The Trader Joe’s freezer buys that round out a holiday brunch

Holiday brunch sounds nice until you’re trying to cook everything from scratch while guests are in your kitchen. Trader Joe’s freezer section can quietly save the day. You handle the simple, homemade parts—eggs, basic bacon, fruit—and let their frozen items fill in the gaps and make the table look fuller than your effort level really was.

Lean on frozen pastries instead of scratch dough

Brunch feels fancier the second you put pastries on the table. Frozen croissants, chocolate croissants, or puff pastry items bake straight from the freezer and puff up like you worked way harder than you did. Put them on a cooling rack or tray so they don’t get soggy, and dust with a little powdered sugar if you want them to look extra “finished.”

Add a savory option that doesn’t need babysitting

Quiches, frittatas, or egg bakes from the freezer section can be a life-saver. They heat in the oven while you brew coffee and slice fruit. Once they’re hot, you can cut them into small squares or wedges and mix them in with any homemade egg dishes without anyone really caring which is which.

Use frozen hash browns or potatoes

Instead of peeling, shredding, and frying potatoes from scratch, grab a bag of frozen hash browns or seasoned breakfast potatoes. Spread them on a sheet pan, bake until crisp, and season with a little extra salt and pepper if needed. They fill up plates and feel like real “food,” especially for anyone who wants something hearty.

Add something a little “special” from the bakery freezer

Holiday or seasonal items—like cinnamon rolls, danishes, or seasonal breads—look nice in the middle of the table and give people something to talk about. You can slice larger items into smaller pieces so everyone can sample without filling up on one thing. Serve on a cake stand or platter to make it feel more intentional.

Keep a frozen fruit option as backup

Fresh fruit is great, but winter produce can be hit or miss. Keeping frozen berries or a mixed fruit blend on hand gives you a backup plan. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and serve with yogurt, granola, or whipped cream. Even mixed into a simple fruit salad, they make the table look more colorful.

Round things out with easy sides

Brunch doesn’t need a dozen dishes. A simple spread might be: one frozen pastry item, one savory bake, potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and fruit. Coffee, juice, and maybe a simple mimosa setup finish it off. Most of that can be prepped ahead or pulled from the freezer, which means you’re not stuck at the stove the entire time guests are there.