Brunch is the perfect opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, a special occasion where you can enjoy the best of breakfast and lunch together in one delicious meal. From sweet treats to savory bites and everything in between, brunch is a time for you to experiment with new recipes, try new flavors and put your own unique spin on classic dishes.
Though you may not automatically think of it as a brunch ingredient, rice is a surprisingly versatile staple used in many lunch and breakfast dishes, making it ideal to have on hand for brunch. Plus, with the speed and convenience of Minute Rice, you can prepare rice for your brunch meals without too much time or hassle!
Easy & Versatile Brunch Menu Ideas
The ideal brunch menu combines the best of breakfast and lunch, balancing flavors to provide a well-rounded meal that fuels you for the rest of the day. Incorporate sweet and savory breakfast favorites as well as refreshing and wholesome lunch options to offer your guests a range of options to suit their cravings.
Brunch is a fun meal enjoyed on weekends and special occasions, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your brunch menu as well! It’s the perfect time to experiment with new recipes or ingredients that you’ve never tried, or to put a spin on a classic breakfast or lunch recipe.
Here are some tips for putting together a great brunch menu:
- Make dishes ahead of time. Save yourself time in the morning—and space on the stove—by preparing brunch dishes in advance when you can. Choose menu items that can be made the day before, like these Hearty Bacon and Egg Breakfast cups, to include in your brunch menu and take some stress off day-of preparations.
- Cook for a crowd. When hosting a larger brunch, dishes that serve a large group, like casseroles, are ideal for filling your table. This Broccoli Rice Casserole from recipe creator Balancing Pieces is an easy and delicious option to help feed a crowd.
- Bring variety to the table. Whether you’re having a small, casual meal or going all-out with a full spread, make sure your brunch menu offers an array of flavors. Prepare some savory options and sweet options, touching on both breakfast and lunch dishes, to suit a variety of tastes.
- Round out the meal with sides and drinks. Take your brunch to the next level with side dishes and drinks that enhance the brunch experience. Simple sides like fresh fruit or yogurt can help round out the meal without too much extra work on your part. Having drinks prepared like a coffee bar or fresh juice can be the cherry on top of a great brunch.
Quick & Delicious Brunch Recipes with Minute® Rice
Ready to get started making a delicious brunch? Whether you’re preparing a simple meal for your family this weekend or hosting a big holiday brunch for family and friends, these easy brunch recipes are the perfect place to begin.
Classic Breakfast Dishes with a Twist
Classic breakfast ingredients like bacon, eggs and sausage are the perfect start to a hearty brunch table. Though these ingredients are traditional, there are plenty of recipes that add a twist to make these stand out at brunch. Incorporating rice into these dishes can help you create more hearty meals and add texture. Plus, with Minute Rice Cups, there are a number of fun flavors you can try to enhance the meal even more and make it unique.
This Tomato, Bacon, Onion and Cheddar Scramble is a tasty omelet scramble that uses the savory flavors of a Minute Chicken & Herb Seasoned Rice Cup to wake up your taste buds. Or try this Quick Breakfast Skillet made with crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and cheese to help fuel your morning. It’s incredibly easy to make and uses just one skillet to prepare for easy cleanup!
Looking for a more unique spin on eggs to impress your brunch guests? These cheesy, buttery Eggs in a Basket are easy to make and so much fun to eat. Combine Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cups and cheddar cheese and press the mixture into muffin cups to form a basket shape, then bake. Crack an egg into each rice basket, sprinkle spinach on top and bake until the eggs are your desired doneness. Then, your guests are ready to enjoy their own individual Egg in a Basket!
Sweet Pancakes & Waffles to Impress Your Guests
Capable of being sweet or savory, pancakes and waffles are versatile foods perfect for brunch. While classic pancakes and waffles are delicious, you can really get creative with them to make dishes that impress.
For a sweet brunch treat that’s both delicious and satisfying, try these Mini Banana Rice Pancakes. With a batter made using ingredients like Minute Brown Rice & Quinoa Cups, bananas, maple syrup, lemon juice and eggs, these pancakes are a sweet and hearty way to start your day. Enjoy these mini pancakes served with maple syrup and fresh bananas, or try them topped with dollops of plain Greek yogurt and toasted pecans to really impress your brunch guests!
Savory Pancakes & Rice Waffles for Hearty Brunches
Savory pancakes are a great brunch option, as they help to straddle the line between breakfast and lunch. This Hashed Brown Rice Pancakes recipe brings a fun spin on savory pancakes perfect for sharing with guests around a brunch table. The best part is how easy the recipe is—simply combine Minute Instant Rice & Quinoa with eggs, milk, cheese, oatmeal, salt and pepper and spoon onto a griddle, cooking until the edges start to brown. You’re ready to enjoy these delicious pancakes in just fifteen minutes!
Chicken and waffles is a comforting classic that’s perfect for brunch. Bring a little spice to your waffles for brunch with this Hot Honey Chicken & Waffle recipe. The waffle is created using Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups and egg to create a crispy rice waffle with a touch of sweet heat. Topped with crispy chicken tenders and drizzled with honey, hot sauce or both, this dish is the perfect sweet and spicy meal for brunch.
Brunch Side Dishes Made Simple
Baked goods like breads and muffins are great sides to help round out a brunch spread. Plus, you can generally make them a day or two ahead of time to remove day-of stress! If you’re a fan of zucchini bread or banana bread, try combining the two with this Zucchini, Banana, Rice and Quinoa Bread. Or, try these Rice and Quinoa Fruit Muffins, which use apple juice, dried fruit and agave nectar for a sweet and fruity handheld treat.
Both of these recipes use Minute Instant Rice & Quinoa as a base, ensuring that they’re filling, energizing and packed with whole grain goodness.
Fresh & Fruity Brunch Bowls in Minutes
Yogurt-based bowls are another great side for brunch, providing a refreshing and fruity element to cut through the heartier portions of the meal. Thanks to Minute Instant Basmati Rice, this Basmati with Apricots, Walnuts, Yogurt and Honey is an incredibly easy option that comes together in just five minutes to bring a touch of sweetness to your table. This fresh and light Ambrosia Rice Salad includes fragrant Minute Instant Jasmine Rice simmered in coconut milk and mixed with creamy Greek vanilla yogurt. Topped with diced pineapple and lots of sweet berries, it’s a refreshing, decadent treat somewhere between a sweet rice pudding and berries with cream.
Show-Stopping Brunch Mains with Seafood & More Hearty Main Dishes
Lean into the lunch part of brunch with hearty, protein-focused dishes that bring a savory element to the meal. Brunch is the perfect time to get creative with new and unique dishes that you’ve been wanting to try!
Seafood dishes are a great way to elevate your brunch menu and impress your guests. This Shrimp Etouffee recipe from recipe creator Meg Ashworth looks as impressive as it tastes, but it’s actually easy to prepare thanks to Minute Instant Jasmine Rice, which is ready in just five minutes.
Another seafood meal that can add a unique spin to brunch is this Cilantro & Lime Stuffed Halibut from recipe creator Derek McDermed. The zesty flavors of Minute Cilantro & Lime Rice Cups are enhanced with a homemade cilantro lime sauce that tops this delicious dish.
For a tasty salad that’s filling enough for a meal, this Kale Sweet Potato Rice & Quinoa Salad from recipe creator Meaghan Allen is packed with hearty, plant-based ingredients like sweet potatoes, kale, nuts and Minute Instant Rice & Quinoa to satisfy your brunch guests.
Light, delicious and easy to prepare, these Easy Crab and Jasmine Rice Cakes are sure to impress guests on your brunch table. Crab meat and seafood seasoning are combined with Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cups and formed into patties, then cooked until perfectly golden brown. Try serving with large lettuce leaves to use as a lettuce wrap or make the patties bite-sized for a fun brunch appetizer.
These Hot Honey Sausage & Pepper Kabobs from recipe creator Katherine Gall are easy to prepare, customizable with your favorite ingredients, and delicious served over Minute Instant Rice! They’re perfect for a warm-weather brunch when you can use your grill and bring a little kick with a drizzle of hot honey. To amp up the sweet heat even more, try serving these kabobs with Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups!
Get Creative with Fast & Flavorful Brunch Dishes
Brunch is a fun and decadent meal where you can enjoy getting creative in the kitchen. There are endless recipes to try and so many ways to make any dish your own with your unique spin and favorite ingredients. With convenient pantry staples like Minute Rice on hand, your brunch spread can come together easily, so you can focus on entertaining your guests and enjoying your meal.
For more great brunch recipes—and countless other delicious meals—check out Minute Rice’s recipe page.
Brunch FAQs with Minute® Rice
Q: Can I make brunch recipes with Minute® Rice Cups?
A: Yes! Minute® Rice Cups are perfect for brunch dishes like rice waffles, mini pancake stacks, or individual egg bakes. They’re pre-portioned and ready in 1 minute, helping you whip up brunch faster.
Q: What’s the best Minute® Rice for a brunch casserole?
A: Minute® Instant Jasmine Rice is a great choice for savory brunch casseroles thanks to its aromatic flavor and fluffy texture. For a heartier, whole grain option, try Minute® Brown Rice & Quinoa Cups.
Q: Can rice replace hash browns or bread in brunch recipes?
A: Definitely! Rice can add texture and a nutritional boost to traditional brunch dishes. For example, Minute® Rice can be turned into rice pancakes, crispy rice waffles, or even used to make rice-based crusts for egg bakes.
Q: Are Minute® Rice brunch recipes good for meal prepping?
A: Absolutely. Many of our brunch recipes can be made ahead and reheated, making them ideal for prepping before a busy weekend or holiday brunch.
Q: How do I create a well-rounded brunch with rice?
A: Pair rice-based mains with lighter sides like fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or smoothies. Rice adds a filling, versatile base to brunch menus while balancing well with sweet or savory flavors.
