I know that British folks love bacon sandwiches. And Australians are always down for a pie.
But I’ve been thinking about traditional German breakfast foods lately.
They love using potatoes (though I wish there was more bacon involved!). But they also love fresh fruit on simple dishes or just some crusty bread with toppings.
If you want to mix up your morning routine, check out these 13 recipes.
1. German Waffles
These are a little thinner than the waffles you might know. But the flavor is very similar.
The German twist is baking them into heart shapes and adding tart cherry sauce.
You can also freeze them for later. Just thaw and pop them in the toaster.
2. Potato Pancakes (German Kartoffelpuffer)
You make these with finely grated starchy potatoes, onion, egg, and flour. Don’t forget the sea salt.
The secret is squeezing the liquid out of the potatoes. That is how you get the golden crisp edge.
Cook them on high heat and serve with bacon and fried eggs.
3. Homemade Bircher Muesli
It is time to upgrade your overnight oats. This traditional muesli combines oats with cinnamon, dried fruits, and nut butter.
Stir in half an apple and let it soak in milk overnight.
Add fresh apples on top for crunch when you are ready to eat. I like adding extra honey or milk before serving cold.
4. German Potato Omelet
Start your day with plenty of protein. This nutritious German omelet is super filling thanks to the fried potatoes.
It reminds me of a Spanish tortilla.
You cook the potatoes in butter with green onions and salt until they are crisp on the outside. They stay tender inside.
You can even add caramelized onions, bacon, or sausage.
5. Sticky German Cinnamon Buns (Schnecken)
Everyone loves a sticky bun. These are incredibly moreish and soft.
You put a pecan and brown sugar syrup on the bottom of the pan.
Then you roll and bake the dough. Turn it out for a beautiful nutty caramel topping.
6. German Apple Custard Cake (German Apfelkuchen)
I like to think that anything that’s loaded with fruit is suitable for breakfast. The Germans nailed it with this cake.
It is moist and tender because of all the apples. You pour custard over the baked cake to let it soak in.
Feel free to add dried fruits or nuts. Eat it with coffee for a healthy-ish treat.
7. Hopple Popple German Breakfast Casserole
German housewives used this recipe to save money back in the day. It is a traditional egg casserole made with leftovers.
Think of it as a breakfast pizza.
The base features egg and shredded hash browns. Then you top it with cheese and pepperoni.
I am totally down for breakfast pizza.
8. German Eggs in Mustard Sauce
This frugal vegetarian dish is super tasty. You will love it if you enjoy deviled eggs or egg salad.
It features hard-boiled eggs in a creamy mustard sauce.
The sauce uses flour, vegetable stock, cream, mustard, lemon, and dill. Serve the eggs and sauce with potatoes.
9. Farmer’s Breakfast (German Bauernfrühstück)
Think of this as a mix between a Spanish tortilla and a German potato omelet. You crisp up the potatoes in a skillet before softening the onions.
Then you pour the egg and herb mixture right over the top. I suggest rosemary and basil.
Slice it from the pan and serve with smoked cheese and a heap of bacon.
10. German Semolina Pudding (Griessbrei)
This is like a cheaper version of rice pudding. It has a porridge consistency and is best served thick, warm, and sweet.
Top it with a dollop of Nutella or jam. The German way involves sweetened warm milk and an apple cinnamon topping.
11. Apple Cinnamon Kaiserschmarrn Recipe
These pancakes are different from the American style or Dutch babies. They are actually closer to French crepes.
Keep the batter thin in your skillet or use a crepe maker.
They taste great with jam or powdered sugar. A generous scoop of apple cinnamon compote makes it a classic German dish.
12. German Potato Breakfast Casserole
Here is another potato and egg dish. This one gets topped with peppers and cheese.
You bake and serve it just like a quiche.
The recipe uses pre-made potato salad as the base. You can also par-boil your own potatoes if you cannot find the salad.
13. German Apple Pancakes
We know pancakes are a quintessential American breakfast. But there are plenty of international options too.
These are known as Dutch babies in the States. They are thick and made with sweetened batter.
You bake them as one large pancake instead of a stack. Slice it up to serve.