From croque-madame to Japanese souffle pancakes, these fancy breakfast ideas are incredibly chic.
20 Fancy Breakfast Ideas Perfect for Brunch
Updated on Jun. 13, 2025
1/20
German Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (2 cups syrup)
From the Recipe Creator:
Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 1/4 cup syrup: 428 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
2/20
Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Who says you can’t have it all for breakfast? This savory dish combines flaky croissants, eggs, sausage and Gruyere cheese for the ultimate breakfast (or brunch) casserole. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 353 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 188mg cholesterol, 686mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
3/20
Eggs Benedict
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico’s in New York. Here’s my take on this brunch classic, and don’t spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 345 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 331mg cholesterol, 522mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
4/20
Caramel Rolls
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These irresistible rolls are perfect as an Easter brunch idea! —Louis Jacobsen, Dallas, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 533 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 389mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
5/20
The Best Quiche Lorraine
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Nestled in a buttery, rustic crust, this quiche is filled with sweet onions, bacon bits and cheese. It's truly the best quiche Lorraine recipe. —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 671 calories, 49g fat (27g saturated fat), 308mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
6/20
Elegant Smoked Salmon Strata
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fancy overnight egg bake is ideal for guests. In the morning, you can simply let it come to room temperature and whip up side dishes as it bakes. Then get ready for compliments! —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 359 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 194mg cholesterol, 845mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
7/20
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings (1-1/3 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a firm believer that rhubarb recipes cannot be too plentiful. Here, rhubarb is featured in the sauce for lovely lemon pancakes. These are yummy for brunch. — Marilyn Rodriguez, Spark, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
3 pancakes with 1/3 cup sauce: 338 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 525mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
8/20
Bananas Foster French Toast
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mmm … bananas Foster for breakfast! This yummy baked French toast serves up all the taste of the spectacular dessert in fine fashion. —Laurence Nasson, Hingham Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 658 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat), 218mg cholesterol, 584mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 4g fiber), 14g protein.
9/20
Shakshuka
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned about it while traveling through Southeast Asia, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. —Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 159 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 vegetable.
10/20
Banana Bread Cinnamon Rolls
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
The moist texture of banana bread combines with the warm spices of cinnamon rolls in this unique recipe. Finished with a topping of sweet cream cheese frosting, this will quickly become your new favorite treat. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 506 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 395mg sodium, 76g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
11/20
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Recipes that don't tie me to the kitchen—that’s what I’m all about. I make this luscious dish the night before breakfast or brunch with guests. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 302 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 148mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
12/20
Crab Quiche
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chopped green onions and sweet red pepper bring a bit of color to this golden entree. The creamy filling features imitation crabmeat and Swiss cheese. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 292 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein.
13/20
Million-Dollar Bacon
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These spicy-sweet bacon strips aren't only delicious; with their maple syrup glaze, they're also pretty. Baking them in the oven in a foil-lined pan makes cleanup a breeze. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 101 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 253mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
14/20
Puff Pastry Danish
Total Time
45 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Even though they're simple to make, these jam-filled pastries are right at home in a holiday brunch spread. They were my dad's favorite, so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 pastry: 197 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
15/20
Creamy Banana Crepes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I enjoy taking turns fixing weekend breakfasts. These crepes are frequently on our menus. The sweet-and-sour banana filling is delicious. You'll want to serve these crepes for lunch, dinner and dessert! —Parrish Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
2 crepes: 429 calories, 25g fat (12g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 327mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein.
16/20
Coconut-Granola Yogurt Parfaits
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 parfaits plus 2-1/2 cups granola
From the Recipe Creator:
I prepare homemade granola ahead of time—it makes these yogurt treats special. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 parfait: 440 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 236mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 5g fiber), 20g protein.
17/20
Croque-Madame
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Croque-madame takes grilled ham and cheese to the next level. Ham and Gruyere cheese are layered between thick slices of country bread and toasted in a skillet. Then the sandwiches are topped with Mornay sauce and more cheese and broiled until golden and bubbly. If you stop there, you've got a croque-monsieur; add a fried egg on top and that makes a croque-madame! These sandwiches are perfect for a special breakfast or brunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 1118 calories, 71g fat (39g saturated fat), 419mg cholesterol, 2284mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 60g protein.
18/20
Japanese Pancakes
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's nothing quite like a freshly made Japanese pancake. They're fluffy, custard-y and even a little bit jiggly. —Megan Barrie, San Jose, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 177 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 188mg cholesterol, 198mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
19/20
Orange Ricotta Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator:
These popular pancakes are likely to spark a craving. For a different twist, switch the citrus ingredient to lime or lemon juice. —Brehan Kohl, Anchorage, Alaska
Nutrition Facts:
3 pancakes (calculated without syrup and confectioners' sugar): 449 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 654mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
20/20
Beignets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These sweet French doughnuts, inspired by the ones found in Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, are square instead of round and have no hole in the middle. They're a traditional part of breakfast in New Orleans. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 beignet: 108 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
Fancy Breakfast Ideas FAQs
What fancy breakfast ideas can I serve for a special breakfast?
Fancy breakfast ideas to serve for a special breakfast can include crepes, French croque-madames, layered parfaits, all kinds of quiches and homemade croissants.
What is considered a gourmet breakfast?
A gourmet breakfast takes a little more effort (and has a lot more luxury) than your average bowl of cereal or buttered toast. Gourmet breakfasts can include thoughtful recipes, artisan-made ingredients and a memorable dining experience.
What easy breakfast recipes are fancy?
Easy breakfast recipes that are fancy can include French toast, German pancakes, parfaits and crepes. You can also skip the labor and buy bakery-made croissants and danishes.
