Kansas City is in full bloom and I feel like I’m living in an Easter basket. I spy shades of light purple, pink and yellow from my window. The neighbors’ daffodils and tulips are so cheerful. We’re hosting our families for Easter brunch this weekend, and I thought you might be planning your menu as well. I limited each category to my top five to help you narrow your selections. These recipes are all great candidates for Mother’s Day and the spring weekends in between, so you might want to bookmark this page. You’ll find many options below, including a list of vegan options at the end. Gluten-free recipes are denoted as (GF) throughout. Wishing you a happy and delicious weekend!
Muffins & Breakfast Sweets
These breakfast sweets are perfect for a special occasion.
Muffins
Banana Muffins or Banana Coconut Muffins Blueberry Muffins Carrot Muffins Lemon Raspberry Muffins Strawberry Oat Muffins
French Toast, Pancakes & Waffles
Blender Oatmeal Pancakes Foolproof French Toast Gluten Free Oat Waffles Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
Eggs
You could count these egg-y options as your main dish, if you’d like.
Arugula and Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust (GF) Baked Asparagus Frittata (GF) Healthy Breakfast Casserole (GF) My Favorite Frittata (GF) Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes (GF)
More Main Dishes
Don’t want to make eggs the main event? These are all great options:
Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Oregano (GF) Lemony Green Pasta with Peas & Ricotta Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème Fraîche Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Marinara or Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables Vegetable Lasagna or Spinach Artichoke Lasagna
Salads
Freshen things up with a salad. Here are a few of my favorites:
French Carrot Salad (GF) Italian Chopped Salad (GF) Lentil and Chickpea Salad with Radish and Herbs (GF) Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Pistachios Vibrant Orange & Arugula Salad (GF)
Simple Homemade Salad Dressings
Fresh Mint Salad Dressing (GF) Green Goddess Dressing Sunshine Salad Dressing (GF)
Vegetable Side Dishes
These irresistible roasted vegetables will round out your meal.
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans (GF) Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Drizzle (GF) Roasted Asparagus Roasted Breakfast Potatoes (GF) Roasted Carrots (Three Ways!) (GF)
Desserts
Here are a few perfect desserts for springtime:
Almond Cake with Berries on Top (GF) Citrus Olive Oil Cake Naturally Sweetened Carrot Cake No-Bake Greek Yogurt Tart (GF) Simple Blueberry Cake
Cocktails, Coffee & Tea
Prepare cold brew coffee or cold brew iced tea a day in advance. They’re both delightful. You could also serve brunch-worthy cocktails:
Aperol Spritz Bloody Marys Earl Grey French 75 or Classic French 75 Cocktail Kir Royale Cocktail Mimosas, plus variations
Vegan Options
Some of these recipes require easy substitutions to be made vegan. Check the recipe notes!
Blueberry Muffins Whole Wheat Vegan Pancakes Lemon Raspberry Muffins Vegan Banana Nut Scones Buddha Bowls with Carrot-Ginger Dressing (GF) Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème Fraîche Chickpea Salad with Carrots and Dill (GF) Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Balsamic (GF) Favorite Quinoa Salad (GF) French Carrot Salad (GF) Fresh Mint Salad Dressing (GF) Herbed Avocado Salad (GF) Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad with Radish and Herbs (GF) Avocado Toast (Plus Tips & Variations) Quick Collard Greens (GF) Lemony Roasted Asparagus (GF) Roasted Breakfast Potatoes (GF) Roasted Carrots (Three Ways!) (GF)
More resources you might appreciate: 23 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.
