Serving a meal to a big crowd on any morning takes some serious planning, and on Easter that’s doubly true because the Easter morning usually involves a lot of (fun!) things, like coordinating with the Easter bunny to fill and hide baskets, setting up egg hunts, and attending a long church service.
After all that hustle and bustle, the last thing I want to do is head into the kitchen to cook for hours. So, for Easter brunch I’ve learned that it’s essential to choose recipes that can be entirely or mostly made ahead of time! I always make the bacon fresh on Easter morning, and of course the coffee and mimosas are made in the moment! But, everything else is made ahead if I can swing it. Whatever your family’s tastes or dietary needs are, I think you’ll find something to love on my list of go-to make-head Easter brunch ideas.
Make-Ahead Eggs Benedict
Yes, seriously you can make (most of) your eggs benedict ahead of time! I serve a huge platter of eggs benedict to my entire extended family every Easter. Prepping the poached eggs and hollandise the day before is the key!
Baked French Toast
What if you could make your Easter morning French toast (or at least most of it) the night before? My foolproof baked French toast recipe makes it possible!
Breakfast Casserole
Probably THE most traditional Easter brunch idea I’ve got is to make this breakfast casserole the night before. It has everything a brunch needs: Eggs, sausage and hashbrowns, all in one pan. Just add some fruit on the side and brunch is served.
Potato Rösti with Eggs and Asparagus
Think of rösti as a bit like hashbrown casserole, but dressed up for a fancy brunch! Topped with Gruyére, just-set eggs and spears of asparagus, it's a heart side or can even be your main dish! For east meal prep, you can cook and peel the potatoes a day ahead!
Spinach Mushroom Strata
Ideal for a vegetarian Easter brunch, this recipe is ideal for making the night before. On Easter morning, just pop it in the oven, and brunch is done.
Jam Dot Oat Scones
These simple, buttery scones keep beautifully overnight on the counter in an airtight container and are perfect for snacking on while the kids hunt for Easter eggs!
Grapefruit Anise Salad
Prep this gorgeous salad the night before and set it in the fridge overnight, and no one will know you made it ahead! Citrus is a fruit that does fine overnight, and holds its color, flavor and juiceness just fine.
Easy Homemade Granola
You don’t have to make a big, hot meal for Easter brunch. A thoughtful offering that’s made with love is enough. A really terrific homemade granola, served with a few milk options (or yogurt), and fresh fruit makes a lovely simple brunch that’ll please almost anyone.
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
I've dressed up a classic sour cream coffee cake recipe for Easter! I add toasted coconut flakes and nuts to traditional simple cinnamon streusel topping for a memorable treat that tastes just as good the day after you bake it.
Apple and Maple Baked Oatmeal
Cozy, healthy, easy and kid-friendly, I serve this along with a few other brunchy things on the years I put together a serve-yourself spread. It’s also a great thing to bring to Easter brunch potlucks, because folks with many different dietary needs can safely eat it.
Coffee Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing
Riffing on traditional cinnamon rolls, these feel like a nice upgrade on a special holiday! Go the extra mile with a little maple-sweetened icing and coffee (always much needed on big days) in the rolls themselves as well as in your mug.
