Lazy Mornings, Hearty Bites: Brunch Recipes to Brighten Your Day

brunch

Brunch isn’t just a meal—it’s a mood. It’s the joy of sleeping in, then waking up to something comforting, flavorful, and effortlessly satisfying. Whether you’re a toast-and-coffee kind of person or someone who likes to tuck into a spicy dosa or something sweet with a chilled shake on the side, this roundup has you covered.

We’ve curated a list of brunch-friendly Indian recipes—both traditional and creative twists—that are perfect for weekends, holidays, or anytime you want to treat yourself right.

Sandwiches & Toasts

Warm, crisp, and generously stuffed, these sandwiches deliver flavor and comfort in every bite.

Veg Cheese Toasties

A plate with golden brown toasted sandwiches, ready to eat
A plate with golden brown toasted sandwiches, ready to eat

Crunchy bread, melted cheese, sautéed veggies, and mild spice—this one’s a childhood favorite that works every time.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Finished sandwich served on a plate
Finished sandwich served on a plate

Juicy grilled chicken layered with lettuce, spicy mayo, and onions. It’s high in protein, satisfying, and perfect with masala chai.

Corn Mayo Sandwich

A crispy grilled sandwich served on a plate with a side of ketchup
A crispy grilled sandwich served on a plate with a side of ketchup

Sweet corn kernels mixed with creamy mayonnaise, herbs, and black pepper. It’s no-cook, easy, and ideal when you’re low on time.

Bombay Sandwich

Golden brown sandwich being flipped
Golden brown sandwich being flipped

A quintessential Mumbai street-side delight—layers of boiled potatoes, beets, cucumber, and mint chutney inside buttered bread. Grill it or enjoy it cold.

Masala Egg Bread Toast

Masala egg toast served on a plate with chutney
Masala egg toast served on a plate with chutney

This isn’t your average egg toast. Whisked eggs with onions, chilies, and coriander are poured over bread on a hot pan. Spicy, crispy, and great with ketchup.

Ghughra Sandwich

Golden brown sandwich cut into halves.
Golden brown sandwich cut into halves.

A flaky, indulgent sandwich that feels like brunch and a baked snack rolled into one. It’s filled with savory-spiced cheese or mashed potatoes.

Dosas, Chillas & Parathas

The soul of a South or North Indian brunch. These dishes fill you up without slowing you down.

Egg Dosa

A plate of crispy egg dosa
A plate of crispy egg dosa

Crack an egg over dosa while it cooks, sprinkle some masala, and watch it puff up golden and delicious. Serve with coconut chutney.

Banana Dosa

Freshly made banana dosas on a plate, garnished with coconut
Freshly made banana dosas on a plate, garnished with coconut

Soft, naturally sweet, and fermented-free. These dosas are perfect for toddlers or those craving a light, sweet bite.

Soft Bun Dosa

Enjoy the dosa warm with chutney or sambar.
Enjoy the dosa warm with chutney or sambar.

Thicker than regular dosas with a pillowy texture. Great with spicy chutney or podi.

Set Dosa

Serving hot set dosa
Serving hot set dosa

Mild and spongy, they come in a set of three and soak up gravies beautifully. Often paired with kurma or vegetable sagu.

Tomato Dosa

A plate of crispy dosa with chutney
A plate of crispy dosa with chutney

Bright red with pureed tomatoes and spices mixed into the batter. No fermentation required, and it cooks crisp.

Mixed Vegetable Paratha

Plated paratha with sides
Plated paratha with sides

This all-in-one meal is packed with grated carrots, cabbage, and potatoes. Flavorful and nutrient-rich.

Aloo Paratha

Aloo Paratha
Aloo Paratha

Classic Punjabi brunch fare. Crisp outside, soft inside, and absolutely divine with curd and pickle.

Masala Paratha

Masala paratha served with raita
Masala paratha served with raita

Dry spices kneaded into the dough. It’s a quick fix when you don’t want to prepare a filling.

Liquid Dough Masala Paratha

Freshly cooked paratha served with a side of curd and pickle.
Freshly cooked paratha served with a side of curd and pickle.

No rolling here—just pour the spiced batter on a hot tawa and cook like a dosa. Time-saving and tasty.

Paneer Stuffed Moong Dal Chilla

Paneer stuffed chilla served with green chutney
Paneer stuffed chilla served with green chutney

Savory pancakes made with soaked moong dal and filled with spiced paneer. High-protein and deliciously filling.

Besan Ka Chilla

Plate of chilla with chutneys
Plate of chilla with chutneys

Gram flour pancakes that are gluten-free, fiber-rich, and super customizable. Add spinach or grated carrots to level it up.

Light Meals & Quick Savories

For when you’re not too hungry but still need something tasty. These are perfect for a slow brunch spread.

Healthy Oats Paniyaram

Freshly cooked paniyarams served on a plate
Freshly cooked paniyarams served on a plate

Wholesome and crispy, these bite-sized paniyarams are made with oats, curd, and veggies. Great for kids and adults alike.

Sabudana Vada

Sabudana vadas served on a plate with chutney
Sabudana vadas served on a plate with chutney

Crisp on the outside, soft inside. These vadas made with tapioca pearls and peanuts are iconic fasting snacks—but perfect for brunch too.

Maddur Vada

A plate of golden brown Maddur Vadas served with chutney
A plate of golden brown Maddur Vadas served with chutney

Karnataka’s signature vada. Flattened, onion-heavy, and addictively crunchy.

Corn Cutlet

Crispy corn cutlets served with ketchup
Crispy corn cutlets served with ketchup

Sweet corn, mashed potatoes, green chilies, and a crispy crust. These shallow-fried cutlets are light yet flavorful.

Chilli Bread

A plate of spicy chilli bread garnished with fresh herbs
A plate of spicy chilli bread garnished with fresh herbs

Leftover bread never had it so good. Tossed with spices, onions, and capsicum in a tangy tomato base—spicy and snacky.

Kalathappam

A plate of soft and spongy kalathappam
A plate of soft and spongy kalathappam

A rice flour and jaggery cake from Kerala. It’s dense, mildly sweet, and unique in flavor and texture.

Khara Bath

Garnishing the dish with coconut and herbs
Garnishing the dish with coconut and herbs

A savory version of rava bath with added veggies and masala. Great with coconut chutney.

Banarasi Chura Matar

A plate of chura matar garnished with coriander
A plate of chura matar garnished with coriander

A winter breakfast staple in Varanasi—flattened rice tossed with green peas, chilies, and a hint of garam masala. Light, yet memorable.

Egg Bites

Freshly cooked egg bites on a plate, ready to eat
Freshly cooked egg bites on a plate, ready to eat

Mini egg muffins loaded with veggies and cheese. Baked and super brunch-appropriate.

Ragi Upma

Hot ragi upma ready to be served
Hot ragi upma ready to be served

A healthy twist on the traditional upma. Finger millet adds a nutty flavor and tons of fiber.

Chettinad Rangoon Puttu

Warm Chettinad Rangoon Puttu ready to be served.
Warm Chettinad Rangoon Puttu ready to be served.

A spiced puttu variation with fiery Chettinad flavors. Serve with banana or spicy kadala curry.

Brunch Desserts & Sweets

Brunch is the perfect excuse to treat yourself. These desserts are light enough for mid-morning, yet satisfying.

Fruit Cake

Sliced cake showing dried fruit inside
Sliced cake showing dried fruit inside

Moist, tender, and full of dried fruits. Enjoy it with hot tea.

Eggless Brownie

A plate of freshly cut brownies ready to be served
A plate of freshly cut brownies ready to be served

Fudgy and rich without eggs. Ideal for those who love chocolate but prefer plant-based bakes.

Eggless Mug Cake

Finished chocolate mug cake with toppings
Finished chocolate mug cake with toppings

In a rush? This single-serve dessert takes less than 2 minutes in the microwave.

Banana Ada

a freshly steamed banana ada
a freshly steamed banana ada

Steamed banana parcels filled with jaggery and coconut. A traditional Kerala sweet, perfect with chai.

Dry Fruit Ladoo

Finished ladoos ready to eat
Finished ladoos ready to eat

Naturally sweetened with dates and loaded with nuts. High-energy and mess-free.

Rava Kesari

Cashews, raisins, and cardamom powder added to Kesari
Cashews, raisins, and cardamom powder added to Kesari

Semolina, sugar, and ghee come together in this quick, saffron-hued delight.

Rava Coconut Ladoo

Freshly made rava ladoos on a plate
Freshly made rava ladoos on a plate

Soft, sweet, and made in minutes. Great for prepping ahead of time.

Peanut Ladoo

A plate filled with freshly made peanut ladoos
A plate filled with freshly made peanut ladoos

Roasted peanuts and jaggery rolled into chewy, nutty laddoos. High in protein and iron.

Coffee Pudding

Chocolate shavings on top of pudding
Chocolate shavings on top of pudding

Rich, creamy, and just enough bitterness to balance a sweet brunch spread.

Coconut Therattipal

Finished coconut therattipal in a bowl, ready to serve
Finished coconut therattipal in a bowl, ready to serve

A southern take on condensed milk halwa with coconut and jaggery. Deeply satisfying.

Drinks & Smoothies

Brunch isn’t complete without a refreshing drink to wash it all down. From cool shakes to traditional sarbaths, there’s something for everyone.

Kulukki Sarbath

Open glass of Kulukki Sarbath with condensation
Open glass of Kulukki Sarbath with condensation

A Kerala special—shaken lemonade with green chilies, basil seeds, and crushed ice. Tangy and spicy.

Muskmelon Falooda

Chopped nuts garnishing the muskmelon falooda
Chopped nuts garnishing the muskmelon falooda

Sweet basil seeds, vermicelli, milk, and muskmelon cubes. Textural and cooling.

Royal Falooda

Fresh fruit pieces being added to the glass
Fresh fruit pieces being added to the glass

Rose syrup, ice cream, sabja, and vermicelli. Dessert in a glass!

Mango Milkshake

Mango pieces, sugar, and milk in a blender jar
Mango pieces, sugar, and milk in a blender jar

A summer classic. Use ripe Alphonsos for that rich, buttery finish.

Banana Milkshake

A tall glass filled with fresh banana milkshake, garnished with cinnamon
A tall glass filled with fresh banana milkshake, garnished with cinnamon

Simple, creamy, and naturally sweet. Add honey or cardamom if you like.

Dates Milkshake

A glass of garnished dates milkshake
A glass of garnished dates milkshake

Energy-boosting and nutrient-rich, it’s like a brunch and dessert in one.

Banana Dates Milkshake

A beautifully garnished banana dates milkshake ready to be served
A beautifully garnished banana dates milkshake ready to be served

Thicker, more filling, and perfect for post-workout brunches.

Carrot Milkshake

Chilled carrot milkshake in a glass
Chilled carrot milkshake in a glass

Surprisingly delicious. Adds a fresh flavor and subtle sweetness.

Mocha Chocolate Milkshake

A glass of mocha shake ready to drink
A glass of mocha shake ready to drink

Your favorite coffee and dessert combo, chilled and indulgent.

Cold Cocoa Milkshake

A glass of cold cocoa topped with grated chocolate
A glass of cold cocoa topped with grated chocolate

Cocoa powder, sugar, chilled milk—minimal ingredients, maximum satisfaction.

Pista Badam Milkshake

A glass filled with pista badam milkshake, garnished with nuts
A glass filled with pista badam milkshake, garnished with nuts

Rich, nutty, and high in protein. Soak the nuts overnight for best texture.

Mango Vanilla Milkshake

A person holding a glass of mango milkshake
A person holding a glass of mango milkshake

A twist on the classic mango shake with a hint of vanilla that makes it extra indulgent.

About Author

Hema Subramanian

I love sharing simple and delicious recipes. Cooking is my passion, and I enjoy creating and sharing recipes that anyone can make.

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