This guide to making a breakfast charcuterie board is a fun twist of the standard charcuterie board. It's full of brunch classics and breakfast favorites that will dazzle your most hardcore breakfast fan and pickiest kids' taste buds with delicious fruits, hot foods, and plenty of things to drizzle maple syrup on.
I also have fun themed ideas for an easy charcuterie board that is ideal anytime you want to have a casual morning meal or jazz it up as the star of the show on a holiday morning!
With the warm weather here, our home has been buzzing with more visitors, especially Greyson's friends.
Since moving to Virginia, I've noticed a significant difference in the way these kids enjoy the outdoors compared to those in Florida.
They love building forts in the woods, taking a dip in the creek, bouncing on trampolines, playing ball, and treating my house like it's theirs, sipping lemonade and sweet tea before heading back out to their fort.
I love watching them have so much fun being kids, especially with everything that's been happening in the world.
Greyson is always so happy and carefree when his friends are around, and I couldn't ask for more.
Of course, this also means I have to keep up with their endless appetite for delicious treats. That's why I make kid-friendly charcuterie boards, and their all-time favorite is a brunch charcuterie board.
It's perfect for the mornings they don't have school and will be out playing all day. They get to enjoy a variety of great options, so they still get the most important meal of the day outside of school.
This beautiful breakfast spread is covered with mini waffles, pastries, juicy fruits, and meat and cheese that everyone adores. I never have anything left!
So this easy breakfast board is definitely a go-to it's the perfect way to feed the whole family all their breakfast favorites. Make this for weekend brunches or for a busy holiday morning (looking at you, Thanksgiving!).
It's ideal for special occasions like a baby shower or for Mother's Day and is so incredibly easy to make!
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Jump to:
- What is a charcuterie board?
- Equipment
- How to Build a Beautiful Breakfast Charcuterie Board
- Delicious Breakfast Items for your Grazing Board
- 3 Spreads and Toppings to Take Your Breakfast Charcuterie Board to the Next Level
- 3 Drink Pairings to go with Your Brunch Charcuterie Board
- Pro Tips
- Variations and Substitutions
- More Charcuterie Board Ideas
- Breakfast Charcuterie Board
What is a charcuterie board?
A charcuterie board is a type of appetizer or snack platter that typically includes a selection of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, nuts, and spreads.
It originated in France and is often associated with the art of charcuterie, which is the preparation of meat products like bacon, ham, and sausages. In fact, it's name is a French term meaning 'cooked meats', because those meats are the star of the show when it comes to traditional charcuterie boards.
Charcuterie boards have become increasingly popular in in the U.S. in recent years and are often served at parties, cozy gatherings, and even large events. It's a great way to feed a crowd with minimal cooking skill.
Equipment
You'll need a large wooden board, or a large slate board. Basically a food-safe flat surface.
A set of cheese knives - if you're serving cheese, go with a cheese knife set to make self-serving super easy.
How to Build a Beautiful Breakfast Charcuterie Board
When creating a breakfast grazing board, the visuals are just as important as the flavors. Here are some tips to make your board look stunning:
Consider color combinations for visual appeal
- Incorporate pops of color for an eye-catching board. Include fresh fruit with vibrant colors such as fresh strawberries, juicy blueberries, orange wedges, pink raspberries etc.
- Use contrasting colors such as yellow pineapple next to red or purple grapes to add visual interest and dimension to the board.
Use different shapes and sizes for a more interesting look:
- Cut things into different shapes and sizes. Sliced cheese and meats can be rolled or folded up, while fruits can be cut into wedges, shapes with cookie cutters, or kept whole.
- Use small bowls, ramekins, or even small cake stands. to add height and dimension to the board, and fill them with honey, dips, jams, and spreads.
Add fresh herbs or edible flowers for garnish:
- Garnish your board with fresh herbs or edible flowers such as basil and chive blossoms, or mint leaves, or violas and pansies. They are beautiful (and edible!) decorative elements, and can also be used to infuse flavors to the ingredients.
Arrange ingredients in small clusters for easy access and a polished presentation:
- Arrange your ingredients in small clusters for easy access and avoid flavor cross-contamination by keeping savory with savory and sweet with sweet.
- Be creative with the arrangement to give the board a visually appealing design. For example, a circular pattern of fruit, a wavy line of bread, or a diagonal arrangement of meat, can be very eye-catching.
Delicious Breakfast Items for your Grazing Board
A breakfast charcuterie board is a great way to showcase a variety of delicious breakfast items that can please a crowd. Here are five delicious ideas that you can include on your board:
- Cured meats like salami and prosciutto are perfect for adding savory flavors to your board. They pair well with soft and hard cheeses, and can be rolled or folded for easy access.
- Crispy bacon, sausage links, smoked salmon, and other savory items can be added to the board to give it a salty and smoky flavor. They can be served as is or cooked to add more flavor and texture.
- Soft and hard cheeses like brie, cheddar, and goat cheese are a must-have for any charcuterie board. They can be sliced or cubed and are perfect for pairing with cured meats, crackers, and fruits.
- Fresh fruit like berries, grapes, and sliced apples or pears can add a touch of sweetness to the board. They are a wonderful way to balance the saltiness of the meats and cheeses.
- Hot foods and your favorite breakfast foods like croissants, mini muffins, fluffy pancakes, mini cinnamon rolls, mini bagels, belgian mini waffles, donut holes, french toast sticks, or homemade biscuits can add a hearty element to your board. Serve with jams, syrups, or butter...but the best part is they can also be used to make sandwiches with the meats and cheeses.
The 3333 method
For a standard charcuterie board that is full of variety, follow this guide: 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 3 starches, 3 accoutrements. This is a great rule of thumb to have a beautiful breakfast platter without also spending a ton of money.
With a brunch board, you can veer toward more fun breakfast favorites that you know everyone will nibble on, making it less like cheese boards and more like a snack board!
3 Spreads and Toppings to Take Your Breakfast Charcuterie Board to the Next Level
To make your breakfast charcuterie board even more delicious and flavorful, you can add some spreads and toppings. Here are three ideas to take your board to the next level:
- Almond or peanut butter is a great source of protein and adds a nutty flavor to the board. We also like using cookie butter for anyone with nut allergies! Pair it with bananas or apples to add a sweet and fruity element to the board. It's also a great option for those who prefer a plant-based or gluten-free option.
- Homemade fruit compote or fruit preserves are an easy way to add a touch of sweetness to your board. You can make them with fresh or frozen fruits, and they can be flavored with spices like cinnamon or cardamom. They can also be used as a topping for baked goods like croissants or bagels.
- Whipped cream cheese is light and fluffy and makes a great spread for bagels or crackers. Mix it with dill, chives, or everything bagel seasoning to add a savory flavor to the board. You can also add some smoked salmon and serve with bagel chips.
3 Drink Pairings to go with Your Brunch Charcuterie Board
A breakfast charcuterie board wouldn't be complete without some delicious drink pairings to wash everything down. Here are three drink ideas to complement your board:
- Freshly squeezed juice is a classic breakfast drink that pairs well with any breakfast dish. Grapefruit and orange juice are both refreshing and provide a burst of vitamin C. You can also add some sparkling water, ginger beer, or club soda to make a sparkling mimosa mocktail.
- For coffee lovers, a glass of iced coffee or cold brew is the perfect accompaniment to a breakfast charcuterie board. Offer creamer and sweetener options for your guests to customize their coffee to their liking. I like adding some flavored syrups and add-ins, you know #teamextra.
- A mimosa bar is a fun and festive way to add some bubbles for weekend brunches. You can offer different fruit juices like orange, pineapple, watermelon, peach, grapefruit, cranberry, or apple cider, and let your guests mix and match to create their own unique mimosa. Add some fruit and herb garnishes like strawberries or raspberries and mint sprigs for an extra pop of color.
These drink pairings will not only complement the flavors on your charcuterie board but also add some fun and variety to your breakfast spread. Don't forget to provide enough glasses, ice, and garnishes for your guests to enjoy their drinks to the fullest!
Pro Tips
- Fill the empty spaces with (allergy-appropriate!) nuts, candies like chocolate chips, or macarons!
- Consider a theme for your board, like using seasonal ingredients or holiday flavors. For example, include pumpkin-flavored items for a fall brunch or heart-shaped items for a Valentine's Day breakfast.
- Label each item on the board with small signs or cards to help guests identify what they're eating.
- Keep your guests' dietary restrictions in mind and offer alternatives when possible.
- Do not keep your grazing boards out for more than 2 hours, this is when refrigerated foods reach the dangerous temperature zone where bacteria thrive.
Variations and Substitutions
If you need a few breakfast charcuterie board ideas for your upcoming holiday hosting, I have your back, honey!
Christmas Morning Charcuterie Board
Look for items with a holiday twist, so try spiced ham, cranberry cheddar cheese, baked camembert or brie, and gingerbread or candy cane flavored baked goods.
For spreads, try cinnamon whipped honey butter, gingerbread cookie butter, and blood orange marmalade!
Offer warm drinks like hot cocoa, mulled cider, or eggnog to complement the festive flavors.
Arrange everything on a board decorated with rosemary and sprigs of spruce (christmas trees are edible so they won't bring any toxins to your board!) or a holiday-themed tablecloth, and enjoy a cozy and delicious breakfast on Christmas day with your family and friends.
Thanksgiving Breakfast Board
For Thanksgiving, focus on autumnal flavors like pumpkin spice, cinnamon, maple, and nutmeg. Include items like maple bacon, pumpkin bread, and herbed goat cheese.
For spreads and toppings, consider using homemade apple butter, spiced honey, and cranberry relish.
Add some fall fruits like sliced apples, pears, and pomegranates, and serve warm drinks like apple cider, mulled pumpkin cider, or a classic pumpkin spice latte to complete the board.
More Charcuterie Board Ideas
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Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
Fruits and Vegetables
- 1 lb red or green grapes
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 lb strawberries
- 6 ounces blackberries
- 6 ounces red raspberries
- 5 navel oranges, cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 packs cherry tomatoes on the vine
- 8 ounces rainbow baby carrots
Meats
- 1 lb smoked salmon
- ½ lb prosciutto
- ½ lb thickly sliced salami
- Sausage links and/or bacon
Cheeses
- ½ pound cubed cheddar
- 6 ounces whipped cream cheese with chopped chives, dill, or everything bagel seasoning
- Mini brie or large entertaining brie
Starches
- Slices of baguette
- Mini croissants
- Belgian waffles
- Mini Bagels
- Bagel chips
Spreads
- ½ cup your favorite jam
- Maple Syrup
- ½ cup peanut, almond, or cookie butter
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
- On a large wooden board, place small bowls around the board to hold spreads and small items.
- Place the ingredients around the bowls on your board. Place labels and cheese knives as needed.
- Decorate with edible flowers and herbs as desired.
- Serve at room temperature for no more than 2 hours.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips
- Fill the empty spaces with (allergy-appropriate!) nuts, candies like chocolate chips, or macarons!
- Consider a theme for your board, like using seasonal ingredients or holiday flavors. For example, include pumpkin-flavored items for a fall brunch or heart-shaped items for a Valentine's Day breakfast.
- Label each item on the board with small signs or cards to help guests identify what they're eating.
- Keep your guests' dietary restrictions in mind and offer alternatives when possible.
- Do not keep your grazing boards out for more than 2 hours, this is when refrigerated foods reach the dangerous temperature zone where bacteria thrive.
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