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What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast

Cream cheese is a classic breakfast spread, but it can be hard to know what to eat with it.

Should you just slather it on a bagel and call it a day?

What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast

Sure, that’s an option.

But we’ve got some other ideas for you—ideas that will make your morning cream cheese experience all the more amazing.

What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast

cream cheese breakfast

It turns out there are a lot of ways to combine cream cheese with other foods to make the perfect, balanced breakfast.

Read on to find out how you can take your mornings to the next level—all thanks to a little bit of cream cheese.

1. Fruit toast

What’s great about fruit toast is that it comes in so many varieties.

You can go the sweet route and grab some strawberries, or you can go savory and get yourself a handful of fresh tomatoes and basil.

You can even mix things up with a little bit of both!

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal

It may sound like an odd choice, but oatmeal is actually the perfect complement to cream cheese.

The slight sweetness of the oats contrasts perfectly with the rich, tangy taste of cream cheese—and once you add a dollop of jam on top, you’re in for a real treat.

3. Pancakes

You knew this was coming, right?

It doesn’t matter if they’re stack-of-cakes-level fluffy or if they’re crispy and thin: pancakes + cream cheese = deliciousness.

4. Waffles

This one might sound like an obvious choice, but the reason why is because waffles are so delicious when paired with cream cheese!

If you want to try something different, we recommend going savory—spread some cream cheese on your waffles and add some avocado slices for an extra burst of creamy goodness.

5. Pretzels

Pretzels can be sweet or savory, making them an ideal pairing for either type of cream cheese.

See Also: 47 Dips for Pretzels I Can’t Resist

You can eat your pretzel plain or mix it in with your cream cheese—either way, it’s going to be good!

6. Bagels

We know we said that there’s a better way to eat your cream cheese than just on plain ol’ bagels, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like them!

A bagel is always a good choice with any type of spreadable food—it’s just that sometimes you need something more exciting than that.

7. Crackers

Crackers

Whether you go for a graham cracker, a Ritz cracker, or one of those tiny wheat crackers that come in party trays, we bet it’s going to be good!

Plus, they’re easy to make ahead of time, which means less breakfast prep right before you get out the door in the morning.

8. Bacon

Bacon

If there’s one thing everyone loves, it’s bacon—and if there’s one thing that makes bacon even better, it’s cream cheese.

The salty-smoky flavor of the bacon really plays well with the creamy texture of the cheese, and they’re both easy to eat on the go!

9. Roasted vegetables

Roasting vegetables is a great way to enjoy them in the wintertime, and they’re also so delicious when eaten alongside cream cheese.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might want to try making your own by roasting beets and cauliflower together.

10. Lox or salmon roe

The briny saltiness of lox or salmon roe is the perfect complement to cream cheese, especially if you’re having your cream cheese on something sweet like fruit toast or chocolate-chip banana bread (more on that later).

Just let your fish take the lead—if it’s salty enough, you can probably skip adding salt to your cream cheese.

11. Avocado toast

The only thing better than avocado toast is avocado toast topped with cream cheese.

The key is to let the cream cheese set atop the avocado until it has softened enough to spread easily.

You can also speed this process up by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese on your toast first.

12. Baked sweet potato or yam

If you like your breakfast savory, consider baking yourself a sweet potato or yam (or even both!) and spreading cream cheese on top of that.

The warm, soft texture pairs perfectly with the tangy coolness of the cheese—plus, you’re getting some Vitamin A!

13. Scones

The flakey pastry is perfect for spreading on cream cheese after you’ve sliced it in half and given it a quick toast.

Add some jam for an even more decadent treat!

14. Biscuits

This one is like scones, but even better because biscuits are really easy to make at home, which means you can have them whenever you want—no having to wait until brunch time or go to a bakery! (Bonus points if you make your biscuits with bacon fat.)

15. Cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon rolls are already pretty amazing on their own—after all, they do have CINNAMON right there in the name—but serve them hot out of the oven with melted cream cheese spooned on top?

And then add some pecans?

Talk about an upgrade!

This is something even Santa would get excited about eating.

16. Muffins (especially blueberry)

Pastries are always better with a little bit of frosting on top—and cream cheese works just as well!

Even better, if you’re making your own muffins at home, you can combine the ingredients in one place and make your own delicious blueberry-cream cheese muffins.

Just don’t forget to add some lemon zest!

17. Toast

Toast

Ah yes, the classic. You really can’t go wrong with a piece of toast slathered in cream cheese.

Heck, skip the toast and just eat it by itself!

Cream cheese is a dream for breakfast foods, because it melts easily and goes well with everything from honey-glazed ham to strawberries and bananas.

If you’re feeling spicy, whip up some cream cheese with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a warm winter treat.

18. Cream cheese and jelly on toast

Sure, you could have an English muffin, or maybe even a bagel, but if you really want to kick your morning routine up a notch, bread is the way to go.

Toast is an easy canvas for your cream cheese and jelly combo.

If you want to get fancy, try making some homemade bread—it takes a little more time, but the payoff is worth it! And don’t forget to use real butter.

19. Cream cheese and jam on a crepe

Have a little more time on your hands and looking for something special?

Whip up some crepes (just make sure not to make them too sweet!) and add cream cheese and your favorite jam. Add some powdered sugar on top if you’re feeling like going fancy!

20. A cream cheese wafflewich

Waffles are one of our favorite breakfast foods, so we’ve got some good news for you: They’re also great with cream cheese!

We love spreading cream cheese between two waffles, then topping it with jelly or fruit before eating.

If you’re not afraid to get messy in the kitchen—or at the breakfast table—this is the idea for you!

21. Breadsticks

So simple, so good!

Breadsticks are salty, crunchy, and delicious—the perfect complement to rich, velvety cream cheese.

Try dipping them in your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick!

22. Avocado

Avocado

If you haven’t had avocado with cream cheese yet, today’s the day!

Avocado has become increasingly popular in recent years as people have discovered how versatile and tasty this fruit is (yes, it’s technically a fruit).

Its creamy texture perfectly complements the creaminess of cream cheese, making this pairing one of our favorites!

23. English muffins

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional than fruit toast, then an English muffin is the way to go.

Pair with a dollop of cream cheese (or even butter), and you’ll give yourself something to look forward to while waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning!

24. Eggs Benedict

How could we talk about breakfast without mentioning eggs Benedict?

It’s the perfect way to start your day—and when you combine those poached eggs and hollandaise sauce with some creamy cream cheese, it’s like heaven in your mouth.

25. Croissants

Have you ever had croissants with cream cheese?

If not, the first thing we recommend is stopping whatever you’re doing right now and fixing yourself one immediately.

It’s a combination made in heaven: the buttery flake of the croissant meets the smooth silkiness of the cream cheese, and they live happily ever after together in your mouth.

26. Pumpkin bread

It’s fall! And it’s time to celebrate the flavors of the season.

With pumpkin bread, you get all the good parts of pumpkin pie—the rich flavor, the cinnamon spice—in an easily grabbable slice that pairs beautifully with cream cheese.

27. Granola

If you’re craving something crunchy but want to keep things on the sweet side, then granola makes for a great companion to cream cheese.

Sprinkle some over your cream cheese-coated bagel or English muffin and enjoy!

28. Coffee cake

This might sound unusual, but hear us out: your average coffee cake is already lightly sweetened, so adding cream cheese on top helps balance out the dessert-like taste for breakfast time.

Plus, if you want to make it even sweeter, you can add some honey or cinnamon!

29. Arugula salad

You might not think of salad as something you eat for breakfast, but in this case, we’d like to make the argument for it.

The greens will help balance out your cream cheese, which is nice and rich, so you’ll feel like you’re having something healthy to start your day off right!

30. Cucumber slices

This one might feel like a no-brainer, but it’s worth reminding ourselves how much cucumbers complement the flavor of cream cheese (and vice versa!).

They’re also healthy, making them perfect for pairing with your usual breakfast or brunch fare.

31. Pasta salad

Sure, pasta salad is traditionally eaten as a side dish at lunch or dinner—but there’s no reason why you can’t have it for breakfast!

In fact, we recommend pasta salad for breakfast, because most types of pasta salads come with vegetables in them, meaning you’re already starting your day with a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables first thing in the morning (and who doesn’t want to do that?).

32. Jam

Jam is one of those classic cream cheese pairings that just makes sense.

You’ve got that soft spread of cheese on your toast, and then you add a little bit of sweetness with a touch of jam.

The result?

A breakfast that will make you smile before you even take your first bite!

33. Cornbread

If cornbread sounds like the perfect way to start your morning, then you need to try this combo!

It’s sweet and salty at the same time, with a hint of fruity sweetness from the butter, honey, and applesauce mixed in.

The texture of the cornbread pairs perfectly with the smooth creaminess of cream cheese, making every bite a delight.

What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast

What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast

Need some help picking the right foods to serve with Cream Cheese for Breakfast?
We've got you covered!
1. Start with the basics. You can't go wrong with toast, bagels, or English muffins—any of these will go well with cream cheese.
2. Get creative! Try using cream cheese as part of your breakfast sandwich filling instead of mayonnaise or other condiments.
3. Get fancy! Try some fruit on your cream cheese—we like strawberries and bananas best! Or try adding fruit preserves to your toast instead of butter or margarine.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Fruit toast
  • Oatmeal
  • Pancakes
  • Waffles
  • Pretzels
  • Bagels
  • Crackers
  • Bacon
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Lox or salmon roe
  • Avocado toast
  • Baked sweet potato or yam
  • Scones
  • Biscuits
  • Cinnamon rolls
  • Muffins (especially blueberry)
  • Toast
  • Cream cheese and jelly on toast
  • Cream cheese and jam on a crepe
  • A cream cheese wafflewich
  • Breadsticks
  • Avocado
  • English muffins
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Croissants
  • Pumpkin bread
  • Granola
  • Coffee cake
  • Arugula salad
  • Cucumber slices
  • Pasta salad
  • Jam
  • Cornbread

Instructions
 

  • Pick one of the foods from this list to serve with your cream cheese.
  • Prepare the rest of your delicious breakfast.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword What to Eat with Cream Cheese for Breakfast
CEO at Happy Muncher | benjamin@happymuncher.com | Website | + posts

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.