Fun Weekend Breakfast Ideas

Nothing says weekend like a warm stack of pancakes and maple syrup, and this version from Karina at Cafe Delites is the perfect way to shower your family with love. Even better, they're easy to make, so you can either delegate and sit back and enjoy, or have your kids cook right alongside you.

Karina calls this a no-fail weekend recipe. "Every single Sunday begins with pancakes and ends with leftover pancakes from the morning," the Canadian food blogger wrote. "These are everything you want in a pancake. They’re soft and so fluffy, each mouthful melts in your mouth. You’ll be reaching for more than one."

If you're looking for gluten-free pancakes to wow your family this weekend, a Dutch baby pancake is the way to go! The Dutch baby, or German pancake, is a cross between a regular pancake and a popover and makes quite the impression on your breakfast table.

The trick to a perfect Dutch baby is to be sure your eggs and milk are both room temperature and your pan is hot; master that, and you'll have this gorgeous,gluten-free pancake breakfast on the table in about 30 minutes.

The classic English muffin pizza is a kid-friendly breakfast perfect for busy weekend mornings. Start by toasting English muffin halves and slicing hard-cooked eggs that you prep the night before.

Place the muffin halves on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil or spread with whipped butter. Next, layer tomato slices, egg slices, a little grated mozzarella or vegan cheese, and a sprinkling of kosher salt on each half. Then broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Whether you're looking for egg alternatives because inflation has got you down, or you prefer plant-based or vegan breakfast recipes, you don't have to give up on your favorites. With so many plant-based alternatives on the market, it's easier than ever to re-create some of your favorite vegan and vegetarian meals.

Try using an egg substitute like JUST Egg, made from mung bean protein, to re-create your favorite breakfast options like omelettes, egg sandwiches, and quiches.

If you like breakfast casseroles or are looking for a fun weekend breakfast recipe that's low on carbs, a crustless quiche is the perfect solution.

Kat Jeter and Melinda Caldwell share low-carb recipes on their site, Homemade Interest, and at just 5 carbs per serving, this Keto Ham and Cheese Crustless Quiche is ideal for those looking to stay below 20-50 net carbs per day.

"This easy keto quiche is a great way to start your day without all of the carbs. We skip the pie crust and whisk together a mixture of eggs and heavy cream before pouring it over cheese, ham, and broccoli and bake it into a fluffy, flavorful, ham and cheese quiche," the duo explain.

If there's one thing most toddlers have in common, it's that they often don't care to sit for long periods of time. This can make having a leisurely family breakfast at home a bit challenging.

Rather than trying to corral tiny humans, create easy grab-and-go breakfast items for the littles so that adults and older children can enjoy a fun weekend breakfast without interruption. Toddlers are typically grazers, so "bento box" breakfasts they can come back to while they're playing work best. Another option is to layer yogurt, fruit, and cereal in a plastic cup for a healthful breakfast parfait, or serve mini rolls as breakfast sliders for little hands to grab and go.

If, however, you're a stickler for rules (clearly, I am not), those options may not work for your family. Registered dietitian Kacie Barnes isn't a fan of grazing toddlers and suggests limiting snacks throughout the day.

"As much as possible, offer meals and snacks sitting down. Having kids sit at the kitchen table or in designated spots signals to them that it’s time to eat," Barnes wrote. "I know this can be tough for snacks becaise they often need to be eaten on the go or between activities, and that’s PL. But whenever you can, try to prioritize serving a snack in the same way you would a meal."

As they say, "your mileage may vary" (YMMV) and after 20-something years of parenting, I've learned to pick my battles; mealtime is not one of them.

A store-bought smoothie pack adds something special to this frosty take on a traditional bowl of cereal. To a blender, add 1 cup of coconut water, a cup of frozen mixed berries, a frozen banana, and a frozen acai smoothie pack and blend until smooth. Place the acai mixture into a serving bowl or cup and top with fresh fruit, granola, your favorite nut butter, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of honey.

If the whole family is home on the weekend, consider creating a breakfast bar filled with a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their own acai bowl. One thing to note: While acai bowls are considered a healthy breakfast, the sugar content can add up, so be mindful of toppings, especially if glycemic index is a concern.

Breakfast casseroles are a tried-and-true traditional weekend breakfast and can be made sweet, savory, or everything in between. What's even better is that you can prep them the night before so you can just pop everything in the oven the next morning and relax with family while it cooks.

Some fun weekend breakfast casserole ideas include:

• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Apple Fritter Breakfast Casserole
• Loaded Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
• Easy Make-ahead Breakfast Casserole

If you've got a little extra time on the weekend and want to really impress the family, this Bananas Foster French Toast Recipe from Jenn Arvizu is a way to uplevel an already amazing breakfast option.