Crisp bread and vibrant jams. Thick slabs of butter and jammy eggs. Herring and sharp cheeses. A smorgasbord of whole grains, fresh fruits, rich dairy products, and the occasional cold fish, Scandinavian breakfast plates are a cultural delicacy indicative of Northern Europe’s values: simplicity, sustainability, and comfort. While the plates often vary by country, the staples remain the same across the region, focusing on ingredients high in fiber and protein and straying from overly processed foods. 

Besides their overwhelming nourishing properties, Scandinavian breakfast plates are simply beautiful to look at, like a breakfast bouquet or a paint palette of luscious, hearty whole foods. Pinterest and Instagram feeds are crowded with birdseye views of these breakfasts, making them appear curated and exquisite. Yet, creating your own Scandinavian breakfast is actually quite simple. By mindfully choosing each individual ingredient, the plate eventually becomes a masterpiece of its own. Read on to learn about the region’s staples and why you should start each morning with a piece of Scandinavia. 

The Staples

In both Norway and Finland, rye bread serves as the fundamental base of most breakfast plates. Often topped with thick slabs of rich butter or cold cheeses, the bread can be dressed up with drizzles of honey or smears of jam. Both countries are fond of their breakfast porridges, adding jams, honeys, and fresh fruits as natural sweeteners. While typically served on their own, oats, muesli, and porridge can be a great accompaniment to a more light, protein forward side. 

Cheeses, eggs, dairy, and cold meats and fish are the typical protein sources found in Scandinavian breakfasts. Cold herring and salmon are popular in Danish breakfasts, often atop whole grain bread and luminous veggies like tomato or cucumber. Eggs, typically served jammy or hardboiled, are a great savory addition to any breakfast plate, often seasoned with salt and pepper atop their gooey yokes. Yogurts are another versatile, popular source of protein alongside more savory ingredients or topped with fruit. Icelandic breakfast often includes Skyr, a yogurt-like dairy derivative decorated with nuts, honey, and fruits to enhance its almost sweet taste. Cheeses again are a popular accoutrement to any variation of breakfast plate, either served in cold hunks on the side of a plate or on top of dark breads and thick spreads of butter. 

Fruits and veg are often placed amongst the more filling ingredients of the breakfast plate. Produce is often seasonal, with brightly colored berries and tomatoes appearing amongst breads and eggs in the summer months. Spreads like jams, honey, and butter are typically locally sourced, relatively unrefined and raw, at least compared to the ingredients US shoppers are most familiar with. These ingredients add color, diversity, and variety to the more filling staples of the typical breakfast plate. Mixing and matching these ingredients, or subbing out foods specific to your region or season, makes these smorgasbord breakfasts limitless in their taste profiles. 

Sweet versus Savory 

There are many ways to cater your breakfast plate to your own taste palette while still honoring the integrity of the dish. Craving something sweet? Add fresh fruits, thick yogurt, honey, jams, whipped butters, and baked bread to create a light yet filling breakfast full of fruity flavor and sweet spreads. If you prefer your mornings to start off savory, opt for jammy eggs and lox over a thick slice of rye with tomato, capers, and cold cheeses. The best part of these breakfasts is the freedom. There isn’t one taste profile that defines a Scandinavian breakfast plate. Instead, it’s the focus on whole foods and raw ingredients. The rest is up to the discretion of the chef. 

Why Try It?

The key stars of the Scandinavian breakfast not only reflect the region’s simplistic, sustainable culture, but also pronounce the culture’s emphasis on nourishment and health. The exclusion of highly processed, sugary foods isn’t by accident, it’s instead indicative of Scandinavian peoples longevity, health, and values. 

Lean fish and meats, whole grains, and rich dairy products are low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and nearly void of added sugars. Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals needed by the body to regulate all sorts of physiological processes and enhance absorption of further nutrients. Low-in-fat animal proteins promote satiation throughout the day, and lean fish are high in omega 3 fatty acids needed for brain functioning and cell regeneration. 

After diving deeper into the nutritional contents of Scandinavian breakfast’s, it’s clear that the morning meal is an intentional ritual prepared not so much for the aesthetic appearance of luscious foods arranged on a decorative plate, but instead for its implications on the body, aligning with Scandinavia’s regional devotion to health, longevity, and the natural world. 

Would you try a Scandinavian breakfast? Let us know in the comments!