25 Traditional Turkish Breakfast -Kahvalti- Recipes (2024)

Spinach Borek (Ispanakli Borek) is a delicious Turkish pastry made of thin flaky dough called "yufka" filled with spinach and onions. They are one of the most popular breakfast items or a snack on the go!

LikePogaca (Turkish Buns), borek also comes with different shapes and fillings. Cheese, spinach, potatoes, or meat are the most popular fillings for boreks, but this vegetarian spinach borek is probably my favorite among them.

Turkish Cheese Pide (translated as Kasarli Pide) with Mushrooms is a type of flatbread topped with veggies andKasar cheese, very similar to pizza but without tomato sauce. This cheesy pide is buttery, packed with flavor, very easy to make, and perfect for Turkish kahvalti or lunch.

Although there are some traditional fillings to top these flatbreads, you can customize yours with your favorite toppings. My other favorite Pide isKiymali Pide,the one filled with mince and small chopped vegetables.

Bazlama is similar toGreek Pita Breadand it is great for dipping into soups or stews. It is also perfect for serving at breakfast/brunch, a very popular component of a traditional Turkish breakfast. This fluffy Turkish flatbread is best when served warm and freshly cooked.

Bazlama bread has become more popular over the last few decades. It is one of the oldest Turkish bread recipes, and probably the favorite of many as well.This versatile flatbread is very easy to make and needs only a few ingredients you might already have in hand.

Çiğ Börek (Çiborek or Chebureki) is a thin crispy deep-fried pastry filled with ground beef, onions, and spices. They are perfect as an appetizer, breakfast/brunch item, or snack on the go.

These scrumptious fried boreks were brought to Turkey from Central Asia by Crimean Tatars who migrated to Eskişehir city of Turkey. They are one of the most popular breakfast items as well as a snack or street food. My version of Chebureki is very easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients and is always a hit among the family.

Simit (also known as Turkish Sesame Bagel), is a sesame-crusted circular bread that is usually served for breakfast. It is the real star of the kahvalti spread.Same asPogaca (Turkish Cheese Buns), simit bread is mainly served for breakfast along withKuymak (Mihlama)orMenemen - Turkish Scrambled Eggsand somecheese, olives, tomatoes, and a cup of Turkish tea.

In Turkey, nobody would bother making this delicious simit bread at home as they are widely available and they are so good&cheap. But if you live abroad like me, it is almost impossible to find a good one to buy. I had this simple recipe for many years but only started making them when I moved to the U.K.

Su Boregi which means "Water Borek" is one of the most loved boreks in Turkey, and is by far the best of all Turkish Pastries. Us Turks love these delicious savory treats and we eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack any time of the day.

Su Boregi has a reputation for being the most challenging boreks to make. I have tried a few different ways over the years and finally have found what works best and quicker. Although it takes some time to put it together, it is very easy to make this unique borek and impress your guests.

Sigara Boregi - Cigarette Borek (Turkish Cheese Rolls) are crispy pastries made with thin filo sheets called yufka, filled with feta cheese, and then shallow-fried for extra crispness.

They are perfect as finger food, snack, breakfast, or as part of a mezze platter.You can make them in advance in big batches and freeze them for later.

Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes) is a delicious savory flatbread filled with various fillings such as mince, cheese, spinach, or potatoes. The options for stuffing are endless and mostly depend on the region as well as on personal preferences.

These incredibly tasty pastries are traditionally served for breakfast or as a snack but they now have become very popular street food over the last few decades. Whether eaten as a savory snack or for breakfast, gozleme is the nation's favorite.

Kaygana is a delicious and filling Turkish Omelette made with eggs, flour, milk, herbs, and seasoning. This versatile egg-based dish is effortless and quick to make, and the things you can serve it with are limitless.

This scrumptious egg dish Kaygana isn'tjust perfect for breakfast, but it is great for brunch, lunch, dinner, and snacks, too!

Spinach with Eggs (Ispanakli Yumurta) is a delicious, healthy, and filling one-pot dish you can serve as a part of the Turkish breakfast spread.

You can customize this dish by adding more vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, or tomatoes. Also, you can substitute mince withsucuk(a type of Turkish spicy sausage) or chorizo, or omit it and make this dish vegetarian.

Muhammara (or Acuka) is a delicious Middle Eastern dip/spread/meze made with red pepper paste, garlic, walnuts, spices, and olive oil.It is extremely easy to prepare and is ready in 15 minutes with minimal cleaning up!

In Turkey, Muhammara (or Acuka) is served as a breakfast spread along withHomemade Sandwich BreadorSimit (Turkish Sesame Bagel.

Hummus Dip is a Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern spread made with chickpeas and tahini, then seasoned with lemon, garlic, and cumin. This extremely creamy, smooth & fresh dipcomes together in just 25 minutes!

The most simple version of hummus is made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. However, there are many different variations of Hummus dip created by adding different flavorings such as roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, beetroot, or different spices such as chili, cayenne, or paprika.

Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts. This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs andPita Breadalong withEzme Salad (Acili Ezme).

You can serve Haydari as a part of a meze platter, as a spread on a piece of toast for breakfast, or as a dipping sauce to serve with vegetable crudités, kebabs, and BBQs.

Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze) is a very much loved vegetarian/vegan dish made of shallow-fried vegetables and a simple tomato sauce. The star ingredient for this traditional Turkish dish is theaubergines/eggplantsand the rest of the vegetables added to the dish vary from region to region.

Şakşuka is such a great versatile dish that can be served as a part of a mezze spread, as a breakfast/brunch item, as a side dish, or as an appetizer. Also, you can make this tasty vegetarian dish all year round with any vegetables that are in season as long as you keep theaubergines and tomatoes as the main ingredients!

Piyaz (Turkish Bean Salad) is a healthy and nutritious side dish and a perfect accompaniment to your meals. It is made of beans, onions, tomatoes, and parsley then dressed with tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. This cold Turkish salad is very easy to make and is ready in 15 minutes.

This simple yet delicious salad is originally from the Antalya province of Turkey where it is considered the main dish.

Coban Salatasi (or Turkish Shepherd's Salad, Choban Salad) isa light, easy-to-make, and incredibly refreshing side dish made with juicy summer tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers.

It is very easy to make and comes together in only 10 minutes.All you need to do is finely chop the ingredients, drizzle on olive oil and lemon, season with salt and pepper, and then mix them all together.