What to Serve with Coffee? 10 Best Side Dishes

Coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual for us. We all know that finding the perfect side dish for our beloved caffeine fix is like hitting the jackpot.

Coffee and its companions can turn any average day into a festive one. We’ve all been there, mug in hand, wondering what snack would elevate this moment. No more random choices.

We’ve walked the walk, tried the cookies, and tested the cakes. Some pairings are a feast, others a slight miss.

In this list, we’ll share our top picks. These aren’t just snacks; they’re coffee’s best friends.

From sweet treats to savory bites, we’ve got you covered. Prepare to make your coffee time legendary.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Coffee?

Whether you like it sweet, black, or with milk, there’s no denying that coffee is a delicious beverage.

However, if you want to take your coffee game up a notch, serving it with a side dish is the way to go.

Sure, serving side dishes will make for a more enjoyable and complete experience.

But it also allows you to widen your creativity and do some experiments in the kitchen.

Besides, if you’re hosting a brunch or breakfast buffet, having a few side dishes to accompany the coffee is a great way to please everyone’s tastes.

And if you want to serve something more than just coffee and pastries, then serving a main dish with coffee is also an option.

What to Serve with Coffee? 10 Best Side Dishes

1. Sugar Glazed Donut

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Donuts and coffee are like two peas in a pod.

They just go so well together.

If you like your coffee bitter or have a thing for desserts, you’ll surely enjoy a sugar-glazed donut with your cup of joe.

The sugary glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the coffee.

We do agree that reaching out for a donut in the morning might not be the best idea.

But hey, life is all about balance, right? Sometimes you just got to treat yourself.

2. Bagels

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Here we have the sister of the donut – the bagel.

A lot of people like to enjoy their coffee with a bagel and cream cheese.

The combination of the two is just heavenly.

But if you want to mix things up, try serving your bagels with smoked salmon or avocado.

You can also get creative with the type of bagel you use.

While the classic plain bagel is always a good choice, you can also go for something more adventurous, like an everything bagel or a cinnamon raisin bagel.

3. Almond Maple Bites

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Have a cup of dark roast coffee? We recommend pairing it with these almond maple bites.

The roasted almonds and rich maple syrup complement the dark roast perfectly, making for a heavenly combination.

These almond maple bites are also great if you’re looking for something on the healthier side.

Besides, these treats are loaded with carbs and fiber.

This means only one thing- they’ll help you stay full until lunchtime.

4. Raspberry Parmesan Cookies

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Here’s another great option for those of you who like their coffee on the sweeter side.

These raspberry Parmesan cookies are the perfect mix of sweet and savory.

The raspberries add a lovely tartness to the cookies, while the Parmesan gives them a nice salty kick.

Pairing these cookies with coffee is a great way to start your day or enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up.

The best way to enjoy raspberry parmesan cookies with coffee? Dip them in.

5. Pumpkin Bread

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Pumpkin bread has a special place in our hearts (and stomachs).

It’s the perfect fall treat, after all.

You can find many pumpkin bread recipes online, so we’ll spare you the details here.

Besides, you may have your own recipe too.

Just know that this is one tasty, moist, and easy-to-make bread perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even desserts.

For pairing with your coffee, you might want to add some lemony cream cheese on top of your bread.

Mix 1 tsp grated lemon zest and juice, 4 oz.

softened cream cheese, ¼ non-fat plain Greek Yogurt, and ¼ tsp of pepper and kosher salt, and voila.

You can refrigerate for about an hour or overnight and enjoy.

6. Tiramisu

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Ever thought about pairing a coffee-flavored treat with the coffee beverage itself? Sounds weird, but well, it works.

Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert that consists of coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with rich mascarpone cream.

It is often dusted with cocoa powder or grated chocolate on top.

Since Tiramisu is also a coffee-based dessert, there’s no doubt that it pairs excellently with coffee.

In fact, the two go so well together that you might just want to have seconds (or thirds).

Just be warned, the caffeine kick might be too much for some.

7. Brownies

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Now, for people who enjoy sweetened/milk coffee, you’ll want to pair it with some brownies.

And not just any type of brownie, but some double chocolate espresso brownies.

These are rich, fudgy, and extremely chocolatey desserts perfect for coffee lovers.

Serving brownies with a cup of sweetened coffee will take you on a bitter-sweet journey that’s simply out of this world.

Of course, you can also enjoy some freshly baked brownies with dark coffee or espresso.

But this time, you might want to top it off with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to balance out the flavors.

The goal is to create the ultimate bitter-sweet combination that will have you coming back for more.

8. Dark Chocolate

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Dark chocolate and coffee are like soul mates.

Whether you serve some on the side of your coffee or add it directly into your brew, you’re in for a real treat.

They complement and enhance each other’s flavors so well, like bread and butter.

There are all sorts of dark chocolate out there, so take your pick.

Just make sure to get one with a high cacao content (70% or higher).

And if you want to get really fancy, you can even get some dark chocolate-covered espresso beans.

These make for a great snack on their own or can be added to your coffee for an extra flavor boost.

9. Savory Sandwich

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After a long list of sweet treats, let’s take a break and talk about something savory.

Whether you opt for a BLT sandwich or a double cheeseburger, sandwiches and coffee make a great pairing.

For an unforgettable experience, you might want to stick to a savory sandwich loaded with ham, sausages, salami, or corned beef.

The salty flavors will help cut through the coffee’s bitterness, while the meat’s richness will pair well with the coffee’s body.

Of course, you can always enjoy a classic PB&J sandwich with your cup of joe.

Just remember to use a good quality jam or jelly and not too much peanut butter so as to not overwhelm the coffee’s flavors.

10. Scrambled Eggs

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Last but definitely not least, we have scrambled eggs.

The beauty of this pairing (coffee and scrambled eggs) is its simplicity.

All you need is some good-quality eggs (preferably organic and free-range), butter, and salt.

Perhaps some parsley and pepper will also add more to its flavor.

Scrambled eggs might not be the most exciting item on this list, but it is definitely one of the most delicious and filling.

So, if you’re looking for a hearty meal to enjoy with your coffee, look no further.

Conclusion

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and everybody seems to have their own reasons behind their love for coffee.

Some people love the taste, others love the caffeine jolt it provides, and still, others simply enjoy the ritual and routine of drinking coffee every day.

But no matter what your reasons are for loving coffee, there’s one thing we can all agree on: coffee tastes even better when paired with the right food (or dessert).

So next time you make yourself a cup of coffee, be sure to try one of our recommendations mentioned above.