Even if brunch is closer to lunchtime for you, few of us are eager to roll out of bed before the sun to start cooking for a host of people. Fortunately, there’s a host of options for offloading most of the workload onto the night before so you can sleep in and serve your guests an incredible meal too.
Pumpkin Overnight Waffles
If you’ve got guests coming for brunch, you don’t have time to mix up waffle batter...unless you do it the night before. These yeasted waffles will be ready to go when your iron is.
View recipe »Overnight Recipes
From breakfast casseroles to waffle batter, many recipes can be set up the night before so all you have to do is wake up and bake them off.
- Waffles that use yeast as a rising agent need to rest overnight, and they’ve got the best flavor and lightest texture. You can’t go wrong.
- Steel-cut oats are the most delicious oatmeal to make for guests, but they can take an eternity to cook…unless you use an overnight method.
Marinades
If you’ve got a night to spare between you and a meal, you aren’t going to get better flavor than a solid marinade will offer.
- Proteins, especially vegetarian options, are never more delicious than with a good, long marination. This tempeh bacon would be awesome marinated for a whole night.
- Grain salads, which are great for brunch, will soak up flavors best with an overnight soak in their dressing. Grain salads can include veggies or fruit…or both.
DIY Bars
Whether you’re offering a smoothie bar, and omelet buffet, or a burrito board, anything that requires a host of toppings can be prepped the night before.
- Hard veggies like onions and peppers will keep beautifully if you cut them even a day in advance.
- Commonly refrigerated toppings like cheese and sliced meat will keep pre-chopped no problem, just keep in mind that time spent on the counter during prep counts against the time they can spend at room temp.
- Save anything soft or that browns easily to prep right before guests arrive.
Last week’s tip: Brunch: What Belongs?
Next week’s tip: Lazy Morning Brunch