11. Caballeros Pobres (Bread Pudding with Cinnamon-Pecan Syrup)
Think of this Mexican bread pudding-like baked French toast with a bit of Latin American flair. Start with a whole-wheat baguette instead of white bread to add more nutrition to this healthy brunch idea. Then serve it with fruit plus a side of this stellar sauce: Cinnamon, cloves, crunchy walnuts, raisins, and piloncillo (AKA panela, a raw form of pure cane sugar commonly used in Central and Latin America) team up for a syrup that’s unlike anything you’ll find on supermarket shelves. “So good… Couldn’t stop eating it,” one BH&G fan raves.
12. Pumpkin Pancakes
Here’s a bright idea: Add a scoop of canned pumpkin for loads of moisture, natural sweetness, and satisfying autumnal flavor in a classic pancake batter. (It’s a good source of fiber, iron, and vitamin A, too!) With a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, the pumpkin makes this one of our favorite healthy brunch recipe ideas come fall—or any time of year.