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Having a gluten-free brunch can be difficult when so many brunch favorites usually contain gluten.
Usually, I like to have brunch with friends and family on the weekend or when traveling. Both of which, can make things tricky because on the weekend, restaurants are busy and when traveling, I’m often trying to combat celiac burnout.
The good news is that there are many foods you can enjoy that are gluten-free. In this post, we’ll be talking about what brunch foods commonly contain gluten, what restaurants may serve gluten-free brunch in the USA, plus 25+ recipes to make yourself.
That’s a lot so let’s get started!
When talking about eating gluten-free brunch, we need to first know what brunch is. Brunch, as defined by Dictionary.com, is a meal consumed later in the morning that takes the place of both breakfast and lunch.
Because brunch is often a substitute for breakfast and lunch, the food that is served during this meal is often a mix between traditional breakfast and lunch foods. Many of which contain gluten. These foods include waffles, pancakes, sandwiches, toast, bagels, donuts, meat, and more.
Understanding the difference between brunch and breakfast is important when having a conversation about gluten-free brunch.
Generally, as a dietitian who lives with celiac and specializes in it, I much prefer my clients to have breakfast and lunch instead of brunch. This is because 2 large meals instead of 3 meals can impact blood sugars, pooping habits, hormones, and the movement of your digestive tract.
I talk more about why Breakfast is important in general and for people with celiac disease in my Gluten-Free Breakfast post. However, having Brunch is better than not eating at all until Dinner and I think the social aspect of Brunch is important to balance into your lifestyle as well.
Now that we know what brunch is, we need to know what gluten is, in order to be on the same page when we’re talking about a gluten-free brunch. Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye, contaminated oats, and wheat. It may be helpful to remember the acronym “BROW” when trying to remember what foods have gluten.
In baked goods, gluten holds things together working as a binding agent. It gives texture and chew to foods.
Most people can safely eat gluten. However, some people have gluten sensitivity or celiac disease which means they need to avoid gluten. It can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and nausea as well as nonintestinal symptoms such as rashes, headaches, or joint pain.
Gluten-free brunch foods are important for people who need to avoid gluten. Unfortunately, many brunch foods commonly contain gluten. These foods include:
There are many other brunch foods that are not gluten-free. So when evaluating the safety of what you’re eating for brunch, always check the ingredients. This means if you’re in a grocery store, read the food label. And if you’re dining out, ask about what is used to make the dish or drink you’re considering.
Now that we know what brunch is, is it possible to order a gluten-free brunch at a restaurant? Ordering brunch with celiac disease at restaurants can be stressful. Especially when so many brunch foods contain gluten.
So let’s talk about what to watch out for when dining out for your mid-morning meal. Plus, I’ll be sharing a few places you might be able to stop in at.
When ordering gluten-free brunch at restaurants, you’ll want to check two things. First, the ingredients of the food you want to order, and second, the way the food is made in order to avoid cross-contact with gluten.
Some questions you may want to ask include:
Please note: this is not an all-inclusive list but is here to help you get started in evaluating the safety of food at restaurants for yourself.
For a more extensive list of questions to ask when ordering breakfast, and when ordering at 40 other USA restaurants and cuisines, check out my Gluten-Free Dining Course. Where I not only have cross-contact cheat sheets and scripts to simplify dining out safely… but I also teach and help you practice dining out safely in just 4 steps.
Ordering a gluten-free brunch at a restaurant after asking the proper questions might look like “Hi, please let the chef know I have a severe allergy to gluten. Please ask the kitchen to change their gloves when cooking my food and can I get a bowl of fresh fruit, plain beans, and plain diced potatoes cooked in a freshly washed pan? Can I also get a Mimosa?”
This is just an example script of how you might order and it will likely change depending on how the restaurant answers your questions about the food.
Again, for more scripts like this and help with dining out, check out my Gluten-Free Dining Course. Where I teach and help you practice dining out safely in just 4 steps.
Ordering a gluten-free brunch at a restaurant after asking the proper questions might look like “Hi, please let the chef know I have a severe allergy to gluten. Please ask the kitchen to change their gloves when cooking my food and can I get a bowl of fresh fruit, plain beans, and plain diced potatoes cooked in a freshly washed pan? Can I also get a Mimosa?”
This is just an example script of how you might order and it will likely change depending on how the restaurant answers your questions about the food.
Again, for more scripts like this and help with dining out, check out my Gluten-Free Dining Course. Where I teach and help you practice dining out safely in just 4 steps.
IHOP has some gluten-free brunch options with various levels of risk when ordering. You can view their gluten-free menu here. As a celiac dietitian who tends to have quite severe and immediate reactions to gluten, I’ve been able to successfully order a fruit bowl, coffee, and slice of ham here for breakfast. But I must admit, this was quite a long time ago.
I’ve not tried to order their gluten-free pancakes or hashbrowns so I’m not sure how they’re made. However, the safety of these items relies on how they’re prepared and will likely rely on each location and their willingness to take cross-contact precautions or not. I would say it’s a higher-risk option but not impossible to dine at.
Denny’s has some gluten-free brunch options at their restaurants. Of course, these items come with varying levels of risk and skill required in order to order them safely.
Some low-risk options include their smoothies, where you can simply ask them to change their gloves and wash the blender before preparing your drink.
Higher-risk options that may require more cross-contact precautions and requests include eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, sausage, and more.
I can’t remember a time when I’ve ordered a gluten-free breakfast or brunch at Denny’s so I have no personal experience to draw from but like with any restaurant, the safety of these items relies on how they’re prepared and will likely rely on each location and their willingness to take cross-contact precautions or not.
While I’ve never dined at Bob Evans for gluten-free brunch, I’ve actually ordered gluten-free breakfast here a few times. The locations I’ve been to have been very accommodating when I’ve explained my needs to them. View their allergen menu which includes gluten here.
I’ve been able to get eggs and bacon cooked in a freshly washed pan, plus a fruit bowl successfully here without noticing any symptoms. Of course, even though I am symptomatic with celiac, whether I react or not should be taken with a grain of salt.
That said, remember the safety of these items relies on how they’re prepared and will likely rely on each location and their willingness to take cross-contact precautions or not.
The last place I’ll share that you can order gluten-free brunch at is First Watch. I’ve eaten here many times successfully, however, I haven’t been here specifically for brunch. The locations I’ve been to have had very accommodating staff. Check out their allergen guide here.
I ordered the Traditional Breakfast with no toast with no problems. The restaurant staff was very willing to take the requested precautions I asked for and always did a great job at answering my questions.
However, please keep in mind you may have different experiences based on the location, staff, and your own skill level. As always, assess suitability for yourself.
Whether you slept in and want to make a gluten-free brunch for the family, these 25 gluten-free brunch recipes gathered by Dietetic Intern, Jan Wasmuth, are here to help you get inspired!
First up on our list of 25 gluten-free brunch recipes are baked goods. Nothing screams brunch more than muffins, cinnamon rolls, scones, and more.
These Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins by Gluten-Free Baking are a celiac-safe spin on a well-loved muffin flavor. They are dense, while still being airy and soft.
The tops of the muffins are sprinkled with a bit of sugar, which adds the perfect crunch and compliments the tender texture of the muffin.
Pro-tip: You don’t have to stick to just blueberries for this recipe. This recipe has a couple of delicious variations. For a citrus flavor, add the fine zest of a lemon to the batter with the milk. If you prefer a nutty flavor and some additional crunch, lower the number of blueberries and add chopped walnuts right before you add the blueberries.
These Easy Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls by Mama Knows Gluten Free are the perfect fluffy, gooey cinnamon rolls for your gluten-free brunch. Using an all-purpose 1:1 gluten-free flour, the recipe is simple.
You can even prepare the cinnamon rolls the day before you plan to enjoy them and hold them unbaked in the fridge overnight. Or, you can freeze them unbaked or after they’ve baked and fully cooled. Either way, they’ll bake up beautifully!
Plus, this recipe can easily be adapted if you need it to be dairy-free. Substitute the milk for unsweetened almond or coconut milk and use dairy-free or vegan butter instead of regular butter. In place of the heavy whipping cream, use full-fat coconut milk, canned coconut cream, or unsweetened almond milk. Finally, use dairy-free cream cheese if you make the cream cheese frosting.
These Gluten-Free Cinnamon Scones with Maple Icing by the Bettered Blondie are soft with a chewy texture and topped with a sweet maple glaze. Using coconut milk, ghee, and coconut oil makes these scones dairy-free, too. The full-fat coconut milk is the key to flakey scones and chilled dough helps these scones keep a great shape and even bake in the oven.
To balance out these tender iced scones, serve them with a protein source, such as Gluten-Free Asparagus and Feta Fritatta. You could also make some Fried Eggs with Mushrooms and Onions. A refreshing glass of cow or soy milk is another great protein-packed addition to these sweet scones.
My Gluten-Free Buckwheat Coffee Cake is a great way to bake some whole grains into your gluten-free brunch. Made with gluten-free all-purpose flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, agave, butter, vanilla, milk, and lemon juice, this recipe whips up quite quickly.
Make this recipe dairy-free by swapping the milk for non-dairy milk. And you can use oil for the butter and a flax egg for the eggs to make it vegan.
These Easy Gluten-Free Banana Nut Muffins by What the Fork are ideal for when you have bananas that are sitting on the counter turning spotty.
These muffins are anything but dense… if you love moist, soft muffins, these are for you. You can easily leave out the nuts or choose a different nut if you prefer.
If you have leftovers, these muffins can be frozen once they are fully cool, providing a quick, delicious breakfast or snack for a future lazy day.
Whether eaten at brunch or another day, banana nut muffins are even better with a topping. Peanut butter is a classic addition to anything banana, but you could also go with Nutella.
And if you want to learn the crazy history behind bananas and celiac disease plus get 10 more gluten-free recipes to make with bananas, check out this post I wrote.
Now that we’ve got the baking out of the way, let’s talk about gluten-free brunch recipes you can make on the griddle. From pancakes to eggs, the griddle has a special role in making brunch.
These Fluffy Gluten-Free Pancakes by Gluten-Free Baking are super simple to make and taste amazing. This recipe is made by just mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl.
You don’t have to worry about whipping egg whites or adding buttermilk. A little salt, sugar, and vanilla extract bring out the flavor, while the texture remains light and fluffy.
These pancakes can be made egg-free by using an egg replacer or a flax egg. For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with dairy-free milk. For a fruity vibe, add blueberries. If you want a sweet treat, add chocolate chips. Either way, these pancakes are great served with sunny-side-up eggs for a boost of protein.
Looking for an even better pancake option for gluten-free brunch? Check out my Gluten-Free Ricotta Pancakes. I’ve never been a huge pancake fan but these Ricotta pancakes I made changed the game completely for me.
All you need is a gluten-free pancake mix, baking powder, milk, eggs, ricotta cheese, vanilla, and oil. Believe me, this recipe might even trick the most stubborn gluten-free food avoider into thinking it’s the real deal.
These Gluten-Free Belgian Waffles by Sweets & Thank You are a must-have at your next gluten-free brunch. They’re thick and fluffy. Using a deep waffle iron gives them deep crevices with a slightly crispy exterior and soft interior. Baking powder lifts the batter so that you get the thick Belgian waffle of your dreams. You can easily use dairy-free milk if you want dairy-free waffles.
The fun part of Belgian waffles is the endless options for toppings! You can stay traditional with pure maple syrup, powdered sugar, or berries with whipped cream. If you’re feeling adventurous, try bananas and peanut butter, fruit jam, chopped toasted nuts, chocolate hazelnut butter, mini chocolate chips, or even caramel-y buttermilk syrup.
This Gluten-Free French Toast by Saucy Kitchen is perfect for gluten-free brunch. It requires only 6 ingredients that you likely already have on hand. No matter your needs or preferences, you’ll love this French toast.
For a dairy-free version, use oil instead of butter and opt for dairy-free milk (make sure the bread you use is also dairy-free). For a crunchier version, add some gluten-free flour blend or dip each slice into finely chopped nuts of your choice.
You can use any type of gluten-free bread for this recipe but I suggest Schar gluten-free bread because it will add some extra gluten-free fiber to your meal.
Whether you prefer sweet or savory, these Gluten-Free Crepes from Mama Knows Gluten-Free have you covered when it comes to gluten-free brunch. This recipe is different from many crepe recipes in that it only requires a hand mixer.
Plus, refrigerating the batter for 1 hour keeps the crepes from tearing so they look beautiful when plated. For dairy-free crepes, use a dairy-free milk alternative and dairy-free butter.
There are so many ways to enjoy these as sweet crepes. Try them sprinkled with powdered sugar, topped with Nutella, stuffed with whipped cream and berries, or decorated with chocolate sauce.
If you want savory crepes, don’t add granulated sugar or vanilla extract. Instead, add a bit of salt and whatever herbs you prefer. Then, try them filled with scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage. You could even try them filled with melted cheese and mushrooms.
It wouldn’t be a gluten-free brunch without eggs! And yes, eggs are most definitely gluten-free, even if the chickens were fed gluten. So what can we make with them?
This Gluten-Free Veggie Basil Egg Scramble by Can Cook, Will Travel is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free brunch option. The recipe makes one serving, but you can easily multiply it by as many people as you are serving at your brunch.
It’s packed with delicious fresh vegetables, including zucchini, sweet pepper, and grape tomatoes. Basil, salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce add just enough flavor.
Try serving this egg scramble alongside homemade gluten-free toasted bread. Or, toss it over a bed of gluten-free breakfast potatoes. If you have extra vegetables, you can always get creative with additions like mushrooms, diced asparagus, etc.
This Gluten-Free Sausage Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole by Meaningful Eats is filled with juicy sausage and fresh veggies, perfect for gluten-free brunch. You can make this casserole dairy-free if you use dairy-free milk and vegan cheese.
This casserole can be made ahead. Simply prepare it, then refrigerate it overnight and bake it when you are ready.
Or, go ahead and bake it and still enjoy it the next day. Or, freeze it for up to 3 months, thaw it 24 hours, and then bake it. Any way you choose to make it, you’ll sit down to a warm and tasty dish.
This Gluten-Free Quiche by The Bojon Gourmet is the perfect savory entree for your brunch. The base of this quiche is a flakey and buttery gluten-fee curst. The custard filling gets amazing flavor from leeks, and is held together with spinach and eggs.
This recipe calls for a bit of gluten-free flour in the custard, which is the secret (along with a few other tips shared in the recipe) to a filling that sets up well and a crust that doesn’t get soggy (the flour helps to absorb the liquid from the veggies).
You can also switch up the filling to your preferences. Try a different cheese, such as fresh goat cheese, swiss, or sharp cheddar. Use plant-based cheese for a dairy-free quiche, along with full-fat coconut milk instead of milk and heavy cream and oil instead of butter.
This Gluten-Free Eggs Benedict and Hollandaise Sauce by The Spruce Eats is a great way to stay celiac-safe while enjoying this gluten-free brunch classic. Using olive oil instead of butter and canned light coconut milk instead of milk makes this recipe dairy-free, too.
Butter or oil, along with milk, makes the sauce creamy, while gluten-free flour thickens it just enough. Hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper give it just the right hint of citrus and tang.
The poached eggs balance out this dish with protein to keep you satisfied. Serve your eggs benedict with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice or your favorite brunch beverage.
These Gluten-Free Salmon Omelets with Creme Fraiche by Taste of Home is a scrumptious way to enjoy salmon for gluten-free brunch. This dish is enhanced by the grassy undertones and citrus vibe of the dill. Plus, you only need one pan and 20 minutes, from start to finish.
If you want to stick to simple, sour cream works perfectly in place of the creme fraiche. However, if you decide to try it, you’re in for a savory, creamy treat.
The salmon really adds to this omelet and makes it truly feel like a meal. It’s full of protein and satisfyingly filling. Still, it’s always great to pair an omelet with some gluten-free toast.
All your guests will be impressed with the easy dish that feels fancy. Even dairy-free brunch friends can enjoy this recipe if you use dairy-free butter and replace the cheese with vegan cheese.
Toast, sandwiches, and rolls are part of the tradition and should not be avoided with gluten-free brunch. While it can be hard to find comparable gluten-free versions of these gluten-filled foods, they really help make brunch.
These Gluten-Free Plain Bagels by Cupcakes & Kale Chips can be a great addition to your gluten-free brunch.
They are huge and fluffy with a soft yet chewy texture, just like a classic bakery bagel. They only require 7 simple ingredients. Boiling and baking these bagels makes them traditional New York Style bagels.
Although the recipe makes plain bagels, you can easily add additions to create your favorite flavors. Ideas include Everything bagels, cinnamon raisin, sesame seed, poppy seed, chocolate chip, asiago cheese, garlic & herb, and blueberry.
While bagels are great with just a spread of cream cheese, they can easily be upgraded to brunch status. You can use them to make all sorts of sandwiches. Try them with classic sausage, egg, and cheese. Or give them an upgrade by filling them with turkey & cheese, Caprese, chicken salad, or even BBQ pulled pork.
For my savory gluten-free brunch lovers, you’ll want to try this Brazilian Cheese Bread one of my dietetic interns made. Also known as Pão de Queijo, Brazilian Cheese Bread is a traditional Brazilian snack. It is traditionally made with tapioca flour and cheese in a wood-burning stove. And often, it’s enjoyed with coffee.
And just because it’s often enjoyed as a snack, doesn’t mean it can be served at brunch! The savory yet fluffy texture of this bread is the perfect dish to have with your morning meal.
This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread from Gluten Free on a Shoestring is perfect for a fall-themed gluten-free brunch. The warm spices used include cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice). It only requires one bowl and 10 minutes of prep time. Plus, you can customize it.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is pumpkin butter. Basically, it’s pumpkin puree that has been reduced, spiced, and sweetened. Although you can buy it, it’s also delicious homemade. It has more depth of pumpkin flavor than traditional pumpkin puree and gives this bread its amazing taste.
Next up on our list of gluten-free brunch recipes are oatmeal recipes. If you don’t tolerate oats, you can substitute them for quinoa flakes or cream of rice (affiliate link) in some of these recipes.
And if you’re not sure when oats are safe or gluten-free, check out this blog post. There I help you weigh the risks and understand when you may or may not be able to enjoy them.
At the very end of this section, I also feature some oat-free porridge-like brunch ideas, in case you’re interested.
These Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Squares by My Gluten-Free Kitchen are a must-try for gluten-free brunch. They’re loaded with fresh apples and warm cinnamon.
These squares are perfect to eat warm with a fork or with milk and a spoon in a bowl. The best apples to use are kinds that are full of flavor, including McIntosh, Pink Lady, or Braeburn.
A brownie or bar pan is ideal for making these bars, as they bake individually and pop right out of the pan. However, you can also bake them in a normal pan.
If you have leftovers after brunch, oatmeal bars are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast. Or, wrap them up and send them in your kids’ lunch boxes… or even in your own lunch bag!
This Gluten-Free Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Baked Oatmeal by Jessica Levinson is a great savory spin on oatmeal for gluten-free brunch. This recipe is almost like an oatmeal frittata.
You can serve it with a fruit salad or a fresh garden salad. Try a fresh raspberry vinaigrette for a fruity start to your brunch.
What sets this baked oatmeal apart from a regular bowl of oatmeal is the golden brown top with a slight crunch that’s delicious.
This Gluten-Free Oatmeal Blueberry Crumbcake by A Simple Palate proves that cake can totally be a gluten-free brunch food! When made with certified gluten-free oats, this recipe is generally celiac-safe.
It’s filled with juicy blueberries and has a delicate crumb texture, while still being moist. Since it’s not overly sweet, it’s perfect for brunch. It can easily be made dairy-free too; simply by using vegan butter and dairy-free sour cream.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own oat flour for this recipe by blending whole or quick gluten-free oats until they form a flour-like consistency. You can also branch out and try raspberries or blackberries instead of blueberries.
If you can’t tolerate oats or if you want to try something new, you might consider chia seed pudding for a gluten-free brunch. Chia seeds offer a source of iron, copper, calcium, fiber and more. All things people with celiac often need. While not necessarily oatmeal, it can be considered a close alternative.
Insert my Vegan Caramel Chia Pod recipe. The vegan caramel is made using maple syrup and peanut butter. While not 100% like caramel, it does taste similar and amazing.
Not to mention the addition of peanut butter provides extra plant-based protein and fat to make this more satisfying. If you don’t like or can’t have peanut butter, try my Tahini Caramel Chia Pudding.
This recipe calls for your milk of choice. If you need to be dairy-free or vegan, use plant-based milk. If the plant milk is fortified, that’s even better. Learn more about fortified gluten-free foods (including plant milk) here.
Another oatmeal alternative gluten-free brunch option is my Rice Porridge. Going back to my Swedish roots, this Rice Porridge recipe is inspired by a Swedish dish called risgrynsgröt. Though traditionally a holiday dish, I realized it’d make for a perfect breakfast option for my gluten-free friends who can’t tolerate oats.
Balance this carb-rich porridge with nut butter, nuts and seeds, yogurt, and other protein and fat-rich toppings. Add in some fiber with frozen or fresh fruit too.
Last but not least on our quest for gluten-free brunch recipes are salads. Whether they are fruit or veggies-based, salads are a great way to add freshness and produce to brunch.
This Brunch Fruit Salad by Taste of Home is a refreshing and sweet addition to your gluten-free brunch. It’s bursting with all your favorite fruits including pineapple, banana, grapes, mandarine oranges, and apples.
The orange juice and lemon juice keep it from drying out on the table and enhance the flavor. The cornstarch thickens the juice just enough to qualify as a light syrup.
Fruit salad is a great side dish for pretty much any brunch entree. Serve it alongside gluten-free muffins, scones, bread, etc. If you chop the fruit into small pieces when compiling the fruit salad, it also can be used as a compote. Try it on waffles, pancakes, or crepes.
This Denver Omelet Salad by Punchfork is a great compromise if you’re craving fresh greens and a hearty omelet for gluten-free brunch.
It all starts with a base of nutrition-packed spinach. Then add in chopped tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. Finally, Add the ham and eggs, and you’ve got a new twist on a Denver omelet.
There are so many things you can serve this salad with. If you want to stay loyal to brunch and stick with toast, try using Scar bread to boost fiber.
If you’re okay with branching out, gluten-free cornbread muffins are a great option. Make brunch even more savory by pairing this brunch salad with gluten-free dinner rolls.
My Strawberry Balsamic Salad is the perfect gluten-free side dish to serve at your next gluten-free brunch. (And before you ask, yes, strawberries are gluten-free).
Salads in general tend to be savory and I know there is a large debate on if sweet things should be added to salads. As a salty and savory lover myself, I say 100% sweet things like fruit and candied nuts belong in salads! Especially at a sweet and savory meal like brunch!
My Avocado Egg Salad is great to have on the gluten-free brunch table. This is a gluten-free and dairy-free egg salad recipe made with all fresh ingredients. You might even call it a fresh avocado and egg salad recipe. Regardless if you like avocado and you like hardboiled eggs, then you’re going to like this avocado and egg salad recipe.
Serve it as a topping to go on gluten-free toast, or as a savory side to sweet GF pancakes and waffles. It’s great for balancing out many carb-rich foods with protein and fat.
Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to order at or you’re looking for recipes to inspire you, I hope this post on gluten-free brunch inspires you to join the next brunch you’re invited to.
If you want more help with dining out, check out my Gluten-Free Dining Course. Where I not only have cross-contact cheat sheets and scripts to simplify dining out safely… but I also teach and help you practice dining out safely in just 4 steps.