30 Retro Breakfast Recipes That Deserve a Comeback

Updated on May 09, 2023

The 50s, 60s and 70s brought us many wonderful things, including lots of inventive breakfasts. These retro breakfast recipes are so delicious, they're worthy of gracing our tables today!

1/30

Ham & Collards Quiche

Total Time 55 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I love quiche and wanted to make something that incorporates my southern roots. With eggs, cheese, ham and nutritious collard greens in a flaky crust, it’s a complete meal. —Billie Williams-Henderson, Bowie, Maryland
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 457 calories, 31g fat (15g saturated fat), 240mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.

2/30

Bacon and Egg Casserole

Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Because it's fast to fix and such a great hit with family and friends, this egg casserole with bacon is a favorite of mine to make for brunches. Served with a fruit salad, hot muffins and croissants, it's excellent for an after-church meal. —Deanna Durward-Orr, Windsor, Ontario
Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 289 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 420mg cholesterol, 508mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein.

3/30

Corn Cakes with Poached Eggs

Total Time 45 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These easy corn cakes are super tender thanks to the creamed corn in the batter. Top them with poached eggs and fresh salsa, and you get one of my favorite breakfasts. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
Nutrition Facts: 2 corn cakes with 1 egg and 1/2 cup salsa: 366 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 187mg cholesterol, 1019mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 12g protein.
4/30

Delectable Granola

Total Time 45 min
Servings 11 cups
From the Recipe Creator: Here's a great make-ahead recipe! Be sure to remove from the cookie sheets within 20 minutes after baking so the granola doesn't stick. —Lori Stevens, Riverton, Utah
Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup (calculated without yogurt): 288 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 fat.
5/30

Vanilla French Toast

Total Time 25 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: We discovered this easy French toast recipe in Mexico. We couldn't figure out what made the French toast so delicious until we learned the secret was vanilla. Since then, we've added a touch of vanilla to our waffle and pancake recipes, and it makes all the difference. —Joe and Bobbi Schott, Castroville, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 218 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat.
6/30

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

Total Time 4 hours 45 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: These easy apple-y oats let your family have a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 290 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
7/30

Yeast Waffles

Total Time 20 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Starting the day with an appealing, hearty breakfast is certainly a step in the right direction when you're trying to follow a healthy eating plan. These waffles are so good that I freeze them to have some handy for busy mornings. —Mary Balcomb, Florence, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 2 waffles: 220 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 366mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
8/30

Skillet Banana Fritters

Total Time 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This delicious banana treat is sure to be a hit in your home. They are so yummy served with ice cream on the side. For an extra-special treat, add chocolate syrup. —Sharon Yonts, Scottsboro, Alabama
Nutrition Facts: 1serving: 277 calories, 14g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
9/30

Bacon-Cheese Puff Pie

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe comes from my grandma, and it's one of my family's favorites. We love the combination of bacon, tomatoes and cheese for brunch at any time of year.
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 518 calories, 35g fat (17g saturated fat), 176mg cholesterol, 901mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.

10/30

German Pancakes

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings (2 cups syrup)
From the Recipe Creator: Piping hot and puffy from the oven, this golden pancake made a pretty presentation for a skier's theme breakfast I hosted. Served with homemade buttermilk syrup, it's an eye-opening treat. Make several German pancakes if you're feeding a crowd, and keep in mind that my easy syrup tastes great on waffles and French toast too. —Renae Moncur, Burley, Idaho
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece with 1/4 cup syrup: 428 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 203mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.

11/30

Pumpkin Cream of Wheat

Total Time 10 min
Servings 1 serving
From the Recipe Creator: This autumn-inspired breakfast tastes like pumpkin pie—without the guilt! Double the recipe if you feel like sharing. —Amy Bashtovoi, Sidney, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 314 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
12/30

Mushroom and Brown Rice Hash with Poached Eggs

Total Time 30 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I made my mother's famous roast beef hash healthier by substituting cremini mushrooms for beef and brown rice for potatoes. It's ideal for a light main dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 282 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 186mg cholesterol, 393mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat.

13/30

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 2 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator: I shred and freeze zucchini from my garden each summer so that I can make this bread all winter long. My family loves this chocolaty treat. —Shari McKinney, Birney, Montana
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 212 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.

14/30

Eggs Benedict

Total Time 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico’s in New York. Here’s my take on this brunch classic, and don’t spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 345 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 331mg cholesterol, 522mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
15/30

Sausage Pancake Muffins

Total Time 40 min
Servings 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: My kids love sausage and pancakes, but making them during the week is out of the question. I purchased the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs in a blanket is a great alternative that's much more cost effective. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 4 mini muffins (calculated without syrup): 280 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 658mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
16/30

Toad in the Hole Bacon Sandwich

Total Time 15 min
Servings 1 serving
From the Recipe Creator: Switch up the cheese—pepper jack gives a nice kick—or use sliced kielbasa, ham or sausage in place of the bacon in this versatile grilled cheese sandwich. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 610 calories, 34g fat (11g saturated fat), 240mg cholesterol, 1220mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
17/30

Mini Ham Quiches

Total Time 35 min
Servings 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: These quiches are delightful for brunch when you don’t want to fuss. You can replace the ham with bacon, sausage, chicken or shrimp, and use chopped onion, red pepper or zucchini instead of olives. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts: 1 mini quiche: 141 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 332mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
18/30

Overnight Pancakes

Total Time 20 min
Servings 30 pancakes
From the Recipe Creator: Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana
Nutrition Facts: 3 pancakes: 319 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 862mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
19/30

Warm ‘n’ Fruity Breakfast Cereal

Total Time 6 hours 10 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Sleepyheads will love the heartiness of this nutritious cooked cereal with cinnamon. It's loaded with chopped fruit and nuts. Eat it with plain yogurt and sliced bananas or blueberries. —John Vale, Long Beach, Washington
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 185 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1/2 fat.
20/30

Hash Brown Egg Cups

Total Time 45 min
Servings 1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator: They may look like muffins, but these cuties pack all your favorite rise-and-shine ingredients—eggs, hash browns and bacon—into a single-serving cup. Grab one and get munching. —Talon DiMare, Bullhead City, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 1 hash brown cup: 180 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 487mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
21/30

Creamy Hash Browns

Total Time 4 hours 15 min
Servings 14 servings
From the Recipe Creator: My mother often took this comforting side dish to social dinners because it was such a hit. Now I get the same compliments when I make it. Bacon and onion jazz up a creamy mixture that’s quick and easy to make thanks to convenient frozen hash browns and canned soups. —Donna Downes, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 303 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 745mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
22/30

Maple Bacon Walnut Coffee Cake

Total Time 50 min
Servings 24 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Wake up the sleepyheads in your household with this moist, tender coffee cake that’s both sweet and savory. Bacon and nuts in the crumbly topping blend with flavors of maple, nutmeg and cinnamon. Yum! —Angela Spengler, Clovis, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 160 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 183mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
23/30

Pineapple Ham Casserole

Total Time 45 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: Living in Hawaii, I wanted to share this recipe which features pineapple. It's our most important fruit crop. —Marsha Fleming, Kula, Hawaii
Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 527 calories, 34g fat (19g saturated fat), 139mg cholesterol, 1541mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
24/30

No-Turn Omelet

Total Time 55 min
Servings 10 servings
From the Recipe Creator: It's a snap to put together this colorful casserole. I like to make it a day ahead, then refrigerate and bake the next morning. With ingredients such as sausage, eggs, cheese and peppers, it tastes like a strata—except it uses crackers rather than the traditional bread cubes. —Helen Clem Creston, Iowa
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 272 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 18g protein.
25/30

Baked Apple Oatmeal

Total Time 45 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I've tried a number of different types of fruit for this recipe, but apple seems to be my family's favorite. I mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls the night before and combine them the next morning when it's ready to be baked. —Megan Brooks, Saint Lazare, Quebec
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 305 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 325mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1-1/2 fat.
26/30

Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits

Total Time 1 hour 5 min
Servings 12 servings
From the Recipe Creator: In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 466 calories, 34g fat (18g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 840mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
27/30

Tillie's Ginger Crumb Cake

Total Time 55 min
Servings 16 servings
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe goes back at least as far as my grandmother, who was born in the early 1900s. Our sons and I enjoy eating it in a bowl with milk poured on it—much to the dismay of my husband, who prefers it plain! —Kathy Nienow Clark, Byron, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 330 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 232mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
28/30

Breakfast Casserole

Total Time 55 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: For the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 339 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 189mg cholesterol, 921mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
29/30

Breakfast Quiche

Total Time 45 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy preparing hearty country breakfasts for the guests at my bed-and-breakfast. This fluffy breakfast quiche recipe with lots of cheese and bacon is a most satisfying entree.
Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 709 calories, 60g fat (35g saturated fat), 290mg cholesterol, 980mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.
30/30

Belgian Waffle

Total Time 30 min
Servings 10 waffles (about 4-1/2 inches)
From the Recipe Creator: It was during a visit to my husband's relatives in Europe that I was given this Belgian waffle recipe. These homemade waffles are fantastic with any kind of topping: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, fried apples, powdered sugar or whipped topping. —Rose Delemeester, St. Charles, Michigan
Nutrition Facts: 2 waffles: 701 calories, 42g fat (25g saturated fat), 179mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.