Wondering what a typical Swedish breakfast is? Keep reading then and find out if you can take some excellent tips from the Swedes!
If only we could keep eating Swedish cinnamon buns … 😉
Unlike in other non-Nordic countries, we don’t usually have pancakes for breakfast, either.
But cinnamon rolls are definitely common for breakfast — especially when it’s Cinnamon Bun Day!
What do Swedes eat for breakfast?
The traditional Swedish breakfast is relatively healthy. It always has at least two of these items:
- fresh fruits
- cheese or cured meat
- fresh vegetables
- bread, porridge, or cereal
- coffee or tea
That’s only the basics, of course.
As expected, we all have our favorites — like that Swedish caviar in a tube (but that’s a different story 😉 ).
Porridge
Oatmeal or porridge is very common for Swedish breakfast.
Serve it with some fresh fruits or a dollop of marmalade and a cup of coffee, and you’re off to a good start.
Muesli cereal
Muesli cereal is quite big here if we are to base it on the varieties available in every supermarket.
We love combining it with filmjölk, which is like a light yogurt, and it comes in plain or different flavors.
Swedish breakfast sandwiches
Swedish breakfast sandwiches are either open-faced or the ones with buns.
Although there is a wide variety of ingredients used, these are the typical ones used to prepare a sandwich for a Swedish breakfast.
- Cheese – usually slices of hard cheese, but soft cheese is not uncommon.
- Cured meat, cold cuts, boiled eggs, or shrimp.
- Fresh vegetables – slices of bell peppers, cucumber, and tomatoes are some of our favorites.
- Bread – this could be a bun, a slice of sourdough bread, or a piece of Swedish cracker.
- Butter – we rarely use mayonnaise; butter is what we love to spread on the bread (or cracker) instead.
- Leafy greens – lettuce, rucola, baby spinach, etc.
- Fresh fruit – not all the time, but slices of avocado are quite common.
Swedish Cheese Buns (Ostfrallor)
These cheese buns are so easy to make at home, even without a stand mixer — and they’re also excellent for freezing.
So, you can just heat these buns in the oven when you’re ready to use them for your breakfast.
And, of course, a cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee to round everything up.
You prefer some fruit juice instead? That’s not a problem, either. We also love having a glass of orange juice on the side.
Swedish Limpa (Syrup Loaf)
Locally known as ‘sirapslimpa,’ this lightly sweetened and spiced bread goes back a long way — like the Swedish chocolate balls or chokladbollar.
Older folks typically enjoy it with cheese or a thin spread of butter for breakfast.
But the younger ones also like to load them with the usual cured meat and vegetables, which can also work as a mid-day snack.
If you cannot decide which way to go, try eating it on its own and savor the aroma of fennel and anise seeds mixed with the subtle flavor of syrup in every bite. Yum!
Swedish cakes for breakfast
Lastly, cakes (or sweets) for breakfast are ok occasionally, but not the ones loaded with icing or cream.
Swedish Cardamom Cake
Like Swedish cinnamon buns, this cardamom cake is great for breakfast because it’s not overly sweet.
Instead, you get the perfect balance of spice, sugar, and cake in every bite — so good with a cup of cappuccino or tea.
Saffron Cake
Together with lussekatter, a slice of Swedish saffron cake is perfect for a Christmas morning.
The flavor and aroma of saffron is undeniable in every slice of this traditional Swedish cake.
I dare you to stop after a slice — even for breakfast. 😉
So, give them a try, and let me know if you have a favorite among these typical Swedish breakfast choices — completely understandable if you still say kanelbulle!
OR GET MORE IDEAS FROM THIS LIST OF BREAKFAST RECIPES FROM AROUND THE WORLD!
FOR MORE SWEDISH CUISINE, CHECK OUT THESE OTHER POSTS!
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