What to Eat with Coffee (Breakfast, Snacks, and Treats)
What’s even better than a delicious, creamy cup of coffee? A cup of coffee paired with a snack! Here you will find a complete list of ideas on what to eat with coffee. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, snacks, or after dinner treats, you’ll find the best foods to pair with coffee below.
Maybe it’s a cappuccino or if you’re like me…an iced latte, but regardless of the type of coffee, this drink is a staple in a ton of people’s diets. While there’s a ton of different coffee varieties out there, there’s even more types of food out there that pair well with a cup of joe!
So if you’re wondering how to make your morning, afternoon, or evening coffee more exciting, enjoy it with one of the food pairings below.
P.S make sure to scroll to the bottom to find out what not to eat with coffee.
What to Eat with Coffee in the Morning
Does your morning routine include drinking a big cup of coffee? Or, maybe multiple big cups of coffee? Instead of enjoying a cup solo, pair it with one of these breakfast foods. You can’t go wrong!
1. Pancakes
If you’re looking for a breakfast item to pair with coffee, pancakes are the way to go! They’re fluffy, hearty, and easy to make. Not to mention they’re packed with carbohydrates which will help fuel your day. Add a protein source on the side and you’ve got the perfect, well-balanced breakfast. Plus, even better? They taste amazing with a hot (or cold) latte.
2. Cereal
Most mornings people are running off to work, which makes getting a filling breakfast hard to fit in. But, a bowl of cereal is an easy way to start your day! Pair with a cup of coffee and you’ve got the perfect 5 minute breakfast for a quick energy boost. You can top it with fruit and/or granola to switch it up a bit!
3. Donuts
The classic combo, donuts and coffee are paired together for a reason! If you’re looking for a sweet treat to enjoy, a donut is the way to go. You’ll satisfy your sweet tooth while also getting a caffeine fix in. For a complete breakfast, pair it with a bit of fresh fruit and a protein and you’ll be ready to take on the day.
4. Bagels
The best weekend ritual is, in my opinion, enjoying a bagel with my coffee. Top it with peanut butter, cream cheese, or jam and you’ve got a delicious and filling breakfast. My personal favorite way to enjoy a bagel in the morning is with my chocolate cashew spread and an iced chocolate shaken espresso. Because you can never have too much chocolate…right?!
5. Coffee Cake
If you didn’t already know…most coffee cakes don’t actually have any any coffee in them! Instead the name most likely comes from the idea that coffee cake pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee. Next time you’re wondering what to make on a weekend morning, I highly recommend making a coffee cake and enjoying a slice with your coffee each morning. Trust me, it’s the perfect way to start your day off on a good note.
6. Pop Tarts
On-the-go in the morning and need a quick option? Pop tarts are a super easy breakfast item you can bring with you along with a cup of coffee. Whether it’s in the car, on a walk, or in the office, pop tarts and coffee are easy items to travel with. While you can buy pop tarts at the store, you can also make them ahead of time by baking your own!
And, if you’re looking for savory breakfasts to pair with your coffee try these chickpea scrambled “eggs”!
Snacks that Go with Coffee
On your second cup of coffee and need a snack to go with it? Below are some of my favorite options for a quick snack to enjoy while sipping on your afternoon coffee.
1. Biscotti
Twice baked Italian cookies that are crispy and crunchy, biscotti is one of the best things to enjoy with coffee. Or, you can even use it to dunk in your drink! You can make the delicious recipe linked above, or next time you’re at your local coffee shop, buy one for a sweet afternoon snack.
2. Cookies
There’s plenty of cookies that are designed to pair with coffee – such as biscotti. However, I’ve found that pretty much any and every cookie makes a great companion to a large glass of coffee. You can’t go wrong!
These ginger cookies are the perfect sweet and spicy cookie to enjoy with a big cup of coffee!
3. Banana Bread
My go to coffee shop order is always banana bread and coffee. There’s no better duo in my opinion! My favorite weekly ritual is baking a loaf on Sunday and enjoying a slice throughout the week. If you’re looking for an afternoon pick me up that will satisfy your sweet tooth, banana bread and coffee is one of the best ways to do so!
4. Muffins
Another classic pairing, muffins and coffee are the perfect match. Whether it’s a blueberry, cinnamon, or chocolate chip muffin, you can’t go wrong. Muffins are a delicious treat to enjoy between meals along with a few sips of coffee.
5. Granola
If you’re looking for something small, satisfying, and easy to travel with, granola is the way to go. A perfect snack for hiking, work breaks, and more, granola is a great snack to nibble on alongside coffee.
6. Scones
Another amazing combination, scones and coffee is hard to beat. You can have scones and coffee for breakfast, a snack, or even as a post-dinner treat with your coffee. There’s no wrong time for scones! Scones are delicious on the side, or dipped in coffee. There’s a reason Starbuck’s sells so many scone variations…they’re a favorite snack for many coffee lovers!
Treats to Serve with Coffee after Dinner
While some of us laugh at the idea of consuming coffee at night, others love having a nightly coffee and aren’t phased by the amount of caffeine! So, if you fall into the second group, keep reading for delicious sweet treats to enjoy.
1. Cookies
Above I mentioned cookies are a great snack option, but they also make a perfect light post-dinner treat. Whether it’s biscotti, shortbread, or macarons, they all pair delicious with a coffee. These almond cookies are a perfect light treat to enjoy late at night.
2. Tiramisu
If you can never have enough coffee…why not include it in your dessert?! Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored Italian cake that is a delicious and satisfying nighttime treat. Pair it with an espresso or dark roast coffee for the ultimate combination.
3. Ice Cream
A hot cup of coffee paired with a cold scoop of ice cream is the perfect balance. You can even combine the two! Make an affogato by pouring a hot shot of espresso on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato.
4. Mousse
If you’re looking for a light, creamy treat to pair with your post-dinner coffee, chocolate mousse is a delicious option. Pair with an espresso for the ultimate rich post-dinner treat.
Healthy Things to Eat with Coffee
While a lot (okay, nearly all) of the above foods are on the sweet side, there’s tons of coffee pairings to enjoy that are both healthy and tasty.
1. Energy Bites
If you’re out and about, or crammed for time, energy bites are a great healthy snack to enjoy alongside a coffee. Make them ahead of time and you can bring a few bites with you wherever your day takes you. Pair with an iced latte and you’ll have a great-tasting filling snack.
On the hunt for a healthy and delicious breakfast to enjoy with your coffee? These whole wheat pancakes are a great choice. Compared to white flour, whole wheat has a few more health benefits. They’re a good source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
An easy, fiber packed meal, overnight oats are a great healthy option. You can enjoy them for breakfast, or as a snack. Plus, they take 5 minutes and are easy to enjoy on the go. If you like to have your coffee at the office, on a train, or just about anywhere else, overnight oats are a great, healthy and travel-friendly option.
4. Baked Oats
Another easy, delicious and healthy option, baked oats are a great breakfast to enjoy with coffee. And, if you blend your oats, it kind of tastes like a healthy version of cake!
Not only are these cookies easy to make, but they’re a great healthy alternative to your typical cookie. If you have bananas, peanut butter, and oats you can make these cookies. They’re a great way to get a healthy snack in alongside an iced coffee!
What Not to Eat with Coffee
While the majority of this post was all about what to eat with coffee, we’re now talking about what not to eat with coffee. While most foods are perfectly fine, there’s a few where coffee makes it harder to absorb certain vitamins and minerals.
1. Foods with Zinc
Did you know caffeine can disrupt the absorption of zinc (as well as manganese and copper)? This is because phytates, an antioxidant in coffee, can impact the absorption. If you don’t have an issue with these minerals, then the good news is you shouldn’t need to worry about it. However, if you take supplements, avoid taking them with coffee!
2. Iron-Rich Foods
In addition to the minerals above, coffee can also reduce iron absorption. If you have any trouble with iron levels, make sure to avoid consuming iron rich foods with your coffee.
3. Nothing
And, last but not least, don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach! While most people can get away with consuming coffee first thing in the morning, it can cause a spike in blood sugar as well as disrupt hormones. If you notice any issues, make sure to pair your morning coffee with a snack or meal.
Personally, I always eat something while drinking coffee (despite the time of day) to avoid an upset stomach or acid reflux!
My Favorite Coffee Recipes
If you’re looking for any coffee recipes, below I’ve included my favorite ones to pair with a delicious treat!
[convertkit form=5051373]
Great ideas. I love having my coffee with a muffin 🙂 I’ll have to try some of these other ideas.
Yes, muffins are also delicious with coffee!! You can’t go wrong 🙂