Matzah brei

What is Matzah brei?

Matzah brei is made by breaking matzah, a crisp unleavened bread, into pieces and mixing it with beaten eggs. The mixture is softened with water or milk, then fried in a pan with oil or butter. The result can be scrambled or cooked as a flat cake, depending on preference. It can be seasoned for a savory taste with salt, pepper, or onions, or made sweet with honey, cinnamon, or fruit. Matzah brei is most often eaten during Passover, when regular bread is avoided.

Where does Matzah brei come from?

Matzah brei comes from Ashkenazi Jewish tradition and is especially linked to North American Jewish communities. Early recipes for fried matzah appeared in 19th-century cookbooks, but the version mixing crumbled matzah with egg before frying became popular with Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the United States. The dish uses machine-made matzah, which is thicker and flakier than handmade matzah, making it well-suited for this preparation.

How is Matzah brei made?

To make matzah brei, matzah is broken into pieces and briefly soaked in water or milk to soften it. The softened matzah is then mixed with beaten eggs. This mixture is fried in a skillet with oil, butter, or schmaltz (chicken fat). The cook can scramble the mixture, cook it flat like a pancake, or fry it like a tortilla. For savory versions, ingredients like onions or sauerkraut can be added; for sweet versions, honey, cinnamon, or cheese may be used. Toppings after cooking can include jam, syrup, applesauce, or sour cream.

How and when is Matzah brei eaten?

Matzah brei is most commonly served for breakfast or brunch during Passover, when leavened bread is not eaten. It can be enjoyed sweet or savory, and is often topped with jam, syrup, or seasonings. Some Jewish groups, such as Hasidic Jews, avoid eating matzah brei during Passover due to customs about matzah coming into contact with liquids, but may eat it on the eighth day of the holiday outside Israel. The dish is usually eaten hot, straight from the pan.

Kinds of Matzah brei

There are many ways to prepare matzah brei. Some people scramble the mixture, while others cook it as a pancake or tortilla. The dish can be made sweet with sugar, fruit, or cinnamon, or savory with onions, salt, and pepper. Toppings and additions vary widely, including cheese, jam, maple syrup, applesauce, or yogurt. Some recipes skip soaking the matzah in water and use only eggs for softening.

What Matzah brei means

Matzah brei is closely tied to the Jewish festival of Passover and is a familiar comfort food in many Jewish homes, especially in North America. It reflects both tradition and adaptation, with each family having its own preferred way of making it. The dish is also part of discussions in Jewish law about which blessing to say before eating it, due to its unusual preparation. For some, it marks a special part of the Passover experience.

When Matzah brei is on the table

Questions people ask about Matzah brei

Good reading and sources

• Matzah brei on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data