I get asked all the time how to reproduce a traditional Moroccan breakfast and brunch (فطور مغربي) at home. The question often comes from people who visited Morocco, fell in love with Moroccan breakfasts and Moroccan food, and want to keep the magic back home. And honestly, I get that! Moroccan breakfast is one of my favorite breakfasts, too.

Even if I grew up in Morocco, having Moroccan breakfasts every day, my favorite breakfasts are still Moroccan.

They are among the most nourishing and balanced breakfasts and brunches you can have, with delicious ingredients that combine divinely. 

Moroccan breakfast nourishes the soul and the body. It uses good-quality ingredients, most of which are non-chemically processed.

While there are as many Moroccan breakfasts as there are regions in Morocco, most Moroccan breakfasts are built of a combination of the ingredients I will detail below.

Jben – Moroccan Cheese

Jben is Morocco’s version of fresh cheese. Its origins are in the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. Jben cheese is so soft and delicious that it quickly became a staple in every Moroccan breakfast, enjoyed everywhere in the country.

In Morocco, you can purchase the Jben at the supermarket, but most women prepare it at home as the process is easy and very rewarding in terms of quality and taste.

That’s what I do, too! I make the Jben at home following the traditional Moroccan Jben recipe. Making a big batch takes a few minutes, and it tastes wonderful. Try it, you will be hooked, I promise!

Honey

What goes with the Jben cheese? honey! This Moroccan combo (Jben and honey) is so delicious and has inspired many Chefs worldwide.

In Morocco, raw honey is the way to go. It’s considered a delicacy and a product very much appreciated for its taste and health benefits. But you can use any honey you have at home. You can even replace it with jam; it will still taste delicious with the Jben cheese.

Olive Oil

This is another staple on Moroccan breakfast tables. Moroccan olive oil is so loved in Morocco that each family keeps gallons in their pantry to ensure they never run out.

You can use any olive oil you have as long as it’s 100% pure, but if you like trying new flavors, please get a pure Moroccan olive oil. It’s very different from the olive oils you find in the supermarket. It has a sweetness and delicacy makes it enjoyable with just a slice of bread.

In Morocco, olive oil is poured into small plates, and the guests enjoy it by dipping their bread directly in the oil.

Moroccan Olives

No Moroccan breakfast is served without Moroccan dark olives, preserved naturally using only salt. They are one of the best olives you can taste and very concentrated in flavor.

In Morocco, we serve dark olives in small appetizer plates and place them within everyone’s reach on the table. Count between half a dozen per person or more.

This Moroccan olive brand is among the rarest, offering good-quality Moroccan olives outside Morocco. I always restock there whenever I run out of delicious Moroccan olives!

I also recommend checking my family’s recipe for Moroccan marinated olives if you like fragrant Moroccan olives. These are served in Morocco as a side dish for breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners, and they are also added to salads, tagines, and other Moroccan recipes. You’ll love them!

Freshly Baked Bread

In Morocco, we serve different types of bread. It can be the traditional homemade Moroccan bread, the delicious crispy French baguettes, or any other wholesome artisanal bread you can find at your local bakery.

Moroccan bread – or khobz in Moroccan dialect – is round and flat, usually made with whole wheat and barely flour. 

Bread is cut into slices and dipped in olive oil, or it can be used to make small toasts with a mix of Jben cheese and honey or a mix of Jben cheese and olives. It’s simple and delicious!

Moroccan Eggs

In Moroccan breakfasts and Moroccan brunches, we serve eggs in different forms. We either boil, poach, or fry them in olive oil. Our favorite seasoning is a mix of salt, cumin, and a hint of paprika. This is one of the best spice mixes for eggs to enhance flavor.

Moroccan Mint Tea

Moroccan mint tea is essential in every Moroccan table, whether for breakfast or any other meal. It’s the official drink of Morocco, served whenever there is a gathering of two people or more.

Moroccan mint tea is fresh, sweet, and super fragrant. The recipe calls for Chinese gunpowder and mint, and depending on the occasion, Moroccans add other herbs and aromatics. 

Moroccan mint tea is made in a beautiful artisanal teapot, a special teapot designed to be in direct contact with heat. Moroccans always serve their mint tea in a Moroccan tea set, which includes an artisanal Moroccan teapot and tray beautifully engraved by artisans. 

Baghrir, Moroccan Pancakes

Your mouth is probably watering if you’ve already tasted the Moroccan Baghrir.

This delicious semolina pancake, extremely soft and soaked in a mix of honey and butter, is a star in Moroccan tables and breakfasts.

Here’s an easy Baghrir Moroccan pancake recipe. You can even make a whole bunch and freeze them.

To serve Moroccan Baghrir, drizzle a generous mix of warm honey and butter on each pancake. Then, on a large plate, arrange the pancakes in a circular way or one on top of the other.

Harsha

Harsha is another delicious Moroccan pastry often served at Moroccan breakfasts. Like the Baghrir, Moroccan Harsha is made using semolina and is really easy to make. It’s crunchy and a little salty and goes wonderfully with the other ingredients served in Moroccan breakfasts, like the Jben, honey, and olives.

Bissara, Moroccan Split Pea Soup

Many northern Moroccan regions in Morocco are famous for their Moroccan split pea soup, the Bissara, at breakfast. This Moroccan soup is delicious but also very nourishing as it uses healthy, immune-boosting ingredients.

Bisaara is served at breakfast, especially during the cold seasons, to warm the body and give it the energy it needs. You will love it with fresh bread, dark olives, and some Jben cheese. Here’s my family’s Moroccan bissara recipe.

If you love Moroccan cuisine and would like to incorporate it into your cooking routine effortlessly, here’s my selection of the easiest and most loved Moroccan recipes you can make at home, even as a beginner and without special tools.