Home » All Blog Posts

17 Brunch Recipes We Keep Making Without Even Planning To

Jump to Recipe Add Us as a Preferred Source

Some brunch recipes just have a way of showing up—whether you meant to make them or not. They’re reliable, easy enough to throw together, and somehow always hit the spot. You didn’t plan ahead, but here they are again. Maybe it’s muscle memory, maybe it’s habit, but these dishes keep landing on the table. And honestly, we’re not mad about it.

A hand dips a slice of bread into a bowl of Menemen—Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes and herbs; tomato slices are on the side, making for a classic Turkish breakfast scene.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Affiliate Disclosure.

Menemen. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Asparagus and Pea Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs

A vibrant asparagus salad with spinach, arugula, radishes, and soft-boiled eggs is topped with chopped green onions and arranged beautifully in a white bowl.
Asparagus and Pea Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Asparagus and Pea Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs always seems to happen right when the fridge looks uninspiring. It’s bright, quick, and feels a little put-together without actually requiring much effort. The soft-boiled eggs make it feel brunch-y, and the peas and asparagus keep it fresh. It’s one of those dishes you didn’t plan for but end up repeating all season.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus and Pea Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs

Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Tarts

Air fryer breakfast tarts on a white plate.
Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Tarts. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Tarts feel like something you’d make for a fancy brunch, but they come together with whatever’s already in the fridge. Puff pastry, eggs, and a few odds and ends are all it takes. They’re crisp on the outside, jammy in the middle, and gone before you even sit down. You never plan on making them again next week, but you always do.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Egg Tarts

Air Fryer French Toast

Low angle shot of the french toast on a rectangular white plate.
Air Fryer French Toast. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Air Fryer French Toast is one of those accidental wins that keeps sneaking onto the table. You throw in some stale bread, eggs, and cinnamon, and suddenly it’s better than the stovetop version. No flipping, no fuss. You tell yourself it was a one-time shortcut, but it keeps coming back.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Toast

Chawanmushi

Overhead shot of two bowls of chawanmushi with garnishes.
Chawanmushi. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chawanmushi isn’t your typical brunch dish, but it quietly ends up in the mix more often than you’d think. It’s silky, savory, and made with pantry staples if you’ve got dashi or broth around. You steam it and forget it, and by the time you’re hungry, it’s ready. Once you try it, it keeps showing up.
Get the Recipe: Chawanmushi

Smoked Salmon

Flaky smoked salmon on a wooden board.
Smoked Salmon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Smoked Salmon is one of those things you buy “for later” and somehow end up building a brunch around. Throw it on toast, eggs, or anything else, and suddenly breakfast feels intentional. It works when you have no plan but still want to eat like you do. It’s become a habit at this point.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon

Menemen

A hand dips a slice of bread into a bowl of Menemen—Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes and herbs; tomato slices are on the side, making for a classic Turkish breakfast scene.
Menemen. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Menemen is what happens when you start sautéing vegetables with no clear goal and end up with something better than expected. The tomatoes, peppers, and eggs cook together in one pan, and that’s all you need. It’s hot, comforting, and comes together before you’ve even finished your coffee. You never plan on making it again—until you do.
Get the Recipe: Menemen

Candied Bacon

Candied bacon in a canning jar.
Candied Bacon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Candied Bacon is never something you mean to make, but every time you do, it disappears fast. Sweet, sticky, and crisp, it turns regular bacon into something you want to eat straight off the tray. It’s a small extra step that somehow becomes part of your routine. You keep telling yourself you’ll stick to plain, but here we are.
Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon

Salmon and Asparagus Quiche

Salmon and asparagus quiche on a metal plate with parchment paper.
Salmon and Asparagus Quiche. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Salmon and Asparagus Quiche feels like something you’d save for a brunch invite, but it somehow ends up in the rotation with zero planning. It’s great hot or cold and makes use of leftovers you don’t want to waste. The combo just works, and it holds together for days in the fridge. Once you’ve made it once, it keeps showing up.
Get the Recipe: Salmon and Asparagus Quiche

Want to save this recipe?

✨ We'll send it straight to your inbox! ✨

Avocado Toast with Grated Egg

Avocado toast on a wooden cutting board.
Avocado Toast with Grated Egg. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Avocado Toast with Grated Egg is one of those trends that actually sticks. It’s fast, filling, and easy to throw together when your brain’s still booting up. The grated egg is more about texture than flash—and it turns out, it’s worth doing. You keep telling yourself it’s too much effort, and then you do it again anyway.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Toast with Grated Egg

Kimchi Eggs

A hand dips bread into a skillet of shakshuka, featuring poached eggs, tomato sauce, and garnished with chopped green onions.
Kimchi Eggs. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Kimchi Eggs are what happens when you’re bored of breakfast but don’t want to think too hard. Toss some kimchi into the pan before cracking the eggs, and suddenly you’ve got something that tastes way more interesting than it should. It’s fast, spicy, and hits every time. You don’t plan for it—you just end up doing it again.
Get the Recipe: Kimchi Eggs

Air Fryer Breakfast Quesadillas

A stack of air fried breakfast quesadillas with bacon, and cheese on a plate, surrounded by ingredients and condiments on a wooden table.
Air Fryer Breakfast Quesadillas. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Air Fryer Breakfast Quesadillas feel like a one-off idea until you realize you’ve made them three weekends in a row. They’re crisp on the outside, loaded with eggs and cheese inside, and ready in under 10 minutes. You can fill them with whatever you’ve got. You never write them on a grocery list—they just keep happening.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Breakfast Quesadillas

Champagne Sabayon

A spoon is scooping sabayon with strawberries and blueberries.
Champagne Sabayon. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Champagne Sabayon sounds like too much effort for a lazy morning, but it’s surprisingly doable. A few ingredients and some whisking get you something light, creamy, and borderline fancy. It’s not an everyday thing, but it somehow finds its way back when there’s bubbly in the fridge and no plan. You didn’t mean to make dessert for brunch—but it works.
Get the Recipe: Champagne Sabayon

Bombay Toast

A stack of Bombay toast with parsley.
Bombay Toast. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Bombay Toast is what you make when you want French toast, but you also want something with a little more kick. It’s eggy, spiced, and doesn’t need anything fancy on top. You can eat it straight from the pan or wrap it up to go. It keeps ending up on the table before you’ve even decided what day it is.
Get the Recipe: Bombay Toast

Deviled Egg Potato Salad

A bowl of creamy potato salad with egg garnished with paprika and chopped herbs.
Deviled Egg Potato Salad. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

Deviled Egg Potato Salad walks the line between breakfast and lunch and does it without trying too hard. It’s creamy, mustardy, and tastes like both dishes in one bite. You make it once for a brunch spread and then keep finding reasons to make it again. No one complains when it shows up twice in the same week.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Potato Salad

Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs

Stir fried tomatoes and eggs in a skillet with chopticks.
Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs is one of those zero-plan meals that somehow feels intentional. It’s quick, warm, and hits that perfect middle ground between comfort and clean-out-the-fridge. You toss it over rice or just eat it straight from the pan. It’s always a fallback—but a good one.
Get the Recipe: Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs

One-Pan Egg Sandwich

A stack of delicious breakfast sandwiches piled high on a plate, each egg sandwich grilled to perfection and garnished with chopped green onions and parsley.
One-Pan Egg Sandwich. Photo credit: Eggs All Ways.

One-Pan Egg Sandwich is your lazy brunch MVP. You cook the eggs, toast the bread, and fold it all up in the same pan without dirtying anything else. It’s fast, hot, and feels like more than it is. You keep meaning to branch out, but this one keeps winning.
Get the Recipe: One-Pan Egg Sandwich

2-Ingredient English Muffins

A picture of a two Ingredient English Muffins with cream cheese.
2-Ingredient English Muffins. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

2-Ingredient English Muffins are what you make when you want something fresh without getting into a baking project. Just yogurt and flour, maybe a pan if you’re feeling civilized. You keep thinking you’ll go back to store-bought, but somehow they keep happening. And they disappear faster than you expect.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient English Muffins

By on July 9th, 2025
Eggs All Ways logo icon.

About Robin Donovan

Robin Donovan is the creative force behind Eggs All Ways. She's a writer, recipe developer, photographer, and cookbook author with more than 40 books to her name, including the bestselling Ramen for Beginners, Ramen Obsession, and Campfire Cuisine. Her work has been featured in major publications, both print and digital, including MSN, Cooking Light, Fitness, Buzzfeed, and Eating Well.

More Posts by this author.

Leave a Comment

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic

SEEN ON

as seen on promo graphic