We've all done it. Grabbed an apple or a banana as we race out the door to catch the 7:18 am train. Or drop the kids at school. Or shop for groceries. Or hit the gym. Or any myriad of other things that seem to need our attention in the morning more than sitting down and eating breakfast.
It's a universal thing. If breakfast is anything to go by, the world has been rushing for a very long time. Some hand-held breakfasts date back generations, maybe even centuries. This is good news for us because once you dig into one of these on-the-go morning meals, you'll never be stuck with a boring old piece of fruit again.
Like make-ahead Vegemite toast with added cheese and in scrumptious scroll form.
This festive Japanese egg roll is made especially for New Year and is cooked differently from the tamagoyaki egg roll served on sushi. The markings left on the outside of the datemaki are from the bamboo mat and consider yourself on a roll when eating this one. Now we want more egg-cellence!
If these look suspiciously like croissants, you're not wrong. However, medialunas are smaller and less flaky than the French pastry, and are actually more like an Italian cornetti. Either way, they make an excellent breakfast on the move.
Ah, the ham and cheese toastie, French-style. The cream, Gruyère and Parmesan eggy topping just makes it next-level good.
Another excellent take on a classic cheese toastie, the Welsh version adds a hit of beer to really brighten up your morning.
Bosnian mini-rolls are filled with whatever you fancy. Salted or cheese-filled are popular but you can find sausage versions, or for something a little sweeter, chocolate or jam-filled.
These pocket rockets hold their own come breakfast when all you want is porky goodness propped up with crunchy, sweet, vinegary pickles and a lick of mayo.
Gwaramari literally means "a round bread" in Newari – a local language spoken by a community in Kathmandu Valley.
Ricotta balls are enjoyed at any time of the day, but they make an especially handy portable breakfast.
Arepas can be topped with butter and your preferred spread and served with eggs or filled and eaten like a sandwich.
Kaak is as common in Lebanon as bagels in NYC. Enjoy them plain, or top them with cheese, za'atar and baked eggs. A similar circular bread called simit is made in Turkey.
While (sadly) the Chinese pineapple bun doesn't actually contain any pineapple, it does have a golden crunchy, crumbly crust that produces a unique pattern.
Known as wienebrød in Denmark and Danish pastries everywhere else, this is surely the sweetest way to start your day possible.
A green mung bean pancake wrapped around some coconut chutney and onion feels like a solid way to start the day.
The rowie, which has the buttery richness of a croissant, but with extra heartiness, was traditionally eaten for breakfast by workers and fishermen.
Fast, filling and fabulous, quesadillas make the perfect hand-held breakfast for busy mornings. Fill them with whatever you have on hand, but don't forget the cheese.
Grab a slab of this hearty potato-filled omelette on your way out the door and you'll be satisfied until... dinner.
If there's a nicer way to head out the door than with a spiced lamb-stuffed flatbread in your pocket, we'd like to hear about it.
The chewy Polish roll that's filled with cooked onion and poppy seeds makes an easy takeaway breakfast.
If you insist on grabbing a breakfast banana, make it a muffin. That way you can add some good grains and dairy into your first meal of the day.
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
Have a story or comment? Contact Us
