Wondering what to serve with coffee? From sweet treats to savoury snacks, find the perfect food pairings to enjoy with your cup of coffee, whether you’re hosting guests or just treating yourself.
I love my coffee. I recently decided to cut back to two mugs a day. Once the headaches subsided, I started sleeping better and feeling more energetic during the day. This also means I’m drinking more water, and those two cups a day have become something of a treat. I enjoy them much more. They’re savoured rather than just drank for the sake of it, out of habit.
It was a good move.
We’ve also switched from cheap instant to nice ground coffee, and are experimenting with different flavours. Buying less means that this is an option.
Now that my coffee is special, I think a little more about when and how I’m drinking it. It’s just just guzzled while I’m working, it’s given time and love. It brings me joy.
But, the things that I serve with it are also more important. My two cups of coffee a day almost always come with food. The first is usually at breakfast time and the second with a morning, or afternoon snack.
Occasionally, if I’m meeting, or hosting a friend, I’ll enjoy that extra mug, but again, the food is important.
I like a strong cup of coffee, so I want my flavours to complement or contrast, to really elevate the experience. It is an experience, right from spooning the ground coffee into the French Press, through that first smell as you pour on the water, right to the last sip and bite of food. It’s a moment of joy in a busy day, or a kickstart in the morning.
Of course, what foods you choose to serve with your coffee will depend on the time of the day and occasion you are drinking it and the flavours and roast you enjoy. Dark chocolate is great with mild coffee but might be too much with a rich, bitter blend. Something creamy and light, like a pastry, might be better.
Let’s look at some of the best things to serve with coffee.
Sweet Treats to Serve with Coffee
I’m not a huge fan of a sweet breakfast. Occasionally, as a treat, we’ll have pancakes, French toast, Belgian Waffles or pastries, but not regularly.
I do however love something sweet with my coffee in the afternoon, especially if I’m taking a break from work, or with friends.
Classic Cakes and Pastries
Apparently, in America, coffee cake isn’t coffee-flavoured cake, but any cake that’s served with coffee.
When I say coffee cake, I mean coffee-flavoured cake. For me, this is perfect with coffee, but I appreciate that it might be a bit much for some of you. Something like chocolate cake, a light Victoria sponge, a caramel cake, or a cinnamon cake can be a better option.
My number one choice would be a pastry or cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing. Flakey, sweet, filled with flavour, and more substantial than a slice of cake, something like a croissant or Danish pastry is perfect with a cup of coffee and is commonly served with coffee in bakeries or cafes.
A muffin (the sweet style) is always good too, and I feel like a blueberry muffin can be passed off as a breakfast! Perfect with a light roast.
Biscuits and Cookies
If I’m having a quick cup of coffee at home, biscuits are probably my most likely addition. Sometimes there are chunky homemade cookies or a big square of rocky road. But a lot of the time it’s a store-bought chocolate digestive, hobnob, bourbon or malted milk. These are more favourites and what you are most likely to find in our biscuit tin.
If you are wondering what do Italians serve with coffee it’s more likely to be something sophisticated like an Italian biscotti which is a lovely sweet treat with a dark roast coffee.
Shortbread and butter biscuits are lovely with coffee if you want something buttery, crumbly and fairly light. Chocolate chip shortbread is my favourite though, so that probably ruins the vibe.
Chocolate and Coffee Pairings
What is good to have with coffee? Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and chocolate truffles are always great options, especially with dark roasts.
Chocolate and coffee is a fantastic combination, often used together in drinks like Mochas but also in chocolate cakes and desserts. The two flavours are perfect together, whether it is creamy milk chocolate or bitter dark chocolate.
Savoury Food That Goes Well with Coffee
I have a sweet tooth. So sweet snacks are often my go-to. But, I appreciate that this isn’t for everyone, and even I sometimes crave a savoury snack or treat.
Cheese and Coffee Pairings
Cheese, for me, is either just part of lunch or as a treat served with wine. Nothing beats a wine and cheese board evening.
But it also works with coffee. A creamy brie (great with black coffee), strong cheddar or crumbly blue cheese with savoury crackers and a cup of strong coffee can be a treat for your taste buds, offering plenty of different flavours and textures for a satisfying snack or meal.
What kind of food do you serve alongside coffee? Would cheese be an option?
Nuts and Seeds
I’m only allowed nuts at Christmas. Honestly, if I go near a pack of salted cashews, I’m eating all of them. I’ve got absolutely no self-control.
Cashews, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds are all lovely with coffee. Add some dried fruit if you like a bit of sweetness with your coffee.
What snacks or food do you love pairing up with your coffee? Do nuts feature if you are allowed them outside Christmas?
Sandwiches and Toasted Breads
What can eat with coffee? Lunch! Or a more substantial snack like sandwiches, cheese toasties, avocado toast and smoked salmon bagels. These are all filling and tasty, but without strong flavours that could overpower your coffee.
Add a shot of sugar-free vanilla syrup to your coffee if you crave something sweet at lunchtime.
Breakfast Ideas: What to Eat with Coffee in the Morning
I can’t imagine breakfast without coffee. It’s part of my routine, and whatever I’m eating for breakfast, coffee is always there. In fact, if I’m in a rush to get out of the house, I’d rather skip the food than the coffee.
Light and Healthy Options
What to eat with coffee in the morning, healthy options to consider include Greek yoghurt with honey and granola, Oatmeal or porridge with fruit and syrup, high-fibre cereals, or a simple fruit salad.
For something more filling, toast, peanut butter and eggs with spinach and mushrooms are great options which work perfectly with coffee.
Traditional Breakfasts Around the World
What to eat with coffee in India – samosas and parathas.
What do you serve with Turkish coffee – baklava and lokum.
What to eat with coffee in the morning in England – full English breakfast with plenty of salty bacon or eggs on toast if you want something filling to start your day. A full English is rare for us, but I love it when we do.
Serving Coffee for Guests: What to Offer
Whether you are with one friend or a group, coffee can be an essential element of any social event.
Hosting a Coffee Morning or Afternoon Tea
What to serve with coffee for guests? I like to offer options. If I’ve got people coming for breakfast or brunch, a pot of coffee with a selection of pastries and sweet treats is always a hit.
If you are wondering how to serve coffee at a party, I’d opt for an afternoon tea-style selection with small cakes, finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, fruit platters and other simple finger food. These might be lovely with a light, creamy coffee option like a latte.
Pairing Coffee with Desserts
Whether you are looking for what to serve with coffee ice cream, or how to serve coffee cake (warn with cream or ice cream!) or your dessert isn’t remotely coffee flavoured (tiramisu is a great option if you are doubling down on the coffee flavours), know that coffee is great with sweets!
Serve coffee with coffee cake or ice cream, or with an indulgent chocolate cake or a comforting pudding.
Or try coffee with something fruity, like an apple cake, pie or crumble, or moist banana bread with a fun, flavourful alternative.
How to Serve Coffee for Different Occasions
How to Serve Coffee in a Restaurant or Cafe
In restaurants, coffee is often served after a meal, perhaps with a small biscuit or mint. In a cafe, pastries, sandwiches or breakfast options are more likely.
If you are in a cafe ordering Turkish coffee, it might be served in a small cup, with a lump of sugar on the side, where Arabic coffee is more likely to be served with dates and nuts. There are different traditions and practices all over the world.
How to Serve Coffee at Home
If you are trying to create a fancier coffee experience at home, ad affogato or coffee float can be fantastic in the summer, and in the winter adding a biscuit and serving coffee in a stylish cup with a saucer can be more elegant than your usual mug.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best snack with coffee?
Biscotti, croissants, and dark chocolate are great options.
What should I serve with coffee in the afternoon?
Light cakes, fruit, and savoury snacks like cheese and crackers.
What do you serve when hosting a coffee morning?
A mix of pastries, biscuits, and small savoury bites.
What do Italians serve with coffee?
Espresso is often served with biscotti or a small sweet treat.
What can I serve with coffee that isn’t sweet?
Cheese, nuts, or a small savoury sandwich.
What to serve with coffee after dinner?
If you’ve had dessert before coffee, a small min too biscuit can be ideal.
Conclusion
To be honest, I think coffee is great with pretty much everything, so when it comes to what to serve with coffee, think about what you enjoy, how you are feeling, who you are with, and the time of day and occasion.
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