65 Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas That Are Easy and Impressive

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 6

Think of this as a savory bread pudding that just so happens to taste best with a mimosa on the side. Even better, this spring-inspired rendition is prepared ahead, so you can keep your hosting stress to a minimum on the big day. "Goat cheese and Dijon mustard give this a tangy kick to round out the flavor," PureWow's VP of editorial content Candace Davison says.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein
• Serves: 4

Not only will it please savory and sweet breakfast lovers alike, but it's ready to eat in less than an hour. Plus, it looks impressive enough that your mom will want to share a photo with her Facebook friends. That's a win-win, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: low carb, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

I love scrambled eggs, but they get old (and dry) fast. Serve this stunning Tunisian dish instead, starring eight runny eggs in a sea of spiced spinach purée, kissed with fresh parsley and cilantro. Use crusty bread to scoop up every drop of the goods.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: pescatarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

This Mother's Day brunch idea delivers everything you love about a lox bagel with all the trimmings, but with crispy, paper-thin layers of Parmesan potatoes instead of bread. What's not to love? "The Parm and natural starch of the potatoes help to adhere everything together, making it easy to slice," recipe creator Erin McDowell explains.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Can your mom never choose between sweet and savory breakfasts? This handheld, starring spicy chorizo, will offer her the best of both worlds. (Pro tip: Top it off with a drizzle of syrup to up the ante, or double down on the flavor mashup by using syrup and hot sauce.)

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 4

TBH, I'd bookmark this to serve over pasta for dinner in the future, if I were you. But as a Mother's Day brunch idea, I prefer it with dressed greens and crusty bread for dunking. Breakfast sausage, crumbled bacon or crispy prosciutto would be nice additions, too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 6

Behold, the most epic breakfast invention ever. Each buttermilk-cheddar muffin is stuffed with scallions, chopped bacon and a whole hard-boiled egg. Feel free to make a double batch, so you have breakfast at the ready for busy mornings ahead.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan
• Serves: 4

These Mexican-inspired chilaquiles feature peppery tomato sauce and tofu instead of eggs, so they fit right into your mom's plant-based meal plan. "The trick is to buy the best tortilla chips that you can find," recipe developer Alejandra Graf says. "I usually buy the baked, organic ones." It'll really take things over the top.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one bowl, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

This Mother's Day brunch idea is the definition of make-ahead magic. These beauties will keep for up to four days in the fridge or up to two months in the freezer, meaning you can keep the leftovers on hand for future hectic weekdays. (P.S.: A pinch of baking powder makes the egg muffins delectably airy.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

Orange blossom honey + ancho chili powder + garlic = the most divine, sweet-and-spicy condiment of all time. Homemade hot honey makes already-delicious chilaquiles that much more drool-worthy, and these are easier than the O.G. because the recipe calls for store-bought salsa.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, high protein
• Serves: 2

If your mom is vegan, look no further than this plant-based handheld. The tempeh is coated in a sticky maple glaze that's spiked with smoked paprika and soy sauce, making for a more uncanny substitute than you may imagine. The recipe calls for whole wheat bagels, but you can use her favorite.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 2

"I often make kale as part of a savory breakfasts, with eggs, avocado or—as here—crunchy mushrooms, topped with rich and punchy citrus, ginger and tahini dressing," recipe creators David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl write. (BTW, you'll want to drizzle the dressing on everything.) Skip the soft-boiled egg on top if Mom is vegan.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

This lightning-fast take on a classic proves that easy meals can also be downright delicious. Just bake the eggs with canned salsa, then top them with avocado, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla chips. Mom will be so grateful.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12 waffles

The only *right* way to eat this sweet-and-savory waffle? Douse it in maple syrup and cinnamon before taking your first bite. Baked apples would be a stellar topping as well (or more bacon, if you want to up the salty ante).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes (plus resting time)
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

What makes this rendition on the Mother's Day brunch go-to so special, you ask? The shakshuka bakes directly on top of a fluffy, homemade round of sesame seed bread. Better yet, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

A Mother's Day brunch idea for 12 that leaves you with only one bowl and one sheet pan to clean? Pinch me, I'm dreaming. Make it up to four days ahead to save time on Mother's Day morning (although it can be made fresh on the holiday in less than an hour).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

This layered masterpiece of puff pastry, tangy goat cheese and multicolored carrots is guaranteed to wow the guest of honor. "This one is as easy as sautéing carrots in all of the things that make sau­téed carrots delicious—butter, salt, pepper, thyme, balsamic vinegar and a little honey," recipe creator Deb Perelman explains. Serve it with dressed greens and plenty of bubbly.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Just because it's a holiday doesn’t mean she can't stick to her diet. Monique Volz's lighter version of huevos rancheros is a great way to eat healthy-ish while treating Mom. Use corn tortillas to make it gluten free, or swap green enchilada sauce in for red if she'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, high protein
• Serves: 12

All the essential components of a caprese salad (mozzarella cheese! grape tomatoes! fresh basil!) are included in this tasty Mother's Day brunch idea. The casserole is also packed with protein, thanks to eggs.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Frozen puff pastry comes to the rescue in this simple-but-impressive Mother's Day brunch idea. Wrap it around fresh asparagus, bake it and drizzle with honey to Mom's heart's content. Ta-da.

• Time Commitment: 9 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Meet the strata, a savory bread pudding-esque dish that can be prepped in advance. Best of all, this recipe uses pantry ingredients, so you probably have most of what you need already on hand. Easy peasy, don't you think?

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, high protein
• Serves: 4

Don’t underestimate the power of a good hash, especially when it boasts both sweet and savory notes from sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and spicy sausage. Serve it with scrambled eggs, toast and a dollop of yogurt.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, high protein
• Serves: 4

Treat your usual frittata to some Latin flair with slices of avocado, homemade corn salsa and your go-to hot sauce. (Thanks, Phoebe Lapine.) Feel free to make it in advance; just wait to top it with fresh produce until right before serving.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Ever dream of waking up and walking into the kitchen to find breakfast ready for you? It's possible, courtesy of this Mother's Day brunch idea. This egg, bacon and spinach casserole that cooks overnight in the slow cooker, so it's the definitely of fuss-free.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein, gluten free
• Serves: 3 to 4

Have you tried menemen? This traditional Turkish breakfast combines eggs, tomatoes and peppers for a hearty meal. Just add your favorite crusty bread et voilà—Mom is flattered and impressed.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, gluten free
• Serves: 6

You’ll need plenty of carbs to soak up the Mother’s Day mimosa bar, and this is the perfect dish to for the job: crispy potatoes baked in chili garlic oil and herbs, tossed with soft poached eggs. Crumbled chorizo or breakfast sausage would be great additions as well.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: varies

Noodles for breakfast is a thing in many Asian countries, which is why I am 100 percent behind this bacon-and-egg ramen bowl. Substitute crispy bacon for the sliced pork belly if you're willing to prepare a labor of love for Mom on her special day.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, high protein, high fiber
• Serves: 6

If Mother's Day snuck up on you, lean on the following pantry ingredients: polenta, a can of refried beans, half a dozen eggs and a jar of salsa. They're everything you need to whip up Volz's easy bake that's equal parts filling, photogenic and simple.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

This is also called "heaven" in my kitchen. Mom will think so, too, when she wakes up to this Mother’s Day brunch idea. Adorn the essentials with sliced produce, olives and fresh herbs for a little razzle-dazzle. Pass the capers, will ya?

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Open-faced breakfast tacos? I'm so in. Griddled tortillas are the base for this humble dish of scrambled eggs with cheese, a foolproof Mother's Day brunch idea by recipe developer Katie Workman. Finish them with avocado and pickled onions.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, one pan, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 3

Swiss chard, green olives and thick-cut bacon make this baked egg dish extra savory (and wholesome, TBH). Plus, you can finish it with flaky salt, chives and toasted baguette for good measure. Would Mom like a bloody Mary with that?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, pescatarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Put down the store-bought quiche: You've got this. Recipe creator Heidi Larsen's method calls for a package of frozen puff pastry, smoked salmon, cream cheese and a few dashes of hot sauce, so you won't have to do much more than assemble.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, high protein
• Serves: 2

Don’t be intimidated by this classic Mother's Day brunch idea. The recipe includes blender hollandaise sauce (!), fresh lump crab meat and avocado slices, so it's bound to be delicious without much help from the chef. Tell Mom to have her camera ready.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

If you’re better at assembling than actually cooking, this Mother's Day brunch idea is for you. Scatter a platter with smoked salmon, burrata, fresh fruit, cream cheese, bread, jams and just about anything else you can think of—creativity is key, and the options are endless.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Most guests won’t know Monique Volz’s spinach and goat cheese quiche is actually gluten- and grain-free. The trick? It’s all in the tender-yet-crisp sweet potato crust. (This Mother's Day brunch idea keeps like a charm in the freezer, BTW.)

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

I dare you to name someone who doesn't like breakfast tacos. Go ahead, I'll wait. These are filled to the brim with eggs, refried beans, avocado and salsa, but you can add just about anything your mom likes. (I'm thinking cotija cheese, cilantro and hot sauce.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

This twist on a Southern staple will have Mom coming back for seconds. Vegan butter, non-dairy milk and nutritional yeast keep the plant-based take tasting cheesy and rich. (Thanks, recipe creator Gena Hamshaw.)

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10 to 12

It’s a special day, so dress up her standard avocado toast with flavorful Japanese ingredients, like roasted seaweed, ikura and sesame seeds. A slathering of miso or Japanese mayo on the bread couldn't hurt either.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Because nothing pairs with a cup of joe like a caffeine-infused baked good. "It's sweet but not too sweet," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen explains, "it's swirled with cinnamon and, lucky for you, it doesn’t even require an espresso machine to make. The secret [is] instant espresso powder."

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: 6

You want to be chatting with Mom at the table—not flipping pancakes all morning. This sheet pan gem solves your problem. "Just whisk the batter, pour it into a sheet tray and stick it in the oven," former PureWow food editor Heath Goldman writes. "Then, put your feet up and read the newspaper until breakfast is ready."

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 12

Dishing with Mom over lattes and breakfast pastries is everything. What should I rave about first, the cream cheese filling or cinnamon streusel? Even picky kids will ask for seconds of this make-ahead treat.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

This Mother's Day brunch idea is as simple as trading sliced bread for frozen waffles, and I promise your mom won't mind the shortcut. If you're feeling ambitious, go the extra mile with homemade cinnamon-sugar waffles in their place.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, dairy free, gluten free
• Serves: 6 to 8

Four ingredients have never made *this* much magic before. Add a few strips of bacon to a breakfast sandwich, serve it as a side or nosh on it straight out of the pan. (It also makes a fun garnish for bloody Marys or beergaritas.)

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, dairy free, make ahead
• Serves: 10

You can make the grain-free granola up to two weeks in advance, so consider this Mother’s Day brunch idea a total breeze. "Eat it as a snack on its own with milk of your choice, paired with whole-milk yogurt or coconut yogurt and fruit, or even sprinkled over salads in place of croutons," recipe creator Sarah Adler recommends.

• Time Commitment: 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, kid-friendly
• Serves: 2 to 3

Does it get simpler than five pantry staples, one measuring cup and a single skillet? I think not. Make the pancakes fancy by topping each stack with Greek yogurt, jam and lemon zest (or keep it classic with butter and maple syrup).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 10 to 12

Greek yogurt in the batter makes this gluten-free gem extra moist, but you could substitute cashew-coconut yogurt to make it vegan, if you'd prefer. Just don't skip the pretty, lemony glaze on top or the verdant chopped pistachios.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 12

Forget the dry scones you've endured in the past. These are tender, elegant and just sweet enough, thanks to buttermilk in the dough and being mixed by hand. Bonus? They're only seven ingredients away, and you have most of them in your kitchen right now.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, kid-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Think of these pancakes as lighter, chewier French crepes. More eggs and less flour give them a superbly tender texture, while beer infuses the batter with malty, earthy flavor. Top them with berry compote and whipped cream, or butter, sugar and cardamom.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes (plus chilling)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, no cook
• Serves: 4

Make your Mother's Day to-do list a little shorter by preparing this dairy-free delight the night before. All these dreamy oats need is five minutes of prep and an overnight chill in the fridge to properly thicken. Top them with toasted coconut and fresh berries.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Make your mama feel like a kid again with these cuties she used to pack in your lunchbox. They're a bit more sophisticated, thanks to the rich egg custard and honey-vanilla syrup. (You can, of course, use store-bought pancake syrup to keep the dish as nostalgic as possible.)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

Make this stunner once and Mom will ask for it every year from then on. (Blame it on the vanilla ice cream.) You can easily use drained, canned peaches in a pinch, along with store-bought caramel sauce, instead of fresh and homemade, respectively.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 4 to 5

This berry and peach “crisp” feels a lot like dessert, but I love the simple, healthy-ish additions of chickpea flour and coconut sugar—you know, for balance. The leftovers will keep for up to four days, but I have a feeling there won't be any to pack away.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: make ahead, vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: one 8-by-8-inch pan

Prep this casserole—which includes frozen waffles, blueberries, cream cheese and streusel topping—on Saturday night. Then, simply bake it for 40 minutes in the morning and this Mother’s Day brunch idea is served.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

Impress Mom with a raspberry-rosé wine sauce that you can delicately drizzle over homemade buttermilk waffles. Double down on the theme by washing it down with rosé to boot (and add a tiny scoop of sorbet to it for a warm-weather twist).

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: no cook, <10 ingredients, make ahead
• Serves: 1

This no-cook breakfast will become part of your morning routine at first bite. "I recommend mixing very well, until all the chia seeds are incorporated into the milk," recipe creator Yumna Jawad writes. "Then, wait a few minutes for the chia pudding to settle and mix again. This will ensure it doesn't separate in the fridge."

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6 to 8

The best part (well, one of the best parts) of French toast is that it can salvage day-old bread. Try it with this baked masterpiece that makes use of brioche loaves, orange marmalade and the milk that's probably already in your fridge.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 18 muffins

Your mom's favorite cocktail in muffin form. Seriously—there's even prosecco in the batter and in the two-ingredient glaze on top. You can substitute real-deal Champagne, if you want to splurge on the guest of honor.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Put a spin on whole wheat pancakes with a sweet shredded coconut topping, made with coconut sugar and coconut syrup to drive the tropical flavor home. The picky eaters at the table will be glad they gave this riff on a classic a chance.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Sub croissants for brioche in this French toast bake that’s laced with raspberries and chunks of tangy cream cheese. It'll add flaky, buttery splendor to every bite of the photo-worthy Mother's Day brunch idea.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, make ahead
• Serves: 1 large cake

Dessert for breakfast? Yes, please. (C'mon, it's her special day—she deserves it.) The kids at the table will be super excited to dig into this nostalgic treat, inspired by their favorite cookie.

• Time Commitment: 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
• Serves: 4

There's pineapple and banana in this easy smoothie, so it's basically a fruit salad...with Champagne. Sounds good to me. Nix the booze if you're already serving cocktails, or substitute coconut cream or coconut ice cream for coconut milk for a richer texture.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 4 to 6

Recipe creator Liz Harris’s French toast is just about as easy to assemble as a sandwich. Just spread melted chocolate and mascarpone cream between two slices of bread, dip it in egg wash and stack the pieces in a baking dish.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 24 to 30 rolls

Skip the boxed cinnamon rolls in favor of recipe creator Maria Lichty’s sweet rolls, topped with lemon-cream cheese frosting and blueberries. They feel way more festive and spring-inspired than the O.G., making them perfect for the occasion.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian, <30 minutes
• Serves: 4

If you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you can still whip up this impressive Mother’s Day brunch idea without breaking a sweat. The combination of cinnamon butter brioche, mild ricotta and slightly bitter citrus is rich, but not too rich, and sweet without being cloying. Oh, and it looks gorgeous.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, one pan, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

This puffed pancake is surprisingly easy to make. Recipe creator Katie Workman will guide you through the process (which takes about half an hour) for this brag-worthy Mother's Day brunch idea. It looks like more of a project than it is, promise.