Cooking

Love Island Breakfasts That Would Turn Heads in the Villa

Cheeky avocado toast, homemade pancakes, and more romantic recipes to fuel a day of grafting.
By Nina Moskowitz
Animated gif of Love Island characters and breakfast foods

There is no greater mystery than mealtime on Love Island. Sure, we’ve seen the occasional dinner date, when the men chef it up and serve cold unseasoned spaghetti in the name of romance. But everyday lunches and dinners? No matter how many hours you log watching the show—basically a full-time job—those meals remain under wraps.

Breakfast, however, is front and center, and just so happens to be the ultimate sign of courtship. Someone made you an iced coffee? Now that’s a spark. A pile of scrambled eggs? The public is rooting for you. A heart-shaped pancake? Full-on vulnerability. Read on for breakfast recipes we’d proudly serve in the villa (or casa). Maybe you’ll find one that’s a bit of you.

  • Side view of a stack of pancakes 8 layers high with maple syrup running down the sides and a pat of butter melting up top.
    Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Judy Kim.
    3/9

    BA’s Best Buttermilk Pancakes

    These floofy pancakes can be shaped into romantic hearts, the first letter of your lover’s name, and smiley faces (with the help of some blueberries and bacon).

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  • Image may contain Food Dessert Creme Cream and Caramel
    Photo by Rick Martinez
    4/9

    Iced Café de Olla

    There are few things more important than getting an islander’s coffee order right. One scoop, two scoops, three scoops of sugar? Make this spiced syrup instead.

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  • Fruit salad in white bowl on a pink fabric
    Photograph by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi
    5/9

    Honey and Bitters Fruit Salad

    Of course every breakfast plate needs something cold and hydrating, like a vibrant fruit salad, to fuel the long day ahead of breakups and makeups.

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  • A breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs and avocado wrapped in foil cut in half and stacked revealing the cut edge.
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova
    6/9

    Breakfast Burrito to Go

    There are plenty of places one might go around the villa: day beds, the pool, more day beds. This burrito packed with protein and veggies is a great accompaniment to all the travel.

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  • Image may contain Food
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    7/9

    Bacon in the Oven

    While stovetop bacon elicits explosive splatters, this oven method is great for the shirtless cooks. No burn marks here.

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  • Straighton shot of a roti omelet rollup with sambal oelek on the side and american cheeze oozing out
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams
    8/9

    Quick and Cheesy Omelet Roll-Up

    A foolproof omelet you can eat with one hand while you apply eyeliner or lift weights in the other. It’s a busy schedule. Multitasking comes in handy.

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  • A MangoSpinach Smoothie in a tall glass against a pink background
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer
    9/9

    Mango and Greens Smoothie

    Packed with tropical flavors, this smoothie is a cinch to throw together—so islanders can spend less time hovering over a blender, and more time cracking on.

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Nina works across Bon Appétit and Epicurious, solving mysteries like “Why do beans make us fart?” and “What is that white stuff oozing out of my chicken?” She also edits and produces recurring columns like It’s That Simple and has even developed a recipe or two. Before joining the editorial ... Read More
Associate Editor, Cooking
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