12 Kid-Friendly Easter Brunch Ideas You’ll Love

Looking for Easter brunch ideas that won't leave you chained to the kitchen while everyone else is hunting eggs? I've got you covered! After years of trial and error (and a few memorable kitchen disasters), I've pulled together my favorite kid-tested, parent-approved Easter brunch recipes that strike that perfect balance between "special occasion" and "won't make me lose my mind." Let’s dig into it!

1. French Toast Casserole 

Normal French bread gets a makeover with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg in this warm, sweet dish that your little bunnies will devour.

Ingredients: 

• 1 loaf French bread, cubed 
• 8 large eggs 
• 2 cups milk 
• 2 cups half-and-half 
• 2 tsp vanilla extract 
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg 
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• ¾ cup butter, softened 
• 3 tbsp maple syrup 
• 1⅓ cups chopped walnuts 

Directions: 

1. Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray and layer in the bread cubes. 
2. Whisk eggs, milk, half-and-half, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 
3. Combine the brown sugar, butter, maple syrup, and walnuts in the morning, spreading the mixture over the top of the dish. 
4. Bake at 350°F for 50–55 minutes until golden brown. 

Secret ingredient: I like to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of cinnamon to the custard mixture! It’s truly a magic combination.

2. Egg, Sausage, and Cheese Bake 

Meet the ultimate crowd-pleaser! This savory cheesy bake combines breakfast umami flavors that are perfect for Easter brunch. 

Ingredients: 

• 8 slices white bread, cubed 
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed and chopped 
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 
• 9 large eggs 
• 3 cups milk 
• 1 tsp basil 
• 1 tsp oregano 
• 1 tomato, chopped 

Directions: 

1. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and start with a layer of cubed bread. 
2. Cook sausage until browned, drain, and layer over the bread. 
3. Top with both cheeses. 
4. Whisk the eggs, milk, basil, and oregano together. Pour evenly over the dish. 
5. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes until set and slightly golden. Garnish with fresh tomato before serving. 

Pro tip: Toss in whatever veggies you have lurking in your produce drawer—last year I snuck in spinach and my veggie-hating brother never noticed!

3. Fruit Tarts 

These tarts are as fun to make as they are to eat, with flavors that are bright and sweet, thanks to a load of fresh fruit.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup biscuit mix 
• 4 tbsp sugar (divided) 
• 1 tbsp butter 
• 6 oz cream cheese (divided) 
• ¼ cup sour cream 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1½ cups fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, etc.) 

Directions: 

1. Mix biscuit mix, 2 tablespoons sugar, butter, and 3 ounces of cream cheese into a stiff dough. Divide into six parts and press into tart pans. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. 
2. Cool completely before removing from pans. 
3. Cream together the remaining cream cheese, 2 tbsp sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Spoon into tart shells and top with fresh fruit. 

Confession: When I'm really pressed for time, I've been known to use vanilla pudding cups instead of making the cream cheese base from scratch. Nobody has ever complained!

4. Banana Bread 

This moist, sweet banana bread also features a hint of vanilla for an extra oomph factor. You can even make it days ahead—it actually tastes better after sitting wrapped up for a day or two.

Ingredients: 

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed 
• ⅓ cup melted butter 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• Pinch of salt 
• ½ cup sugar 
• 1 large egg, beaten 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1½ cups flour 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 4x8-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. 
2. Mash bananas and stir in melted butter. 
3. Add baking soda, salt, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Slowly mix in flour until just combined. 
4. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool before slicing. 

True story: Last Easter, my toddler knocked the entire loaf onto the floor. The five-second rule applied, and everyone still devoured it.

5. Overnight Oats 

Set these up in mason jars the night before, and breakfast is literally grab-and-go, perfect for kids.

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt 
• ½ cup rolled oats 
• ⅔ cup milk 
• 1 tbsp chia seeds 
• ½ tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 tbsp maple syrup 
• Fresh blueberries 

Directions: 

1. Combine all ingredients (except blueberries) in a jar or container. Mix well, seal, and refrigerate overnight. 
2. Top with fresh blueberries before serving. 

Mom hack: I use Easter egg-shaped containers instead of mason jars for the holiday. My daughter thinks it's magical when her breakfast comes in an egg!

6. Maple Bars 

These are basically baked donuts with maple frosting, and they disappear fast. They’re sweet, sticky, and absolutely irresistible. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough 
• 2 cups canola oil 
• ¼ cup butter 
• ½ cup brown sugar 
• 3 tbsp milk 
• 1 tbsp corn syrup 
• 2 tsp maple extract 
• ½ tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 cups powdered sugar 

Directions: 

1. Shape biscuit dough into oblong bars. 
2. Heat oil to 350°F in a saucepan. Fry biscuits for 2 minutes on each side. Cool on a wire rack. 
3. For the glaze, heat butter, brown sugar, milk, corn syrup, and extracts until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar. 
4. Dip bars into the glaze and serve. 

Sticky situation: Keep wet wipes handy. Last year, kids left maple fingerprints on everything, including my white pants. Oops.

7. Ham and Cheese Brunch Bake 

Sorry lactose intolerants, but this dish might not be for you—it’s simple, cheesy, and satisfying. And did we mention, very cheesy?

Ingredients: 

• 10 eggs 
• 1 cup milk 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• 1 loaf French bread, cubed 
• ½ lb ham, chopped 
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese 

Directions: 

1. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. 
2. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, layer bread, ham, and cheese. Pour egg mixture over. 
3. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until golden brown. 

Family feud: The crusty edge pieces cause actual arguments in our house. My husband once ate all four corner pieces before anyone else got to the table, and we still talk about "The Great Easter Breakfast Betrayal of 2022."

8. Breakfast Potatoes 

If you ask me, potatoes are always a good idea. But these breakfast potatoes in particular are just so crispy, golden, and loaded with flavor!

Ingredients: 

• 3 tbsp olive oil 
• 5 red potatoes, cubed 
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1 onion, diced 
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Bacon, chopped (optional)

Directions: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté potatoes, covered, for 10 minutes. Add garlic, onion, and bell pepper, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, and add bacon if you want.

Kitchen truth: I've been known to use frozen hash browns when time gets tight. Hit them with fresh herbs right before serving and nobody's the wiser!

9. Deviled Egg Chicks 

These take a little extra effort, but the kids' faces make it worthwhile! These adorable deviled eggs are as cute as they are delicious, and people will definitely be reaching for more. 

Ingredients: 

• 6 boiled eggs 
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise 
• 1 tsp mustard 
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• Tiny pieces of carrot and black olives (for the chick faces) 

Directions: Carefully cut the tops off boiled eggs and scoop out the yolks. Mix yolks with the mayo, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper, and then fill the eggs with the mixture. Decorate each "chick" using carrots for beaks and olives for eyes.

Reality check: I attempted these while on a family video call last year. Several eggs were casualties. Don't multitask when making these!

10. Carrot Cake Pancakes 

These pancakes are packed with grated carrots and topped with a delightful cream cheese glaze. They’re a sweet twist on a breakfast favorite that the Easter bunny would approve of!

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup flour 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• ½ tsp baking soda 
• ½ tsp cinnamon 
• 1 cup grated carrot 
• ¾ cup milk 
• 1 egg 
• 2 tbsp sugar 

Directions: Combine the dry ingredients, then stir in the carrots, milk, and egg until just combined. Cook pancakes on a greased skillet. Finally, for the glaze, mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and a splash of milk. Drizzle (generously) over pancakes before serving.

Parenting win: My kids will eat literally anything if I serve it with cream cheese frosting and call it "cake."

11. Mini Quiches

I make these little eggy pies in muffin tins, and they're perfect for little hands. Plus, everyone can pick their favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

• Premade pie crust
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• Spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms, chopped (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut pie crust into circles and press into a muffin tin to form mini crusts. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, and diced ham (plus any optional veggies). Fill each crust with the egg mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the centers are set.

Between friends: The real reason I love these? They're just as delicious cold as hot, which means I can actually sit down and eat with everyone instead of running back and forth to the microwave.

12. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes 

Light, fluffy, and just a little fancy—these make regular Sunday pancakes seem boring by comparison and are perfect for an Easter weekend treat.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup all-purpose flour 
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder 
• ¼ tsp salt 
• 2 tbsp sugar 
• 1 cup ricotta cheese 
• 1 large egg 
• 2 tbsp melted butter 
• Zest of 1 lemon 
• ½ cup milk 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 

Directions: Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl. In another bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, melted butter, lemon zest, milk, and lemon juice. Gently add the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Cook the pancakes over medium heat until golden brown on both sides. Serve warm with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or (preferably Canadian!) maple syrup.

Cooking confession: Sometimes, I add yellow food coloring to make them extra sunny for Easter morning fun.

Happy Easter Brunch!

So, there you have it—Easter brunch recipes that look impressive without too much effort. Because let's be honest, on Easter morning, you've already been up since dawn hiding eggs, assembling baskets, and trying to keep chocolate out of the dog's reach. You deserve a break... and maybe a mimosa.

Happy Easter, and remember: if all else fails, there's always jellybeans for breakfast. I won't tell if you don't!

For more information check out these popular topics:

• How to Dye Easter Eggs With Your Family
• 30 Easter Activities and Crafts for the Whole Family
• Delicious Easter Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Love

Do you have any parenting questions for our parenting coach and expert, Dr. Ana Aznar? Ask for free today!