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)

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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)

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10 Traditional Swedish Breakfast Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional breakfast in Sweden? ›

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 Swedish breakfast for kids? ›

Breakfast (frukost)

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 is the average Swedish breakfast? ›

Swedes don't have any pastries for the breakfast. Just yogurt, muesli, some berries and fruits on top. Sometimes they do add some jam to a cereal bowl though. If there is the IKEA in your town, or a nearby town, you can easily replicate this Swedish breakfast.

What was a traditional 1800s breakfast? ›

In the 1800s, waffles and pancakes were much more prevalent than they were in later years and were ready vehicles for the creative cook's talents. Rice and cornmeal were frequently used to make them up, as were bread crumbs that had been soaked overnight in buttermilk.

What is the most popular breakfast in Sweden? ›

While oatmeal or porridge may be the historical breakfast choice of everyone from Vikings to peasants, there are plenty of other traditions ingrained into typical Swedish fare. The most basic staple is filmjölk, a soured buttermilk.

What is a traditional Swedish meal? ›

Some examples of these classic Swedish foods are: 'isterband' (smoked pork sausages served with creamed dill potatoes), 'rotmos och fläsk' (root vegetable mash and pork sausage) and 'ärtsoppa' (Swedish yellow pea soup, usually accompanied by pancakes), a tradition dating back to the 18th century.

What is breakfast sandwich in Swedish? ›

A smörgås or sandwich is a typical breakfast or lunch meal for a Swede. Often with one piece of bread or cracker, butter and toppings, the open-face sandwich is delicious.

What is Sweden's most traditional food? ›

Internationally, the most renowned Swedish culinary tradition is the smörgåsbord and, at Christmas, the julbord, including well-known Swedish dishes such as gravlax and meatballs. In Sweden, traditionally, Thursday has been "soup day" because the maids had half the day off and soup was easy to prepare in advance.

What is a Swedish mid morning snack? ›

Traditionally the Swedish fika is all about a steaming hot cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun but of course the coffee can be swapped for tea or even lemonade and the cinnamon bun for any other sweet or even savoury snack.

What is Swedish breakfast smorgasbord? ›

smorgasbord. This classic Scandinavian concept is essentially a buffet comprised of a mix of hot and cold dishes. Consider it the Swedish version of a brunch.

What did they eat in 1776? ›

Colonial forests were packed with wild game, and turkey, venison, rabbit and duck were staples of the colonists' meat-heavy diets. In addition to these better-known (by modern standards) options, many colonists enjoyed eating passenger pigeons.

What was a popular breakfast in the 1920s? ›

We still eat a 1920s breakfast! In addition to the traditional eggs and bacon, sausage, or other breakfast meat, hot (oatmeal, cream of wheat) and cold (corn flakes, shredded wheat, bran flakes) cereals were common. Toast with butter or jam was also common.

What did they eat for breakfast in the 1700s? ›

For most people, breakfast consisted of bread, cornmeal mush and milk, or bread and milk together, and tea. Even the gentry might eat modestly in the morning, although they could afford meat or fish...

Do they eat eggs in Sweden? ›

Swedish cuisine could be described as centered around cultured dairy products, crisp and soft (often sugared) breads, berries and stone fruits, beef, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, and seafood. Potatoes are often served as a side dish, often boiled.

What is a typical lunch in Sweden? ›

Pea soup and pancakes

Most traditional lunch restaurants serve pea soup and pancakes with lingonberry jam or any kind of jam (sylt) on Thursdays.

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