On Love Island, breakfast means everything. If you haven’t been watching this season of Love Island USA, then I applaud your restraint. (I also want to know what you do with all that free time!) This season has been full of drama, pancakes and…pancake drama.

For the uninitiated, here’s what Love Island is all about: Single people, called “islanders” on the show, fly to a private villa in Fiji with the intention of making a connection with another person. The goal is to outlast all of the other couples and eventually win a cash prize of $100,000. There is a lot at stake, emotionally and financially, and it makes for wildly entertaining reality television.

A new episode airs every night of the week (except Wednesdays) so we spend a lot of time observing the daily habits of these islanders. There is one meal in particular that has become a big part of the narrative arc: breakfast.

In fact, breakfast is the only meal that we ever see the islanders eating. It begs the question: Do they actually eat anything else while filming? It turns out that there is a specific reason why we never see them eat any other meals on camera.

Why is breakfast the only meal shown on Love Island?

Even a casual Love Island viewer will realize that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Immediately after waking up, the male islanders navigate downstairs to the shared kitchen and start making breakfast. Remember, this is both a dating and a competition show. The simple act of bringing someone breakfast carries a lot of weight.

We get to watch who brings who breakfast, and it is a great way for the men to show special attention to the woman—or women!—they’re interested in. Some islanders are better cooks than others, but everyone gets fed. There are basically four options for breakfast: scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon and avocado toast. I don’t know if this is a reflection of what’s available to islanders in the kitchen or just the cooking comfort level of a bunch of 20-something men, but it is pretty funny to me.

But after breakfast, the day continues, and we never see them eating anything else. They might snack on chips or pretzels occasionally, but the only meal that ever gets shown on screen is breakfast. There is a very simple answer to this, which has been shared by former Love Island cast members.

Lunch and dinner are catered meals, eaten off-camera with the production staff. “We’re not allowed to talk about the show. We’re not allowed to talk to each other,” former Love Island UK winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu told US Weekly. “We’re always talking about food.” The producers don’t want any juicy convos to happen until they’re back on camera. Which makes sense, I guess, even if it sounds like the world’s worst dinner party.

Which Taste of Home breakfast recipe should each Love Island cast member try?

As a devoted viewer of Love Island, I love this cast, and I want them to have more interesting breakfast options. So, I decided to find the perfect recipe for each of them to try once they leave the villa. Since there have been a lot of islanders this season, I’m going to stick with the 10 remaining people!

Ace: Italian Brunch Torte

Ace loves going the extra mile, and this is a thoughtful recipe that elevates classic flavors.

Amaya: Rise and Shine Parfait

This sunny parfait would be a perfect start to Amaya Papaya’s morning routine.

Bryan: Eggs Benedict Casserole

Bryan could enjoy all the flavors of eggs Benedict without all the fuss.

Chelley: Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Chelley would love this crowd-pleaser, which combines every fun breakfast flavor into one dish.

Chris: Oatmeal Brulee with Ginger Cream

Chris isn’t afraid to step up to a little challenge, and this sweet spin on oatmeal is a winner.

Huda: Freezer Breakfast Burritos

As a mommy and a gym girlie, Huda needs an easy, protein-filled option for busy mornings.

Iris: Mushroom Asparagus Quiche

I just know Cali girl Iris is going to love anything that uses plenty of fresh produce.

Nic: Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast

Nic needs something like him: a little sweet and a little playful.

Olandria: Belgian Waffles

Olandria said she likes the edges of her pancakes crispy, so why not take it a step further?

Pepe: Creamy Banana Crepes

I mean, Pepe did make everyone crepes one morning!

Author
Hayley Schueneman
Hayley Schueneman (she/her) is an editor and writer for Taste of Home. She's loved all things food for as long as she can remember. Hayley has worked in media, marketing, food service and as a supervisor at Whole Foods, where a customer once threw a bag of quinoa at her head. (Don't worry, she still loves quinoa.) Her areas of expertise include veg...
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Hayley Schueneman