Want to build the ultimate Breakfast Charcuterie Board? I’ll show you how to create a beautiful and delicious pancake board with all the best toppings, mix-ins, and presentation tips. Perfect for brunch, birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Why You’ll Adore this Brunch Charcuterie Board
If you love a good brunch spread, a pancake board is the easiest way to make breakfast feel fun and stress-free. Picture fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, savory sausage, and fresh fruit, all beautifully arranged with the best toppings—ready for everyone to build their perfect bite. Whether it’s a lazy weekend morning or a big holiday celebration, this board turns any breakfast into something special.
One of the best things about a pancake board? It’s totally customizable. Sure, classic pancakes are great, but why not mix it up? Try light and buttery Scotch Pancakes, tangy Sourdough Pancakes for rolling and dipping, or these low-carb Keto Pancakes and fun, bite-sized Danish Pancake Balls (Aebleskiver) that are always a crowd favorite. Adding a variety of pancake styles makes the board even more exciting!
I’ve learned the little tricks that make a big difference—keeping pancakes warm without drying them out, the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and creative topping ideas beyond syrup. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, health-conscious guests, or full-on pancake lovers, I’ll guide you through every detail to make your board beautiful and delicious. Ready to build the ultimate pancake board? Let’s do it!
Breakfast Board Ingredient Ideas
Below are suggestions for your pancake charcuterie board, but your imagination is your only limit:
- Mini pancakes or silver dollar pancakes – Use your favorite pancake recipe, or storebought.
- Mini waffles – Homemade or storebought and toasted of course!
- Mini bagels – Plain, blueberry or any flavor that suits your fancy, pair next to sausage patties, prosciutto or smoked salmon.
- Mini Croissants – Pair these with butter, jams, brie, salami, you get the idea.
- Scones – Try placing mini scones near jam, lemon curd and nutella.
- Maple syrup – Use real maple syrup for the richest flavor and warm if possible. But feel free to get creative with flavored syrups, like this Blueberry syrup or strawberry syrup.
- Spreadable cream cheese – So many delicious options to choose from!
- Honey – Try a local raw honey, or use flavored honeys.
- Breakfast sausage – Links stack neatly on your board, make my air fryer sausage links to make it even easier!
- Bacon – Thick or regular, your choice.
- Fresh Berries – Use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries.
- Fruit: Bunches of grapes, sliced oranges or cuties, apple slices, sliced melon, kiwis would all be beautiful.
- Chocolate chips – regular or mini chocolate chips, try semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate.
- Cheeses: Go soft with bries, goat cheese, cream cheeses or try aged white cheddar, smoked gouda, Havarti would all be delish.
- Garnish: If you want to make it even fancier, tuck in fresh herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Recommended Equipment
The only true “equipment” you need for this breakfast charcuterie board is the board itself. I used a 13×13 wooden tray (similar) for this board — but adjust to the size of your group, I also love using this round wooden tray for a 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.
- Go big or go home! – Quantities will vary depending on the size of your platter. I used a 13” x 13” platter for this board, so use these quantities as a guideline.
- Do the prep work first – Prep as much as you can beforehand – wash berries, adding syrup, honey and chocolate chips to small bowls. It’s best to assemble the board just before serving so that the waffles, pancakes and breakfast meats are warm and fresh.
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
A balanced breakfast board includes a mix of pancakes, proteins like bacon and sausage, fresh fruit, cheeses, and a variety of toppings. Add spreads like syrup, honey, or Nutella, and mix in extras like nuts or whipped cream for texture and flavor. Using different pancake styles keeps the board interesting and customizable for everyone.
The 3-3-3-3 rule for charcuterie helps create a balanced and visually appealing board by including three meats, three cheeses, three starches, and three accompaniments (like fruits, nuts, or spreads). This simple formula ensures variety in flavors and textures while making assembly easy and stress-free.
5 Things to Avoid on a Charcuterie Board
- Fruits That Brown Quickly – Bananas, pineapples, and melons go bad fast and make the board look old.
- Overly Juicy Fruits – Mangoes and super ripe berries will leak onto other items and make the board soggy and messy.
- Too Many Similar Flavors – Don’t pile on cheeses or meats with the same flavor profile; mix mild, sharp, creamy and smoky for variety.
- Only One Texture – Balance soft cheeses, crunchy crackers, crisp fruits and tender meats for a different bite every time.
- Overcrowding the Board – A cluttered board is hard to grab from and looks gross. Leave space so everything is easy to get to.
More Delicious and Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole
- Chile Relleno Casserole
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Blueberry Crumb Coffee Cake
- Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
- Chocolate Chip Croissant Casserole Bake
- Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake.
- Healthy Overnight Oats
Make sure your berries are firm and dry to prevent other ingredients from getting soggy, or place in small bowls.
More Recipes from The Fresh Cooky
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 10-15 mini pancakes homemade or store bought, warmed
- 10-15 mini waffles toasted, homemade or store bought
- 3-5 mini bagels flavor of choice
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup cream cheese spreadable, use your favorite flavor
- ¼ cup honey
- 6-12 links sausage cooked
- 6-8 slices bacon cooked, cut in half
- 1 cup strawberries washed, dried
- ½ cup blueberries washed, dried
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Prep ingredients for charcuterie, but assemble just before serving
- In order to ensure your pancake charcuterie is hot and ready to serve. Fill small bowls with spreadable cream cheese, honey with a honey server, add maple syrup to 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 gently pat dry blueberries and strawberries, set aside.
- Cook the bacon and sausage, keeping warm in a 200 degree oven until ready to assemble.
- Next, cook the waffles and pancakes (either homemade or in oven) and keep in a 200 degree oven on a plate to keep warm.
How to Assemble Breakfast Charcuterie
- Make sure you have all of your ingredients ready to go!
- 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 stuck! There is not right or wrong way to build a charcuterie board.
- 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.
Notes
- Depending on the size of your board or platter, your quantities will vary, these are suggestions. I used a 13” x 13” platter for this board. But I’ve also made on this round board too.
- It’s best to assemble just before serving so that the waffles and pancakes are warm and fresh. Prep as much as you can beforehand.
- Store leftover waffles, bagels and pancakes in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat in a 300 degree oven for 10-14 minutes.
- Return any leftover fruit to the refrigerator and eat within a day or two.
- 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.
- Try my homemade syrup; Strawberry Syrup, Blueberry Syrup or my Easy Vanilla Sauce.
- Add eggs! Hard boiled, 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).
Nutrition
Renee
This is such a great idea – and so easy to put together! Perfect for when the family comes to stay for the holidays!
Absolutely! Or Easter, Mother’s Day any special weekend breakfast! I’ve even made for my family for movie night!
Holley
This is the best breakfast idea for entertaining! Everyone gets to pick what they want!
Exactly!
Ned
This is what breakfast dreams are made of! Thank you for the idea, I can’t wait to make this for my family. Thank you!
They will love it Ned, thanks!
Amy
This looks so fantastic! I cannot wait to make this for my kids this vacation week!
What a fun treat for vacation!
Nathan
This is such a genius idea!! As someone who loves breakfast and charcuterie boards, this is an absolute must-try for me. I’ll be making this for sure next time I have friends over for brunch!
Awe thanks so much Nathan!
Tasia
We love charcuterie boards, but I’ve never made a breakfast board. Such a fun idea and my family is going to love it!
Thanks so much Tasia!!