Healthy Recipes Blog

  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • ♥️ Saved Recipes
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Index
×
Home » Breakfast Recipes » Matzo Brei

Matzo Brei

A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.
by Vered DeLeeuwUpdated Jan 7, 2025
4 Comments
5 from 1 vote

Jump to Recipe Review Recipe

Matzo brei transforms the tedious, breadless Passover breakfast into a pleasure. It's so easy and quick to make that I usually cook a serving at a time, but you can double the recipe if you wish. The leftovers are great, too!

Matzo brei is served with jam.

Unlike other Passover foods such as coconut macaroons, Matzo is not the most exciting food. The only way to make it more palatable is to spread it with butter, charoset, or chocolate hazelnut spread. That's why Matzo Brei is so genius. It's the same idea as bread pudding - using eggs, milk, cinnamon, and butter to turn dry bread into something delicious and comforting.

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make matzo brei.

Here's an overview of the ingredients needed to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Matzo: It's best to use plain matzo, not flavored.
  • Eggs: I use large eggs in almost all of my recipes, including this one.
  • Ground cinnamon: Make sure it's fresh.
  • Vanilla extract: Try to use the real thing - pure vanilla extract - and not the artificially flavored stuff.
  • Butter: For frying. I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be great. Coconut oil is another tasty option.

Variations

  1. I love cooking the matzo in coconut oil instead of butter. If you like the flavor of coconut, you can also replace the vanilla extract with coconut extract.
  2. Sometimes, I add a few chocolate chips to the mixture - try 1-2 tablespoons.
  3. For even richer results, you can soak the matzo in hot milk instead of using water.
  4. I don't usually sweeten these pancakes because I serve them with maple syrup. But if you'd like, you can add a tablespoon of any granulated sweetener.
  5. To make a savory version, omit the cinnamon and vanilla. Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. It's really good!

Instructions

The recipe card below lists the detailed instructions for making this recipe. Here's an overview of the steps:

Your first step is to break the matzo into small pieces and cover the pieces with very hot tap water. Let them stand and soften for about a minute, then drain.

Adding water to the matzo pieces.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add the drained matzo pieces and mix into a uniform batter.

Adding the softened matzo to the egg mixture.

Cook mounds of the mixture in butter in a nonstick skillet until golden and cooked through.

Cooking the matzo brei in butter in a skillet.

Serve with your favorite toppings.

Matzo brei is served with jam.

Expert Tip

How long you soak the matzo will depend on how soft or crispy you want the end result to be. Soak the pieces for just 30 seconds for crispier pancakes and for 5 minutes if you prefer softer ones.

Recipe FAQs

Why is it called matzo brei?

"Brei" means "seared" in Yiddish. So, the name of this dish means "sauteed matzo." This makes sense because that's exactly what we're doing here - sauteing softened and flavored matzo in butter.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! This recipe makes one serving, but you can easily double it and use two skillets or a double-burner griddle. Alternatively, use one skillet and cook two batches, keeping those you've already cooked in a warm oven.

Can I make a scramble instead of pancakes?

Yes, absolutely. That's the easiest way to make this recipe. Simply scramble the mixture in warm butter until golden and cooked through. Over medium heat, this should take around 4 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve matzo brei topped with warm maple syrup. Here are a few more options:

  • Sweet butter
  • A drizzle of honey
  • Jam (as shown in the photos)
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate hazelnut spread
  • Almond butter
  • Blueberry compote
  • Strawberry compote

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They keep quite well! You can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months. If you stack them, separate them with wax paper.

Matzo brei is served on a white plate with jam.

More Passover Recipes

  • Charoset is served in a white bowl with a spoon.
    Charoset Recipe
  • Keto coconut macaroons are served in a bowl with a napkin.
    Keto Coconut Macaroons

Eat Well, Live Well Newsletter

Sign up for weekly meal ideas, cooking tips, and real food recipes straight to your inbox! We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Recipe Card

Matzo brei is served with jam.
5 from 1 vote
Save this RecipeSaved! Rate this Recipe Print Recipe

Easy Matzo Brei Recipe (Pancake-Style)

This Matzo Brei recipe is ready in 15 minutes. It's incredibly delicious, turning the tedious, breadless Passover breakfast into a true pleasure.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Jewish
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 278kcal
Author: Vered DeLeeuw
Prevent your screen from going dark

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 matzo
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Break the matzo into small pieces. Place the pieces in a medium bowl.
    Matzo pieces in a bowl.
  • Cover the matzo pieces with very hot tap water. Let stand and soften for about a minute, then drain into a colander.
    Adding water to the matzo pieces.
  • Wipe your bowl clean with a paper towel and use it to whisk together the egg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
    Mixing an egg with cinnamon and vanilla.
  • Add the drained matzo pieces to the egg mixture. Using a fork, mix well, until the ingredients form a batter.
    Adding the softened matzo to the egg mixture.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and brush to coat. When the butter starts foaming, spoon three mounds of the batter into the griddle, measuring ¼ cup per mound. You should get 3 pancakes. Gently flatten each with a fork.
    Cooking the matzo brei in butter in a skillet.
  • Cook the pancakes until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
    Matzo brei is served with jam.

Notes

  • This recipe makes one serving of three pancakes. You can double it and use two skillets or a double-burner griddle. 
  • Ideas for topping the pancakes include butter, maple syrup, jam, whipped cream, Nutella, and almond butter. 
  • I don't sweeten the batter because I usually top the pancakes with something sweet. If you'd like to sweeten it, you can use 1 tablespoon of any granulated sweetener. 
  • The leftovers can be refrigerated in a sealed container for 3-4 days. They actually keep quite well! You can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months. If you stack them, make sure to separate them with wax paper.
  • This recipe is obviously not low-carb or gluten-free. It's a traditional Jewish recipe that I make for my family once a year during the Passover holiday. 

Nutrition per Serving

Calories: 278 kcal | Carbohydrates: 24 g | Protein: 8 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Sodium: 153 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g

Save this Recipe!

We'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

We will also add you to our weekly newsletter. Unsubscribe anytime. See healthyrecipesblogs.com/privacy/ to learn how we use your email.

Disclaimers

Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Please read these Terms of Use before using any of my recipes.

Share this Recipe

113 shares

More Breakfast Recipes

  • Chaffles are served on a white plate.
    Easy Chaffles Recipe
  • Egg muffins are served on a white plate.
    Breakfast Egg Muffins
  • Mushroom frittata is served in a white baking dish.
    Mushroom Frittata
  • Turkey hash is topped with a fried egg.
    Turkey Hash

Comments

    Leave a Comment or Ask a Question: Cancel reply

    Please be polite. If you had any issues, I would love to help you troubleshoot before you rate the recipe.

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.


    Recipe Rating




  1. B Mevorach says

    April 08, 2025 at 7:43 am

    How many pieces of matzah do you use and how many eggs per number of pieces of matzah

    Reply
    • Vered DeLeeuw says

      April 08, 2025 at 8:38 am

      Hi,
      The exact measurements can be found in the recipe card.

  2. Chloe says

    April 23, 2024 at 7:08 pm

    5 stars
    I can't get over how good this is. THANK YOU!

    Reply
    • Vered DeLeeuw says

      April 23, 2024 at 9:12 pm

      You're very welcome, Chloe! Thanks for the review.

A photo of Vered DeLeeuw.

Welcome!

Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.

Start Here

Popular Recipes

  • Korean ground beef is served in a bowl with chopsticks.
    Korean Ground Beef
  • Sautéed shrimp are served on a white plate with a napkin.
    Sautéed Shrimp
  • Baked pork chops are served in a cast-iron skillet.
    Baked Pork Chops
  • Turkey burgers are served with lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
    Turkey Burgers
  • A cauliflower steak is served on a white plate.
    Cauliflower Steak
  • Baked cod is served on top of asparagus.
    Baked Cod

Footer

Logos of media outlets that featured Healthy Recipes Blog.
↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Newsletter

Terms

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Accessibility

Copyright © 2011-2025 • The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease • All recipes were tested, photographed, and written by a human • Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog [at] gmail.com.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Please comment below. Your email won't be published. If you had any issues, I would appreciate the opportunity to troubleshoot before you rate. Please be polite. Thank you!

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required