Easter is a special time for all who celebrate. An important holiday in the Christian faith, Easter also symbolizes the arrival of spring and rebirth of all the living things around us. It's a time when the season breathes new life into the fields and bright flavors are aplenty. To celebrate Easter, we're rounding up some of our best brunch recipes to serve to a crowd.
The best Easter brunch ideas include elegant egg dishes that go far beyond a simple scramble for a typical Sunday. Creamy quiches and fit-for-a-crowd frittatas are great, especially for those who like to feast earlier in the day. Inventive breakfast-style spins on deviled eggs will definitely impress those who enjoy the spring soirée staple. Once you've selected your favorite recipes for adults, prepare some kid-friendly staples, too (and no, Cadbury eggs don't count). Try using fun hacks to make Easter morning easier and just as delicious, such as using a sheet-pan to bake pancakes.
But every savory dish needs a little something sweet to compliment it. Recipes for Cinnamon-Rhubarb Bread, Hot Cross Buns Pudding and Monkey Bread are a welcome addition to a brunch menu, alongside rich and savory dishes such as a spring vegetable frittata or Sausage and Leek Breakfast Casserole. Once the Easter bunny has distributed its baskets, this feast that's complete with nostalgic treats will keep everyone feeling present, grateful and — without a doubt — full, as we enter springtime.
Once you finalize your brunch menu, here are some ideas for Easter dinner and dessert.
Elegant eggs and other savory dishes
Don't worry, be hoppy! These little bunnies are packed with flavor, thanks to red bell pepper, yellow onion, fresh herbs and cheddar cheese. Bonus: these ingredients provide lots of energizing protein, along with vitamins and minerals.
"Like a first love, this breakfast treat is unforgettable. When I created my version, I knew I wanted to double the meat (mine is loaded with bacon and sausage) and double the heat, but I also added a wild card ingredient: Brown sugar," says Brandi Milloy.
This popular egg bake is crowd-friendly and so much easier to prep than you’d expect. The base of a family-size frittata should always stay the same: 12 eggs, a generous dollop of full-fat dairy, one cup of cheese (plus a little more for the top) and lots of salt and pepper. This version features broccoli rabe and sausage, but feel free to use any other vegetable that's in season.
This take on a brunch classic is rich, creamy and oh-so-tasty. The flavorful hollandaise sauce is silky smooth but it's not made with any egg yolks or butter. Instead, yellow bell pepper give it its sunshine yellow hue and a boost of vitamin C. And while the signature dish calls for poached eggs, you can easily swap in sunny side up or scrambled.
Frittata is a quintessential Italian dish that's a classic for breakfast or brunch. Top it with a salad, as we've done here, and it makes a great lunch or a light dinner, too. And if there are any leftovers, turn them into delicious hero sandwich for picnics.
This double-crusted savory pie is loaded with prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, ham, fennel sausage, mozzarella and ricotta. Serve this for Easter brunch and no one will go hungry.
Cacio e pepe for breakfast? Thanks to Bobby Flay's gorgeous rendition of eggs on toast, it's possible. With cheesy, peppery eggs and thick country bread drizzled in olive oil, this dish serves four and can be easily doubled for entertaining.
The best thing about this recipe is its versatility: You can change the bottom layer to whatever your heart desires — biscuits, potatoes or crescent rolls — but it's always delicious and easy. Instead of toiling away in the kitchen, make your life easier by using store-bought dough or fully baked biscuits.
Par-bake these individual egg soufflés the night before, then pop them in the oven 15 minutes before serving them on Easter Sunday. The result is a flavorful mix of spinach-artichoke and fluffy egg that's easy as can be.
Turn this classic quiche into a new sensation at the table with one time-saving trick: a store-bought package of shredded hash browns.
Two varieties of sharp cheeses swirl through this delicate, milky tart that's topped with sprigs of in-season asparagus and fresh dill fronds.
Nothing quite takes the cake (or, rather, quiche) like a combination of hearty broccoli florets, sharp cheddar cheese and a flaky pie crust.
Since the classic combination of sausage, peppers and onions on a soft hoagie is a timeless Italian-American dish, why not throw it all together in a crowd-friendly casserole? With the simple addition of eggs, this salty staple becomes an inviting meal of which everyone will want a scoop.
There's more than a few things to love about this sweet and savory dish, which comes together so quickly. You (and the kids) will be amazed at how the egg magically reaches the middle of the casserole as it bakes. Bake it and you'll see what we mean.
This recipe is fantastic for a make-ahead brunch. Assemble the night before, cover, store in the fridge and bake at the last minute before serving. Not only is it delicious, but it's also entertaining-friendly.
Allowing this dish to set overnight ensures the custard soaks into the bread perfectly, and the interior develops a soufflé like texture once it bakes. The leeks add a natural sweetness to the dish, which complements the earthiness of the breakfast sausage.
In these breakfast sandwiches, the slightly sweet rolls complement the saltiness of the bacon, and the crispy bacon is a perfect combo along with the fluffy eggs.
The trick to this dish's simplicity is that it can be prepared with leftovers in your fridge. It couldn't be easier to dice some meat, chop some vegetables and utilize your leftover bread for a cheesy egg dish that most of your guests can enjoy.
Try this fun spin on deviled eggs without sacrificing the core flavors and textures that make this hor d'oeuvre such a crowd-pleaser. Make sure to use the best, high-quality focaccia you can find for this one.
Guests will love this veggie-packed frittata. It's so easy to make and adjustable based on what types of veggies are in season for spring or if you just have some produce you need to use up in the fridge.
This breakfast dish is exquisite and impressive. Once you get the hang of poaching eggs, it comes together so easily in just 25 minutes. Whether you're brunching with a small or large group, this recipe is certainly worth a go.
"Candied bacon, or 'pig candy' as we often call it, is always a home run. We love to keep the bacon strips whole and stuff them into a mint julep cup to make the perfect nibble for any cocktail," says Elizabeth Heiskell about this Easter brunch treat.
Landing itself right in the savory lineup, these quick potato-based waffles are one of those "How have I not tried this before?" recipes. Create a DIY waffle bar with toppings like avocado, bacon, peppers, cheeses and more will blow guests out of the water.
A baked egg frittata focused on the fresh veggies that are in season makes for an easy Easter brunch recipe. It only takes a few minutes to put together and is such a bright and flavorful way to celebrate the special day.
Rather than making individual potato pancakes and poached eggs, take a note from the Swiss and make one big, communal potato cake (aka rösti) and top it with easy oven-poached eggs.
Reminiscent of French onion soup, this rich breakfast casserole oozes with melted Gruyère, sweet caramelized onions, thyme and sourdough bread. Made with a dozen eggs, there's plenty of this decadent dish to go around.
This recipe is ideal for its versatility, combining two independently incredible foods: crispy hash browns and baked frittata. It's a nice update to the classic quiche, and the crispy potato crust really shines as a base.
With this garlicky, cheesy and bacon-packed recipe, deviled eggs become a new and exciting dish. The zesty, salty flavors pair perfectly with a bloody Mary and the whole thing comes together in just 30 minutes.
Here's one heck of an omelet hack: Make six flavorful omelets … all at once … in the oven! You just need to whisk a large batch of eggs, pour 'em into an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet, add any toppings you like and bake it off.
This will become one of your go-to brunch recipes because it's inexpensive and so easy to throw together with minimal leftover ingredients. The result is a hearty and luxurious breakfast dish for Easter.
Most families in Naples, Italy has a version of this amazing Italian street food that is perfect for serving a crowd. Like a quiche but with pasta, a combination of Parmigiano Reggiano, mozzarella, eggs, salami and buttered spaghetti are turned into a large frittata.
Sweet breakfast dishes and breads
"This is one of our family's favorites; it's just so comforting. We often have it on holiday mornings. It combines the goodness of cheesecake and French toast into one delicious dish," says Laura Vitale.
Brighten up Easter brunch with these not-too-sweet, slightly citrusy pancakes. The ricotta topping makes them particularly unique and refreshingly creamy.
Get in the mood for a nourishing feast with these flaky buttermilk biscuits. They're perfect served with salad or as an appetizer or side.
Talk about a crowd pleaser! Baking this pull-apart French toast is so much easier to make than cooking individual slices, and it's so fun to serve.
There are so many ways to tackle a soufflé pancake, but this is the most straightforward — no special equipment needed. Have a bit of patience and you'll end up with these delectable airy treats in no time!
Fruit-based breads often require so little time and effort compared to yeast breads. This sweet banana bread is simple to make and is the perfect accompaniment to a savory Easter brunch spread.
Everyone raves about this easy-to-make quick bread, which has a lovely warmth from the cinnamon and brown sugar, balanced by nuggets of tart rhubarb scattered throughout. Chopped pecans add a great little crunch.
Whip up some of Al's favorite cornbread to eat with those slow-roasted meats, sides and salads.
These sweet rolls, which are a hybrid of yeasty dinner rolls and sweet breakfast buns, are traditionally eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent. A paste of flour and water is piped on them after they’ve risen, but before they’re baked, to give them their iconic look. After baking them, brush some honey butter on top to give them a nice glaze.
If you’ve got extra hot cross buns, transform them into a delicious breakfast or dessert by adding more milk, eggs and sugar.
It wouldn't be Easter without sweet bread to dip into coffee first thing Easter morning or stirred into an herbal tea on Easter night.
Trust us: you knead these cinnamon buns in your life. They've got the same oversized, indulgent flavor as your food court favorites — but with half the calories of a grab-and-go option, thanks to tweaks like protein-packed Greek yogurt. Make and roll the buns the night before, then pop them in the oven just before Easter brunch.
Whip up a crowd-pleasing serving of thick-cut challah French toast for your special Easter brunch with this make-ahead recipe. It will satisfy anyone and everyone — even those who think French toast has to have grilled edges from a skillet.
Top these incredibly tender, fluffy waffles with a strawberry cream sauce to make a delightful spring brunch.
No one will know this fruit- or filling-flecked coffee cake fit for a crowd was made using yellow box cake mix. It's dense and not overly sweet (you can thank the sour cream) on the inside and gets topped with the perfect ratio of sweet, cinnamon topping.
Monkey bread is a hard recipe to pass up for anyone who craves soft, cinnamon-y baked sweets fresh out of the oven.
Fit to serve a crowd, this flavorful flapjack recipe is truly a one-sheet wonder, delivering warm-out-of-the-oven breakfast treats right to your table. They’re super moist and gently sweet, and the toppings can be tailored to the occasion. For Easter, try fresh berries and serve with whipped cream or Greek yogurt.
This blueberry French toast is an amazing way to treat yourself on a Sunday. You can assemble it a day or two before and let it sit in the fridge. It actually gets better with time because the creamy custard and sweet blueberries have time to really soak into the bread.
Tangy lemon curd adds bright flavor to this coconut milk-soaked French toast. Top it off with toasted coconut and a sprinkle of sugar for a next-level breakfast.
Is there a person in this world that doesn't love banana bread or cinnamon rolls? Combining the best parts of both into one indulgent breakfast will make you a hero to whomever you serve.
How does Jocelyn Delk Adams describe this cake? "Imagine a moist pound cake with a buttery cinnamon swirl dancing through the batter like a ballerina," she says. "Then, top that with the notorious cream cheese icing cinnamon rolls are known for." Sold.
Siri Daly created this delicious bread pudding for anyone that loves decadent casseroles starring buttery bread and rich, dark chocolate (who doesn't?). It is the perfect recipe for an Easter brunch.
One of the recipes Al's wife, Deborah, loves to make is a Dutch baby, which is a cross between pancakes and popovers. Hers is savory with lots of cheese, so Al decided to switch it up and make a dessert version, swapping the cheese with vanilla and lemon.
