These hearty dishes will lure Dad out of bed in no time at all.
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Does Dad prefer sweet or savory? Does he brunch at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.? Does he drink coffee, tea, or green juice? No matter his predilections, you're sure to find recipes here to include as part of his special Father's Day brunch. For the dad who loves a spread complete with meaty options (think bacon or even pork chops with a bourbon glaze), we have mouthwateringly delicious ideas. And if your father doesn't eat meat, you'll be pleased to know there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly recipes here, from egg-heavy entrées, carb-centric dishes, and even a few vegetable-forward choices. One of our favorites in this category is the Pear-and-Raspberry Baked French Toast pictured here. We bet dad would like this decadent brunch entrée, too.
If your dad is crazy about eggs, it's up to you to decide how you'll serve them—we have recipes that pair the breakfast staple with bacon, in sandwiches, with grits, and prepared every which way from scrambled to poached to baked to omelets. They're also an essential ingredient in other all-time favorite breakfast and brunch dishes such as French toast, pancakes, and waffles. Any of these would make a super brunch main dish for the father in your life.
And while we're moving into sweeter territory, how about making cinnamon buns for Dad? Show your love by making him some irresistible yeasted morning rolls—they could become a new family tradition, they're that good. For a stellar ending to brunch, we suggest slicing into a berry-studded bourbon cake. If you figure it's best to finish with something a tad healthier, try whipped yogurt and fresh fruit, which we consider an update on ambrosia.
As this is brunch, not breakfast, so in addition to his favorite morning drink, do don't forget to round out the meal with a festive brunch cocktail.
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Steak and Eggs
Now here's a celebratory dish to set before your dad! Our easy take on the diner classic uses flank steak and finishes this feast with a scallion relish.
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Easy Eggs Benedict
Sure, our riff on the ultimate brunch dish is a cinch to make but dad will never know. He'll be too busy enjoying the rich Hollandaise-poached egg-English muffin combo.
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One-Bowl Buttermilk Waffles
They're easy to make and they're totally delicious. Dad will love a stack of these buttermilk waffles topped with Brown-Sugar Bananas and Toasted Walnuts in Syrup
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Sheet Pan Vegetable Hash with Eggs
Hearty, colorful, and healthy, this one-pan brunch recipe is sure to delight everyone at the table. Serve it as the main event or to go with brunch steak or sausages.
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Cheesy Spinach-Potato Egg Casserole
There's so much to love about this special brunch casserole; it's make-ahead, crowd-friendly, gluten-free, and vegetarian. What's more, it's all made in one dish so it's extra easy on the cook.
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Dutch Baby with Ham and Chives
He'll be impressed by the look of this soufflé-like, puffed-up pancake, but he'll also love how it tastes, especially when it's served hot from the oven with plenty of ham on top.
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Gordon's Breakfast Cocktail
A lively sip, Dad is sure to appreciate this classic gin drink that's a lighter, brighter alternative to a Bloody Mary. It packs a refreshing savory punch thanks to fresh jalapeños and mint.
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Sardou-Style Eggs
This riff on the New Orleans original tops roasted artichoke bottoms with creamed collard greens and poached eggs. Serve with biscuits for mopping up every last bite of this rich concoction.
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Baked Stuffed French Toast
Because this make-ahead dish is both sweet and savory, all you'll need to round out the meal is a crisp salad and a light yet festive dessert. (Oh, and maybe a cocktail, too.)
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Black-Pepper Biscuits with Sorghum
Hot biscuits drizzled with sorghum syrup are a Southern tradition. These buttermilk biscuits are flecked with freshly ground peppercorns for a manly bite that will make Dad's mouth water.
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Bourbon-Glazed Smoked Pork Chops
Make Dad's dreams come true by serving him smoked pork glazed with bourbon for breakfast.
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Creole Coffee Punch
Blending slightly bitter chicory root with coffee has been a New Orleans tradition since the Civil War. Here, chicory coffee is blended with rum-based orange liqueur and sweetened condensed milk for a cup of joe that packs a punch.
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Blueberry-Cornmeal Pancakes
Buttermilk makes these pancakes tender and moist, while cornmeal adds a subtle crunch. Sprinkle fresh blueberries over the batter after you ladle it onto the griddle, and serve stacks of hot pancakes with orange-maple butter.
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Sunny Mary
The pickling liquid from jarred peperoncini provides the ideal kick of heat in this golden version of the Mary, made with yellow tomatoes.
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Apple-Pecan Pull-Apart Rolls
Show him your love by making these marvelous morning buns from scratch.
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Savory French-Toast BLT
What's better than delicious French toast served at a Father's Day brunch? A French toast sandwich with bacon. Dad will be in heaven with this extra-rich take on the BLT.
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Spinach-and-Fontina Strata
Prepare this savory bread pudding the night before you plan to serve it; the bread will soak up the ingredients and bake up creamy and golden. Young fontina from Northern Italy, a superb melting cheese, adds lushness and a little tang to the dish.
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Chorizo, Potato, and Egg Tacos
Packed with spicy sausage, these tacos make an easy, hearty brunch for a crowd. Simply set out a stack of warm tortillas, salsa, and sour cream (or Mexican crema) and let everyone serve themselves.
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Beans on Toast with Crisp Bacon and Eggs
We ditch the canned beans in favor of a homemade batch slowly simmered with aromatics in this upgrade on a British favorite. Crisp, garlicky bits of bacon and sunny egg yolk mingle with the beans and pan-fried slabs of rustic bread for a supremely satisfying brunch.
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Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich, New York City Deli-Style
A chewy toasted bagel encloses fried eggs, melted American or cheddar cheese, and crisp-fried slices of bacon in this hearty brunchwich.
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Cinnamon-Streusel Coffee Cake
Meaning "something strewn" in Old German, streusel is easy to throw together—and then to throw on top of this moist sour cream cake.
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Double Pork Sausage
Bacon or sausage? Dad doesn't have to choose when you wrap breakfast links in strips of bacon and bake until perfectly browned.
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Bacon Pancakes
Buttermilk pancakes embedded with bacon and drizzled with pure maple syrup satisfy both the sweet and savory senses.
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Peanut Butter Waffles
Peanut butter lovers, rejoice: The good stuff is mixed right into the waffle batter for a great start to the day. Top with bananas, strawberry jam, chocolate ice cream—or all three!
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Baked Eggs and Grits
Tangy cheddar cheese and peppery arugula add zest to this down-home brunch dish.