Is 8AM the new 8PM? Are we all ready to embrace our inner coastal grandma, toss on a floppy straw hat, and make breakfast our new favorite party meal? Even better for those of us aspiring to a laid-back life is the breakfast potluck. Sure, you could show up with a box of doughnuts or a supermarket fruit tray, but why not up your game (or at least pretend to be a morning person) with a pick from these delectable sweet and savory breakfast potluck ideas?
Videos by Wide Open Country
Keep in mind that when it comes to fuss-free morning meals, make-ahead recipes are your friend. Look for dishes you can prep the night before, pop in the fridge, then cook in the morning or reheat on-site. Remember that oven and counter space might be limited when you arrive, so any prep should be kept to a minimum to keep your host happy.
Starbucks Sous Vide Egg Bites
Wide Open Eats
No need for a sous-vide rig to make these easy, no-fuss egg bites. Buzz the ingredients together in a blender, then bake them in an ordinary muffin pan. Great for work events or a school meeting, since they're easy to reheat and pack plenty of healthy protein to balance out those boxes of doughnuts. Find the recipe here.
Vegan Quiche Muffins
Jessica in the Kitchen
Love the convenience of egg bites, but prefer them plant-based? These tasty Vegan Quiche Muffins are made with tofu and coconut oil mixed with sauteed veggies. Add your favorite vegan cheese or sausage to make them even heartier. Nutritional yeast, which some fans call "nooch," adds B vitamins and a savory flavor similar to Parmesan cheese. (It's also great sprinkled on popcorn!) Find the recipe here.
French Toast Casserole
Wide Open Eats
Challah, a soft, lightly sweet braided egg bread, makes the best French toast. If you can't find it, try using brioche, Hawaiian sweet bread, cinnamon bread or any other soft, fluffy white bread. Don't forget the maple syrup! You can bake this French Toast Casserole first thing in the morning, then gently reheat in the oven right before serving. Find the recipe here.
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
Wide Open Eats
This Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole combines all your diner-breakfast favorites in one big, easy-to-serve dish, including chunky hash browns, sausage, onions, and peppers, all bound together with a rich egg custard and lots of melted cheddar cheese. Not a pork eater? Feel free to use chicken or veggie sausage instead. Find the recipe here.
Peach Jalapeño Jam
Homesick Texan
No breakfast spread is complete without a basket of fresh pastries. Pick up a delectable assortment from your favorite bakery, then personalize them by setting out a few jars of this delectable summery jam from blogger, cookbook author, and seventh-generation Texan Lisa Fain. Fain started her popular blog, Homesick Texan, during the two decades she lived in New York City and desperately missed seven-layer dip, queso, and real chili. True to her roots, Lisa's peach jam has a kick of jalapeño that's just hot enough to spice up any brunch. Find the recipe here.
Raspberry Almond Mini Muffins
Wide Open Eats
There's always room for a mini muffin! These Raspberry Almond Mini Muffins are small in size but big in flavor, and make a great addition to a crowded pastry table. And because the muffins themselves are small, the fresh raspberries inside really pack a punch. Just remember you'll need a mini muffin tin to bake these. Find the recipe here.
Orange Cranberry Monkey Bread
Wide Open Eats
If you're an early riser who loves to walk in with a real show-stopper, this glossy Orange Cranberry Monkey Bread won't disappoint. Make the dough the night before, then divide and shape it, layer it, and let it rise for 45 minutes before baking. No need to bring a knife-it's a pull-apart delight. Just make sure there are plenty of napkins for sticky fingers. Find the recipe here.
Caramel Apple Empanadas
Wide Open Eats
Lovers of Taco Bell's caramel apple empanadas were shocked when the popular item was pulled from menus in 2019. These baked hand pies do their best to recreate the original, they take a sweet shortcut to deliciousness, employing refrigerated pie crust and a sweet caramel sauce to temper the tart Granny Smith apple filling. The recipe also calls for "apple pie spice," a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice that's useful for all kinds of apple-based autumn desserts. Find the recipe here.
Watermelon Pig
Food Network
Okay, I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for a melon baller. It's one of the only single-use kitchen tools that I'll let clutter up my utensil drawer, because while melon cubes look perfectly nice, melon balls look like a party, and I could stand at my kitchen island scooping them all day. Even better is carving this adorable Watermelon Pig (or any other shape you fancy) and filling it with an assortment of seasonal fruit and melon balls. Find the recipe here.
Bloody Mary How-To
Wide Open Eats
Not every breakfast party needs an alcoholic kick. But if the vibe is right, bringing the ingredients for these DIY Bloody Marys can be a great way to celebrate. And because these drinks are made from fresh ingredients, not a mix, they're also delicious as is, no vodka necessary. Find the recipe here.
