Irresistible Breakfast Food Vocabulary in Spanish
Do you want to learn about breakfast food in Spanish? How about learning how to say breakfast menu in Spanish?
Let me start with a question. What do you eat for breakfast?
I can assure you that people in Spanish-speaking countries eat very different breakfast foods. We still eat eggs and drink coffee and orange juice, but the whole dynamic of breakfast is quite different in our countries.
Keep reading to discover what the big deal is with breakfast! Also, in this article, you can learn a long and diverse list of breakfast foods in Spanish and find out how to order your breakfast in this language.
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What’s the Big Deal With El Desayuno?
My mom said breakfast was the most important meal of the day. I’m not sure if she was right, but in Mexican culture, it is. If you don’t believe me, you have to go to a Mexican beach town and stay in an all-inclusive resort to see the kind of breakfast Mexicans love to eat.
But, what’s the deal with el desayuno—breakfast that’s such a big issue in Spanish-speaking countries? Well, that’s not an easy question to answer, but it has much to do with its family and social element.
Being the first meal of the day, sometimes breakfast is the only meal that families have together.
Then, on weekends, el desayuno takes on a completely different dimension. Breakfast in Latin American countries is more of a social event than a simple meal.
Long Vocabulary List of Breakfast Foods in Spanish
It’s time to learn some useful Spanish breakfast foods lists.
Basic Breakfast Foods in Spanish
Let’s start with the basic list of breakfast foods in Spanish:
| English | Spanish |
| muffins | los muffins |
| toast | el pan tostado |
| sausage | la salchicha |
| oatmeal | la avena |
| bacon | el tocino |
| eggs | los huevos |
| bread | el pan |
| ham | el jamón |
| fruit | la fruta |
| yogurt | el yougur |
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More Basic Breakfast Foods in Spanish
And a few more of the most basic breakfast vocabulary in Spanish:
| English | Spanish |
| corn tortillas | las tortillas de maíz |
| flour tortillas | las tortillas de harina |
| granola | la granola |
| cereal | el cereal |
| cheese | el queso |
| hash browns | las croquetas de papa |
| beans | los frijoles |
| waffles | los waffles |
| pancakes | los panqueques |
| bagels | los bagels |
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Breakfast Add-Ons in Spanish
No desayuno that prides itself can miss any of the following delicious add-ons:
| English | Spanish |
| honey | la miel |
| maple syrup | el jarabe de maple |
| butter | la mantequilla |
| jam | la mermelada |
| cream cheese | el queso crema |
| ketchup | el kétchup, catsup o la salsa de tomate |
| whipped cream | la crema batida |
| peanut butter | la mantequilla de maní |
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Breakfast Drinks in Spanish
No self-respecting desayuno can miss any of the following delicious add-ons:
| English | Spanish |
| coffee | el café |
| milk | la leche |
| tea | el té |
| orange juice | el jugo de naranja |
| smoothie | el licuado |
| almond milk | la leche de almendras |
| soy milk | la leche de soya |
| oat milk | la leche de avena |
| hibiscus tea | el agua de jamaica o rosa de jamaica |
| hot chocolate | el chocolate caliente |
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Eggs for Breakfast in Spanish
Eggs are a mainstay of breakfast, and in Spanish-speaking countries there are many varieties of egg dishes.
| English | Spanish |
| scrambled eggs | los huevos revueltos |
| fried eggs | los huevos estrellados |
| boiled eggs | los huevos cocidos |
| benedict eggs | los huevos benedictinos |
| hard-boiled eggs | los huevos duros |
| omellettes | los omelettes |
You might like: 15 Delicious Ways to Eat Your Eggs in Spanish
Breakfast Food Names
To close this section of different breakfast foods in Spanish, let’s learn about some of the most amazing breakfast dishes’ names in this language. Some names are hard to translate and they may not make much sense, but may give you an idea of the type of food we’re talking about.
| English | Spanish |
| rancher eggs | los huevos rancheros |
| divorced eggs | los huevos divorciados |
| potato tortilla | la tortilla de patata |
| French toast | el pan francés |
| ham from the country | el jamón del país |
| bread with pork rind | el pan con chicharrón |
| arepas with parakeet | las arepas con perico |
| little cakes from the Andes | los pastelitos andinos |
| chilaquiles | los chilaquiles |
Typical Breakfast Foods in Spanish-Speaking Countries
Naturally, different countries enjoy different foods for breakfast. Let’s see what different Spanish-speaking countries call the foods they eat for breakfast.
Mexico
I’m starting with my own country, because I’m very proud of its culinary diversity and because I’m sure you’ll find the names quite interesting.
Las tortas ahogadas
In Guadalajara, the cradle of both mariachis and tequila, people eat tortas ahogadas or “drowned sandwiches” for breakfast. The sandwiches come in a special baguette-like type of bread and are “drowned” in tomato sauce, beans, onions, and lime juice.
If you’re brave enough you can add a spicy sauce as well, but I’ve seen Mexican grown ups crying after having just a test, so be careful.
| English | Spanish |
| tomato sauce | la salsa de tomate |
| spicy sauce | la salsa picante |
| onion | la cebolla |
| lime | el limón |
Vamos por unas tortas ahogadas para desayunar.
Let’s get some tortas ahogadas for breakfast.
Menudo or Pancita
Menudo literally translates as “often,” and pancita as “little belly.” They’re different names for the same dish, which is a kind of soup made with cow’s tripe with a red chili pepper base.
As with most Mexican dishes, you can add spicy sauces, onion, coriander, and lime juice.
| English | Spanish |
| tripe | Los callos |
| Red chili pepper | El pimiento rojo |
| coriander | El cilantro |
El mejor menudo de Guadalajara es el del mercado de San Juan.
The best menudo in Guadalajara is the one at San Juan’s market.
Argentina
The South American country known for its outstanding asados (roasts), also has some interesting breakfast foods.
Las Mafaldas
Mafaldas are ham and cheese croissants and are a very typical breakfast dish in Buenos Aires. As a note, Mafalda is a Spanish name for women and a popular character of one of the most beloved comic authors in Argentina, made by ground-breaking artist Quino.
You might like: 15 Best Spanish Comics to Read Online
| English | Spanish |
| croissant | el cuernito, la medialuna |
¡Esta Mafalda está deliciosa!
This Mafalda is delicious!
El Desayuno Campestre
This Argentinian breakfast comes from the countryside.
It includes bread, jam, ham, pepperoni, cheese, and mate, the popular Argentinian infusion tea.
| English | Spanish |
| yerba mate tea | el mate |
| pepperoni | el salami |
¿Quieres un mate?
Do you want a yerba mate tea?
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Guatemala
Guatemala is a country with a rich culinary tradition and some extraordinary breakfast dishes.
El Desayuno Típico Chapín
This “typical Guatemalan breakfast” is made with scrambled eggs, beans, cream, and fried plantain. (Sometimes substitutes are made with fresh cheese or avocado.)
| English | Spanish |
| cream | la crema |
| fried plantain | los plátanos fritos |
¿Te gustó tu desayuno típico chapín?
Did you like your typical Guatemalan breakfast?
You might like: 13 Traditional Guatemalan Foods You Must Try
España
Spanish cuisine is also unique. Don’t believe me? Just look at las torrijas.
Las Torrijas
Las torrijas are a kind of French toast very typical in Spain. To prepare them you need to put a bread loaf to fry in olive oil, then bathe them in milk with cinnamon, and lemon zest.
| English | Spanish |
| olive oil | el aceite de oliva |
| cinnamon | la canela |
| lemon zest | la ralladura de limón |
Mi abuela hace las mejores torrijas del mundo.
My grandma makes the best torrijas in the world.
Ordering Breakfast in Spanish at a Restaurant: Example Conversations
When talking about different meals in Spanish, you have to consider how you plan to order your food at a restaurant. For that reason, here I’m introducing you to some useful words related to ordering breakfast foods in Spanish at a restaurant.
| English | Spanish |
| Breakfast menu | el menú de desayunos |
| check | la cuenta |
| cutlery | los cubiertos |
| knife | el cuchillo |
| fork | el tenedor |
| spoon | la cuchara |
| glass | el vaso |
| plate | el plato |
| cup | la taza |
| napkin | la servilleta |
| to ask | pedir |
| to order | ordenar |
| to want | querer |
| to bring | traer |
| to recommend | recomendar |
| to eat | comer |
| to drink | beber |
Example Conversations
Finally, let’s take a look at a couple of example conversations taking place when ordering your breakfast in Spanish.
Conversation 1
– ¿Me trae el menú de desayunos por favor?
– Claro que sí. Aquí tiene.
– Gracias. ¿Qué me recomienda?
– Los huevos revueltos están muy buenos.
– Tráigame unos huevos revueltos entonces.
– ¿Y para beber?
– Un jugo de naranja.
– Entendido.
—
– Can you bring me the breakfast menu please?
– Sure. Here you have it.
– Thank you. What do you recommend?
– The scrambled eggs are very good.
– Bring scrambled eggs then.
– Anything to drink?
– An orange juice.
– Got it.
Conversation 2
– ¿Está listo para ordenar?
– Sí, gracias. Para comer quiero yogur con granola.
– ¿Y para beber?
– Le pido un café, por favor.
– ¿Algo más?
– Eso es todo, gracias.
—
– Are you ready to order?
– Yes, thank you. For eating, I want yogurt with granola.
– And to drink?
– I ask you for a cup of coffee, please.
– Anything else?
– That’s all, thank you.
Cooking Breakfast Using Spanish Vocabulary
How will you make the best recipes if you don’t know what utensils to use? Here are some must-have items for your breakfast food in Spanish.
Breakfast Utensils
| English | Spanish |
| blender | la licuadora |
| coffee maker | la cafetera |
| knife | el cuchillo |
| ladle | el cucharón |
| pan | el sartén, la sartén |
| spatula | la espátula |
| waffle maker | la waflera |
| whisk | la batidora de mano |
Example Sentences in Spanish
Pon la cafetera, por favor, me urge una taza de café.
Set the coffee maker, please, I really need a cup of coffee.
Hoy utilizaremos la sartén grande; tenemos muchos panqueques qué hacer.
We’ll use the big pan today; we’ve got a lot of pancakes to do.
¡Mira mi nueva wafflera! La usaré mañana en el desayuno.
Check out my new waffle maker! I’ll use it for breakfast tomorrow.
Top Spanish Verbs to Know
Check out these verbs that surely come in handy when preparing your Sunday breakfast with friends and family!
To Blend – Licuar
Asegúrate de licuar bien las frutas.
Make sure to blend the fruits well.
To Cook – Cocinar
Mi actividad favorita del domingo es cocinar.
My favorite Sunday activity is cooking.
To Eat – Comer
¡Amanecí con mucha hambre! ¿Qué vamos a comer?
I woke up really hungry! What are we going to eat?
To Fry – Freír
Voy a freír dos huevos. ¿Alguien más quiere?
I’ll fry two eggs. Does anyone else want some?
To Heat – Calentar
Por favor, calienta la leche que usaremos para el café.
Please, heat the milk we’ll use for the coffee.
To Make (Coffee) – Hacer café
Haré café para todos; estamos agotados de la fiesta de anoche.
I’ll make coffee for everyone; we’re exhausted from last night’s party.
To Serve – Servir
Serviré los huevos y tú servirás el jugo.
I’ll serve the eggs and you’ll serve the juice.
To Spread – Untar
¿Me alcanzas un cuchillo para untar la jalea?
Can you pass me a knife to spread the jam?
To Whisk – Batir
Batiré la mezcla para panqueques.
I’ll whisk the pancake mix.
Check out more useful expressions: Time Expressions in Spanish With Hacer, Llevar, and Desde
Ready to Have Breakfast in Spanish?
Now you have a lot of vocabulary about breakfast foods in Spanish and how to order your own breakfast in this beautiful language.
Make sure to practice these new words and introduce them into your conversations in order to master them and be ready to have your own breakfast in Spanish.
Practice Spanish 1-1, Live With Our Native Teachers!
Including new vocabulary words and phrases in your everyday life can help you get in touch with your target language and keep it in mind constantly. Take daily activities and include your newly-acquired knowledge in them—you’ll refer to them in Spanish in no time!
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