Portugal is a glorious country, with even more glorious food. While their lunch and dinner options are truly divine, their breakfast foods aren’t far behind.
While many of their breakfast options are similar to what you’d find in the states, they do have a little twist to them that sets them apart from the rest.
This article will be listing 18 of the most delicious Portuguese breakfast recipes that you’ll be itching to try immediately.
We hope you’re a fan of carbs, because you’re about to experience some delicious recipes, with many revolving around bread!
1. Spicy Portuguese Hash
This spicy hash uses chourico, which is a smoked sausage made with pork, fat, wine, paprika, and salt.
All you need to do is boil some potatoes until they are almost fully cooked, and add your smoked sausage to a skillet along with onion, paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Then, add your chopped-up potatoes and mix everything together. Crack 6 eggs over the ingredients, and place in the oven to broil for a few minutes!
2. Portuguese Baked Eggs
Knowing how to make baked eggs will set you up for all the mornings that come your way.
It is easy, delicious, and incredibly satisfying, and when paired next to a green salad, it can double up as a great lunch or dinner meal.
Simply fry some peppers and onion in a pot, and add tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, chili powder, paprika, and jalapeños.
Let this cook until the liquid becomes thick, and crack some eggs over the mixture before placing it in the oven.
Serve this with some toast, and enjoy!
3. Portuguese Muffins (Vegan Bolos Levedos)
These sweet muffins are a delicious treat when it comes to breakfast. They’re also completely vegan, meaning anyone who follows a plant-based diet can enjoy them.
While they taste lovely on their own, they are even better if you toast them and spread some butter or jam on them!
4. Portuguese Sausage Frittata
This is another recipe that uses Portuguese Chourico, and is similar to the Portuguese hash recipe we listed earlier.
However, this recipe uses extra veggies such as peppers, but you can add anything else your heart desires!
The result is a golden brown dish of warm goodness, perfect to start your morning the right way.
5. Portuguese Sweet Bread
Portuguese sweet bread is normally served during Easter, but it also makes for a delicious and comforting breakfast.
By making this recipe from scratch, you’ll be filling your home with the most delicious aromas, and this is reason enough to try your hand at this recipe.
While it does take some time and patience to create, the end result will be well and truly worth it.
6. Portuguese Tosta Mista
While you’ve likely seen ham and cheese melts in other parts of the world, these Portuguese ones use soft, fluffy, Portuguese buns that have crunchy herbs on the top.
Simply cut your Portuguese rolls in half, add some ham, cheese, salt and pepper, and then brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash, sprinkle with herbs, and place in the oven until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
While these are warm and delicious for breakfast, they also make a good meal for lunch, or a light dinner or snack.
7. Portuguese Porridge (Papas)
A warm, hearty bowl of oatmeal is one of the best ways to start your day, and this Portuguese version called Papas will do exactly that.
Instead of using oats, this recipe uses flavor, and it is made in the exact same way as oatmeal. Simply boil together milk, sugar, and salt in a pan, and sift in flour while continuing to whisk.
Once the mixture is thick, add a good amount of cinnamon, and serve it up!
8. Portuguese French Toast
French toast is a breakfast staple when it comes to Portugal. It is also very easy to make! All you need to do is whisk together some eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange rind.
Then, slice your bread, smother it in the mixture, and bake in the oven for around 45 minutes. The result is a crispy, sweet, and delicious breakfast!
For extra flavor, sprinkle some more cinnamon and brown sugar on top, and serve with some fresh fruit.
9. Portuguese Chorizo Stuffed Bread
Waking up to a warm, soft, stuffed bread roll is the perfect way to start your day, and it’ll give you energy for hours.
This bread roll is stuffed with mozzarella, fresh garlic, and chorizo, all providing you with a blend of delicious flavors you won’t be able to get enough of.
10. Portuguese Rice Muffins (Bolos De Arroz)
If you’re someone with a sweet tooth, then gobbling on these rice muffins the minute you roll out of bed will really set you up for a good day.
They are fluffy on the inside, and crunchy and crispy on the outside. They are made with a mix of rice flour, and all-purpose flour, giving them a similar texture to cornbread.
When biting into these delicious muffins, you’ll be able to taste butter, sugar, and a hint of lemon that gives them a refreshing feel without being overpowering.
11. Custard Mini Tarts (Pasteis De Nata)
These custard tarts are the most known dessert in Portugal and once you try them, you’ll understand why.
These tiny tarts have a delicious, creamy filling that has a hint of lemon, and is very refreshing. This, paired with the delicious pastry the cream is enveloped in, makes for a wonderful combination.
You can recreate them by using a good quality puff pastry and making the custard.
While this is usually had traditionally as a dessert or snack, there’s no reason why you can’t eat a few at breakfast with a large cup of coffee!
12. Portuguese Sweet Rice
Another popular dessert that is perfectly acceptable to be eaten at breakfast, is this Portuguese sweet rice.
It only requires Jasmine rice, lemon, eggs, and milk, and ends up coming together like a custard rice pudding that can be eaten warm or cold.
It’s very cheap to make, and very easy to put together. If you’re after something cool and refreshing to eat first thing in the morning, then this is the recipe for you.
On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting, this is also a great option straight from the stove.
13. Portuguese Sausage Breakfast Tacos
Breakfast tacos always go down a treat, and these are made with Portuguese sausage.
All you need are some corn tortillas, Portuguese sausage, sliced Habaneros, and some eggs. With just 4 ingredients, you can create some of the most delicious breakfast tacos you’ve ever had!
14. Sweet Potato Bread (Bolo Do Caco)
Traditionally from Madeira, this sweet potato bread recipe is very easy to make and tastes delicious.
It can be served as a side dish for any main, but also works perfectly on your breakfast plate alongside some fresh fruit, for example.
It is made on a hot metal plate which gives it its signature burned look, and it is often served with delicious garlic butter while it is still hot.
You can leave this part out if you’re having it for breakfast, but who says you can’t eat garlic first thing in the morning? Just make sure you’re not kissing anyone…
15. Portuguese Fig Jam
Creating your own jam will ensure you’ve got an endless supply for breakfast on demand!
It’s also a wonderful little gift you can give to your loved ones during the holidays, especially if you pack it in some pretty little jars.
To create this Portuguese fig jam place your stemmed figs, lemon rind strips, thyme, lemon juice, honey, and sugar in a saucepan and boil on medium heat.
Keep mixing together until the sauce thickens, then remove the lemon peel and thyme steps and blend together to create a smooth texture.
Pour into a jar, and keep refrigerated. This will last you an entire month!
16. Portuguese Coconut Custard Tarts
These little coconut custard tarts resemble little cupcakes, but they are filled with a creamy milk and egg custard that is bursting with Portuguese flavor.
While they can be eaten warm or chilled, the vast majority of people prefer to have them warm, so before eating them, place them in the oven for around 10 minutes to heat them up.
17. Portuguese Omelette
Omelettes are a great way to start your day, as they are packed with protein from the eggs that will give you a good amount of energy to start your day.
This recipe uses eggs, pickled crushed red pepper, olive oil, and parsley.
It is super easy to make, and can also make for a good light lunch, or light dinner!
18. Portuguese Eggs
These Portuguese eggs are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner! This dish consists of poached eggs in a rich, tomato sauce.
It’s a Portuguese twist on the famous Mexican ‘Huevos Rancheros’ and is very easy to put together.
It only takes 35 minutes to make, and is one of the best meals you can wake up to!
Final Thoughts
To conclude, many of the staple breakfast recipes you’ll find in Portugal revolve around some kind of bread, whether it’s sweet, or savory.
You’ll also find that many of them use Portuguese sausage, a special version of what is commonly known as chorizo.
All of the recipes included in this list are very easy to make, and they are packed with flavor.
Whether you’d like something refreshing to wake up to, or something warm and comforting, this article has it all.
After reading this article, you’ll be able to bring the aromas and flavors of Portugal to your own home kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you ever visit Portugal, you’ll find that the most common breakfast options are pretty simple. They involve things such as bread, cheese, ham, jam, and milky coffee.
As you’ve seen in this list, a lot of their breakfast foods involve bread of some kind, be it sweet or savory.
The most famous food associated with Portugal is Pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts). These are small little pastries filled with delicious custard, and they can be found all over Portugal.
You’ll also find many Portuguese-inspired stores and cafés selling them around the world. They are also known as one of the seven wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy.
Eggs, especially fried eggs, are very common in Portugal. They are normally served on top of steak, known as ‘bitoque’, or on a meat and cheese sandwich, referred to as ‘francesinha’, with some fries.
18 Portuguese Breakfast Recipes To Make Your Mouth Water
Ingredients
Directions
- Pick a recipe from the list above
- Click the recipe name and visit the website
- Collect the ingredients and cook the food
- Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review
Recipe Video
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