Presenting the Winners from Our Breakfast and Brunch Recipe Contest

Published on Apr. 14, 2025

Home cooks prepared their favorite breakfast and brunch recipes for us. From on-the-go eats to make-ahead meals, these recipes are the best way to start your day.  

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1/12

Grand Prize: Sausage, Blueberry and Apricot Casserole

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I love making this quick and fluffy pancake casserole for relaxing weekends with family and friends. It's so easy to prepare with pantry staples, and the apricot syrup really makes it stand out. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece plus 2 tablespoons syrup: 349 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
2/12

1st Place: Bacon and Feta Dutch Baby

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 40 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: The best part about Dutch babies is how versatile they are. This savory, Greek-inspired one is my favorite. Sometimes, I’ll serve it plain with toppings on the side so everyone can top their own slice, like a taco bar. —Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 306 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 182mg cholesterol, 852mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
3/12

2nd Place: Deep South Jalapeño Cheese Grits

Skill Level Medium
Total Time 1 hour 10 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Grits are a true Deep South staple that warms the soul. I've made these spicy, cheesy baked grits for family, friends and church potlucks for many years. They’re always a hit! —Tamera Hazen, Daphne, Alabama

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 295 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 648mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
4/12

3rd Place: Everything Bagel Lox Brunch Pizza

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 35 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I took my favorite brunch flavors and put them all on this pizza! An everything bagel layered with smoked salmon, briny capers, herby cheese and tangy pickled onions makes pure magic. It’s a good way to feed a crowd. —Pamela Gelsomini, Wrentham, Massachusetts

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 328 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
5/12

Runner-Up: Apple Crumble Kugel

Skill Level Medium
Total Time 1 hour 40 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I received an apple crumble recipe from my sister and combined it with kugel. A crumb topping enhances this brunch-style treat! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 537 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
6/12

Runner-Up: Sheet-Pan Breakfast Quesadillas

Skill Level Medium
Total Time 1 hour 35 min
Servings 15 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We love to have family and friends over for brunch on the weekends. These soft and cheesy breakfast quesadillas are everyone's favorite. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 525 calories, 33g fat (14g saturated fat), 210mg cholesterol, 1166mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.
7/12

Runner-Up: Maple Granola with Dried Fruit

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 55 min
Servings 9 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Nutritious and delicious, this healthy homemade granola is a great start to your day! Enjoy it as a cereal or sprinkle it over yogurt or ice cream. Maple syrup and dried berries make it extra sweet. —Francine Lizotte, Langley, British Columbia

Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 237 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 73mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
8/12

Runner-Up: Willa's Apple and Bacon French Toast

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This special-occasion French toast brings together a lot of fun flavors and textures. Sharp Gruyere cheese, tart apples and salty bacon make this a memorable addition to any brunch. —Willa Brown-Coosemans Crossfield, Canada

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 499 calories, 31g fat (15g saturated fat), 236mg cholesterol, 941mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
9/12

Runner-Up: Raspberry Smoothie Bowls

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 10 min
Servings 2 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This raspberry smoothie bowl is loaded with protein and a few of my favorite toppings: granola, coconut and chia seeds. The best part? It's ready in just 10 minutes! —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 310 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 9g fiber), 14g protein.
10/12

Runner-Up: Chipotle Tater Tot Breakfast Burritos

Skill Level Medium
Total Time 40 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: One of my son's favorite local restaurants sells delicious burritos with Tater Tots inside. I wanted to surprise him with my own version for breakfast. He loves the crispy tots that balance out the softness of the rest of the burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Nutrition Facts: 1 burrito: 652 calories, 33g fat (12g saturated fat), 281mg cholesterol, 1568mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein.
11/12

Runner-Up: Southwestern Quiche

Skill Level Medium
Total Time 1 hour 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This Southwest-inspired quiche is packed with sweet honey goat cheese, red and green peppers and fresh corn. It's my favorite quiche because it perfectly toes the line between breakfast and lunch. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 485 calories, 39g fat (21g saturated fat), 212mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
12/12

Runner-Up: Berry Crepes with Coconut-Pistachio Crunch

Skill Level Easy
Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: After finishing basic training in the U.S. Army, my first meal back was brunch. In the mess hall, they had different stations with brunch items and I opted for the chef making crêpes. I remember eating those crêpes and knowing that I'd be able to adjust to my new life. I was so inspired that I tried my hand at my own sweet and crunchy version. —Sharyn LaPointe Hill, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Nutrition Facts: 2 crepes: 624 calories, 41g fat (21g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein.