this berry-studded recipe that requires just 15 minutes of hands-on work. A custard-like mix made with eggs and milk—and flavored with maple syrup, vanilla, and nutmeg—transforms oats into a fluffy baked delight. Add your choice of fresh berries for jammy richness. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 60 Spring Green Salad Greg DuPree Celebrate spring and Mom with this vibrant green salad of romaine lettuce hearts, chopped cucumber, snap peas, and edamame. Chives, mint, and pistachios add flavor and texture, and a creamy avocado-and-yogurt dressing ties the whole dish together. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 60 Pesto Egg Salad Toasts Caitlin Bensel This elevated take on egg salad, which takes just 25 minutes to make, features a simple stir-together pesto and plenty of peppery arugula. To make this dish truly irresistible, use high-quality crusty bread for the toast. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 60 Savory Oatmeal With Spinach and Poached Eggs Greg DuPree For something on the savory side, try this oatmeal topped with a perfectly poached egg. Start by cooking the oats in a skillet with some onion, stir in plenty of Parmesan cheese, and top each serving with chives, spinach, and that poached egg. Easy enough, right? GET THE RECIPE 15 of 60 Smoked Salmon Flatbread Victor Protasio While this dish works for dinner, it’s a perfectly suitable brunch option that Mom might not expect. It slathers store-bought naan with a flavor-boosted cream cheese mixture made with lemon zest, chives, and garlic. Smoked salmon, thin slices of red onion, a sprinkling of briny capers, and peppery arugula complete the dish. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 60 Sun-Dried Tomato Shakshuka Victor Protasio This Middle Eastern dish is becoming a brunch classic. The key to this iteration is sun-dried tomatoes, which offer a more concentrated umami flavor and subtle sweetness than canned or fresh tomatoes. The array of just-set eggs is appealing, too. Just make sure you serve plenty of crusty bread for dipping! GET THE RECIPE 17 of 60 Olive and Feta Quiche Victor Protasio This quiche takes inspiration from spanakopita, a savory Greek pie that layers phyllo dough, spinach, and feta cheese, all of which are in this recipe. Its garlic-infused, egg-custard base also features briny olives, giving a nod to the dish's Mediterranean roots. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 60 Focaccia Breakfast Sandwiches Victor Protasio The key to this brunch recipe is buying the best, tastiest focaccia you can find. Between two slices, sandwich cheesy scrambled eggs, salty prosciutto, fresh spinach, and Parmesan-roasted tomatoes for a tasty 20-minute dish. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 60 Corn, Leek, And Bacon Pancakes Victor Protasio If Mom loves savory dishes, wow her with these elevated pancakes. This popular breakfast recipe puts a spin on the traditional buttermilk-based pancake batter with additions of cornmeal and sweet corn for texture. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and fresh chives, and you’re all set. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 60 French Toast Casserole Charles Masters What's the best thing since sliced bread? Sliced bread layered in a casserole dish, soaked in a sweet, eggy custard, and baked. Voila: French toast for a crowd. To make ahead, soak the bread and custard in a bowl overnight. On Sunday morning, layer slices in a casserole dish, bake, and enjoy! GET THE RECIPE 21 of 60 Brown Butter Waffles Greg DuPree The not-so-secret ingredient of this classic breakfast recipe is melted butter that becomes nutty and caramel-like, adding an irresistible flavor to an otherwise ordinary waffle. The best part about this recipe (besides that dreamy brown butter) is that it's just as good when made in a double batch, and the extra waffles freeze exceptionally well. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 60 Spiced Rice With Crispy Chickpeas Caitlin Bensel Take Mom on a culinary trip to the exotic Middle East with this flavorful rice dish. Its two main ingredients—rice and canned chickpeas—get an upgrade courtesy of melted shallots, garam masala, and dates. Crispy, turmeric-spiced chickpeas bring crunch and pistachios add a nutty flavor to this vegetarian dish. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 60 Italian Baked Eggs Jen Causey Wow Mom with this meaty Italian egg dish. It starts with a hearty tomato sauce base infused with turkey sausage, onion, and garlic that's topped with four eggs and then baked in the oven. Serve with some mozzarella-topped toasted bread to scoop up every last bit of that tomato-y goodness. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 60 Malted Chocolate Brownies Victor Protasio Give Mom a sweet treat courtesy of these fudgy brownies. The secret ingredient—chocolate or vanilla malted milk powder—is mixed with cocoa powder to add a depth of flavor that’s truly irresistible. Before the brownies bake, sprinkle a generous handful of chopped malted milk balls (like Whoppers!) on top to deliver more malted goodness. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 60 Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie Greg DuPree Dessert for breakfast is a brilliant way to celebrate, but it's even better if the dessert is secretly healthy. This tropical smoothie brims with fresh mango, apple cider vinegar, coconut milk, and carrots (a vegetable!). Serve with a straw to help Mom feel relaxed and refreshed. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 60 Smørrebrød With Yogurt, Beets, and Eggs GREG DUPREE Smørrebrød (pronounced SMOH-ah-broh) is an open-faced sandwich from Denmark, where densely seeded bread is slathered with butter and piled with artfully arranged toppings like pickled herring, cheese, eggs, and herbs. This lighter version swaps yogurt for butter and adds a fresh marinated beet salad. It's topped with jammy soft-cooked eggs and briny capers for an exciting dish to serve Mom. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 60 Baked Oatmeal With Cranberries and Almonds Con Poulos This make-ahead, whole-grain dish is perfect for a busy Mother's Day morning. Serve the dish warm, drizzled with cream or milk. If there are leftovers (though we'd bet against it), keep them refrigerated for an easy Monday morning breakfast. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 60 Lemon Iced Tea Maura McEvoy You can't go wrong with lemonade, especially when it's combined with freshly brewed tea. This refreshing beverage, virtually impossible to mess up, is great for a brunch or lunch spread. For a fruity twist, try hibiscus iced tea. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 60 Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole Greg DuPree If you're looking for a Mother's Day brunch dish for the whole family to enjoy, this is it. It's packed with kid-favorite tater tots and the usual breakfast staples—sausage, eggs, and cheese—for grownups. To heat things up, use spicy sausage in the casserole and top with sliced jalapeños. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 60 Strawberry Buckle With Pecan Streusel J Muckle Make the most of in-season strawberries with this easy-to-make buckle that requires just 20 minutes of hands-on work. In addition to the fresh strawberry filling, this dessert features a pecan streusel topping that perfectly complements a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream, (or maybe yogurt for brunch). GET THE RECIPE 31 of 60 Coffee-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Greg DuPree It doesn't look quick and easy, but trust us! This tenderloin makes the perfect main attraction for a Mother's Day spread. It's ready in just 50 minutes, and its dry rub mixture of espresso powder, brown sugar, and sweet and smoked paprika will wow Mom and everyone else. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 60 French Toast Soufflé Grace Elkus Show Mom how special she is by making her a soufflé! This brunch recipe is easier than you think, but let's not tell Mom that. It even has the sweet, buttery flavors of French toast, making it the perfect brunch treat. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 60 Grapefruit Kombucha Margarita Stephen DeVries If Mom is a margarita fan, she'll love this refreshing, grapefruit juice-flavored version. The cocktail recipe adds good-for-you kombucha to this drink for a tart, tangy twist. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 60 Spring Minestrone Caitlin Bensel Spring has sprung, and this soup recipe celebrates it! The soup is loaded with fresh greens—leeks, green beans, Swiss chard, and basil leaves—and calls for ditalini (small tubular-shaped) pasta, but any small pasta will do. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 60 Apple Coffee Cake Twist With Giant Crumbs Brie Passano Apple pie meets breakfast pastry in this wreath-shaped cake. A can of refrigerated crescent roll dough makes putting it together simpler than it looks. It tastes great with coffee and everything else! GET THE RECIPE 36 of 60 Irish Coffee Dulin/Getty Images On a special occasion like Mother's Day, the usual cup of coffee just won't do. Get in the spirit with this easy, four-ingredient cup o' the Irish instead. If the weather's too hot for this, try iced Irish coffee instead. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 60 Spring Fried Rice Jennifer Causey This springy take on classic fried rice uses spring onions (or scallions), broccoli florets, and matchstick carrots to pack each bowl with nutrients and color. Toasted cashews add crunch, thin strips of nori (dried seaweed) add a briny flavor, and a fried egg topper makes it brunch-perfect. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 60 Salty Coffee Toffee Bars If Mom likes coffee and sweets, she'll love this coffee-flavored treat. It layers nuts—pecans and walnuts—in a coffee-vanilla syrup, chocolate and butterscotch chips, and flaky salt atop a buttery cracker crust. Bake extra for Mom to enjoy throughout the week. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 60 Egg & Smoked Salmon Tart Greg DuPree If there was such a thing as a brunch pizza, it would probably look something like this. It starts with a puff pastry base schmeared with scallion-flavored crème fraîche. Top with smoked salmon and runny eggs, and you're ready to serve to stunned guests. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 60 Boozy Cold Brew Slushies wmaster890/Getty Images Brunch comes along somewhere between your morning cup of coffee and happy hour, and this cool cocktail is perfect for that in-between time, too. Starting with cold brew, add milk, Irish cream, vodka, and vanilla to create this milkshake-like cocktail that's perfectly acceptable to sip before noon. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 60 Lemon-Pistachio Bars Antonis Achilleos These bars look as pretty as a bright spring day and taste just as refreshing. Make these on Saturday and store them in the fridge to ensure the lemony custard has plenty of time to set up before brunch. GET THE RECIPE 42 of 60 Spring Pasta Salad Caitlin Bensel "What makes a pasta salad springy?" you ask. This recipe uses several stars of the season—sugar snap peas, finely chopped shallots, fresh mint leaves, and thinly sliced radishes. They're paired with casarecce pasta, which are short, wide, twisted bands, but penne or gemelli will do an equally good job of sticking to this salad's honey-mustard vinaigrette. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 60 Wild Blueberry and Chai Bread Greg DuPree Unlike a coffee cake, which usually has not a drop of coffee in it, this tea cake features actual milk tea in its batter. It also uses cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and allspice to amp up the chai flavor, balanced with sweet wild blueberries. Mom will love it! GET THE RECIPE 44 of 60 Joanna Gaines’s Asparagus & Fontina Quiche Amy Neunsinger Quiches are quintessential brunch material, and asparagus screams spring, so this dish is made for Mother's Day brunch. Grab an unbaked pie crust off the grocer's shelf and fill it with eggs, cream, Fontina and Gruyère cheese, and steamed asparagus pieces. All that's left to do is bake, cool, slice, and enjoy! GET THE RECIPE 45 of 60 Coffee-Candied Bacon Jennifer Causey Find this recipe at the intersection of breakfast and dessert. It treats oven-baked bacon with a coating of sugar, ground coffee, and cayenne pepper. Perhaps it's too decadent for every day, but Mother's Day brunch is ripe for indulging. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 60 Spring Greens Tartine With Prosciutto, Fontina, and a Fried Egg Greg DuPree This brunch recipe chefs up an ordinary breakfast sandwich into an impressive, healthier tartine, a fancy French term for an open-faced sandwich. Despite how simple it is to make, it looks and sounds worthy of a special celebration. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 60 Raspberry-Rhubarb Tart Christopher Baker Spring is the time to celebrate the short season for rhubarb, and this recipe does just that! It pairs the tangy-tart stalks with sweet raspberries for a filling encased by a homemade crust. (Mom probably won't mind if you swap it for a store-bought pie crust dough to speed up the prep.) GET THE RECIPE 48 of 60 Banana Pudding Pie Bars With Meringue Brie Passano A cross between banana cream pie and banana pudding, this brunch dessert will make any mother smile. Make the super-simple Nilla wafer crust and pudding layers the day before, store them in the fridge to set (for at least 6 hours), and then whip up the meringue just before serving. GET THE RECIPE 49 of 60 Spring Vegetable Frittata Jen Causey A frittata is a smart Mother's Day brunch choice, and this one features asparagus— the superstar of spring produce—along with cherry tomatoes, chopped broccoli, and goat cheese. Serve with a watercress salad and a crusty loaf. GET THE RECIPE 50 of 60 Cucumber Spritzer Victor Protasio With or without booze, a pitcher of this refreshing fizzy cocktail is a great addition to any brunch menu. It blends the crisp, subtle flavor of cucumber with mint, lime, and a simple syrup, and then adds club soda and gin. Replace the gin with club soda for an alcohol-free version. GET THE RECIPE 51 of 60 Hasselback Challah French Toast Grace Elkus You may have heard of hasselback potatoes, but this brunch recipe applies that same simple cutting technique to a store-bought challah loaf. Instead of dipping slices, you pour the French toast mixture over the sliced loaf, getting it into every last crevice. Bake and finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and then watch delighted guests pull apart their slices to douse with maple syrup. GET THE RECIPE 52 of 60 Roasted Asparagus With Flax Seed-Walnut Crumble Greg DuPree Celebrate spring with this dish that celebrates asparagus. Playing a supportive role is a crunchy turmeric, flaxseed, and walnut topping that elevates plain oven-roasted asparagus to special-occasion status. GET THE RECIPE 53 of 60 French Ham and Cheese Sandwich Danny Kim Everything is fancier if it's French, and this sandwich is no exception. It starts with a baguette (what else?) schmeared with a buttery spread made with Dijon, tarragon, and cornichons (fancy pickles). Next, layer deli ham with fancy French cheese—Comté or Gruyère—for a not-at-all-ordinary sandwich. GET THE RECIPE 54 of 60 Crunchy Salad With Chicken and Ginger Fred Hardy If Mom prefers a little crunch in her brunch, this zingy salad is just the thing. Its veggie base is shredded cabbage, carrots, and red bell peppers, and the dressing is a mixture of orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, olive oil, fresh mint, and grated ginger. Top with cooked chicken and sliced almonds for even more crunch. GET THE RECIPE 55 of 60 French Onion Soup Bites Victor Protasio These little bites deliver the comforting flavors of French onion soup in a delectable little tart. The crust is a fuss-free phyllo pastry shell that's filled with Gruyere and onions in a luscious custard. Serve these warm or at room temperature, with or before brunch. GET THE RECIPE 56 of 60 Cheesy Chive Waffles With Fried Eggs Greg DuPree This recipe walks the line between breakfast and lunch. It features savory, cheesy, chive-flecked waffles, each topped with a perfect fried egg and watercress. Hold the maple syrup in favor of a lemony mayo mixture that brings zing to the whole ensemble. GET THE RECIPE 57 of 60 Beet-Cured Salmon Greg DuPree This brunch idea is not for the spontaneous, but if you're the plan-ahead type with 2 days to spare, you'll be happy with the results. Curing fish takes much more time than effort, and the beets lend a gorgeous color (but not much taste). Serve with bagels and cream cheese for a classic brunch dish. GET THE RECIPE 58 of 60 Dill Pickle Relish Cornbread Muffins Caitlin Bensel Pull out your muffin pan to make these little numbers. The recipe uses shortcuts like cornbread mix and relish (yes, what you put on hot dogs) to make quick work of mixing a batter. The result is a dozen tangy corn muffins that are as great with eggs as they are with chili. GET THE RECIPE 59 of 60 Grilled Asparagus and Hot Honey Flatbreads Greg DuPree This pizza-esque dish starts with a "crust" of naan, the East Indian flatbread now sold in most supermarkets. For "sauce," it features creamy, lemon-spiked ricotta with toppings of arugula, pistachios, and grilled (or sauteed) asparagus. Great as is, but a final drizzle of hot honey takes this dish over the top. GET THE RECIPE 60 of 60 Mini Goat Cheese Balls Victor Protasio Set these little morsels out as guests arrive, or serve them with the rest of your brunch dishes. Either way, guests will love their parsley, sesame seed, and dried cherry coating and their creamy, tangy centers. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit