Start your day on the right foot with some simple Amish traditions.
We all enjoy a good homemade Amish sugar cookie every now and then, but what about an Amish breakfast? We’re talking about a morning meal filled with warm, homemade goodies—and no technology. While you might not collect your own eggs or milk your own cows, you can easily incorporate Amish traditions into your life, starting with the most important meal of the day. Get up with the birds, pull out a cookbook and ask the kids to stash their electronics. It’s time for breakfast—Amish-style.
1. Plan a Family Breakfast
Amish families eat breakfast together every day—something that isn’t a priority in many other homes. In fact, sometimes we don’t eat breakfast at all. Making the effort to plan and host a morning meal for the whole family is a lot of work, but it’s a wonderful start to any day. Get up early to host one during the school week, sleep in a little so you can have Saturday brunch together or, like the Amish, share a meal with friends and community after Sunday service. (Here are a handful ofheavenly breakfasts that willfeed a crowd.)
2. Be an Early Bird
It’s pretty common for Amish people to rise as early as 4 a.m. While waking up long before sunrise might sound like torture to most of us, those extra hours are ideal for prep. If you’re making a big breakfast, you’re going to need to start early. (Good thing the Amish drink coffee!)
3. Make Some Dishes Ahead of Time
To save precious morning hours, Amish women often fry cornmeal mush at night to eat for breakfast the next morning.
4. Use up Your Leftovers
The Amish are experts at repurposing things, including leftovers. When you don’t have a refrigerator to keep leftovers fresh, you have to get creative. Use last night’s dinner in today’s breakfast by stuffing extra meat into omelets, turning potatoes into hash browns and making fruit into a salad.
Looking for other ways to use up leftovers? Find more creative ideas here.
5. Add Salt to the Oatmeal
You can’t go wrong with a bowl of traditional Amish oatmeal, which is filling and flavorful. When you’re making the recipe, however, keep in mind this old secret to bringing out the flavor in rolled oats: Salt the water. Even though it might seem trivial, this tip will make your hearty breakfast even more delicious.
6. Let the Kids Help
If your kids aren’t out collecting eggs or milking cows, they’re free to lend a hand, right? If you don’t need any help with the actual cooking, they could still bring you ingredients, set the table or rinse dishes. Everything’s easier with helping hands.
7. Perk up Your Butter
The Amish add flavor and flair to every dish by spicing up their butter. Why go with the same old flavors when you can spread pancakes with cinnamon butter, toast with rosemary butter and omelets with red pepper spread? Copy the idea at home by using these delicious butter recipes, and you’ll never go back to the plain ol’ stick.
8. Eat More Soup
You’ve heard of Chicken Corn Soup and Old-Fashioned Beef Stew, so it should come as no surprise that the Amish love soup regardless of the season. In fact, they eat lots of things in soup form—even breakfast! A typical Amish breakfast includes coffee soup, a bowl of creamed coffee served with freshly baked bread for dunking.
9. Feast at Breakfast
When there’s a lot of work ahead, a good breakfast starts the day out strong. Amish workdays are rigorous, beginning early and ending late, which means folks have to stay energized throughout the day. They eat a large morning meal, making hearty dishes like scrapple and waffles. And after a big breakfast, Amish families have a lighter lunch, so they don’t get drowsy in the afternoon.
10. Ask Everyone to Help Clean Up
You did most of the cooking—you don’t need to do all of the cleaning, too. In Amish families, even the youngest children are responsible for household work. To get your kids off to school or activities on time, make sure they assist in cleaning up, just like those in an Amish family would. Not sure which tasks are appropriate for the smallest in your bunch? This list of kitchen chores for kids of all ages will help you divide the workload evenly.
With these Amish breakfast tips, we hope your mornings are all about food and family. And remember—no phones allowed!
Hearty Amish-Inspired Breakfast Recipes
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Amish Breakfast CasseroleWe've enjoyed a few hearty breakfast casseroles while visiting an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the ladies told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it to create this quick and easy breakfast casserole my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, IndianaGo to Recipe
Griddle Corn Cakes"This is a downsized version of a recipe that belonged to my husband's mother and has been in their family for 80 years," shares Myrna Gerson of Staten Island, New York. "My husband and I got married 30 years ago, and I've been making these griddle cakes ever since."
Family-Favorite Oatmeal WafflesThese healthful, good-tasting waffles are a tried-and-true family favorite—even with our two children. My husband and I have a small herd of beef cattle and some pigs. A hearty breakfast really gets us going! —Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Fruity Baked OatmealThis is my husband’s favorite breakfast treat and the ultimate comfort food. It’s warm, filling and always a hit when I serve it to guests. —Karen Schroeder, Kankakee, Illinois.
German Apple PancakeIf you're looking for a pretty dish to make when having guests for brunch, try this. Everyone I've served it to has enjoyed it—except for one time, that is, when my husband tried to make it following my recipe, which I'd written down incorrectly! If you don't leave out the flour as I did, it'll turn out terrific! —Judi Van Beek, Lynden, Washington
Cinnamon Raisin Quick BreadCinnamon and raisins bring heartwarming flavor to this mildly sweet bread. It's ideal for an on-the-go breakfast or a quick snack before dinner. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Toad in the HoleAmerican Toad in a hole is one of the first recipes I had my children prepare when they were learning to cook. Much easier than the European version, this fun egg-in-a-hole is sure to please. My "little ones" are now grown (and have advanced to more difficult recipes!), but this continues to be a traditional standby in my home and theirs. —Ruth Lechleiter, Breckenridge, Minnesota
Biscuits and Sausage GravyThis biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Raisin Nut OatmealThere’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Check out these 10 surprising baking secrets from an Amish kitchen.
Amish Apple ScrappleThe aroma of this when it's cooking at breakfast time takes me back to my days growing up in Pennsylvania. The recipe was a favorite at home and at church breakfasts. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Maple French Toast BakeThis yummy French toast casserole is a breeze to whip up the night before a busy morning. My family loves the richness it gets from cream cheese and maple syrup. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Farmers BreakfastThis hearty combination of sausage, hash browns and eggs is just right for any breakfast. &mdash:Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
Aunt Edith's Baked PancakeMy aunt made a mighty breakfast that revolved around 'The Big Pancake'. I always enjoyed watching as she poured the batter into her huge cast-iron skillet, then created the perfect confection: baked pancakes. —Marion Kirst, Troy, Michigan
Baked French Toast with StrawberriesFrench toast is a crowd-pleaser, but it's hard to make for a big group. This overnight casserole with strawberries and a sweet pecan topping fixes everything. —David Stelzl Jr., Waxhaw, North Carolina
Farmer's CasseroleBetween family and friends, we have nearly 375 visitors a year! This casserole is handy—you can put it together the night before, let the flavors blend, then bake it in the morning. —Nancy Schmidt, Center, Colorado
Sausage and Egg CasseroleFor the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona
Country-Style Scrambled EggsI added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Mixed Berry French Toast BakeI love this recipe! It's perfect for fuss-free holiday breakfasts or laid-back company—utterly delicious and so easy to put together the night before. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine
Pumpkin Cream of WheatThis autumn-inspired breakfast tastes like pumpkin pie—without the guilt! Double the recipe if you feel like sharing. —Amy Bashtovoi, Sidney, Nebraska
Farmers BreakfastStart off your day on a hearty note! This one-dish wonder will easily keep your family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota
Apple Fritter CakeI was experimenting with a beer bread to make it into a dessert and came up with this delectable apple fritter cake. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Apple Pancakes with Cider SyrupTender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
Country Potato PancakesPotato pancakes, or latkes, are really versatile. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin
Amish Baked OatmealThe first time I had this treat was at a bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. To me, it tasted just like a big warm-from-the-oven oatmeal cookie! —Colleen Butler, Inwood, West Virginia
Cheddar-Ham Oven OmeletWe had a family reunion for 50 relatives from the U.S. and Canada, and it took four pans of this hearty five-ingredient omelet to feed the crowd. Fresh fruit and an assortment of muffins helped round out our brunch menu. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan
Sausage HashWe always have plenty of pork sausage around, so when I need a quick supper, I use this handy recipe. The colorful vegetables give the hash a bold look to match its flavor. —Virginia Krites, Cridersville, Ohio
Maple-Glazed SausagesThese sausages, kissed with sugar and spice, are my first choice when I want to round out a morning menu of French toast and fruit compote. —Trudie Hagen, Roggen, Colorado
Homemade Breakfast Sausage PattiesButtermilk is the secret ingredient that keeps these pork patties moist, while a blend of seasonings creates a wonderful taste. —Harvey Keeney, Mandan, North Dakota
Sunday Sausage BreakfastThis filling, delicious dish looks as appealing as it is tasty. Servings of this rich casserole go a long way.—Bill Shultz, Walden, New York
Apple Streusel MuffinsThese apple streusel muffins remind us of coffee cake, and my husband and kids love them as a quick breakfast or snack on the run. The drizzle of glaze makes them pretty enough for company. —Dulcy Grace, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
Country Brunch SkilletUsing frozen hash browns and packaged shredded cheese shaves minutes off the prep time of this skillet egg dish, making it an appealing meal you can put together quickly. —Elvira Brunnquell, Port Washington, Wisconsin
Buttermilk PancakesYou just can't beat a basic buttermilk pancake for a down-home country breakfast. Paired with sausage and fresh fruit, these pancakes are just like the ones you get at Cracker Barrel. —Betty Abrey, Imperial, Saskatchewan
Apple Cinnamon BreadI'm confident that anyone who tries this apple cinnamon bread will be thrilled. It has a hearty texture and sweet, home-baked flavor, but none of the fat and calories. —Liz Titler, Madison, Ohio
