Breakfast Charcuterie Board

How to Make a Breakfast Platter

Step 1 – Prep ingredients

Fill small dishes or bowls with spreadable cream cheese, jams, and honey (I added a honey server). Pour maple syrup into a small pitcher or bowl with a small ladle or spoon. Have chocolate chips ready or place in a small bowl with a spoon. Wash and pat dry blueberries and strawberries, set aside.

Cook the bacon and sausage, keeping warm in a 200°F oven until ready to assemble. 

Next, make the waffles and pancakes (make homemade or warm in oven) and keep in a 200°F (95° C) oven on a plate to keep warm, covered with a clean tea towel.

Step 2 – Arrange the Brunch Board

With all of your ingredients prepped and gathered into one place begin to assemble your board. Start by arranging your mini bagels, cooked waffles and pancakes on the board, using a swirl pattern. Be creative, use the pictures as a guide, but don’t feel like you have to do everything the same way!

Then, add the bowls of toppings and condiments. Tucking the bacon and sausage in various areas near and around the pancakes. 

Fill in the gaps with blueberries and strawberries and finally the chocolate chips if you did not add them to a bowl. 

Variations & Substitutions

• Try a variety of waffles; chocolate, chocolate chip, protein waffles, etc. Make your own waffles and just cut them into quarters. 
• Besides buttermilk pancakes, try adding blueberry, coconut or chocolate chips- yum!
• Mini cinnamon rolls, mini muffins and donut holes will add extra variety and sweetness.
• Use different flavored spreadable cream cheeses, like strawberry, herb or your favorite or try yummy Boursin cheese.
• Homemade syrups: Strawberry, Blueberry Syrup or my Easy Vanilla Sauce.
• Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs, scrambled or even an omelette would be fun. Or try my Instant Pot Egg Bites with Sausage and Cheese.
• Add peanut butter or any nut butter for an extra dose of protein and healthy fats. Nutella would also be delicious!
• Switch up the berries! Add some sliced bananas if desired (soak in a little lemon juice beforehand so they don’t turn brown).
• For a themed holiday like Valentine’s Day use heart cookie cutters for pancakes and waffles, and use raspberries, strawberries and strawberry cream cheese to keep with the pink and red theme.
• For a large crowd, serve with cheese platters and additional fruit platters, or make my tropical fruit salad (so good).
• Add yogurt and granola, to make a little heartier board.

Storage Tips

• Store leftover waffles, bagels and pancakes in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat in a 300°F (150° C) oven for 10-14 minutes. 
• Return any leftover fruit to the refrigerator and eat within a day or two.
• Make sure your breakfast meats (bacon and sausage) are completely cooled. Lay flat on a piece of aluminum foil in a single layer. Fold the foil on top of the meat, sealing all sides. Place in a zip-top bag and lay flat in the fridge. The quickest way to reheat bacon or sausage is to pop it in your air fryer, or simply heat a skillet or medium heat and add bacon or sausage in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes per side or until meat is heated through.

FAQs for Breakfast Charcuterie Board

5 Things to Avoid on a Charcuterie Board

1. Fruits That Brown Quickly – Bananas, pineapples, and melons go bad fast and make the board look old.
2. Overly Juicy Fruits – Mangoes and super ripe berries will leak onto other items and make the board soggy and messy.
3. Too Many Similar Flavors – Don’t pile on cheeses or meats with the same flavor profile; mix mild, sharp, creamy and smoky for variety.
4. Only One Texture – Balance soft cheeses, crunchy crackers, crisp fruits and tender meats for a different bite every time.
5. Overcrowding the Board – A cluttered board is hard to grab from and looks gross. Leave space so everything is easy to get to.