13 Delicious Italian Breakfast Recipes

Italian food. It doesn’t get much better than this. From pasta to pizza and ice creams to lasagna, Italian cuisine has some of the best foods in the world.

But, many people don’t think about an Italian breakfast. Yes, there’s nothing stopping you from having a slice (or two) of pizza in the morning, but we suggest you try other classic Italian breakfast ideas.

If you’re often in awe of Italian cuisine, then you need to try the whole package – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, to fuel you for the day ahead, you will need to eat a hearty breakfast.

Luckily, the Italians are not short of delicious, filling breakfast ideas for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you want a typical Italian breakfast or Italian egg dishes, there is something out there to suit everyone’s taste buds. 

In today’s post, we are going to guide you through 13 of our favorite Italian Breakfast recipes that we know you will love! Just make sure you make enough to share with your family, too (or for second helpings!)

Tasty Italian Breakfast Recipes

1. Italian Baked Eggs & Sausage

You’ve had egg bake before but not like the Italians make it! This casserole contains Italian sausage, eggs, and roasted tomatoes to give you a true taste of Italia.

Served with crusty, warm rolls covered in a generous spread of butter and you’ll be starting your day in the best way possible. 

2. Frittata

This 20-minute recipe will change the way you see breakfast forever! And, although the ingredients may sound like a typical breakfast – egg, cheese, bacon, and vegetables – these are sautéed.

When you whisk in the cream and eggs, too, you have a recipe for one incredible Italian breakfast.

Throw this in the oven for 10 minutes, and you will soon have a breakfast dish that is very filling and energy boosting. Oh, and it’s incredibly tasty, too! 

3. Ricotta Pancakes

If you like your pancakes to be moist and fluffy, then you will adore this Italian Ricotta pancake recipe. These are not like any old pancakes. By adding in some ricotta, you transform your pancake game and breakfast.

Finish off the pancakes by topping them with butter, maple syrup, and strawberries (macerated are the best). Together, these ingredients will satisfy your sweet tooth every time. 

4. Italian Cloud Eggs

With a total preparation time of 25 minutes, these Italian cloud eggs are light but surprisingly filling. 

All you need to do is place some egg yolks on top of some whipped egg whites and season with some Italian spices.

Finish by baking in a cast-iron skillet and then enjoy the mouth watering flavor and texture these cloudy eggs will provide.

5. Croissant (Cornetti)

Although croissants are thought to be fundamentally French, their origins go way back to the Austrian City of Vienna. And, even though they are not Italian, you can prepare them in a classic Italian way.

Italian croissants, also known as “Cornettis” are buttery and flaky, like any good croissant should be.

Follow this recipe above for the crispiest texture on the outside possible and the most airy, fluffiest texture on their insides.

A Cornetti is very easy to make. You just need to combine eggs, water, and pastry dough.

And, your sweet tooth will once again be pleased as Cornettis tend to be a little sweeter than your traditional croissant.  

6. Tiramisu

Who said desserts were just for late in the day? You can enjoy them for breakfast, too! And, when it comes to something sweet, not much can beat the combination of cream, mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, ladyfingers, and espresso.

This Italian Tiramisu recipe is one that you will be making time and time again. This pastry treat is simply incredible and, best of all, the preparation is easy with no baking. 

7. Italian Biscuits

Biscuits can be enjoyed with everything (just ask the Brits on their love of dunking theirs in tea!) For Italians, biscuits (or as we call them, “cookies”), are enjoyed with a cup of coffee or milk during breakfast. 

Make these crumbly treats and dunk them delicately in your cup of coffee. The texture will soften, and the biscuits will melt in your mouth.

8. Zeppole Italian Donuts

Breakfast donuts! One of the best ways to start any day! Zeppole Italian Donuts, also known as St. Joseph’s Day Cake, have a light, fluffy inside and a crispy outside that are totally scrumptious.

The recipe for these donut delights is super simple to make and very quick. Just make sure you use vegetable oil to get the best donuts possible.

Finish off by filling the donuts with custard, jam, or pastry cream and you will need to make another batch as the first will go quickly! 

9. Brioche

Time for another Italian pastry piece of heaven with the world-famous Brioche.

Made from sweet dough, you’ll always find Brioche in Italian cafés and restaurants, usually served with (you guessed it) coffee. Sitting outside a café with a Brioche and a cappuccino – now, THAT’S Italian.

You can eat Brioche in a number of ways, but they are almost always filled with delicious vanilla cream, almond pastes, or jam. If we were you, we’d just try one of each, just to be sure what tastes best.

10. Italian Breakfast Frittata

Translated, the Italian word “Frittata” means “Fried” in English. So, as you can imagine, this breakfast item involves a little bit of frying.

A frittata essentially tastes like a breakfast casserole, omelet, or Quiché. However, frittatas appear more like an unfolded omelet or a Quiché without its crust.

As for this recipe above, the Frittata is egg-based (like most Italian Frittatas). The majority  are then filled with certain vegetables, meats, and mouth-watering cheese. 

11. Bread, Butter, And Jam

Bread, butter, and jam – simple, right? Well, in Italy, just about every hotel offers this as part of their breakfast buffet. But, you don’t have to stick to one type of bread.

Most Italian buffets have a choice of several types of bread with various spreads and jams. It’s such a great way to start the day – you pick and choose a different combination to see how they taste together. Our kind of experiment!

Known as “pane, burro e marmellata” in Italy, this breakfast is a popular choice amongst Italians. Most, though, prefer freshly baked bread rather than those that are packaged.

This is why you will often see large lines of bread in bakery windows every morning, waiting to be the chosen ones.

12. Maritozzi

If you’re ever in Rome, you should “do as the Romans do.” Well, if they ate Maritozzi for breakfast, we wholeheartedly agree with this saying.

Maritozzi is a Roman sweet treat that comes in the form of a bun that is sliced in half. It’s inside is stuffed with whipped cream so you can get an extra dose of sweetness. 

Translated to “almost husband,” Maritozzi was once a dish that was given to a woman from her boyfriend or husband as a show of his love for her.

To be fair, one bite and you’ll understand why Maritozzi was regarded as a vow of love. 

Today, though, Maritozzi is very different from its early incarnations. There are a range of versions available, with some including raisins, pine nuts, and chocolate. Some are even savory. 

13. Panettone

Panettone is arguably better known as being a Christmas dessert, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a slice of the festive season for breakfast.

A mix of a cake and bread, Panettone can be eaten in any way you like. But, we recommend slicing a portion and then spreading some butter on top of it.

Finish off with a steaming hot cup of coffee and your breakfast will be complete.

If you make too much, Panettone can last up to five days at room temperature. Even better, it can last up to one week in your refrigerator, so you can come back throughout the week and treat yourself. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There A Typical Italian Breakfast? 

Most of the time, Italians prefer to eat sweet foods for breakfast.

Unlike other parts of the world where toast, bacon, and eggs are popular in the morning, Italians consider a traditional breakfast to consist of baked goods, including cookies, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and cakes. 

What Is A Typical Tuscan breakfast?

If you have ever seen the rolling hills of Tuscany and dreamed of waking up to those Tuscan sunrises, then you will need to eat a hearty Tuscan breakfast.

Known as a Tuscan Farmer’s Breakfast, a typical breakfast for many Tuscans is simple yet healthy. It typically consists of white beans (cannellini beans), aromatics, tomatoes, and then topped off with runny eggs.

Then, zesty, herby gremolata is sprinkled on top before the dish is served alongside some crusty bread so you can mop up the remaining juices. So tasty!

What Is The Most Popular Italian Breakfast? 

As we mentioned, sweet foods are the most popular breakfast items in Italy. But, the most popular is considered to be Biscotti (biscuits). Definitely something you need to try.

In Summary

We could have gone on and on with our favorite Italian breakfast items but we had to stick with a limited number.

But, what we have chosen are some of the best recipes we have ever tried and ones that we are sure you and your family will love.