10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (2024)

While this list of Swedish breakfast recipes has a few unusual, lesser-known dishes on it, you should recognize most of what’s here.

That’s the great thing about breakfast; wherever you go in the world, there will always be a few items on the breakfast menu that are familiar.

10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (1)

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

Even so, Swedish chefs like to add a bit of flair into the dishes, something that makes them definitively Swedish.

For example, Swedish pancakes are thinner and more crepe-like than American pancakes.

Their waffles are also thinner and crispier than traditional American waffles.

Some things, though, like boiled eggs and coffee, are pretty much going to taste the same no matter where you eat (or drink) them.

That doesn’t mean they’re any less delicious!

For this list, I’ve tried to showcase what a Swedish breakfast might look like on any typical morning. I hope you enjoy it.

1. Swedish Pancakes

Swedish pancakes are very crepe-like in appearance, but the taste and texture are pretty different from crepes.

For example, the pancakes are much fluffier, but they’re not as fluffy as American pancakes.

They’re also lighter, airier, and have a delightful buttery taste.

It takes about 15 minutes to make a dozen of these thin, tasty treats, and the ingredients are simple, everyday staples.

You’ll want to make the buttermilk syrup that goes along with them, though. One taste of it, and you’ll understand why.

Fair warning: Once you try it, maple syrup may never suffice again.

2. Swedish Waffles

Swedish waffles are thin, crispy, and beautifully golden brown. They’re also incredibly easy to make.

All you’ll need is butter, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and eggs – and a waffle iron, of course.

They’re denser and less airy than American waffles, but they taste fantastic, especially once you add whipped cream and Felix Lingonberry jam, the traditional Swedish waffle toppings.

3. Swedish Cardamom Buns

If you like to start your morning off with something sweet, you’ll appreciate this recipe for Swedish cardamom buns.

They’re similar to cinnamon rolls, but there’s also a hint of pull-apart monkey bread in both their flavor and texture.

Plus, they’re lovely with the intricate braiding and twists on the top.

However, they take a little time to make, so you can’t roll out of bed and expect to enjoy them in 15 minutes or so.

The crispy but tender dough and decadent butter, cinnamon, and cardamom filling are well worth the time you’ll spend making them, though.

4. Muesli

Whether you call it Swiss oatmeal or muesli, this dish is a rich, hearty breakfast that’ll fill you up and keep you going for hours.

It’s also incredibly convenient because you make the oats the night before, and the following day, all you have to do is add your chosen toppings.

It takes practically no time and is ideal for those busy mornings when you barely have time to breathe, much less cook breakfast.

It’s thick, filling, and easily customizable. If you want a sweeter breakfast, add fruits, berries, and a dash of cinnamon and sugar.

If you want something more savory, use nuts, seeds, and maybe a handful of raisins or a dash of salt.

5. Swedish Rye Bread

This dense, dark bread has a perfectly crispy outer crust but is soft, tender, and flavorful on the inside.

Like most bread, it takes some time to make, but it has a phenomenal taste that you won’t be able to resist.

The molasses, brown sugar, milk, and shortening combine to create a rich, slightly sweet taste that makes this bread ideal for eating with sandwiches, soups, or with a simple pat of melted butter on top.

It’s also a great morning bread. Smear some peanut butter or jam across it and enjoy it with a mug of hot coffee or a tall glass of milk.

6. Swedish Crispbread

If you love seasoned, herby crackers and have never had Swedish crispbread, you’re about to be one happy chef.

These crunchy, seed-covered crackers are so tasty and flavorful that you can enjoy them with or without toppings.

If you’re on the hunt for rye flour recipes to impress, try this one!

Between the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, salt, and flaxseed, each bite of these crispbread squares is more herby and delicious than the last.

I like to eat them with garlic and herb cream cheese, but they taste nearly as good when eaten by themselves.

7. Swedish Lemon Pancakes

These pancakes are very similar to those listed above; they’re just as thin, light, and delectable.

The only difference is that you’ll flavor these with a bit of lemon zest and lemon curd.

As a result, they’re zestier and just a bit tart. You’ll top them with raspberries and powdered sugar, which helps soften the tangy edge.

The recipe also suggests adding sweetened sour cream to the top, but I usually leave that off.

If I want something creamy, I’ll go with the more traditional whipped cream instead.

8. Swedish Cardamom Bread

This Swedish cardamom bread isn’t as sweet as the cardamom buns listed above, but it’s every bit as incredible.

First of all, it’s gorgeous. People in Sweden often make it during the holidays as a special, lovely treat. Some even give it as a holiday gift.

Whether you’re making it for yourself, to bring to a gathering, or to give to a friend, you won’t be disappointed.

The lovely golden braid looks marvelous, and it has a slightly sweet, pine-like flavor that’s hard to beat.

9. Boiled Eggs

Chances are, you already know how to make boiled eggs, but they’re a staple of Swedish breakfasts, so I couldn’t leave them off the list.

I like this recipe for them because it shows you how to make hard-boiled eggs and soft-boiled eggs to suit your tastes.

10. Coffee

Again, coffee is one of those things most Americans already know how to make, but the Swedes love coffee just as much as the rest of us, and no Swedish breakfast is complete without it.

This recipe gives you two options for making the perfect cup of black coffee. You can, of course, add sugar and cream to your heart’s content.

10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (2)

10 Traditional Swedish Breakfasts

These authentic Swedish breakfast recipes are sure to delight! Recipes like pancakes, waffles, crispbread, and boiled eggs will put a Swedish spin on your morning.

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a Swedish breakfast in 30 minutes or less!
10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (3)

Did you like the recipe?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 3.3 / 5. Vote count: 7

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks!

Share on social media:

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Related posts

25 Traditional Swedish Recipes15 Traditional Swedish Christmas Foods (+ Easy Recipes)15 Traditional Swedish Desserts10 Traditional Polish Breakfast Recipes10 Traditional Greek Breakfast Recipes25 Turkish Breakfast Ideas (+ Traditional Recipes)

10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a typical Swedish breakfast? ›

Cereal, yogurt, and dried fruits and nuts at Torekov Hotel. Cereal is usually muesli, eaten with filmjölk (a buttermilk-like product) or yogurt, and mixed with dried fruits and nuts. Jam isn't usually eaten with bread, but mixed into a bowl of plain yogurt, along with dried fruits and nuts.

What is a typical Nordic breakfast? ›

Typical “nordic style breakfasts” include items like porridge with fruits and nuts or some type of combination of fresh fruit, seafood, and eggs.

What are some traditional breakfast foods? ›

In the United States, breakfast often consists of either a cereal or an egg-based dish. However, pancakes, waffles, toast, and variants of the full breakfast and continental breakfast are also prevalent.

What is a traditional Swiss breakfast? ›

What do people eat and drink: In Switzerland, breakfast typically includes bread, butter or margarine, marmalade or honey, maybe some cheese or cereals, plus milk, cold or hot chocolate, tea or coffee.

What is Sweden's national dish? ›

Sweden doesn't have an official national dish, but many Swedes consider meatballs and lingonberries to be the national fare.

What do Swedish children eat for breakfast? ›

Grot, which is type of oatmeal porridge is also popular, served with milk and jam. Other breakfast favorites are filmjolk, which is a fermented buttermilk yogurt, or plain yogurt and cereal.

What do Norway eat for breakfast? ›

Some may also eat muesli with milk, although at least traditionally this has been less common than bread. A typical breakfast in Norway would be something like eggs, bacon, potatoes, and bread. However, there are many different types of breakfast foods that are popular in Norway.

What is in a Danish breakfast? ›

Typical Danish breakfast is bread (white or rye bread) with cream or soft cheese, sausage, cured cold meat or jam with coffee or tea. Among popular breakfast dishes are also cereals and porridge. One of the most interesting things and a very traditional Danish food you can eat in Copenhagen is øllebrød.

What do French eat for breakfast? ›

A typical French breakfast consists of a croissant or bread with butter and jam and sometimes a sweet pastry. Fresh fruit juice and hot beverages, like coffee or tea, are also included. Here all meals for French breakfast. The tradition of eating a large meal mid-day continues at dinner time in France.

What is morning food in Sweden? ›

Many eat porridge ( mostly oatmeal), typically with milk and jam, applemash, fruit or berries. Many eat yoghurt ( either natural or flavored) or fil ( Cultured buttermilk), with cereal, fruit, berries or jam. Many eat sandwiches, with a variety of toppings; cheese, eggs and various cold cuts are all common.

What do Czechs have for breakfast? ›

Czechs tend to eat light at breakfast. A roll (rohlik -more like a mini-bagette) with a bit of cheese or butter, perhaps some ham; or perhaps a little sweet cake or a doughnut…or a bowl of cereal or musli. Or a few pieces of fruit.

What is the most popular breakfast in Finland? ›

Jokes aside, typical breakfast is bread (often rye bread) with something on top of it (usually cucumber, cold cuts or cheese) or oatmeal, though many (like my grandfather!) enjoy muesli as well. Adults tend to drink coffee or tea with their breakfast, though there's often a glass of juice too.

What is a traditional Swedish lunch? ›

They typically serve things like these: * The Flying Jacob (chicken and banana in a rich gravy) * Beef patties with gravy, lingonberry sylt, and mashed potatoes. * Salmon filet and rice or steamed potatoes. * Haddock filet and potato gratin.

What is the most important meal of the day in Sweden? ›

Swedes take their breakfast seriously and firmly believe that it's the most important meal of the day.

What is a Swedish mid morning snack? ›

Fika (pronounced fee-ka) is the Swedish tradition of taking a break in one's day to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a little something to eat, usually a baked good or open-faced sandwich.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Catherine Tremblay

Last Updated:

Views: 6690

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Catherine Tremblay

Birthday: 1999-09-23

Address: Suite 461 73643 Sherril Loaf, Dickinsonland, AZ 47941-2379

Phone: +2678139151039

Job: International Administration Supervisor

Hobby: Dowsing, Snowboarding, Rowing, Beekeeping, Calligraphy, Shooting, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Catherine Tremblay, I am a precious, perfect, tasty, enthusiastic, inexpensive, vast, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.