We all know what she really wants on this special day is just to be appreciated. So show your mom how much you love her through a simple act of love: making her a meal. (Plus, of course, cleaning up the kitchen afterward.) We’ve put together a collection of favorite recipes that we love (as a team of Moms) and we know will be just the thing to wow your Mom on Mother’s Day or any day.
30 Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes (Appetizers, Side Dishes, Mains, Breakfast, Drinks, and Desserts)
Whether she’s a pancakes-and-waffles kind of gal or more of an eggs-and-bacon lover, here is a collection of Mother’s Day breakfast, brunch, and lunch recipes that are sure to put a smile on her face. Each one can be made gluten-free, if needed, and includes options for other dietary needs you may have in your household. Don’t forget to whip up our go-to green smoothie or a glass of our favorite springtime sangria to add that special touch to your Mother’s Day brunch.
Raspberry Coffee Cake with Lemon
Easy to store and mixed in just one bowl, this decadent coffee cake is perfect for making ahead and presenting to mom as soon as she arrives. If spring was a flavor, this fresh and bright raspberry-lemon coffee cake would represent it well! Serve it alongside a cup of hot coffee or a Pomegranata Kombucha Mimosa.
Gluten free option | Vegetarian
Mixed Berry Breakfast Cake
Infused with yogurt for a tender and moist crumb, this breakfast cake is full of sweet springtime flavors from berries and almonds while a delicious streusel topping gives crunch and texture!
Gluten free option | Vegetarian
Lemon Poppy Seed Bread
A recipe that’s bright and sweet, just like Mom! This light and tender lemony quick bread is dotted with poppyseeds and topped with a delicious lemony glaze that’s just sweet enough.
Dairy free | Gluten free option | Nut free | Vegetarian
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
These tender muffins are nutritious and delicious thanks to the addition of thick and creamy yogurt, blueberries, and whole grain rolled oats. They’re perfect as part of a brunch spread or as a take home gift for Mom!
Gluten free option | Nut free | Vegetarian
Crockpot French Toast Casserole
Minimal prep time and the slow cooker means you’ll have more time to gab with Mom than stand at the stove. Warm, tender, and full of classic spices, this recipe is perfect with or without a homemade berry sauce.
Gluten free option | Nut free option | Vegetarian
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Banana Waffles
Creamy peanut butter and sliced bananas sit atop fresh homemade waffles. This is one of those comforting recipes that will have everyone asking for more. Serve this alongside fresh berries and, okay, maybe even some chocolate chips!
Gluten free | Vegetarian
Strawberry Blueberry Galette with Rhubarb (Easy & Gluten-Free Crust)
A galette is a lot like a pie, but much easier to make! With just a hint of tartness from rhubarb to balance out the sweetness of the berries, this galette features a flaky pastry crust that’s just right for a spring brunch.
Dairy free | Gluten free option | Nut free | Vegetarian
The Best Lemon Bars
Lemony tart and sweet bars are the perfect treat when you want a little something to end a special meal. Creamy lemon filling sits atop a lemony shortbread crust. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dollop of lemon-infused whipped cream.
Dairy free | Gluten free option | Nut free | Vegetarian
Berry Oat Crumble Bars
Sweet summery berries are sandwiched between a buttery, oatmeal crust and crumb topping for a jammy handheld treat that’s low on sugar, but big on flavor!
Dairy Free| Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Vegan
Mini Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These Peanut Butter Protein Bars come with a nice crunch, thanks to the crisp rice cereal, and are drizzled with just enough melted dark chocolate to create that sweet and salty combination so many people love: chocolate and peanut butter.
Dairy Free | Egg-Free | Gluten-Free | Vegan
Easy Sheet Pan Pancakes (Meal Prep Breakfast Recipe)
Serve Mom all the yumminess of pancakes without all the flipping! Have the batter prepped when everyone arrives and then have a toppings bar set up for everyone to make their own sections!
Dairy Free | Gluten-Free | Nut-Free | Vegetarian
Crustless Asparagus, Leek & Feta Quiche
If Mom likes a savory breakfast, consider this fancy quiche! You won’t even miss the crust because the asparagus, leeks, garlic, and feta cheese come together to create a delicious and beautiful quiche.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Savory Ham and Cheese Muffins
Loaded with chunks of diced ham, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet corn kernels, fresh herbs, and shredded zucchini, these savory muffins make a tasty addition to your table. Serve ’em warm with a drizzle of honey or a smattering of butter.
Gluten free option | Nut free
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
We’ve turned a favorite dinner casserole into breakfast with this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole. Made with breakfast sausage, bacon, eggs, cheese, and tater tots, get all the flavors you love for breakfast in one dish. Includes an option to make an overnight breakfast casserole that you prep the night before and bake in the morning.
Gluten free option | Nut free
Easy Egg Bites with Cottage Cheese
These Starbucks inspired egg bites are packed with protein and extra creamy thanks to the addition of cottage cheese. Customize them with different spices and omelet toppings and let everyone grab their favorite.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Breakfast Pizza with Hash Brown Crust
We say pizza for breakfast is Aokay! Topped with eggs, ham, and cheese, this Breakfast Pizza is also gluten-free thanks to the delicious crispy crust that’s made from hash browns.
Gluten free | Grain free | Nut free
Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal features the delicious flavor combination of lemon and blueberries for a healthy make-ahead breakfast that is easy enough for quick weekday breakfasts and fancy enough for Mother’s Day brunch.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Vegan
Mixed Berry Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal is truly something scrumptious. It’s sweetened ever so slightly with pure maple syrup and features a combination of cinnamon, vanilla, and mixed berries. Serve it warm, right out of the oven, or with a dollop of whipped topping or yogurt on top!
Gluten free | Nut free | Vegetarian
Healthy Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal is full of warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors and bursting with blueberries and sliced almonds. You can bake this ahead of time, and then reheat a serving for Mom topped with a dollop of yogurt and a drizzle of honey.
Dairy free option | Gluten free | Vegetarian
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
All the flavors of carrot cake baked into oatmeal? Sign us up! You can eat it as is, top it with cream cheese frosting, or dollops of Greek yogurt.
Gluten free | Vegetarian
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Broccoli and Ham
Amazing as a main dish or as a side, this cheesy potato casserole is made with frozen hash browns for extra ease. Just what you need for a busy Mother’s Day!
Egg free | Gluten free | Nut free
Blackberry Sage Breakfast Sausage
These homemade sausage patties have no fillers, no preservatives, and no added sugars. They’re the perfect accompaniment to eggs, hash browns, pancakes, and all of Mom’s other favorite breakfast items.
Egg free | Dairy free | Gluten free | Nut free | Whole30
Summer Pasta Salad with Chicken and Berries
Bright and gorgeous, this summer pasta salad is made with bow tie pasta, tender chicken, and sweet berries, then tossed together in a creamy honey poppy seed dressing. It’s the perfect starter for a Mother’s Day lunch.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Nut free
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This summer salad is flavorful, beautiful, and well-rounded with veggies, fiber, healthy fats. Add chicken or shrimp for a protein boost. The homemade strawberry vinaigrette brings it all together in a sweet way.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Grain free | Whole30
Quinoa Arugula Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese
Juicy peaches, peppery arugula, tender quinoa, creamy goat cheese, fresh mint, and toasted almonds are the stars of this show. They come together in this delicious and beautiful simple quinoa salad that’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Egg free | Gluten free | Vegetarian
Quinoa Kale Salad with Blueberries and Feta (Fresh, Healthy)
Chock full of good-for-you ingredients like kale, quinoa, blueberries, and pistachios, this kale salad is tossed in a simple and flavorful lemony vinaigrette that will wow any and every guest—including the Mom of honor.
Egg free | Gluten free | Vegetarian
Chicken Waldorf Salad
Perfect for a serve-yourself brunch buffet, this classic waldorf salad is packed with omega-3 rich walnuts, juicy grapes, and tender chicken. It’s held together with a creamy avocado oil mayo dressing.
Dairy free | Gluten free | Grain free | Whole30
Blackberry Lime Prosecco Cocktails
This batch recipe is perfect for brunch and will delight all your guests, especially Mom! Our Prosecco cocktail is lower in sugar and amplified by the additions of fresh lime juice, blackberries, and mint.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Vegan
Low-Sugar Paloma
This real-food paloma provides refreshing mix of grapefruit and lime juices with just enough tequila to shake things up. Raise a toast to Mom with this low-sugar cocktail that comes in a beautiful blushing pink color.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Vegan
Wild Blueberry Mojito
Make a batch of these light and refreshing lower-sugar mojitos. They’re made with wild blueberries for added flavor, color, and nutrition. Includes instructions for how to make it a mocktail, as well.
Dairy free | Egg free | Gluten free | Vegan
How To Prepare Mother’s Day Brunch
It’s her day, and we know you want to make it just as special as she has made all your holidays. Here are a few tips to make sure everything comes out just the way you’d like.
- Write out the menu. Preparation is always key! Plan the menu and your grocery list in advance. Then, stock up on all the ingredients you’ll need at least one day ahead of time.
- Get your mise en place! Before starting any recipe, read through it entirely and see exactly what you’ll need to do and how to prep all your ingredients. As much as possible, prepare any of the ingredients ahead of time.
- Ask for help! Enlist siblings, spouses, Dad, friends – but just not Mom. Let her kick up her feet while you happily prepare a meal for her on this special day.
Frequently Asked Questions
We love serving a side dish featuring in-season fruits and veggies! Try Roasted Carrots With Carrot Top Pesto, Grilled Asparagus With Parmesan, or Creamy Lemon Asparagus Risotto.
Treat mom to something sweet! We recommend these Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, Flourless Chocolate Donuts With Chocolate Icing, or Creamy Yogurt Popsicles With Berries as fun and healthy dessert options.
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
