Brunch is increasingly popular as the ideal time for a social gathering. Breakfasts can be seen as occurring too early, particularly on weekends, and lunches regarded as too formal or too time-consuming. Brunch (a portmanteau of breakfast and lunch) has become the perfect compromise.
Some classic brunch favourites include cooked breakfasts, bagels and croissants. But what do you serve at a brunch event or brunch themed party?
To give you a helping hand with a food suggestions, here are 20 of our favourite brunch foods ideas.
Donuts
A doughnut wall or even just a selection of doughnuts is a great option for a sweet treat at a brunch event. After all, doughnuts come in all sizes and flavours.
Offering a selection of doughnuts of different flavours, colours and toppings are sure to spark some interest and they make for a fantastic sweet appetiser.
Whatever your preference, you can’t go wrong with waffles. Waffles are also ideal for tailoring to dietary needs as you can get gluten-free or dairy-free waffles. In fact, you can even make Asian-inspired waffles with cooked rice.
We couldn’t really have a list of brunch catering foods ideas that didn’t include pancakes.
Like waffles, mini pancakes are another sweet treat that works super well covered in syrup or combined with something a little salty.
Whether they’re full-sized or mini pancakes, you can get creative with how they are presented. Try topping them with whipped cream or something jazzy that will steal the show.
French toast is a popular brunch treat. For many, classic French toast is a go-to brunch option for a quick pick me up.
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However, for a party setting, French toast can be made into a luxurious appetiser.
French toast sticks are the perfect quick bite to feature at a brunch spread. Paired with a sweet dip of chocolate or maple syrup, you can’t go wrong.
Coffee Cake
Coffee cake is another classic brunch treat. After all, coffee and cake are a match made in heaven.
If you’re a fan of coffee, this is a food idea that you can really go to town on by topping it with coffee beans or making sure it’s rich in flavour.
A breakfast tart is a classy brunch food choice that you can really do whatever you want with it.
Breakfast tarts tend to be made with a puff pastry base which makes for a super indulgent treat. The toppings are all down to you.
Some opt for a traditional breakfast style tart topped with egg, bacon and tomatoes, others prefer a topping of their favourite cheese and ham. The options are endless.
Bagels are an all-time favourite when it comes to brunch.
The classic choices of smoked salmon and cream cheese or ham and cheese are all options you can share with your guests.
Bagels are simple yet easy to make and taste great when filled with interesting combinations.
Bagels have really gone up a notch in presentation. You can get bagels of every colour and flavour. Whether you’re a fan of sweet or savoury, there’s a bagel out there for everyone.
Some popular bagel combinations include a sweet cinnamon bagel topped with cream cheese and syrup or bacon and syrup.
Some popular savoury bagel combinations include a poppy seed bagel topped with prosciutto, fresh tomatoes and basil or chicken salad.
Burgers are another of our classic brunch catering foods ideas favourites. Especially after a long morning when you want something substantial to sink your teeth into.
A slider is a great party alternative to a full-sized burger as people can eat as they go.
Sliders are a great choice for a more sociable occasion, hence they make a fantastic option as an appetiser.
Mini sandwiches are a great way to suit a variety of needs. Brunch is supposed to be a filling yet relatively light meal that compensates for missing breakfast.
Sandwiches are a great way to fill that hole.
Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large party, mini sandwiches are perfect for when you have to cater to different preferences. Whether guests prefer different ingredients or have for specific dietary requirements, sandwiches fit the bill.
You can’t go wrong with fruit skewers. This is a winning dish that will leave people coming back for more.
Fruit skewers can include any or every one of your favourite fruits. From berries to lychees, there’s nothing you can’t do with these healthy appetisers.
Fruit skewers are also a great way to add some colour to your spread.
This is another winning entry in our brunch catering foods ideas.
Bruschetta is something that can be made to taste fantastic with just a couple of ingredients. Topped with mozzarella, basil and pesto is the classic brunch go-to.
However, you can really mix things up and put what you want on it, from chicken and pesto to a roasted veg medley and a dash of garlic olive oil.
Quiche is a great cold appetiser option for a brunch. Paired with a delicious side salad and your favourite toppings, quiche can really fill a gap.
Whether you’re a fan of just a plain cheese quiche or something more lively such as a caramelised onion quiche, this is another food idea that can be made to be tailored to peoples’ preferences.
Additionally, quiche is a great food for adapting to dietary requirements.
Mini croissants are a delicious brunch option and perfect for a classy brunch spread. Like sandwiches, croissants can be filled with whatever you want.
For a more personal experience, you can spread out the topping choices so that people can make their own combinations.
Some popular favourites include ham and cheese, egg and tomato and bacon.
Whether meat-filled or vegan, sausage rolls are a much-loved party food. Though not exclusively a brunch meal, you can never go wrong with a crispy sausage roll.
This is a great appetiser for all occasions and one that people will just keep coming back to. Be sure to have some napkins on hand for that crumbly shell. And make sure you serve them with a bowl of ketchup or a nice homemade pickle.
Some form of egg dish just has to be included in our brunch catering foods ideas, so why not devil them?
Deviled eggs are another classic party food. Though simple, deviled eggs can be uniquely presented.
One way people tend to jazz up a deviled egg is by adding ingredients or dying the outer egg.
Deviled eggs are great for a themed brunch such as a picnic setting or an afternoon tea. Deviled eggs make for great appetiser as they are easy to eat.
Vegetable Skewers
Like fruit skewers, vegetable skewers are another fantastic of our top brunch catering foods ideas.
There are so many different types of vegetables out there that can be featured on the spread.
Themed vegetable skewers such as a roasted veg skewer containing mushrooms, zucchinis and peppers always go down a treat.
Or, a raw vegetable skewer of cucumber and tomatoes. The potential to get creative here is endless.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
