Retro favorites from the ’80s are back—and people are actually making them again. These 17 easy retro ’80s recipes are weirdly showing up in kitchens across the country, from weekend potlucks to weeknight dinners. Whether it’s the bold combos or just a nostalgia kick, there’s something about these dishes that hits different right now. If it looked good next to a can of Tab and a stack of VHS tapes, it made the list.
Matzo Brei Pizza
Matzo Brei Pizza is one of those retro ’80s recipes that manages to feel both weird and nostalgic at the same time. With a base that cooks in minutes and a pizza topping that's ready with pantry staples, it’s an easy dish for mornings or late-night snacks. Its quirky combo screams ’80s creativity, back when everything from lunch to dessert came with a novelty factor. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect to find next to a Trapper Keeper and a can of Tab.
Get the Recipe: Matzo Brei Pizza
Moist Gluten-Free Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Moist Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins were the kind of snack you’d find in every ’80s lunchbox, and now they’re one of those retro ’80s recipes you’ll want to bake again. Mixed in one bowl and ready in under 30 minutes, these muffins are a simple breakfast or mid-day treat. The mix of fruit and chocolate reflects that decade’s love for big flavors in small packages. They pair just as well with coffee today as they did with Tang back then.
Get the Recipe: Moist Gluten-Free Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Argentinian Empanadas
Argentinian Empanadas mirror those portable, savory bites that filled every party platter and potluck spread in the era of neon and boom boxes. They’re quick to prep and easy to bake or fry, making them one of the most flexible retro ’80s recipes around. Their crispy exterior and soft filling bring back the convenience food energy of that time. These belong right next to a stack of VHS tapes and a microwave cart.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas
Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe
Classic Mushroom Bourekas bring back the pastry snack phase that was all over retro ’80s recipes, especially at casual get-togethers. Filled and folded in under 30 minutes, they’re an easy recipe that works as a snack or party bite. These crispy parcels remind us why savory pastries were once a freezer-section favorite of every '80s mom. One bite feels like a throwback to after-school reruns and boxed juice.
Get the Recipe: Classic Mushroom Bourekas Recipe
Colombian Fruit Salad
Colombian Fruit Salad captures the color and sugary vibe that made fruit salads one of the top retro ’80s recipes at brunches and kids’ parties. Tossed in minutes with syrupy extras and served chilled, it’s an easy dessert or snack for warm days. The visual flair matches that ’80s obsession with fun food that looked as bold as it tasted. Each bite could easily belong in a Trivial Pursuit-themed kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Fruit Salad
Israeli Rugelach
Israeli Rugelach channels the rolled-up pastries that quietly ruled retro ’80s recipes in every holiday tin and dessert platter. These are easy to make in batches and freeze well, making them a practical go-to for planning ahead. The soft dough and sweet filling echo the flavors and textures that made the decade’s baked goods such a hit. They’re the kind of cookie that always ended up on your grandma’s pressed-glass plate.
Get the Recipe: Israeli Rugelach
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Russian Potato Salad was the kind of hearty dish you’d find at every backyard BBQ or church basement spread in the ’80s, which explains its comeback. Quick to assemble and chill, it’s one of the easiest retro ’80s recipes to throw together for picnics or potlucks. The mayo-heavy, veggie-packed mix reflects that signature decade’s style of going big on comfort. It’s like digging into a time capsule, cold and creamy.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Sweet Matzo Brei Recipe
Sweet Matzo Brei reflects that sweet-and-savory combo trend you’d see in many retro ’80s recipes, especially at weekend brunches. It’s fast to cook and made with pantry staples, so it’s a go-to breakfast that feels both classic and fresh. This dish brings back that quirky home-cooking energy of the decade where anything could be repurposed with a bit of sugar. You can almost hear the tape deck playing in the background while it sizzles.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Matzo Brei Recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
Chocolate Hazelnut Bars bring back the over-the-top sweet treats that made retro ’80s recipes so memorable. They’re easy to slice and serve, making them a go-to dessert for parties or lunchbox fillers. The rich chocolate layers and nutty crunch feel like something straight out of an ’80s bake sale. They belong on a floral tray with doilies and a tall glass of milk from the fridge with magnets all over it.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie has that nostalgic look and feel that defined so many retro ’80s recipes, especially around the holidays. With a prep time that fits neatly into a Saturday afternoon and a comforting finish that tastes homemade, it checks every box for a classic dessert. The lattice design alone feels like flipping through a family photo album with foil-covered leftovers in the background. One slice and you're suddenly sitting at the kids’ table, waiting for your turn with the whipped cream can.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie
Oreo Sufganiyot
Oreo Sufganiyot takes everything nostalgic about ’80s dessert trends and wraps it in powdered sugar. With easy prep and a fast frying time, they’re part of the retro ’80s recipes wave that turns snack-time into a flashback. Combining sandwich cookies with donuts feels like something a kid would dream up in the back of a station wagon. They taste like sleepovers and cartoons before cable took over.
Get the Recipe: Oreo Sufganiyot
Almond Tuile Cookies
Almond Tuile Cookies fit right in with the fancy dessert trays that made retro ’80s recipes a little extra. They’re quick to bake and add crunch to any dessert plate with minimal effort. Their thin, curved shape calls back to that era’s fascination with form as much as flavor. These cookies wouldn’t look out of place next to a crystal candy dish and a mirrored dining table.
Get the Recipe: Almond Tuile Cookies
Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe (Hanukkah Chunky Monkey Donuts)
Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot are exactly the kind of over-the-top dessert mashup that retro ’80s recipes embraced without hesitation. Fried dough, banana flavor, and chocolate chunks all collide in a way that’s loud, sweet, and easy to throw together for a fun snack. These donuts wouldn’t have been out of place at an ’80s birthday party with neon balloons and cassette tape decorations. Each one is like a sugar-coated time machine with sprinkles.
Get the Recipe: Banana Chocolate Sufganiyot Recipe (Hanukkah Chunky Monkey Donuts)
Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad revives one of those side dishes that sat proudly on nearly every retro ’80s buffet table. It’s a quick prep recipe that pulls together pantry basics into a bold, creamy salad that holds up at picnics and potlucks. The combo of eggs and noodles speaks to the decade’s love of rich, layered textures. It feels right at home next to folding chairs and a punch bowl.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Corn Flake Macaroons
Corn Flake Macaroons are a crunchy-sweet treat that totally matches the snack-focused energy of retro ’80s recipes. With no complicated prep and a quick setting time, they’re perfect for filling cookie tins or handing out during bake swaps. These little cookies lean into that fun intersection of cereal and dessert that the ’80s fully embraced. One bite and you’re back in a kitchen with wallpaper borders and Kool-Aid in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Corn Flake Macaroons
Banana Pudding Cookies
Banana Pudding Cookies turn a beloved pudding flavor into a handheld treat that totally fits the retro ’80s recipes vibe. They bake quickly and come together with familiar ingredients, making them an easy choice for after-school snacks or party trays. The pudding mix gives them that soft texture that was a hallmark of boxed baking trends in the ’80s. These cookies are basically the edible version of Saturday morning cartoons and shag carpeting.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cookies
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella is one of those retro ’80s recipes that’s reappearing on dinner tables thanks to its bold mix of prunes, olives, and capers. It’s easy to prep ahead and bakes in under an hour, making it practical for weeknight meals or weekend gatherings. This dish taps straight into the retro vibe that made fancy-sounding chicken entrees a household standard in the ’80s. The marinade alone could bring back memories of glass casserole dishes and rattan placemats.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella
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