How to Create a Plant Based Brunch Board

So you’re scrolling the interwebs for the perfect idea for your next brunch party. You want something that’ll impress both the plant-based eaters and the omnis. But you also want something you can prepare ahead of time. No one wants to babysit food while the party’s going. And then you see it. The clouds part, angels sing, and an absolutely stunning plant based brunch board appears.

A plant based brunch board is just what it sounds like: a platter of yummy breakfast and lunch options guests can ogle and devour at their leisure. It’s a beautiful blend of the casual and the impressive. And it’s just the ticket for your next daytime party. Oh, and did someone say Mother’s Day? That was us, we said it. This brunch board is perfect for treating the mother figure in your life. 

The basics: how to create a plant based brunch board

The premise is simple enough. You gather a selection of brunch staples, add in fruit, do-it-yourself components like breads and spreads and finish it up with a smattering of toppings, extras, and condiments. Arrange everything, pop it on the table, set out some juice or coffee (or a pitcher of mimosas if you get down like that), and you’re good to go. 

What to put on your plant based brunch board

We have some ideas and recipes to help get you started. You can pick a few items from each category or keep it simple and only choose three items total. We suggest incorporating different flavors and textures, as well as a balance between fresh and cooked items to keep things interesting. Your plant based brunch board will be delicious no matter what.

The best fruit for a plant based brunch board

Gather up fresh fruits varying in color and flavor. Go for what’s in season if you can. We love strawberries, mango, kiwi, oranges, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple, and different colors of grapes. Apples and bananas have their place on the brunch board, but you’ll want to cut and assemble those last. Adding something unusual or interesting like dates, figs or even lychees can add visual appeal. 

Whole food plant based brunch staples

Choose just a couple of these staples. They’re the backbone of your board and what your guests will surely remember most.

We used Gluten-Free Quiche Florentine and Coconut Vanilla Granola on our beautiful brunch board. Check out these other options to make your board shine. 

• Banana Walnut Muffins
• Gluten Free Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
• Berry Scones with Lemon Hibiscus Cashew Cream
• Classic Banana Bread
• Ginger Peach Baked Oatmeal

If you’re a member of Clean Food Dirty Girl, here are some other fun ideas:

• Creamy Grits with Breakfast Beans & Peppers
• Bacony Pancakes
• Apple-berry Oats Brunch Bake

Tofu scrambles

Tofu scrambles are a yummy treat for the egg-lover in your life. Kala namak, or black salt, provides an eggy flavor to tofu, whose soft texture is colored beautifully by turmeric. 

Try our Scrambled Tofu on Toast or, for Clean Food Dirty Girl members, Savory Tofu Scramble, and Herbed Mushroom Tofu Scramble.

Fancy toast, bagels, or English muffins

Yep, toast can be fancy and we can prove it! Serve these a la carte, with the toppings available on the brunch board and bread for toasting on the side. Guests can assemble however they please. Peanut Butter Papaya Toast, Sweet & Salty Breakfast Toast, or Fancy Toast with tahini, coconut, and blueberries are all great.

Options for members include Bagels with Garlic Chive Cream Cheese, Carrot Lox and Seedy Sprinkle, and a Bomb-diggity Breakfast Bagel-wich. Yum.

Sauces and spreads perfect for a plant based bunch board 

If you’re short on time or energy, pick up some sauces and spreads from your grocery store. But if you have the time and want to try making your own, you might be surprised by what delicious dips and spreads you can create without any dairy, oil, or highly processed sugars.

This Garlic and Chive Cashew Cream Cheese or this Super Simple Chia Berry Spread are both super delicious.

On our brunch board, we made the Very Berry Jam from Clean Food Dirty Girl. Another member option is this yummy Lemon Blueberry Cashew Spread.

Don’t forget the extras

These items are more like toppings or accompaniments for your guests to build the brunch plate of their dreams. Here are some ideas.

• Dried fruit
• Bread, bagels, or waffles
• Plant based pastries
• Maple syrup
• Nuts
• Nut or seed butters

How to create a plant based brunch board: putting it together

The beauty of this board is that you can prepare things ahead of time. We suggest making cooked items one to two days beforehand. For items you’ll need to reheat, pop them all on the same sheet pan and warm in the oven while arranging the rest of the board before your guests arrive. Don’t sweat the temperature (see what we did there?). Heating around 350ºF for 10–15 minutes works well for most things; just check after 5 minutes.

Wash your fruit the day before and lay out your knife and cutting board before going to bed so you’re ready to assemble your brunch board the next day.

You can even arrange the refrigerated items that won’t need reheating together on the brunch board the night before and loosely wrap it before droping the whole thing in the fridge. Pull it out about 20 minutes before guests arrive to knock the chill off. We don’t recommend pre-slicing fruit that will dry out or brown overnight, like oranges, apples, or bananas.

For items that some may prefer toasted, like bread or English muffins, keep things simple and put your toaster out where guests can access it. They can serve themselves and dial up their perfect level of toastiness. Better yet, if you have a small toaster oven, leave it accessible for guests and you can skip reheating anything altogether. Win!

Tips for arranging an eye-catching plant based brunch board 

We eat with our eyes first and half the fun of this board is how gorgeous it is. Here are our tips for getting an Instagram worthy brunch board. Be sure to consider color and size when placing items—contrast is key.

1. First, find a large, flat platter or decorative cutting board. Pro tip: line a serving tray with parchment paper like we did for maximum space.
2. Start with your staples or larger items that will take up the most room.
3. Put spreads and sauces in small bowls and place in a few spots not too close to each other.
4. Arrange larger fruit around the space you have left. We like to use the same fruit in multiple places for fun visual interest.
5. Fill in gaps with loose nuts, granola, or smaller items like berries and dried fruit.
6. Tuck in a flower or two or a small vase of flowers as a finishing touch.

Time to create your own plant based brunch board

Now go out and conquer brunch! Use our suggestions or create something completely your own. There’s no wrong way to brunch board. 

And don’t forget that entertaining is supposed to be fun. If something is stressing you out, it’s absolutely okay to rethink or switch things up to make things easier. If you can’t make every everything from scratch, that’s perfectly alright. You got this.

Have you created a plant based brunch board? Tell us all about it in the comments below. If you’re looking for a more savory board for lunch or dinner entertaining, you’ll love our Plant Based Charcuterie Board Inspiration post.

Intrigued by the selections here from Clean Food Dirty Girl? Become a member to get access to thousands of oh-so-tasty plant-based recipes instantly. You’ll wonder what took you so long.

Your brunch board awaits.

Xo
Team Dirty