10 Authentic Colombian Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day Right

Q: What do Colombians eat for breakfast every day?

Colombians often enjoy breakfast foods like arepas , eggs with tomato and onions (huevos pericos) , and fresh bread like pandebonos , along with coffee or aguapanela .

Q: How do I make Colombian coffee?

To make authentic Colombian coffee, brew ground Colombian coffee beans using your preferred method, and enjoy with breakfast dishes like arepas or tamales .

Q: What is buñuelos and when are they eaten?

Buñuelos are fried dough balls typically eaten during special occasions or holidays in Colombia. They are crispy and cheesy, often enjoyed with hot chocolate.

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Colombian breakfast recipes

Colombian breakfast recipes are a fantastic way to kickstart your morning with flavors that are both vibrant and satisfying. In Colombia, breakfast is a heartwarming affair, often combining hearty, savory dishes with deliciously sweet treats and a cup of the finest coffee. These traditional recipes passed down through generations, making them an integral part of Colombian culture.

In this blog post, we’ll take you through 10 authentic Colombian breakfast recipes that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Colombia. Whether you’re craving something light or a hearty meal to fill you up for the day ahead, you’ll find something to suit every preference.

Traditional Colombian Arepas with Cheese — Savory Arepas made with cheese – a staple in Colombian breakfasts, offering a rich, warm start to the day.

1. Arepas: A Colombian Breakfast Classic

Arepas are one of the most iconic dishes in Colombian breakfast cuisine. These versatile cornmeal cakes are enjoying in various forms and are fille with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, meats, or even sweet fillings.

How to Make Traditional Colombian Arepas

To make the perfect arepa, you’ll need:

Ingredients: Cornmeal, water, salt, and butter.
Instructions: Mix the ingredients into a dough, form into discs, and cook on a hot griddle until golden brown.

Serving Suggestions: Top your arepas with cheese or a dollop of hogao (a Colombian tomato and onion sauce), or enjoy with a side of scrambled eggs and avocado.

Arepa Variations

Arepa de Queso: Arepas filled with cheese.
Arepa de Huevo: Arepas filled with an egg, often deep-fried for a crispy exterior.
Arepa Paisa: A thicker variety, often served in the Antioquia region.

2. Tamales: The Hearty Colombian breakfast recipes Dish

Tamales are a favorite breakfast dish in Colombia, especially in rural areas. Made with corn dough and stuffed with a variety of fillings such as pork, chicken, and vegetables, tamales are perfect for a filling and flavorful breakfast.

How to Prepare Colombian Tamales

Ingredients: Corn masa, pork or chicken, vegetables, and spices like cumin and achiote.
Instructions: The tamales are wrapped in banana leaves and steamed for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Serving Suggestions: Tamales are typically paire with hot chocolate or aguapanela for a true Colombian breakfast experience.

Variations of Colombian Tamales

Tamales Tolimenses: A regional variation from the Tolima region, often featuring pork and rice.
Tamales Vallunos: A variety from Valle del Cauca, which includes chicken and green beans.

3. Pandebonos: Colombian Cheese Bread

Colombian Pandebono (cheese bread) — Soft and cheesy Pandebono – a warm, delightful treat to enjoy with coffee during a Colombian breakfast.

Pandebonos are cheesy, soft bread rolls that are a perfect accompaniment to a cup of Colombian coffee. They are often eate with a variety of beverages, such as hot chocolate or coffee, and make for a quick and delicious breakfast.

How to Make Pandebonos

Ingredients: Corn flour, cheese (usually white cheese), and eggs.
Instructions: Mix the ingredients into a dough, shape into small balls, and bake until golden brown.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy them fresh out of the oven with your morning coffee or hot chocolate. The cheesy aroma will make your kitchen feel like a cozy Colombian bakery.

4. Huevos Pericos: Scrambled Eggs with a Colombian Twist

Colombian breakfast recipes Calentado with Rice, Beans, and Eggs — Calentado, a delicious mix of leftover rice, beans, and eggs, is a satisfying Colombian breakfast dish.

Huevos pericos are a staple in Colombian breakfast recipes kitchens. These scrambled eggs are mixed with tomatoes and scallions, giving them a fresh and vibrant flavor. It’s a quick and easy dish to make, but incredibly satisfying.

How to Prepare Huevos Pericos

Ingredients: Eggs, tomatoes, green onions, and salt.
Instructions: Scramble the eggs in a pan with the chopped tomatoes and onions, cooking until the eggs are soft and creamy.

Serving Suggestions: Serve your huevos pericos with a side of arepas or pandebonos, and a cup of Colombian coffee for the perfect breakfast.

5. Bandeja Paisa: A Hearty Colombian breakfast recipes

The Bandeja Paisa is a substantial, filling breakfast dish from the Antioquia region. Known for its size and variety, this dish features rice, beans, fried eggs, plantains, avocado, sausage, and crispy pork belly. It’s not just a meal – it’s an experience.

How to Prepare Bandeja Paisa

Ingredients: Rice, beans, avocado, plantains, eggs, chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), and pork belly.
Instructions: Prepare each ingredient separately and then assemble the dish on a large plate for a vibrant and hearty breakfast.

Serving Suggestions: This dish is best served with a fresh tinto (a small, strong Colombian coffee).

6. Aguapanela: The Colombian Morning Drink

Aguapanela is a classic Colombian drink made from sugarcane and water, often consumed during breakfast. It’s typically served hot, especially during cooler mornings.

How to Make Aguapanela

Ingredients: Panela (unrefined sugarcane), water, and lemon.
Instructions: Dissolve the panela in hot water and add a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing touch.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this drink with your breakfast dishes, like tamales or arepas.

7. Colombian Coffee: The Heart Colombian breakfast recipes

No Colombian breakfast is complete without a cup of strong, aromatic Colombian coffee. Known worldwide for its quality, Colombian coffee is often brewed into a tinto (black coffee) and served with sugar or milk.

How to Brew Colombian Coffee

Ingredients: Ground Colombian coffee beans and water.
Instructions: Brew the coffee to your preferred strength and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions: Pair your coffee with any of the breakfast dishes for the ultimate morning indulgence.

8. Buñuelos: Colombian Fritters the perfect Colombian breakfast recipes

Buñuelos are deep-fried dough balls, often served at breakfast during the holiday season. These crispy, cheesy delights are a favorite snack or addition to any breakfast table.

How to Make Buñuelos

Ingredients: Flour, cheese, eggs, and sugar.
Instructions: Mix the ingredients to form a dough, shape into balls, and fry until golden brown.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with hot chocolate or coffee for a comforting breakfast treat.

9. Cholado: Colombian Fruit Salad for Breakfast

Cholado is a refreshing fruit salad, perfect for a lighter breakfast. It combines tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya with shaved ice and condensed milk.

How to Make Cholado

Ingredients: Tropical fruits, ice, condensed milk, and syrup.
Instructions: Layer the fruit in a bowl, top with ice and drizzle with syrup and condensed milk.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this chilled fruit salad during warm mornings for a refreshing and sweet start to your day.

10. Morcilla: Colombian Blood Sausage the best Colombian breakfast recipes

Colombian breakfast recipes Changua Soup with Fresh Herbs — Changua soup – a warm, comforting breakfast of milk, eggs, and scallions, perfect for a cold morning.

Morcilla is a type of blood sausage that’s often included in hearty breakfasts like Bandeja Paisa. It’s savory and rich, pairing well with rice, beans, and eggs.

How to Prepare Morcilla

Ingredients: Blood, rice, and spices.
Instructions: Cook the morcilla on a grill or pan until crispy on the outside.

Serving Suggestions: Serve as part of a Bandeja Paisa or with scrambled eggs and rice for a complete breakfast meal.

FAQ About Colombian Breakfast Recipes

What is a typical Colombian breakfast?

A typical Colombian breakfast consists of hearty dishes such as arepas, tamales, pandebonos, and huevos pericos, often paired with Colombian coffee and aguapanela.

What do Colombians eat for breakfast every day?

Colombians often enjoy breakfast foods like arepas, eggs with tomato and onions (huevos pericos), and fresh bread like pandebonos, along with coffee or aguapanela.

Is Colombian breakfast healthy?

Many Colombian breakfasts are balanced with proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. However, they can be calorie-dense, especially dishes like bandeja paisa, which features a variety of meats and carbs.

How do I make Colombian coffee?

To make authentic Colombian coffee, brew ground Colombian coffee beans using your preferred method, and enjoy with breakfast dishes like arepas or tamales.

Are there vegetarian Colombian breakfast options?

Yes, there are several vegetarian-friendly options in Colombian breakfast cuisine, such as arepas with cheese, fruit salads (cholado), and huevos pericos.

What is buñuelos and when are they eaten?

Buñuelos are fried dough balls typically eaten during special occasions or holidays in Colombia. They are crispy and cheesy, often enjoyed with hot chocolate.

conclusion

These 10 authentic Colombian breakfast recipes offer a delicious glimpse into the rich culinary traditions of Colombia. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, hearty or light, each dish is a perfect way to fuel your day with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. From the comforting arepas to the refreshing pan de bono, these breakfast staples provide a unique and satisfying start to your morning. Embrace the warmth and variety of Colombian cuisine and treat yourself to a breakfast that’s both nourishing and full of character.