40 Traditional German Breakfast Food 🥨 Breakfast Pastries to Protein (2024)

German breakfast dishes are diverse, filling, and extremely appetizing—just what you need to kickstart your day! If you think beer and sausages are their only staples, you’re in for a surprise.

From Berlin to Bavaria, Germans have perfected the art of the morning meal. And let’s be honest, there's something truly special about starting your day with something that's both foreign and utterly delicious.

If you've got a soft spot for international breakfasts (and who doesn’t?), don't miss out on my lists of the Best Polish Breakfast and French Breakfast Recipes.

Popular German Breakfast Food

Whether you're all about sweet pastries or prefer hearty proteins for breakfast, there's a popular German breakfast food with your name on it. Ready to drool over 40 of them?

1. German Potato Pancake

Spuds in a pancake? Count me in! These traditional German pancakes are crispy, savory, and oh-so-yummy. It's like a morning hug for your tastebuds.

2. Caramelized German Apple Pancakes

Think apple pie but in pancake form. So simple but so sweet and so darn good. An apple a day in the most delightful way!

In this Apple Pancake recipe, you can use Pink Lady, Gaia, or whatever apples you have in your pantry.

3. Easy Bavarian Pretzel Rolls

Chewy on the outside, soft in the middle, and a sprinkle of salt. A taste of Bavaria at your breakfast table.

4. Vollkornbrot - Whole Grain Bread

This isn't your ordinary toast. Wholesome, grainy, and perfectly nutty, Vollkornbrot will keep you full throughout the day. Ideal for busy weekdays.

5. Apple Cinnamon Kaiserschmarrn

A whimsical dish, torn fluffy pancakes sautéed with apple chunks and cinnamon sugar. Yum!

Don’t forget the powdered sugar!

6. Bircher Muesli - Swiss Oatmeal

Oats soaked overnight, mixed with nuts, fruits, and all things good. Cold, creamy, a hint of sweet.

7. German Potato Breakfast Casserole

A hearty layer of potatoes, whisked eggs, cheese, and some veggies, all baked to perfection. Every forkful screams comfort!

8. German Semolina Pudding

Creamy, dreamy, with a hint of vanilla. Dessert for breakfast? Why not! This delicious concoction will remind you of your favorite childhood dessert.

9. Butterkuchen - Butter Cake

A soft, airy cake laden with butter and a hint of lemon or almond. Perfectly paired with your morning cuppa.

Love cakes? I highly recommend you try Heaven On Earth and this easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake dessert.

10. German Potato Omelet

With its simple yet flavorful ingredients, this recipe offers a taste of German culinary warmth and comfort.

11. Senfeier - German Eggs in Mustard Sauce

Soft boiled eggs in a tangy, creamy mustard sauce. Unexpected? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely!

For more yummy egg recipes, check out my Sous Vide Egg Bites and Poached Eggs.

12. Classic German Farmer’s Breakfast

A rustic charm with pan-fried potatoes, crispy bacon, and scrambled eggs. It’s the countryside experience on a plate.

13. Toast Hawaii

Toast Hawaii combines ham, cheese, and a pineapple ring on toast, topped with a maraschino cherry for a fancy family breakfast.

14. Zartbitter Heisse Schokolade - Dark Hot Chocolate

Dive into the dark side with this creamy dark hot chocolate—pure indulgence in a cup!

15. Chocolaty German Waffles

Waffles taken up a notch with cocoa. Perfectly crispy, wonderfully soft inside, and oh-so-chocolaty.

16. Apfelkuchen - German Apple Custard Cake with Creme Fraiche

Layers of tender apples and silky custard in a crumbly crust, crowned with a dollop of creme fraiche. Pure indulgence!

17. Hopple Popple German Breakfast Casserole

Don’t throw your leftovers yet! Hopple Popple German Breakfast Casserole transforms ordinary eggs and days-old veggies into something extraordinary.

For more savory casserole ideas, check out my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Chicken Dorito Casserole, Mexican Corn Casserole, and Pizza Casserole.

18. Weisswurst - White Sausage

Mild and delicate, these sausages are traditionally boiled and served with a sweet mustard.

You can also use them for this kid-friendly Cream Cheese Sausage Balls recipe.

19. Schnecken - German Cinnamon Buns with Pecans and Honey

A sticky, gooey bun swirled with cinnamon, studded with pecans, and dripping with honey. German breakfast or German dessert? You decide.

20. German Sausages with Bacon and Apple Sauerkraut

Sausages, bacon, and sauerkraut? Now that's a party on a plate! They team up to deliver a meaty taste that's second to none.

For more filling sausage recipes, check out the Best Smoked Sausage Dishes for Easy Dinner.

21. Broetchen - German Bread Rolls

Perfectly golden brown, always inviting. Trust me, they're more than just a roll—crispy edges and a fluffy heart make them the perfect sidekick for your spreads.

22. No Knead German Crusty Rolls

Love freshly baked rolls but hate the fuss? This recipe is your new BFF.

23. Quarkstollen - Quark Almond Sweet Bread

A delightful fusion of creamy quark and crunchy almonds. Every slice is so good, you’ll keep coming back for more.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like my Cranberry Orange Bread, Lemon Blueberry Bread, Cheddar Zucchini Bread, and Rhubarb Bread with Orange Icing.

24. Kakao Mit Schuss - German Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate, sweet and full-bodied, is Germany's answer to chilly days and rough winter conditions.

25. Gurkensalat - German Cucumber Dill Salad

Bursting with the freshness of cucumbers and dill, this salad is a refreshing companion to any meal, or even a light snack on its own.

26. German Chocolate and Hazelnut Cake

Rich chocolate meets the earthy crunch of hazelnuts in this German cake that's nothing short of indulgent. Celebration or just a Tuesday, this cake’s got you covered!

Love chocolate? Try my Mini Black Bottom Cupcake, Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies, and Hocus Pocus Cupcake.

27. Heringssalat - Red Herring Salad

Yummy blend of tender herring and vibrant veggies that’ll shake up your salad routine. Think you know fish salads? Think again.

28. German Egg Sandwiches

A timeless classic with a German twist, these simple but flavorsome sandwiches are the answer to any hunger pang.

29. German Scones with Cinnamon Honey Butter

Fluffy scones paired with silky cinnamon honey butter—it's a match made in heaven. Perfect for a leisurely breakfast or a high-tea treat.

30. Easy German Braided Sweet Bread

Intricately braided and bursting with sweetness, this bread is a showstopper. Not only does it look like a masterpiece, but it tastes heavenly too!

31. German Goetta Recipe

Another meat breakfast option, German Goetta is a hearty delight that’ll surely keep your energy high throughout the day.

32. Mini Pancake Muffin Tins

Pancakes meet muffins in this adorable breakfast mashup! Bite-sized perfection that's ideal for on-the-go mornings or lazy brunches.

If you find these muffin tins delicious, you’ll be blown away by Pumpkin Muffins and Raisin Bran Muffins.

33. Bierocks - Beef and Cabbage Stuffed Rolls

Think of Bierocks as a comforting hug wrapped in dough. Tender beef, hearty cabbage, all tucked inside a golden roll.

34. Coffee Cake and Cheese Kuchen

What's better than coffee cake? A coffee cake with a German twist. Whether paired with your morning brew or enjoyed as a midnight snack, it won’t disappoint.

35. Gluten Free German Stollen

Traditional German Stollen, but make it gluten-free. Packed with nuts and spices and dusted with powdered sugar, this healthy treat will make you wonder why you didn't try it sooner. Amazing for sharing or gifting!

36. Vanilla Dutch Baby with Peaches and Raspberries

Fluffy pancake meets summer fruits. Vanilla, peach, raspberry—a breakfast trio made in heaven. Drizzle some syrup and be whisked away to a breakfast paradise.

37. Berliner Donuts

Light, airy, and irresistibly sweet, these are what dreams are made of. Often dusted with sugar or filled with jam, Berliners are Germany's answer to your sweet tooth's call

38. Semmelknoedel - Bacon and Bread Dumplings

Not your average dumplings. With crispy bacon and hearty bread, these dumplings are the ultimate German comfort food.

39. Pineapple Cake with Marzipan

Tropical pineapple meets velvety marzipan. Whether you're having a treat yourself moment or sharing with friends, these donuts make everything better.

40. Bratkartoffeln - German Potato Fries with Bacon

Crispy potatoes, smoky bacon—it's the German rendition of the beloved fry. Perfect as a side, or honestly, just gobble them up solo!

📖 Recipe

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 14 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.