A raclette breakfast is a fun way to start the morning. It’s perfect for holidays, special occasions, and brunch parties. Get ready to dig in!
Before breakfast raclette came into my life, eggs benedict was the ultimate special occasion breakfast. Dutch baby breakfasts and homemade Belgian waffles were close runner-ups. And it’s always a special morning when crepes are on the menu.
But raclette for breakfast…it’s a game-changer.
Whether you want to host a small party for brunch or create a new holiday tradition with your family, a raclette breakfast will not disappoint. I promise!
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BREAKFAST RACLETTE IDEAS VIDEO
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WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR A RACLETTE BREAKFAST
When it comes to raclette, the most important thing you will need is a raclette grill. I imagine you already have one of these, but if not, you might have luck borrowing one from a friend. Amazon has more than a few available as well, like this Swissmar one.
You will also need a few accessories, like raclette trays, scrapers and tongs. Most raclette sets come with these. If you use your grill a lot though, I recommend mini tongs with silicone tips There’s less fussing with them.
Lastly, there’s the food. We’re going to take a deeper dive on this, but you’ll want to offer a spread that includes cheese, eggs, meats, veggies and condiments.
PREPPING IN ADVANCE FOR A RACLETTE BRUNCH PARTY
I’m not going to lie. Ensuring a smooth raclette breakfast will require some planning and advance preparations. Raclette is easy-going once everyone is gathered around the table, but there’s some legwork involved to get there.
First, you’ll want to figure out what you’re going to serve and then collect the ingredients.
The evening before the big breakfast, take the time to prep everything. Wash and chop your vegetables; boil some potatoes; arrange the meats on a platter, and set the table.
Get as much done as you can, and then relax and wait for the morning to come.
USING THE GRILL FOR BREAKFAST RACLETTE
It isn’t hard to do raclette, but if it’s your first time, I’ll walk you through it.
Most grills have two different surfaces. One is a flat top, the other is ridged like a grill. For the purpose of brunch raclette, it’s best to use the flat surface for the eggs. Who knows, maybe you’ll cook pancakes on there, too.
Start out by preheating the grill and then loading it up with meats and veggies. If you have bacon on there, you’ll have that beautiful smoky grease to cook everything else in.
Since raclette is a communal meal, everyone can help monitor the grill, stirring things around as needed. When things start cooking through, everyone can start filling their little trays, covering them with a slice of raclette cheese, and then popping their creations underneath the grill to broil.
Ideally, there will be a plate setting to transfer the melty combinations onto, so that another tray can be loaded up and shoved under the grill before digging in.
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BREAKFAST RACLETTE MENU – WHAT TO SERVE
When I fire up the raclette grill for breakfast, I mean business. I don’t put all of these things out, but there’s usually one or two items from each category.
There are no wrong moves when it comes to a breakfast raclette spread.
RACLETTE CHEESE
Did you know that there’s a special cheese for raclette? Raclette is Swiss cheese, but many countries offer their own versions.
In Canada, I can get raclette cheese washed with ice cider. I’ve also seen smoked raclette cheese (my favourite) and another with peppercorns.
The best bet is to visit your local cheesemonger, but I realize that not everyone has access to one. Costco sometimes offers a raclette cheese package around the holidays. Just keep your eyes peeled!
Apparently, you can even order raclette cheese online. To learn more about raclette cheese, check out this article on Mashed.
If you can’t find raclette cheese, don’t sweat it. Offer thin slices of gouda, brie, or anything that gets good and melty.
FOUNDATIONS FOR THE CARB LOVERS
I’m a big believer in breakfast sandwiches. Give me a couple of slices of sourdough toast and I’m a happy camper. Since this is a special occasion though, it’s okay to go a bit wild.
Put out a plate of Belgian waffles for folks to scrape their raclette creations on. Crepes, homemade biscuits and flaky butter croissants are solid options as well.
EGGS
Eggs are a nourishing way to start the day, so of course, these need to make an appearance!
Crack them on the raclette grill and serve them sunny side up or flip them over until they’re easy or medium.
Want to save the grill for meats and vegetables? Scramble up some eggs and set them out in a bowl for folks to add to their raclette tray.
MEATS
What are your favourite breakfast meats? Because unless you’re vegetarian, those should definitely make an appearance.
The classics include bacon, ham, sausage and steak, but there’s nothing wrong with stepping things up a bit; especially if it’s a brunch raclette.
If you’re feeling a bit frisky, pork belly is a fun option. So is pulled pork (or pulled duck, if you’re fancy).
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VEGGIES
When it comes to vegetables, just think of what you would like to see in an omelette.
I personally like peppers and mushrooms, so that’s what I would include. Maybe some boiled or fried potatoes, too.
Chop up some onions. Dice a tomato. Play it by season, if you’d like.
If you’re feeling bold, put some raw sauerkraut or kimchi on the table. Get those probiotics in first thing!
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SAUCES AND CONDIMENTS
When I put on a brunch, these condiments often make an appearance:
Hot Sauce. Ketchup. Maple Syrup.
My all-time favourite breakfast condiment is hollandaise sauce. It’s not the easiest sauce to make because it can break, but if you can manage it, it will take your morning raclette party to the next level. If you have Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol.1, her recipe is my go-to.
While nothing beats homemade hollandaise, packaged hollandaise is much more approachable and is what most restaurants use to blanket their eggs benny. That being said, I can’t get behind the ingredients on most packaged foods, but if you don’t care about additives, this is a good route to go.
EXTRAS AT THE TABLE
While you should have enough food with the raclette, there are some extras you can set out to round off the meal, especially if it’s a larger gathering.
A fruit platter, for example, wouldn’t be amiss at the table, nor would yogurt parfaits. If you’re feeling extra decadent, breakfast pastries can be offered.
Maybe you want to go above and beyond and serve a warm homemade quiche, a steaming tureen of oatmeal, or a stack of festive french toast.
Such extras, however, might be overkill. Use your judgement.
WHAT TO DRINK WITH BRUNCH RACLETTE
Coffee and fruit juice seem like obvious choices, but this is a special occasion!
Pop open a bottle of sparkling wine and pour everyone a mimosa. Mix special coffees with whipped cream and Bailey’s. If there are kids at the table, treat them to hot chocolate.
HOSTING BREAKFAST RACLETTE
Hopefully, I’ve inspired you to bring out the raclette grill for breakfast! I hope your first raclette breakfast is a smashing success. Bon appetit!
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