Mother’s Day is all about showing the mothers in your life how much you love and appreciate them. But if we’re being honest, it’s also about the brunch. We’ve put together a list of 17 of our best Mother’s Day brunch and breakfast ideas that are delicious, healthy and will show your mom how much you care. From classic brunch baked goods (think berrylicious scones and soft-baked cinnamon rolls) to savory and satisfying egg dishes and seasonal salads, you’re sure to find a few healthy brunch recipes that your mother will love.
Skip that calorie bomb of a bun you can get at the mall—your mom deserves better, and this lightened-up, homemade version delivers. It’s got all the flavors she’ll expect: lots of cinnamon swirled in a warm pastry dough and drizzled with a sweet cream cheese glaze. Pure indulgence in every bite for only 203 calories per diet-friendly roll. Serve alongside a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea to start mom’s day right. Click here for the full recipe! >
Spinach tops the list of healthful foods and your mother was smart to make you eat it as a kid. Now, show her how her persistence paid off by pairing these vitamin-packed greens with smoky salmon for one fancy-lookin’ frittata. Your secret? It’s super simple to make. Just combine sautéed spinach, scallions and garlic with eggs, cottage cheese, pepper and dill; bake until set and slice. Each savory, low-carb serving contains 93 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Surprise your mom by turning her favorite breakfast muffin into a pancake! Made with just six ingredients, these bright and tasty flapjacks are sure to put a smile on her face (while keeping her waistline trim). Top her stack with a thin slice of lemon and some mint for garnish (but be sure to save a few leftovers for yourself). One serving counts as one SmartCarb, two PowerFuels and one Extra on the Nutrisystem program. Click here for the full recipe! >
No need to stop at the sweets shop when you can bake these goodies yourself. Made healthier than typical scones, they contain whole wheat flour and only a little light butter. Plus, they’re loaded with a bunch of beautiful berries and topped with a sprinkle of coconut sugar for the perfect blend of satisfying and sweet. Each light and crumbly scone weighs in at 152 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
This Mother’s Day brunch idea might take the win for best presentation: beautiful slices of caramelized onion, bright broccolini, gooey melted swiss cheese and a perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg, all nestled atop a warm and crusty naan flatbread. Finish off this soup-inspired flatbread with a sprinkle of fresh thyme for a brunch dish that will please your mom’s eyes as much as her palate. Click here for the full recipe! >
Serve up this fresh and fanciful salad that’s filled with seasonal (and super healthy) ingredients. Start with a bed of zesty, vitamin-rich arugula. Top the greens with yellow and red tomatoes, fiber-rich peaches for a little sweetness and handful of chickpeas for a bite of satisfying protein and complex carbs. Crumbles of feta add creaminess and balsamic vinegar, olive oil and honey blend to create the perfect sweet and savory dressing for this beautiful Mother’s Day brunch dish. One serving contains 289 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Cool and creamy Greek yogurt is layered with a fresh raspberries and lemon curd for a refreshingly simple, sweet and sour parfait. Top with granola for some crunch; then watch your mom dive in—spoon first. And feel free to join her: one serving contains 263 calories and counts as one SmartCarb, half of a PowerFuel and two Extras on the Nutrisystem program. Click here for the full recipe! >
Not into the super sweet or fruity muffins? No worries. Try your hand at making these savory babies instead. Fresh spinach, sundried tomatoes, red onions and feta bring the Mediterranean flavors; Italian seasoning and fresh basil provide the spice; and the combo is 100% delicious. The fluffy muffins are nutrient-packed and belly-filling—you can have two of them for only 127 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Nothing says “I love you mom” more than chocolate, making these light and airy crepes the perfect “something sweet” for her special Mother’s Day brunch. Fill them with a combo of cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla and banana slices. Top with a sprinkle of cocoa powder for a picture-perfect finishing touch. Two crepes contain 217 calories and count as one SmartCarb, one PowerFuel and one Extra on Nutrisystem. Click here for the full recipe! >
Fresh veggies + bright lemon dressing = a light and oh-so-pretty pasta salad. And it takes no time to make. Just cook your mom’s favorite whole wheat pasta, add in green peas and asparagus, then toss with watercress, lemon zest, oil and pepper. Add a garnish of shaved parmesan cheese for a touch of saltiness and voila—a seasonal pasta salad packed with flavor and fiber. One serving has 165 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
This is one loaf of homemade banana bread that your mom will go, well… bananas for. And here’s why: it features almonds three different ways—almond milk, almond extract and sliced almonds. Applesauce helps it bake soft and moist, ripe bananas and honey packs in natural sweetness, and each hearty slice contains only 216 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Transport your mother to the tropics with these creative (and vegan!) flapjacks. Fresh mango and whole wheat flour create the base of the plant-based pancakes, while unsweetened shredded coconut and coconut milk enhance the tropical flavor. A little vanilla extract and brown sugar pump up the sweetness. One serving weighs in at a light 116 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra on the Nutrisystem program. Click here for the full recipe! >
The salad is uber-healthy with its protein-packed quinoa. The toppings add a creaminess (via the feta cheese crumble) and crunch (thanks to the walnuts). But the star of this Mother’s Day brunch dish is its flavorful homemade vinaigrette made with basil, shallots, garlic, honey and lemon, plus oil and vinegar. Serve the quinoa salad as is or toss in some of your mom’s favorite seasonal veggies, like artichokes or green beans, for an even more satisfying dish. Click here for the full recipe! >
Nope, it’s not a typo. These chocolatey muffins contain walnuts and yes—chickpeas. The beans are used instead of flour and serve to make the sweet treats super moist and gluten-free. One muffin contains 140 calories and counts as half of a PowerFuel and two Extras on the Nutrisystem program. Click here for the full recipe! >
You’ve spiralized sweet potatoes into noodles. Maybe you’ve even blended them into “nice” cream. Now try your hand at morphing this root veggie into a crispy crust for your mom’s quiche. It’s way easier (and much healthier) than making your own pie dough: just cut the sweet potato into thin slices, arrange in a pie dish and bake. Then pour in a blend of chopped veggies and eggs and top with shredded cheese. Pop the pan back in the oven until the eggs are set. One hearty, fiber-rich serving contains 241 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Your favorite childhood lunch sandwich made into a muffin for your mom—now that’s full circle. The best part of these nostalgic treats? One bite into the moist peanut buttery muffin reveals a fruity jam center for a sweet and tasty surprise. You get to enjoy two muffins per serving for 269 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
This dish is hard to beet! It starts with orzo (instead of traditional risotto rice) that’s simmered with onions, broth and balsamic until tender. Then roasted and pureed beets bring in a rich flavor and color that’s complemented beautifully by crumbled goat cheese and toasted almonds. Trust that this will taste as good as it looks. Click here for the full recipe! >
