There’s no better way to show your appreciation this Mother’s Day than with a thoughtful brunch for Mom. We’ve curated a lineup of special brunch recipes and ideas perfect for Mother’s Day, from French-style scrambled eggs and homemade bacon to brunch-y salads, make-ahead baked dishes and classics like French toast and ricotta pancakes — plus cocktails, mocktails and planning tips.*
Tips for Planning Mother’s Day Brunch
Plan ahead: Prep what you can the night before (baked dishes, cocktail mixes, table settings) so you can focus on Mom in the morning.
Keep the menu manageable: Choose 3–4 recipes from your lineup that include some make-ahead options.
Set a beautiful scene: Fresh flowers, a nice tablecloth and Mom’s favorite music create an appreciative atmosphere without stress.
Personalize the experience: Small touches like handwritten notes, her preferred coffee drink or a signature cocktail show thoughtfulness.
Delegate strategically: Assign simple tasks (pouring mimosas, plating salads, seeing if Mom needs a refill) so you’re not doing everything solo.
Build in buffer time: Give yourself 30 extra minutes for last-minute touches and inevitable kitchen surprises.
Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes
How to Cook: French-Style Scrambled Eggs
Savory and fluffy, these soft scrambled eggs are the real deal. We recommend using a flat-edged wooden spatula for the best results.
Homemade Bacon with Brown Sugar and Black Pepper
It’s easier than you think to make delicious bacon at home — definitely Mother’s Day brunch-worthy. Since you might not go through this much bacon in a week, slice into thirds, double wrap each section and freeze until needed.
Get the recipe: Homemade Bacon with Brown Sugar and Black Pepper
Smoked Salmon Hash and Eggs
This light, bright smoked salmon hash is sure to make Mom’s brunch special. Serve with a side salad of baby greens for extra points.
Collard Greens and Bacon English Muffins
Try this hearty fork-and-knife sandwich with crisp bacon, sweet red peppers and tender collard greens for a satisfying breakfast or brunch. Top with a poached or fried egg.
Breakfast Stacks
A potato cake, flavored with caramelized onions and collard greens, is the base for each towering breakfast stack, completed with a sausage patty and an egg. Keep it vegetarian and use a plant-based breakfast patty instead.
Ham and Rhubarb Jam Toasties
This surprisingly elegant open-face sandwich makes for an easy brunch dish or light dinner. A quick sweet-tart homemade rhubarb jam is the perfect complement to salty, sliced ham, Dijon mustard and rustic whole grain toast.
Smoked Salmon Crêpes with Creamed Peas
These whole wheat crêpes are filled with smoked salmon and topped with a creamy mixture of peas and dill. Matzo fans can make a rustic version of these crêpes using matzo meal. Never made crêpes? Don’t worry, this recipe is super simple.
Cauliflower and Parsley Omelet
Satisfying to enjoy for breakfast or brunch, pair this veggie-filled omelet with a toasted slice of whole grain sourdough bread and an herby tossed salad. Serves two but easy to adapt for just one person.
Fennel and Kale Salad with White Beans and Mint
This rich and savory salad combines creamy white beans with curly kale, crunchy fennel and fragrant mint. We love the look of purple or red kale with the fennel and beans, but any kale will do.
Get the recipe: Fennel and Kale Salad with White Beans and Mint
Tuna Salad Niçoise
Niçoise salad is a classic French dish. Here we use tuna instead of the traditional anchovies for a more accessible version. Serve on its own for an excellent main dish salad.
Casseroles, Quiches and Baked Dishes
Breakfast Polenta Casserole
This recipe can be done on the same day if you have time but if you know you’re going to be pressed for time, preparing some of it the night before is helpful.
Savory Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole
Start with stale bread since its firm texture stands up to overnight soaking. This casserole is a perfect make-ahead option for busy mornings. Cheddar is classic, but any melty cheese will work just fine.
Get the recipe: Savory Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole
Portobello and Asparagus Egg Strata
Prep this elegant breakfast dish the night before for an extra easy morning. This recipe easily adapts to other vegetables or cheeses; try broccoli rabe and sharp cheddar or artichoke hearts with fontina.
Turmeric-Spiced Shakshuka with Delicata Squash
Our take on the dish includes delicata squash, a variety with a particularly thin, tender skin that doesn’t require peeling before roasting. You can also use a small acorn squash.
Get the recipe: Turmeric-Spiced Shakshuka with Delicata Squash
Champagne Baked Eggs with Spinach and Crispy Ham
This rich and delicious egg dish is worth a celebration, so be sure to serve it with the leftover champagne — by itself or in mimosas.* Serve with a green salad and bread to make it a complete meal.
Get the recipe: Champagne Baked Eggs with Spinach and Crispy Ham
Mushroom and Gruyère Quiche
A robust mix of mushrooms serves as the filling for this rich quiche. Serve with a salad of seasonal greens for a memorable Mother’s Day brunch.
Goat Cheese and Leek Quiche
Goat cheese lends a creamy zippiness to this classic quiche. Serve with a fruit or lettuce salad on the side. Be sure to wash the leeks thoroughly; swirling the sliced pieces in a large bowl of water works well.
Sweet Delights for Mom
Classic French Toast
French toast is a brunch classic for good reason and using a rich bread such as brioche or challah makes this variation even more irresistible. Top with a pat of butter and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
Ricotta-Strawberry Pancakes
Flavor rules in these rich whole wheat pancakes. Creamy ricotta is an unexpected ingredient that yields melt-in-your-mouth results.
Strawberry Cream Scones
Elegant and comforting, these fresh strawberry scones are ideal for spring brunches and Mother’s Day gifting. We love the herb-flecked lemon glaze on the scones, but feel free to skip it for an equally delicious traditional treat.
Cardamom Donut Bites with Orange-Honey Glaze
A hearty whole wheat buttermilk dough is the base for these baked donut bites. Cardamom, honey, fresh orange juice and toasted pistachios lend loads of flavor.
Get the recipe: Cardamom Donut Bites with Orange-Honey Glaze
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Everyone loves coffee cake for brunch, especially when it’s stuffed with blueberries and topped with slivered almonds. You can also make this a couple days ahead and store in the refrigerator until ready — just wrap it tightly in cling film once cooled.
Mother’s Day Fruit Tartlets
These elegant tartlets are an ideal brunch accompaniment and surprisingly easy to make. Our recipe calls for fresh berries, but feel free to use frozen whole strawberries instead.
Mother’s Day Cocktails and Mocktails*
Elderflower Wine Spritzer*
This spritzer has a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure twist to it. Use your favorite bitters and a sparkling wine of your choice.
Mango Mimosas*
A refreshing marriage of mango purée and sparkling prosecco is just the thing for brunch. For a tropical spin, combine bubbly with pineapple juice.
Matcha Tonic
Rich, earthy and boldly colorful, this nonalcoholic green tea–based tonic is refreshing any time of day.
Blueberry-Herb Lemonade Punch
Make this simple punch with tangy prepared lemonade or limeade and a mixture of crushed blueberries and fresh herbs. Personalize with your favorite fruits and herbal flavors — we love raspberries and a sprig of fresh thyme.
*Must be 21+. Please drink responsibly.