Surprise Your Valentine With These Sustainable Brunch Recipes

Red alert: Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. If you work regular business hours, you might be planning on going out for dinner with your special someone. It sounds nice and simple, right?

Wrong. In reality, a last-minute dinner is the quickest way to turn your good intentions into an unromantic outing thanks to crowded roads, fully booked restaurants, and major stress. Instead of rushing out to dinner tomorrow, why not sit back at home this weekend and enjoy something classy, delicious, and good for the planet?

That’s right — we’re talking about Valentine’s day brunch (with a sustainable twist). All five of these recipes can easily be made on your own time with eco-friendly ingredients, like locally sourced honey and organic fruits. As an added bonus, each recipe is vegetarian, and most are vegan — diets that have been proven to reduce our impact on natural resources and ecosystems.

Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients

• Cherries
• Banana
• Coconut water
• Coconut flakes
• Almonds
• Cacao nibs

Are any foods more perfect for Valentine’s Day than cherries and chocolate? Instead of candy, try crafting this smoothie bowl by Downshiftology for an unexpected and healthy twist.

Making a Pinterest-perfect smoothie bowl looks like a complicated endeavor, but I promise it’s not. Putting together this beautiful work of brunch art requires few skills — just throw everything in a blender and sprinkle a few ingredients on top for a gorgeous garnish.

Breakfast Granola Fruit Tart

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned oats
• Walnuts
• Sesame seeds
• Coconut oil
• Honey
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Yogurt
• Your favorite fruits

Whether you make one large crispy granola crust or a bunch of small ones, this yogurt and fruit tart by Jessica Gavin is sure to bring your Valentine’s Day brunch to the next level.

All you have to do is mix the ingredients for the crust, pop it in the oven, and then fill it with yogurt once it’s cool. Arrange your favorite fruit on top to create an irresistibly Instagrammable brunch.

If you prefer a vegan version, swap in maple syrup or agave nectar for the honey, and use your favorite brand of dairy-free yogurt.

Spinach, Feta, And Artichoke Breakfast Bake

Ingredients

• Frozen spinach
• Scallions
• Artichokes
• Red peppers
• Garlic
• Fresh dill
• Eggs
• Milk
• Parmesan cheese
• Feta cheese
• Salt and pepper

Prefer something a bit more hearty for your holiday brunch? Try this breakfast bake by Skinnytaste that’s jam-packed with veggies and protein.

Simply mix the veggies and seasonings in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and add the cheese. When you’re finished, pour both mixes in a casserole dish and pop it in the oven.

If you want to try a vegan cheese in this dish, see which brand is the best according to our taste test.

Vegan Banana French Toast

Ingredients

• Banana
• Almond milk
• Flax seed
• Cinnamon
• Bread
• Vanilla extract
• Your favorite topping: maple syrup or peanut butter

This vegan version of French toast by Minimalist Baker gives you all the decadent flavor of this brunch classic with none of the guilt.

Swapping a mashed banana for eggs is a genius move that infuses the bread with a rich, sweet flavor. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, your special someone will love this French toast even if they aren’t vegan.

Top it with peanut butter or maple syrup for an extra special touch.

Mimosas

Ingredients

• Champagne
• Fruit juice
• Your favorite berries

You had to see this one coming, right? After all, what’s a romantic brunch without a mimosa?

While champagne and orange juice is always a winning combination, try setting up a mimosa bar to make this Valentine’s Day brunch even more memorable.

Just assemble a variety of juices like lemonade, grapefruit, pomegranate, or cranberry to accompany your champagne. For a unique touch, have orange slices, cherries, raspberries, and strawberries ready to drop in the drink.

Cheers to a wonderful Valentine’s Day this year! Let us know how your brunch turned out in the comments, and check out our guide to vegan chocolate if you’re craving dessert.