Food & Pop Culture

13 Breakfast Foods From The 1970s That Will Make You Cringe

The ‘70s was one heck of a colorful decade. Walt Disney World officially opened, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory premiered, and The Ramones played their first-ever show. The feel-good tunes of disco were alive and well, and funky fashion was around every corner. There were tons of legendary food releases, too. For instance, McDonald’s Egg McMuffin was created in 1972 and Twix Bars were introduced in 1977. Yet, in the midst of all of these historical moments, folks did not shy away from questionable food experiments — especially when it came to breakfast.

In other words, homecooked meals during the ’70s were just as colorful as the actual decade. Much of this had to do with the rise of budget-friendly processed foods. People were stoked about the convenience of things like boxed pancake mix, canned soup, and powdered drinks. So, what did they do? Mix ‘em all together and create hilariously terrible recipes, obviously.

But when you look at the fascinating history of food, it actually makes some sense. Processed foods were still a fairly new (and exciting) concept. They became exceptionally popular during the ‘50s and ‘60s, and by the time the ‘70s rolled around, things like Jell-O “salads” and canned meat were the norm.

While most gag-worthy retro recipes involved dinner or dessert, there were many gross vintage breakfast foods as well. Here are 13 examples that will make you clutch on to your avocado toast for dear life.

1. Mayoneggs

One might argue that isn’t much different than using cottage cheese or cream cheese to make fluffy scrambled eggs. However, there’s something unsettling about using the word “luscious” to describe a meal called “mayoneggs”…

2. Fish Stick Breakfast

As if a fish stick breakfast wasn’t puzzling enough, why not add pineapple rings and cranberry-orange relish to the mix? Yikes.

3. Crazy Cow Cereal

The hilarious thing about this cereal is that it “makes strawberry milk.” Also, what’s up with the creepy cow?

4. Creamy Salmon Brunch

A salmon brunch sounds tasty, but this recipe is a horrifying exception. To make it, you’ll need to combine salmon and canned mushroom soup. Next, you pour the mixture over Rice Krispies and top it off with Corn Flake Crumbs. Soupy cereal, anyone?

5. Swedish Birds’ Nests

Here’s another one that doesn’t seem too bad. But if you read the caption, you’ll totally think otherwise. Cold potatoes? Raw eggs? No thanks.

6. Cheese-Egg Bake

Admittedly, a cheese-egg bake is basically like a quiche or strata. But what’s with the slices of toast?

7. Eggs a l’Orange

That moment when you run out of clean dishes and decide to make”eggs in their orange cups.”

8. Salmon and Prawn Pancake

Is it breakfast? Is it dinner? Or is it the drunken creation of whoever drank that beer?

9. Beefburger Pancakes

Beef burgers, pancake batter, and condensed mushroom soup come together in this terrifying concoction.

10. Spinach and Egg Mold

There’s nothing like a Jell-O mold to ruin a perfectly decent breakfast of spinach and eggs.

11. Cowboy Smile Pancakes

Pancakes are cool and all, but the name is just a little bit strange.

12. Tang Breakfast Instant Drink

There is no way this “nutritious” breakfast drink ad would fly today.

13. Kaboom

It’s difficult to imagine a time when “sugary oat cereal” and neon smiley faces were acceptable breakfast foods.

Samantha Wachs

Recent Posts

The Top 6 Food Savers for Long-Lasting Kitchen Organization

Keeping your food fresh and organized is easier with the right tools. From bag sealers…

3 days ago

Adorable & Functional Bakeware Sets for Your Home Baking Adventures

Are you passionate about baking? Us too! Finding the right bakeware can make a world…

4 days ago

Cutest Things to Make Your Galentine’s Day Pop This Year

Celebrate Galentine's Day with some fun and charming kitchen tools that are perfect for gathering…

4 days ago

Cupcake Creation Essentials: Must-Have Tools for Perfect Baking and Decorating

If you love baking, having the right tools can make a big difference. From mixing…

4 days ago

The BLACK+DECKER Kitchen Wand Set: A Cordless Kitchen Hero

The BLACK+DECKER Kitchen Wand is a versatile tool that can simplify your cooking. With six…

5 days ago

We’re Obsessed With These Amazing Meal Kits and These Are Our Top 5 Recipes From Each

Let's face it; grocery shopping is a pain. Not only is going to the grocery…

6 days ago

This website uses cookies.