20 Breakfast Catering Food Ideas

We’ve all heard the old adage that breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day. That may or not be true (personally, I’d take a long bottomless brunch, if given the choice), but if you’re charged with hosting a morning event then you’ll need to be diligent in your planning and preparation.

Always lean towards over-catering, rather than finding yourself under-prepared, when hosting a breakfast. Also, it’s very important that your guests feel that they were offered quality as well as quantity for their first meal of the day. A few rounds of toast aren’t going to cut it.

20 Breakfast Catering Food Ideas

Breakfast catering covers a wide range of dishes and sides. You do have many options when it comes to feeding to a room full of healthy appetites, and if you’ve been hunting for creative breakfast ideas then you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we have compiled a list of 20 breakfast catering food ideas, which range from classic options to nutritious alternatives.

Classic Options

When it comes to breakfast catering food ideas, there are some obvious choices. These include classics like pancakes, bacon, and coffee:

Breakfast Bar

Breakfast Bar - Breakfast Catering Food Ideas

If you want to cater for a morning event, but don’t have time to serve, then you can place everything on a table and create your very own breakfast bar.

This option allows guests to choose what they want. It also gives them the chance to return for seconds if they are still feeling peckish.

The best breakfast bars will often include classic options such as bacon and toast, as well as condiments and a constant supply of hot drinks.

Are you hosting a brunch, rather than a breakfast? See our Brunch Catering Food Ideas.

Continental Breakfast

Continental Breakfast

In contrast to breakfast bars, continental breakfasts often don’t include hot food, consisting instead of pastries and other treats.

In many ways, these breakfasts are the easiest to organize, as they require little preparation or cooking skills.

Just make sure to keep the coffee hot and your guests should have everything they need to remain awake.

Does gluten make you unwell? Check out our Gluten-Free Flaxseed Bread Recipes

Coffee

Coffee

If you don’t provide enough coffee, then your guests may search elsewhere to get some.

So if you want to hold their attention, it’s best that you have a constant supply close at hand.

A reliable Coffee Machine that makes a great cappuccino or latte is one of the best things to have in your kitchen if you’re a caffeine fiend like me! For information and prices, see here.

For example, you can have artisanal coffee ordered from a local coffee house. Alternatively, you can provide the best ingredients yourself for a delicious morning blend.

Whatever you decide, it’s important to remember that not everyone drinks coffee, which means you should also provide tea and herbal alternatives.

Toying with the idea of starting a catering business? See our post on What You Need To Know Before Starting for some advice.

Nutritious Options

While many people prefer a greasy breakfast in the morning, there are those who would rather eat a more nutritious option.

So if you want to accommodate everyone at your event, check out these healthy breakfast ideas:

Fruit Platter

Fruit Platter

There’s nothing better than fresh fruit in the morning, especially when the fruit is arranged in a beautiful display.

Fruit platters are a great way to remain healthy while keeping things simple, as they require little work or prep.

For the best results, we recommend serving the fruit with whole-grain muffins and fresh yoghurt.

See our suggestions for Finger Food Platters.

Smoothie Bowl Bar

Smoothie Bowl Bar

If you’re looking for something nutritious and simple, then we recommend setting up your own smoothie bowl bar.

All you need to do is lay out the ingredients and your guests can entertain themselves while making their own nutritious breakfast.

Most smoothie bowl bars will include things like Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit. However, you can also add in extras such as oats, nuts, chia seeds, and honey.

Looking for some inspiration? We have 20 Healthy Breakfast Bowls for you to try.

Fruit Juice

Fruit Juice

Make things even easier by serving up a range of fresh fruit juices, which can be made on the premises.

Fruit juices are packed with delicious vitamins and are essentially a fruit platter contained in a single drink.

Get creative and whip up exciting drinks all day long with one of these easy-to-use Juicer Machines.

While it is possible to make fruit juices in a blender, we recommend pressing the ingredients first for a more intense and vibrant flavour.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast Sandwiches

There’s something magical about being able to pack all the flavours of a delicious breakfast into a single sandwich.

Not only does this make the overall experience much more fun, but it also reduces calories and the chances of overeating.

We personally adore a poached egg and hollandaise muffin, which tastes just as good as it sounds.

Are you organising a bash for some graduates? Check out our Catering Food Ideas For Graduation Parties

Brunch Platter

Brunch Platter

One of our favourite breakfast food catering ideas is the brunch platter, complete with bacon, sausage, and toast.

The best thing about this platter is that it can be served at odd hours of the morning, as it walks the line between breakfast and lunch.

For the best results, we recommend washing down this hearty meal with a tall glass of fresh orange juice.

Are you concerned about keeping food warm? How Do You Keep Food Warm For Serving has some tips.

Sweet Options

If you are the kind of person who can’t assuage their sweet tooth, then you may want to serve more decadent options.

This can include anything from pancakes and waffles to fresh muffins and biscuits:

Pancake Station

Pancake Station

When it comes to classic breakfast food, you can never go wrong with the humble pancake. Even better, it pairs well with both sweet and savoury options.

By setting up a pancake station, your guests can help themselves to the full spectrum of toppings, whether that means smoky bacon or fresh fruit.

Just make sure to have a constant source of maple syrup nearby, because who wants to eat pancakes without the syrup?

Looking for the Best Breakfast in Melbourne? We’ve got you covered.

Waffle Bar

Waffle Bar

This is essentially the same concept as our previous idea, all you have to do is swap the pancakes for waffles and you’re done.

Like pancakes, waffles can be paired with a variety of extras from bacon to chocolate cream.

A Waffle Maker is a great appliance to have in your kitchen. After all, you can make savoury waffles from cooked rice, as well as sweet batter ones. For more information and prices, click here.

However, there are some other options that you rarely see on a pancake station, whether that be ice cream or fried chicken.

Thinking of getting a professional company in to provide food? See our piece on Coles Catering for some pointers.

Breakfast Muffins

Breakfast Muffins

Who doesn’t love a delicious muffin?

Not only are these breakfast treats loaded with sugar, but they also taste great with a morning cup of coffee and can be served with a variety of jellies, jams and conserves.

When you put out a basket of fresh muffins, they will be gone in minutes. So make sure to always have more waiting in the wings.

Check out our Date Cinnamon Muffin Recipes for some delicious gluten-free bakes.

Smoothie Bar

Smoothie Bar

While smoothies are healthier than most breakfast options, they can also be sweet and refreshing.

Once you have set up your smoothie bar, you can ask an attendant to make the drinks for your guests or you can print out a menu showcasing the best smoothies available on the day.

If you asked us what our favourite small kitchen appliance is, we’d have to say our Blender. Barely a day goes by without it being used to froth up a milkshake, blitz a smoothie or mix up a soup. For more information and prices, click here.

Smoothies pair well with other breakfast options such as muffins, croissants, and bagels. But they also taste great on their own.

Are you working to a tight budget? Here are some Cheap Catering Food Ideas for you.

Cereal Station

Cereal Station

Another great option is setting up your own cereal bar, which can include classic brands such as bran flakes, fruit loops, and much more.

Cereal remains a popular choice among many breakfast enthusiasts and we promise it will be enough to keep your guests active and entertained.

Of course, you need to make sure that you have enough milk for your guests, otherwise, you could be left with dry cereal.

Have you considered Finger Food Catering as an option for an event?

Breakfast Appetisers

Sometimes keeping things small is the way to go, which is why many caterers prefer to make breakfast appetisers for morning events.

Here are some of our favourite breakfast catering food ideas, which include old classics and modern creations:

Breakfast Deviled Eggs

Breakfast Deviled Eggs

Why not take a classic party food and transform it into a bite-sized breakfast?

These deviled eggs can be paired with crunchy bacon and fresh avocado to create a delicious snack that is perfect for the morning.

Do you ever wonder what to make with Leftover Egg Yolks? We have the answer.

Mini Pancakes With Fruit

Mini Pancakes With Fruit

As we previously mentioned, you can never go wrong with pancakes, no matter how small they are.

Mini pancakes make for a sweet alternative to traditional breakfast snacks, as they can be easily made and topped with fruit and fresh yoghurt.

Do you adore Mangoes? Here are some of our top Mango Dessert Recipes.

Mini Breakfast Burritos

Mini Breakfast Burritos

If you find it difficult to stomach a full-sized breakfast burrito, then we recommend making it smaller and serving it with a selection of sauces.

These burritos pack all the flavours of a classic breakfast into a single snack and can be customised to your preferences.

Why not make the whole menu Mexican? See our Mexican Catering Food Ideas for some inspiration.

French Toast Sticks

French Toast Sticks

Another great option for those with a sweet tooth, French toast sticks can be served with a variety of condiments, from chocolate sauce to strawberry jam.

They can also be seasoned with cinnamon sugar and paired with fresh whipped cream. Simple and delicious, these sticks taste great with a cup of morning coffee.

Oatmeal Cups

Oatmeal Cups

When it comes to healthier options, you could serve these delightful oatmeal cups, which can be served with fruit and honey.

Not only do these cups taste delicious, but they are packed with nutritious oats and promise to perk up even the sleepiest members.

Let your imagination run wild with their possible fillings.

Are you doing the food for a festival soon? Check out our Festival Catering Food Ideas

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls are a popular breakfast food in Europe, where they are commonly eaten with frosting and black coffee.

All you have to do is combine buttery pastry with cinnamon sugar and you will have everything you need for a sweet breakfast alternative.

Do you have lots of people to feed? See our Catering Food Ideas For Large Groups

Bagel Bites

Bagel Bites

For a true New York breakfast, you can serve bagel bites topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese.

These snacks are extremely easy to make and promise to put a smile on everyone’s face.

We have loads more Bagel Topping Suggestion here.

Final Thoughts

Catering for a morning crowd is not as easy as it sounds, as you have to provide a range of breakfast items to appease different diets and needs.

Luckily, you now have lots of breakfast catering food ideas from this post.

However, once you have found the right balance, you should have everything you need for a perfect breakfast.

Dylan Cole
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